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Keep up to date with the latest news and events from the world of classic cars.
MEET THE OWNER: ROY HEDGER AND HIS CHRYSLER SUNBEAM
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
The Sunbeam was clean-cut and well proportioned in appearance, yet it took little more than 18 months to develop. Chrysler UK commenced Project R424 in January 1976, using an SWB version of the Avenger floorpan as a base.
MEET THE OWNER: BJARTE TUNOLD AND HIS ASTON MARTIN DB5
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
To celebrate the launch of the latest Bond film, No Time to Die, we look at the iconic Aston Martin DB5. On the 17 September 1964, the London premiere of the third Bond Film created cinema history, not least from the moment when Desmond Llewelyn’s Q orders 007 to ‘pay attention’.
MEET THE OWNER: CHAD DENDY AND HIS HUMBER SCEPTRE
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
Chad Dendy is the proud owner of what must be one of the most eye-catching cars on the South Coast. Any 1965 Sceptre Mk. I would cut a dash through Lee on Solent, causing amazement amongst the various holidaymakers. Ice cream parlour customers gawp at the sight of those charmingly retro ’50s line while other motorists slow down to marvel at the Humber’s sheer presence.
MEET THE OWNER: EDWARD ARMSTRONG AND HIS POLICE AUSTIN MINI COOPER S MK. II
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
There are those rare occasions when your rare and desirable classic turns out to be even rarer and more desirable than you first imagined. For example, 37 years ago, Edward acquired a 1969 Austin Mini Cooper S Mk.
MEET THE OWNER: JASON FARNHAM AND HIS MG MIDGET MK.I
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
During the heyday of Abingdon, MG’s principal export market was the USA. This splendid Midget Mk.I resides in California, and it is both Jason’s first Octagon badged car and indeed his first classic vehicle.
MEET THE OWNER: JIM BAUMANN AND HIS PANHARD PL17
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
A few months ago, we described the wonders of the PL17, and we now celebrate the incredibly rare British market version owned by Jim Baumann. “I always wanted a Panhard - not sure why or which one - and the enthusiasm flip-flopped between a 24 and a Dyna. But then I realised that the early PL17 had a serious amount of polished aluminium ‘bling’, and I wanted RHD!”.
MEET THE OWNER: MARK FERRIS AND HIS ROVER 216 VANDEN PLAS EFI
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
Mark is the proud owner of the Austin Maestro VDP we recently featured, and he has also acquired a 216 Strata Grey Metallic Vanden Plas EFi. It was first registered on the 1st August 1988 and now goes by the name “Hyacinth”.
MEET THE OWNER: MIKE STEWARD AND HIS SAAB 99 TURBO FIVE-DOOR
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
Whenever Mike displays his 99 Turbo at shows, he frequently hears comments along the lines of ‘Never seen that before’ or despite the Saab’s very formidable presence, ‘it does not exist’.
MEET THE OWNER: NIGEL RICHARDSON AND HIS AUSTIN 1800
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
Local summer shows and fairs are so often a source of fascinating machinery. You might attend a fete with a vague expectation of bookstalls selling copies of Harry Potter for fifty pence, the delights of “Ferret World”, and a brass band playing In The Mood. But, then, you note a display of cars in a far corner of the field.
MEET THE OWNER: PADRAIC O’RIORDAN AND HIS MERCEDES BENZ 300SE
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
It is difficult to appreciate just how exotic any new Mercedes Benz Fintail would have appeared to the average Briton in the early to mid ‘sixties. t that time, even the cheapest 190 seemed to belong to a Cold War cinema drama, preferably one with a score by John Barry.
MEET THE OWNER: ALLAN JONES AND HIS FORD CAPRI MK.I SPECIAL
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
The first limited edition Capri was the 1971 Vista Orange, followed in June 1972 by the ‘Special’ based on the 1600GT 2000GT or 3000GT in XLR guise. The additional equipment included opening rear windows, a bonnet bulge, an alternator, a heated rear screen, a map lamp, hazard warning lights and, of course, ‘sports wheels’.
ON PARADE: AN RAF SPECIFICATION STANDARD VANGUARD VIGNALE
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
In the 1950s and well into the 1960s, the Vanguard was associated with the Royal Air Force. So from Brize Norton, Malta and Aden to Gan, Akrotiri, and Gibraltar, you would find highly polished Standards bearing RAF roundels. And today, the Vignale Estate, owned by the social media Influencer ‘Mrcarstagram’, is a reminder of the sort of car you might see in a black and white British Pathé newsreel.
Alex Cursley Hyundai Coupe Cup with Lancaster Insurance Season review 2021
- Sally McDonald |
- 23rd December, 2021
'Together with Lancaster Insurance we’ve won the 2021 Hyundai Coupe Cup!' This makes us the most successful Coupe with two series wins and the most number of races won ever.
Classic cars used in crime
- 23rd December, 2021
These are some of our favourite classic crime cars, from both fact and fiction. Some of these still make realistic ownership prospects today. They now enjoy iconic status (and not just down to certain criminal associations), so be sure to protect them with some specialist classic car insurance.
