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Keep up to date with the latest news and events from the world of classic cars.
THE FORD CORTINA AT SIXTY
- 10th October, 2022
On the 20th September 1962, Ford of Great Britain unveiled the ‘Consul-Cortina’. And so, to celebrate its 60th birthday, here are 20 facts about “The small car with a big difference”.
Where Were You in 1962?
- 10th October, 2022
It was a year of so many key new cars, important motoring events, and Love Me Do, by a certain Liverpudlian beat combo.
The Great Classic Trade-up – from a E36 BMW 323 convertible to a 1991 VW Golf GTI Cabriolet
- 7th October, 2022
Our Great Classic Trade-up challenge with Classics World has entered round three, with Classic World purchasing a rather nice 1991 VW Golf GTI Cabriolet. But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. We asked Phil Weeden to update us on their convertible car buying adventures…
60 YEARS OF THE SAINT
- 4th October, 2022
The first episode of The Saint aired on Thursday 4th October 1962, with viewers mesmerised by Roger Moore’s hairstyle - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNchg6Rc-Dk - and that white Volvo P1800. Here are twenty facts about ‘ST 1’.
60 YEARS OF DR. NO
- 4th October, 2022
The 5th October 1962 saw the premier of the first big screen adaptation of Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels. The star was that up-and-coming young Scottish actor Sean Connery and after seeing Dr. No, few could forget that John Barry/Monty Norman theme tune, Plus, many cinemagoers now craved a Lake Blue Sunbeam Alpine Series II, so here are 10 facts about the first ‘Bond Car’ -
TALES OF THE LOST COLT LANCER TRANSPORTER
- 4th October, 2022
Three years ago, my good friend and motoring photographer Darren Rungasamy and I found ourselves in a scenario reminiscent of Tales of The Unexpected. We had just completed a photo shoot on an industrial estate near Aylesbury and were awaiting the arrival of the transporter for one of the star cars.
SEVENTY YEARS OF THE WOLSELEY 4/44
- 4th October, 2022
In later life, the great designer Gerald Palmer reflected, “I had been to several Continental shows and had realised that some Italian styles were really wonderful. British styling, by comparison, was just pathetic”. So when the 4/44 made its bow at the 1952 London Motor Show, it caused a minor sensation.
THE QUEEN’S RENAULT DAUPHINE
- 4th October, 2022
The year is 1968, and a young motoring enthusiast named Garry Dickens has just encountered a well-used Dauphine in the yard of a Somerset car dealer. At that time, it was in a rather sorry condition, but its history was unique.
LANCASTER INSURANCE PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP AUTUMN FINALISTS REVEALED
- 3rd October, 2022
The 20 cars that will compete for the winning title in the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership Autumn Final have been revealed. The winner will be decided by visitors to the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with discovery+, on 11-13 Nov 2022 at Birmingham’s NEC.
Our friends at StarterMotor have one of the first ever hybrid cars – a 1917 Woods Dual Power!
- 30th September, 2022
The Woods Dual Power was built in Chicago in 1917 and shipped to the UK where it was first sold by Harrods the same year. Woods was one of the most important and long-lived manufacturers of electric cars in the USA.
Club of the Month - 40th Anniversary of the Rover SD1 Vitesse
- 30th September, 2022
As the Rover SD1 Vitesse celebrates a milestone anniversary this month, we’re thrilled to announce that the Rover SD1 Club is our October Club of the month! Below the Club takes us through the iconic car’s history and we can’t wait to see their display at next month’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show.
Introducing our September Bright Young Spark…
- 30th September, 2022
Over the next few months we’ll be shining the spotlight on six ‘Bright Young Sparks’ who represent the younger generation of classic car enthusiasts – all of them nominated by you! You can find out more about the initiative here.
Staff car stories – Aaron bought a 1983 TVR 280i – Part 2
- 30th September, 2022
In our last newsletter, our Car Club Liaison Aaron Prior told us all about his purchase and restoration of a 1983 TVR 280i. Part two of his TVR journey begins with making (more) poor financial decisions, with the TVR project moving from a light restoration to a full body off restoration.
THE PIONEER ELECTRIC CAR - THE ENFIELD 8000
- Andrew Roberts |
- 28th September, 2022
Today, electric cars are a hot topic in the news, but those with long memories will recall a battery-powered vehicle that dates nearly 50 years. The Enfield 8000 debuted to a considerable amount of publicity and, on paper, seemed to be the ideal vehicle for motoring in the post-OPEC fuel crisis era.
