Lancaster News

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Welcome to Lancaster Insurance News

Keep up to date with the latest news and events from the world of classic cars.

65 YEARS OF MATCHBOX TOYS

  • Lancaster Insurance Services |
  • 24th April, 2018

For me, a Matchbox toy is always to be associated with the display cabinet of the village newsagents and stationers; one situated between the Wavy Line grocers and the gentleman’s tailor with a window display akin to a miniature Are You Being Served?

SIX MORE “FIRSTS”

  • Lancaster Insurance Services |
  • 23rd April, 2018

Half a dozen developments that impacted on the British motorists. P.S. After watching the adverts for Green Shield Stamps – don’t have nightmares…

50 YEARS OF THE MERCEDES-BENZ 300SEL 6.3

  • Lancaster Insurance Services |
  • 23rd April, 2018

Some of the greatest cars in the history of motoring wear their distinction lightly. You might, for example, have the very good fortune to encounter what looks like a W108 series Mercedes-Benz 300SEL, with every inch of its coachwork exuding discreet good taste.

Sarah Sullivan makes her racing debut!

  • Lancaster Insurance Services |
  • 20th April, 2018

I’d been to Rockingham many times before to see the MG Owners’ Club Race Championship in action but it was my debut as a competitor and the feeling was incredible!

BRSCC Mazda Racing – Round 1

  • Lancaster Insurance Services |
  • 19th April, 2018

For Round 1 of the BRSCC Mazda Season the team took the 73 mile trip from Haverhill to the world-famous Brands Hatch circuit in Kent on March 23rd and 24th.

CELEBRATING THE TRIUMPH DOLOMITE

  • Lancaster Insurance Services |
  • 19th April, 2018

There is something purposeful about a Dolomite; the quad headlamps, the slightly aggressive stance and the wooden veneered dashboard with its ‘All Systems Go’ warning lamp cluster.

TOP TEN 1970S SMALL ESTATE CARS

  • Lancaster Insurance Services |
  • 19th April, 2018

Or, ten very individual ways to carry luggage and passengers without spending a monarch’s ransom on fuel -

CAR OF THE MONTH – MORRIS MINOR MM AND SERIES II

  • Lancaster Insurance Services |
  • 19th April, 2018

The year is 1948, the month is October and you are one of 562,954 visitors to the London Motor Show at Earl’s Court. Of course, your chance of owning one of the exhibits are pretty slim; the government allocated steel to car manufacturers on the basis on their being able to sell their wares overseas – 75% was the target – and the home market waiting list extends for literally years.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE FIAT 132 AND THE FIAT ARGENTA?

  • Lancaster Insurance Services |
  • 18th April, 2018

In the 1970s when the world was young, Valerie Singleton, John Noakes and Peter Purves were the stars of Blue Peter, and when kipper ties were still in the vanguard of fashion, cars such as the Fiat 132 occupied that strange middle-ground between the Cortina and the Granada markets.

April’s Club of the Month!

  • Lancaster Insurance Services |
  • 17th April, 2018

This month goes to Enthusiasts of British Motor Vehicles, a non-subscription Facebook-based group founded in 2014 which is dedicated to the enjoyment and celebration of classic British motoring.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE VAUXHALL FIRENZA?

  • Lancaster Insurance Services |
  • 17th April, 2018

There are many of us - i.e. people of an age to remember the time of The Protectors on ITV, Spangles and when crimplene flared slacks were the height of fashion – who regard the Vauxhall Firenza as an underrated coupe.

60 YEARS OF THE ORIGINAL SUBARU

  • Lancaster Insurance Services |
  • 13th April, 2018

The gulf between a 1992 Impreza and their original Subaru of 1958 would initially appear to be wider than the Grand Canyon, yet despite the former being an acclaimed sports saloon and the latter being barely able to achieve 50 mph in 37 seconds; both were the ideal cars for their respective eras.

TOP TEN SUPER-NAFF CAR AND CAR-RELATED COMMERCIALS

  • Lancaster Insurance Services |
  • 13th April, 2018

These gems – and so many others – may be found on the utterly addictive History of Advertising Trust website. Enjoy!

Old Toyota Adverts

  • Lancaster Insurance Services |
  • 13th April, 2018

The Earls Court Motor Show 1965 marked the official debut of Toyota in the UK, and in the following year, various print advertisements tempted Ford Cortina, BMC 1100 and Vauxhall Viva owners to the charms of ‘one of the world’s most reliable cars’ - the RT40 series Corona.