The Great Classic Trade-Up – and they’re off!
28 February 2022
We thought it was ‘advantage Lancaster’ in the early stages of ‘The Great Classic Trade Up’ competition, head-to-head, with our fabulous friends at Classics World magazine. A seamlessly executed pincer movement between Lancaster Senior Operations Manager Andrew Evanson, in conjunction with Club King Dave Youngs, has seen the arrival of a 1983 Classic Fiat 127, and the first significant move in the race to find the Classic Trade Up champs of 2022.
But then immediately Classics World arrived in the shape of MD Phil Weeden, acquiring a Honda Acty RomaHome. Now both teams are off and running as they look to restore then sell their vehicles for as much profit as possible, with proceeds from one of the final cars going to charity at the end of the year. The other car will be up for grabs in our ‘Win a Mystery Car’ competition, which kicks off at this years’ Classic Car and Restoration Show.
Andrew Evanson reports…
“I’ve always been a big fan of the Fiat 127 ever since driving one back in the mid 90’s, so when we saw one on eBay, it was time to get the team rolling as there’d already been 17 bids logged.
I noticed that it was for sale in Kent, only about 30 miles down the road from where our Car Club Manager Dave Youngs is based, so a quick message to the seller followed, and Dave flew out the door to go and see if it was as good as it looked in the advert. A couple of minor jobs needed but the seller was agreeable to an offer and a deal was done.
“The Fiat 127 was produced between 1971 and 1983. The later series 3 versions, as ours is, were launched in January 1982 and had a very short production run as the 127 was phased out the following year.
“Ours is a very late model with a first registration date of 22nd March 1983, just three months before the launch of the Fiat Uno which superseded it. Our car is fitted with a 5-speed transmission, which wasn’t available in earlier models.
“Having inherited a set of rare 13-inch alloy wheels from a Lancia Monte Carlo somewhere along the way and a pair of sought-after blue piped high back front seats from a 127 Sport, our little car has taken on a sportier look. According to DVLA records, there are less than 130 Fiat 127s either taxed or SORN in the UK and only two of those are the 127 1050 Super derivative which makes it a pretty rare car.
“Having covered only 27,000 miles from new, the car has averaged less than 700 miles per year with almost every MOT certificate present amongst its history to support this. Despite feeling like a modern supermini the car is actually 40 years old next year, so will also benefit from being tax and MOT exempt. With insurance for this car costing only £87.68* per year or £105.68 with a guaranteed agreed valuation, keeping a classic such as this on the road is not an expensive hobby!
“With great parts and fantastic club support from Fiat Motor Club GB, the little Fiat just needs a new owner. I’m looking for £6,000 for it and, at the asking price I’ll even chuck in a year’s free classic car insurance and a pair of tickets to the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show at the NEC in November. Ts & Cs apply. You could drive this away from the Classic Car and Restoration Show on Sunday 21st March.
“Come and have a look or drop me an email at restochallenge@lancasterinsurance.co.uk if you can’t make it to the show and are interested in being the next owner.”
*Quote based on a 45-year-old marketing manager with a second vehicle. The car is garaged, covers 3,000 miles per year and lives in a SP2 postcode. Driver has no claims or convictions.
Now, let’s hear from Classics World on the purchase of their RomaHome camper…
“We stumbled across the RomaHome like most cars, by accident after a couple of near misses had let us down. Honda Acty was introduced in its home market of Japan in 1977, initially as a pick-up. The van version was introduced two years later in 1979. It was exported with some success to the UK, and motorhome conversions such as this were pretty popular, as they were with the Acty’s main competitor, the Bedford Rascal.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have it and now we’re going to get cracking on it, to make it an attractive prospect for a potential buyer. The plan is for both Lancaster and ourselves to take our vehicles to the Classic Car and Restoration Show in March, and show them off to attract buyers. I’d heard they were pretty pleased with their Fiat, but this is right back at ya!”
At around 3.2 metres long, sporting ten-inch wheels and weighing around 600kg, the Honda Acty created an entirely new class of commercial vehicle, perfect for small towns and cities with narrow streets. This particular example was first registered in July 1985, making it a fairly late gen 1 facelift model, still with the 545cc two-cylinder petrol engine, mated to a four-speed manual gearbox.
Although there’s little paperwork to confirm this, we believe the 53,000 miles recorded on the odometer is genuine, and it’s got an MOT until September 2022. The RomaHome conversion comprises seating that turns into sleeping for two, an integrated fridge and sink, plus a two-ring gas hob.
According to DVLA records there are only around 60 Honda Acty models on the road in the UK, and that’s all derivatives. Motorhome versions must be significantly rarer.
Interested in buying this fabulous retro camper? If so, get in touch with us at restochallenge@lancasterinsurance.co.uk.
Both vehicles have got a few improvements lined up before we take them to the Restoration show in Birmingham later this month where both of them will be for sale on our stand in hall 5.