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Keep up to date with the latest news and events from the world of classic cars.
THE NISSAN AUSTINS – A CELEBRATION
- 3rd November, 2022
Just over 70 years ago, the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry told the press that representatives from Austin were in Tokyo to discuss the local assembly of their cars. The result of these negotiations was one of the most intriguing chapters in the history of the British motor industry.
THE ROVER SD1 VITESSE AT 40
- 3rd November, 2022
1982 was a major year for the newly formed Austin Rover Group, with the launch of four significant models. There was the still underrated Austin Ambassador, the revival of the MG badge with the Metro 1300, the Metro Turbo and on the 19th October, the SD1 Vitesse.
THE CITYRAMA BUS LIVES!
- 2nd November, 2022
Last year, we published a blog about the Cityrama, the Paris bus that made a DS19 look positively low-key by comparison. Underneath, it may have had the chassis of the humble Citroen Type 55 lorry, but in the 1950s and 1960s, it was as much a tourist attraction as the Eiffel Tower.
THE ZIMP – THE ZAGATO-BODIED IMP COUPE THAT NEVER WAS
- 2nd November, 2022
When Motor Sport previewed the 1964 London Motor Show, the editor’s attention was drawn by an elegant Zagato-bodied small car with “a 4 - seater coupe body of light alloy panels on a space-frame structure, mounted on a virtually standard Hillman Imp chassis with braced platform and altered front-wheel camber.
THE SILVER JUBILEE ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM VI
- 2nd November, 2022
It is 1977, and a primary school in Hampshire is awash with red, white and blue, the pupils eagerly awaiting the day off to celebrate the Silver Jubilee. But, equally importantly, for the young motoring enthusiast, March of that year saw the announcement of a new Rolls-Royce for The Queen.
Do classic cars need an MOT?
- 1st November, 2022
If you’re the owner of a modern or relatively recent car, you’ll be familiar with the annual ritual of putting it in for its MOT. Once a year your car goes in for this standardised test to assess its capability across several key safe driving requirements.
Introducing our October Bright Young Spark – Jude Currie!
- 31st October, 2022
Introducing our October Bright Young Spark - Jude Currie. We were fascinated to hear about Jude’s passion for rescuing cars as their owners struggle to contend with the new charges imposed by ULEZ restrictions in Greater London. At only 20 years old, Jude is a great example of the younger generation who are keeping our passion for classics alive. Our friends at Practical Classics magazine caught up with Jude to find out more about his penchant for old cars…
Club story – The MX5 Owners Club
- 31st October, 2022
This month we received a fantastic testimonial from one of the many car clubs we work with across the UK – The MX5 Owners Club. They shared with us their experiences of working in partnership with Lancaster Insurance Services and are an excellent example of how we can support your club not just in regards to insurance but across a number of different activities.
The Austin A40 Devon – A Celebration
- 31st October, 2022
Today, the A40 Devon is a car often seen in the sort of black & white films where characters utter such lines as "Dash it all, Inspector! Yes, I was at the manor house at the time of the murder!". It is also one of the most important cars to wear the Austin badge, and we are delighted to showcase the A40 on our display at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show. In addition, we are equally thrilled that its pedal-powered smaller sibling will accompany it.
Britain’s Favourite Classic Charity – Road tripping with Practical Classics
- 31st October, 2022
Over the course of a week at the end of September, we joined Danny Hopkins from Practical Classics magazine on a road trip around the UK, visiting the top five Classic Charities above. It was fantastic to see these great causes in action - and to be joined by so many classic enthusiasts along the way. Practical Classics completed the road trip in their restored, NHS blue ‘Rebel with a Cause’ Reliant – which will be auctioned off to raise money for NHS charities. Here’s a round-up of this very special road trip…
How much do campervans cost in the UK?
- 28th October, 2022
Thinking of buying yourself a campervan so you can hit the open road? More and more people are buying themselves a home on wheels. So how much does it cost?
MEET THE OWNER – TONY PARK AND HIS VAUXHALL RADFORD
- 28th October, 2022
On the 11th October 1963, The Daily Telegraph announced, "A version of the 2.6 litre Vauxhall Cresta for the business executive is announced to-day by Harold Radford, the coachbuilders. It is called the Vauxhall Radford". And Tony Park now owns what is believed to be the sole remaining example of this exclusive machine.
THE 2022 BEAULIEU AUTOJUMBLE
- 28th October, 2022
2022 marks possibly my 20th Beaulieu Autojumble, an event that always manages to surpass itself. There was the chance to marvel at a Fiat Dino Coupe, one of the most elegant cars of its generation and, in the 1950s display, a bright red late-model E-Series Velox.
