Lancaster News

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Latest news

Welcome to Lancaster Insurance News

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

Zodcon

MY IDEAL SUMMER CONVERTIBLE

  • Andrew Roberts |
  • 13th July, 2022

As summer is finally with us, thoughts turn to the familiar pastimes –picnics with exploding bottles of diet ginger ale, wasps that sound like an irate John Lydon, and convertible motoring.

M Advantage

MEET THE OWNER – PATRICK BRADLEY AND HIS MAESTRO ADVANTAGE

  • Andrew Roberts |
  • 13th July, 2022

Picture the scene – it is September 1989, and you are searching for a five-seater five-door hatchback. Of course, your criteria are that it must be British-built, frugal with fuel, cheap to run and reasonably well-appointed.

AUDI SUPER 90

THE AUDI SUPER 90 – A CELEBRATION

  • Andrew Roberts |
  • 7th July, 2022

Fifty-five years ago, UK sales commenced of an upmarket FWD medium-sized saloon from Germany. Its appearance may have been low-key, and the steering column gear lever seemed decidedly unsporting.

Talbot Solara

THE ONE OWNER FROM NEW TALBOT SOLARA MINX

  • Andrew Roberts |
  • 7th July, 2022

One of the most intriguing forms of classic car to write about is one that has been a member of the same family since the beginning. Ms. Ros Hawke has owned her Solara Minx for over 36 years, and, quite incredibly, her fleet also includes a second example.

Tatra

THE TATRA T603 – A CELEBRATION

  • Andrew Roberts |
  • 7th July, 2022

“The Ministry driver climbed aboard, the man called Ladislav took the passenger seat, the driver pressed a button and the Tatra’s rear mounted V8 engine rumbled into life. Looking around, I noticed all the switches and the steering wheel were in an elegant ivory plastic unlike anything I had seen in Britain”.

Honda Civic

The Honda Civic at 50

  • Andrew Roberts |
  • 6th July, 2022

Fifty years ago this month, British motorists read of a new Honda car that combined a transversely mounted belt-driven all-alloy 1.2-litre overhead camshaft engine combined with all-independent suspension and a very attractive appearance.

Morris Marina

SUMMER MOTORING - THE MORRIS MARINA MUMFORD CONVERTIBLE

  • Andrew Roberts |
  • 6th July, 2022

It was a familiar scenario in the early 1970s – an MGB Roadster owner who found themselves in need of more space but who still wished to enjoy the pleasures of open-topped motoring.

Datsun 200L

MEET THE OWNER – ANDREW HULL AND HIS 1977 DATSUN 200L LAUREL

  • Andrew Roberts |
  • 6th July, 2022

For too many years, the classic car press in this country tended to overlook Japanese saloons, but today their following is justifiably numerous. After all, who could resist a Datsun such as Andrew Hull’s 1977 200L, with its metallic paint finish, black vinyl roof and distinctively aggressive grille?

Lancia Beta

THE LANCIA BETA AT 50

  • Andrew Roberts |
  • 6th July, 2022

In October 1972, Lancia introduced a new model that caused a great deal of controversy among devotees of the marque. For one, Fiat had acquired Lancia in 1969, with the parent company supplying the 1.4-litre, 1.6-litre, and 1.8-litre twin-cam engines for the Beta, while Citroën developed the five-speed transmission.

r8

THE RENAULT R8 AT 60

  • Andrew Roberts |
  • 6th July, 2022

2022 marks the 60th birthday of many significant vehicles - including the Renault R8. When it made its bow in June 1962, it represented the third generation of the marque’s rear-engine saloons, following the Dauphine and the 4CV, and a swansong of the format.

Castle ruins on the shoreline of a loch in Scotland

Guide to wild camping in Scotland

  • 4th July, 2022

Taking your campervan around Scotland is one of the most enjoyable and elemental camping experiences you can have in the UK. Here are some suggestions for how to get the best out of your wild camping experiences in this extraordinary country. Just be aware that Scotland can be famously cold and wet, particularly in winter.

Family beach walk

17 things to pack for your next seaside campervan adventure

  • 1st July, 2022

There has been something of a staycation boom in the UK the past couple of years, with people rekindling their love for the British coast, in particular.

Datsun

MEET THE OWNER – JOE WILLIAMS AND HIS DATSUN PATROL 160

  • Andrew Roberts |
  • 28th June, 2022

“His name is ‘Darius the Datsun’ and out of all of my cars, he seems to have captured the heart of the most people”. Joe Williams is the proud custodian of a 1983 Patrol 160 SWB, the third generation of a Nissan 4x4 that had a major impact on Land-Rover’s Commonwealth export markets.

Bandit

CELEBRATING THE BERKELEY BANDIT

  • Andrew Roberts |
  • 28th June, 2022

Last month, a unique open two-seater sold at auction for £28,000. 700 CNM was not just a star of the 1960 London Motor Show but the only known example of the Berkeley Bandit, one of the most promising sports cars of its generation.