Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership finalists revealed!

The Autumn Final of the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership competition is set to be a clash of the titans, making it fitting for this year’s Classic Motor Show’s 40th anniversary year.

Two-time winner Paul Clappison is back and looking for a hat track, this time with his immaculate 2002 Porsche Boxster S in its somewhat unusual colour scheme of Ocean Jade paintwork and Nephrite Green interior.

However, Paul faces stiff competition for our 2023 winner Tahmid Haque, who returns with a striking 1986 Koenig Specials BMW 635. A lot of money has been spent recommissioning this striking coupe, and as last year’s winner, can Tahmid take top-spot again?

One person who won’t be worried about the tight competition, being used to getting into small spaces, is legendary stunt driver Russ Swift who will display his stunning 1937 SS Jaguar 100. Used to pulling off spectacular feats, how will Russ fare in this toughest of contests?

But don’t think this is a three horse (power) race as there are some stunners from first time finalists too.

The oldest car is Nick Loizou’s 1930 Austin 16/6 Pass and Joyce Coupe which is the sole surviving example of its type and brimming with character.

Clive Thompson’s 1977 MG Midget was his link to a lost love he met 40 years ago. The couple and the car were reunited in 2012. The car has since had a full restoration to the exact specification of how it was when the couple first met.

Rather more unusual is the rare 1972 ADD Nova owned by Ed Straw - it’s certainly eye-catching and we wonder how many people have ever seen one. Talking of attention-grabbing, John Hemming’s 1991 Renault Clio 16v Dimma sports a head-turning body kit. Fewer than forty were made, and it’s been returned to superb condition.

Ford fans are well catered-for. The 1963 Ford Anglia of Jim Angliss is very special and needed a lot of work. Previous winner Stuart Turp’s 1983 Capri 2.0S is definitely one to admire and benefitted from a major restoration after being off the road for ten years.

Just as smart - and forty years old, just like the show - is Carl Evanson’s 1984 Ford Orion Ghia, and from ‘across the pond’ we have the 1967 Ford Mustang of Richard Stacey. Some 3500 hours of labour went into the restoration of this desirable muscle car.

More British cars include Roy Gaskill’s 1959 Vauxhall PA Cresta. In concours condition after much work, the American styling influence is clear. Claire Serrell’s 1988 Austin Rover Mini ‘Jet Black’ is rather smaller but no less special. Bought at a young age, she built the car with her dad and is rightly proud of their efforts.

For lovers of sports car the 1985 Lotus Esprit S3 owned by Dr Nathan Manghat has had a four-year, nut-and-bolt restoration and James Bond fans will love it.

The 2003 BMW 530d owned by Ship Duley is a modern classic saloon featuring subtle upgrades. Just as immaculate is the 1994 Peugeot 106 Rallye owned by Ashley Moulds, the little hot hatch receiving a comprehensive restoration.

The 1969 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600S that long-time marque enthusiast, Simon Adams, bought earlier this year combines racy looks with punchy performance.

Unusual and incredibly rare, Stephen Berry’s 1967 Autobianchi van was bought 12 years ago and needed a huge amount of work. Rather more familiar is the 1984 Volvo 240DL owned by Thomas Staniforth. It’s in great condition and boasts custom wheels and air suspension.

Which brings us to the biggest most luxurious of this year’s contenders, the 1976 Rolls-Royce Camargue that spent 15 years hidden away. Since buying the imposing car Steven Prevett and his wife have carried out a careful restoration.

“We’re thrilled to be celebrating our 40^th anniversary alongside the Classic Motor Show this year, and Pride of Ownership promises to be better than ever.” says Richard Morley of Lancaster Insurance. “The classics competing for the award are incredibly varied, so it’s set to be tough choice for people to pick their winner at this special show. It’s going to be a real treat for visitors and entrants alike.”

The winner of the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership will be decided by the show visitors who will be invited to vote for their favourite. The winner will be announced by Mike Brewer on Sunday 10 November at 2pm.

Tickets are now on sale. Check the website and use code PTLAN for a £2 ticket discount, or sign up for the newsletter for the latest updates and special offers.

LIPOO 2024 AUTUMN FINALISTS’ SUMMARY

Carl Evanson – 1984 Ford Orion Ghia

These once-common Fords are rare today, which makes this one even more special. Now 40 years old, it has a low mileage and just two previous owners and has benefitted from a full respray. Off the road for more than 10 years it’s now in superb condition inside and out.

Claire Serrell – 1988 Austin Rover Mini ‘Jet Black’

The owner grew up around classics and was inspired by her dad to build this superb example of the limited edition ‘Jet Black’. The build took up every spare moment over 3 years, and the result is a testament to their skill and dedication. That it’s won awards is no surprise.

Clive Thompson – 1977 MG Midget

Known by the owner since 1984, this MG was his link to a lost love. Reunited with his partner in 2012, he found the car again in 2019 close to being scrapped. Fully restored, still featuring the engine he rebuilt all those years ago. A proper love story for this much-loved classic.

Ed Straw – 1972 ADD Nova

This rare and very original car was first seen by its owner in 1977 when he was 14, and it’s been with him for more than 40 years. In 2020 he decided to embark on a rebuild and the results of his efforts speak for themselves. It’s guaranteed lots of interest.

Ship Duley – 2003 BMW 530d

This fine modern classic was purchased back in 2015, and it’s received plenty of work since. That’s included a suspension overhaul, some bodywork repairs and a repaint and an upgraded audio system. The owner loves the quality of these BMWs and says this one always puts a smile on his face.

Jim Angliss – 1963 Ford Anglia

This classic Ford was purchased as a rolling shell around 12 years ago, and it’s required a huge amount of work which took 3 years to complete. Uprated in just about every area, including a 2.0-litre Ford Pinto engine and Type 9 gearbox, it certainly gets plenty of attention.

John Hemming – 1991 Renault Clio 16v Dimma

This hot hatchback is number 13 of the 38 cars made, and it was purchased in a very sorry state. In fact, it needed a total restoration, and the owner has spent a lot of money restoring it to perfect condition. He says it’s now brand new inside and out.

Dr Nathan Manghat – 1983 Lotus Esprit HC

Close examination by experts revealed this to be a normally aspirated Series 3 with a Turbo body kit, and that discovery led to a nut-and-bolt restoration taking more than four years. It was a huge job, but the result is nothing short of spectacular and James Bond fans are sure to love it.

Nick Loizou – 1930 Austin 16/6 Pass and Joyce Coupe

The owner has had this delightful Austin for five years, and it’s the sole surviving example of its type. Previously subjected to an extensive restoration taking several years, it’s no surprise that it has won plenty of awards since then. Packed with character, it has quite a story.

Paul Clappison – 2002 Porsche Boxster S

It took months for the owner to find exactly the right car, and the unusual colour combination appealed straightaway. Plenty of time has been invested to bring it up to an exceptional standard, and it’s a modern classic that he’s rightly proud of. The great specification is the icing on the cake.

Richard Stacey – 1967 Ford Mustang

A long-time lover of American classics, the owner bought this car in 2013 and then drove it home from Scotland to Essex. He knew a restoration would be needed at some point, and it would ultimately take some 3500 hours of labour and more than four years. The result is stunning.

Roy Gaskill – 1959 Vauxhall PA Cresta

The owner has had PA Crestas for many years and the very low mileage and excellent provenance meant he couldn’t resist this example. A full re-paint and careful recommissioning would follow, and this British classic is now in concours condition. And it’s still only covered 33,000 miles from new!

Russ Swift – 1937 SS Jaguar 100

The owner wanted one of these since childhood, and the extensive history of this example includes competing in the ’37 Monte Carlo Rally. Bought last year, it’s benefitted from attention to the paintwork and some recommissioning, and along with plenty of shows already this year it’s won awards, too.

Simon Adams – 1969 Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600S

Previously restored in The Netherlands and brought to the UK in 2016, this racy-looking Alfa was bought by its current owner just this year. A long-time Alfa enthusiast, he uses it for touring and the occasional track day and plans to maintain its ‘weekend racer’ style and enjoy the peppy performance.

Stephen Berry – 1967 Autobianchi van

Purchased back in 2012 the owner discovered that the restoration wouldn’t be easy thanks to poor parts availability. A huge amount of work was needed, too, but his dedication saw it completed only recently. Unusual and rare, this small commercial vehicle is sure to attract plenty of attention at the show.

Steven Prevett – 1976 Rolls-Royce Camargue

This stunning Rolls had previously been kept in secret underground storage for 15 years, but it’s since been treated to a 9-year restoration by the owner and his wife. The luxurious interior is completely original, and it retains the factory colour of Cobalt Blue. It’s only covered 65,000 miles, too.

Stuart Turp – 1983 Ford Capri 2.0S

Well-known in Capri circles, the owner bought this example from a private collection back in 2019. Off the road for 10 years before that it needed serious restoration, with a lot of corrosion to tackle. He says that it took the best part of 18 months to complete.

Thomas Staniforth – 1984 Volvo 240DL

This Swedish classic is in superb condition inside and out, and it boasts some unique touches including custom wheels and air suspension. It certainly gets plenty of attention, and has built-up a big following on social media, too. It’s fair to say there’s not another like it in the UK.

Tahmid Haque – 1986 Koenig Specials BMW 635

Few BMWs are as striking as this one built by the famous German tuning outfit. One of just two made and previously on display at the London Motor Museum, the eye-catching coupe has been extensively recommissioned. The owner says that a lot of money was spent returning it to original condition.

Ashley Moulds – 1994 Peugeot 106 Rallye

The proud owner is definitely a fan of French cars, and after buying this small sporting hatchback three years ago he set about a full restoration. From the body shell being acid-dipped to a complete engine rebuild, nothing was left untouched, and the result is a truly stunning example.