LANCASTER CLASSIC CAR NEWS
SEVENTY YEARS OF THE WOLSELEY 4/44
In later life, the great designer Gerald Palmer reflected, “I had been to several Continental shows and had realised that some Italian styles were really wonderful. British styling, by comparison, was just pathetic”. So when the 4/44 made its bow at the 1952 London Motor Show, it caused a minor sensation.
TALES OF THE LOST COLT LANCER TRANSPORTER
Three years ago, my good friend and motoring photographer Darren Rungasamy and I found ourselves in a scenario reminiscent of Tales of The Unexpected. We had just completed a photo shoot on an industrial estate near Aylesbury and were awaiting the arrival of the transporter for one of the star cars.
60 YEARS OF DR. NO
The 5th October 1962 saw the premier of the first big screen adaptation of Ian Fleming’s James Bond novels. The star was that up-and-coming young Scottish actor Sean Connery and after seeing Dr. No, few could forget that John Barry/Monty Norman theme tune, Plus, many cinemagoers now craved a Lake Blue Sunbeam Alpine Series II, so here are 10 facts about the first ‘Bond Car’ -
60 YEARS OF THE SAINT
The first episode of The Saint aired on Thursday 4th October 1962, with viewers mesmerised by Roger Moore’s hairstyle - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNchg6Rc-Dk - and that white Volvo P1800. Here are twenty facts about ‘ST 1’.
LANCASTER INSURANCE PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP AUTUMN FINALISTS REVEALED
The 20 cars that will compete for the winning title in the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership Autumn Final have been revealed. The winner will be decided by visitors to the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with discovery+, on 11-13 Nov 2022 at Birmingham’s NEC.
Staff car stories – Aaron bought a 1983 TVR 280i – Part 2
In our last newsletter, our Car Club Liaison Aaron Prior told us all about his purchase and restoration of a 1983 TVR 280i. Part two of his TVR journey begins with making (more) poor financial decisions, with the TVR project moving from a light restoration to a full body off restoration.
Introducing our September Bright Young Spark…
Over the next few months we’ll be shining the spotlight on six ‘Bright Young Sparks’ who represent the younger generation of classic car enthusiasts – all of them nominated by you! You can find out more about the initiative here.
Club of the Month - 40th Anniversary of the Rover SD1 Vitesse
As the Rover SD1 Vitesse celebrates a milestone anniversary this month, we’re thrilled to announce that the Rover SD1 Club is our October Club of the month! Below the Club takes us through the iconic car’s history and we can’t wait to see their display at next month’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show.
Our friends at StarterMotor have one of the first ever hybrid cars – a 1917 Woods Dual Power!
The Woods Dual Power was built in Chicago in 1917 and shipped to the UK where it was first sold by Harrods the same year. Woods was one of the most important and long-lived manufacturers of electric cars in the USA.
SELLING THE DREAM – TEN BRITISH ENTRY-LEVEL MODELS
Or, ten of the finest examples of the author stretching the meaning of the words “luxury” and “comfort” to their very limits. Austin Metro Standard - The basic Metro was, according to British Leyland, “extremely well-appointed inside and out, in a style that puts many so-called ‘luxury hatchbacks’ to shame”.
MEET THE OWNER – CHRIS WILSON AND HIS FRAZER TICKFORD METRO
Forty-one years ago, the Sloane Range motorist searching for a town car in the spirit of the Radford Mini Cooper S De Ville needed to look no further than the ‘Frazer Tickford. The GRP body kit, alloy wheels, tinted glass, sunroof, and four (!) Marcal fog lamps proclaimed this to be a hatchback of distinction.
MEET THE OWNER - STEVEN GRAY AND HIS VAUXHALL CHEVETTE SUN HATCH
Any surviving example of the Vauxhall Chevette invariably causes double-takes when seen on the road. Steven Gray’s model looks especially radiant in metallic ‘Silver Beige’ – and then you notice the glass sunroof and realise this is the exclusive limited edition, Sun Hatch.