FIRST FIVE FINALISTS FOR LANCASTER INSURANCE PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP SPRING FINAL REVEALED

FIRST FIVE FINALISTS FOR LANCASTER INSURANCE

PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP SPRING FINAL REVEALED

The first Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership final of 2019 is shaping up to be one of most hotly-contested yet, and as anticipation builds ahead of the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, with Discovery, the first five in the Spring final can now be revealed.  

Held at Birmingham’s NEC from 22-24 March, the first finalist is the Volkswagen Type 2 ‘Splittie’, loved around the world, and the 21-window De Luxe Micro Bus owned by John Smith since 2015 is sure to attract plenty of attention.

Built in December 1964 as a right-hand drive vehicle for the UK market, power comes from a 42bhp, 1.5-litre engine and it still sports the original factory colour scheme. The subject of a six-year nut and bolt restoration that began in 2004, it has even featured in a German television programme on classic cars.

Annie Lloyd’s 1961 Bond Minicar Model G has been in her family for around 25 years and she inherited the car from her late ex-husband. Keen to keep his name alive, this quirky three-wheeled British classic which the owner calls ‘Mr Bond’ has appeared at numerous shows and always draws a crowd. With the bodywork in need of a refresh it is currently undergoing some restoration, but Annie promises it will be ready for its appearance at the NEC.

Show visitors who prefer a more modern classic certainly won’t be disappointed by Paul White’s 1990 Eunos Roadster. Better known as the Mazda MX-5 in the UK, the car was bought by the current owners’ grandfather in 2002, and when he sadly passed away Paul decided to keep the car in his memory. Having restored the paintwork, it now looks stunning and has won awards at a number of car shows.

No Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership display would be complete without an American classic and the 1970 Dodge Challenger RT owned since 2006 by Robert Nauer is guaranteed to stand out.

The original ‘GoMango’ orange paintwork is certainly striking, but not only has the car covered less than 48,000 kilometres but it is also rare. It is one of the few remaining examples built at the AMAG plant in Switzerland and has appeared at shows on both sides of the Atlantic.

And last but not least is another modern classic in the form of a 1992 Toyota Starlet GT Turbo. It belongs to Sammie-Jo Webster and was bought by her father back in 2006, before being given to her as a 21^st birthday present. Once used as her daily driver and in delightfully original condition, Sammie-Jo is keen to promote the ownership of classic cars amongst young people.

Andrew Evanson, Senior Operations Manager at Lancaster Insurance, comments: “This announcement is always exciting and the first reveal of the 2019 Spring finalists has not disappointed. Here is a great selection of classics from around the world and with MX-5s also celebrating their 30th anniversary this year, I can’t wait to see these incredible cars on display and hear the stories behind them.”    

A total of 20 wonderful classics will be competing for this year’s Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership spring final, and with fifteen finalists still to be announced visitors to the show can look forward to a tough choice when it comes to voting for their favourite.  

 For more information on the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, with Discovery, as well as all the ticket prices and booking details, visit www.necrestorationshow.com

WHO WILL WIN THE 2018 MEGUIAR’S CLUB SHOWCASE? THE 16 FINALISTS REVEALED!

WHO WILL WIN THE 2018 MEGUIAR’S CLUB SHOWCASE?

THE 16 FINALISTS REVEALED!

Once again, this year’s Meguiar’s Club Showcase has attracted a fantastic array of classics as the 16 finalists are revealed ahead of the Grand Final at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery, at Birmingham’s NEC from the 9-11 November.

The Porsche contingent is represented by Paul Howman’s 911 ‘993’ and the 356 of Ian Ellis, a deserved Super Class Winner at the Stanford Hall VW Show.

Amongst the finalists when it comes to German marques is Keith Bates’ BMW M3 E30, and the desirable Mercedes-Benz 250SL ‘Pagoda’ of Brian Ellis. Lyndon Creamer’s Volks World Best of Show winning Type 1 Beetle is yet another treat for show visitors.

A mouth-watering selection of British classics are guaranteed with five different marques represented. The Austin Mini of Ian Whitticase and David Fisher’s E-Type Jaguar will certainly draw a crowd, as will Nigel Scutt’s MG-F.

More tempting finalists include two Capris. The 2.8i Special of Gideon Mayers was a worthy recipient of the Capri Owners Club’s 1980’s Saloons award, while Barry Priestman’s Crayford Capri is a rare classic that will fascinate Ford enthusiasts.

Rounding off the British contingent is Tom Morley’s amazingly original Austin Allegro, the charmingly compact Austin A35 of Heather Walsh, and a fine example of the ever-popular Triumph TR5 owned by Simon Eaton.

No group of finalists would be complete without the world’s best-selling sports car which this year comes courtesy of Stephen Small’s Mazda MX-5. And we haven’t forgotten the USA. Barry Craven’s 1958 Chevrolet Impala is an attention-grabbing slice of classic Americana, and it will be joined by Phil Perry’s show-winning 1934 Ford Pick Up.

“With such an exceptional line-up, this year’s competition is going to be one of the toughest yet,” said Show Director Lee Masters. “The Meguiar’s Club Showcase always draws a hugely enthusiastic crowd and we can guarantee they are in for a real treat, thanks to the passion and commitment of the owners.”

The cars will be examined by an expert panel of judges over the course of the show with the winner announced on Sunday afternoon by Wheeler Dealers’ Mike Brewer. 

The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery, returns to Birmingham’s NEC from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 November. For more information as well as all the ticket prices and booking details, visit www.necclassicmotorshow.com

Previous Meguiar’s Club Showcase Winners

2017: 1953 Morris Mini – Ian Matthews

2016: 1966 Mini Traveller - Andy Nash

2015: 1939 MG TB - Alexander Louden

2014: 1969 Ford Cortina – Adrian Evans

2013: 1960 Jaguar XK150 S Roadster - William Baldwin

2012: 1962 Volkswagen Beetle 1200 Deluxe - Wayne McCarthy

2011: 1966 Austin Healey 333 Mk3 – Bill Donaldson

2010: 1963 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso Berlinetta – David Moores

2009: 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 – David Moores

2008: 1999 Rover Mini 40 LE - Mark Wynn-Smith

2007: 1960 Jaguar XK150 – John Brewster

2006: 1995 Jaguar XJ12 X300 Series - Anthony Winchester

For further information, images or media accreditation, please contact:

Andrea Seed, PR Director, Poppyseed Media Ltd

Mobile: +44 (0) 7812 010 765,

Email: andrea@poppyseedmedia.co.uk

LANCASTER INSURANCE PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP – NEXT TEN AUTUMN FINALISTS REVEALED

LANCASTER INSURANCE PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP –

NEXT TEN AUTUMN FINALISTS REVEALED

Another ten finalists have been revealed for the Autumn Final of the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership with cars coming from across the UK and even France. 

Held at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery, 20 cars in total out of the 100 entered will be invited to Birmingham’s NEC from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 November for the Grand Final. 

Andrew Evanson, Senior Operations Manager of Lancaster Insurance, sponsors of the Pride of Ownership, said: “At the show, there is always a real buzz surrounding the Pride of Ownership as it showcases incredible cars with some fantastic stories behind them. It’s always exciting to hear about who will be displayed and these ten cars will be a fantastic addition!”

The oldest car in the Final is Gillian Caldicott’s 1922 Calthorpe All Weather Tourer affectionately known as Connie. Believed to be one of only nine examples left, Connie was built in Birmingham and was originally owned until 1928. After then, she was lost until she was discovered partly dismantled in a semi-derelict building. Lovingly restored, the Calthorpe is around 85 per cent original but was sold to Gillian as it wasn’t being used as it should. 

One of the youngest cars and the youngest finalist is 20-year-old Tahmid Haque and his 1989 BMW E24 M635csi, believed to be the last M635csi finished in Diamond Schwartz Metallic, and car number 508 of 524 produced. 

Tahmid said: “I am very fortunate in only being 20 years old and having the opportunity to own and drive such rare cars. But the real happiness comes from being able to share these cars with other enthusiasts that appreciate them and I look for every opportunity to do so.”

Kevin Peck will have quite the journey to the show, given that he resides in France, but it will be worth it to see the Bugatti Type 35 Replica he purchased for just £1,000. Visiting a friend in hospital, Kevin met the then owner in the next bed who had bought the car, crashed it after eight miles on its first trip out, and not taken it out the garage since. He offered to sell it to Kevin for £1,000 complete with dent. Kevin accepted and restored the car back to its best.

Also travelling across the water is David Selfridge from County Antrim, Northern Ireland, and his 1938 Citroen Traction Avant Light 12. Having been parked in the garage for ten years by the previous owner, David has restored the vehicle over the past three years and will be driving it to the show. 

Representing the 1950s, Christopher Joyce’s ’56 Daimler New Drophead Coupe and Nick Pollitt’s ’55 Triumph TR3 will add some sports car style to the proceedings. Chris’ Daimler is one of 56 built with very few in the UK, while Nick’s TR3 was retained by Standard Triumph as the press and publicity car. 

Lucas Reynold’s 1982 Lotus Turbo Esprit was built by Lotus for the 1982 British Motor Show at the NEC so it is great to see it return some 34 years later. To make it stand out from other manufacturers, a new metallic paint colour named Iced Blue was used on all cars on the Lotus stand to catch the eye – and it certainly does that!

Talking of eye catching, Josh Lydiard’s 1972 Volkswagen Trekker is not something you see every day. “It’s an odd vehicle when original but mine has a unique patina with tasteful modifications and a slightly rat rod look,” explains Josh. “The car was originally used by the Luftwaffe in the 70s and still sports its original military markings which lead me to finding out it was a radar and artillery car at an airport in Germany near Munich. The car was very unique from the factory, but this example is one of a kind.”

A pair of Fords will also compete in the final – but they couldn’t be more different. Rob Sargent’s 1969 Ford Savage Mk2 V6 and Mark McClelland’s 1994 Ford Escort RS Cosworth Lux. 

These ten cars and owners join Richard Pinkett and his 1939 MG TB, Michael Jones’ 1960 Jaguar MkII, Andy Nash’s 1966 Morris Mini Traveller, and Mandeep Sandhar and his 2000 Nissan Skyline. Sadly, Mark Stewart’s Ford Escort XR3i has been withdrawn and a new finalist chosen in its place.

Visitors will be asked to vote for their favourite car and story, with the winner announced on Sunday 11th November by Wheeler Dealers’ Ant Anstead. For more information, visit www.necclassicmotorshow.com