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

MORE CLUBS THAN EVER ON SHOW AS NEC RESTORATION SHOW CONTINUES TO EXPAND

MORE CLUBS THAN EVER ON SHOW AS NEC RESTORATION SHOW CONTINUES TO EXPAND

Next year’s Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, with Discovery, is set to be a record breaker as it will be the biggest yet! Another hall is being added, increasing the show by 20 per cent, to provide more space for new classic car clubs and those clubs who want to do more live working at the show.

Some 175 clubs will attend the three-day event held at Birmingham’s NEC from 22-24 March 2019. Of those confirmed, 13 clubs appearing are making their spring debut at the show.

Acting Show Director Lee Masters said: “This is the fastest growing motor show in the UK which proves just how much interest there is, not only in the classic car market but in owners wanting to look after their own cars. As well as advice and expertise on restoration, we aim to also provide valuable knowledge on how to maintain and service your own vehicles which can save owners time and money in the future.”

Ford fans will be well catered for with the Ford AVO Owners Club continuing the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the Escort Mexico by displaying an ex-press car that is undergoing restoration. The Mk1-5 Cortina Owners Club celebrates its 30^th year with a stand featuring a fully restored Mk 4 Cortina 2.3S believed to be the only one on UK roads.

The Tickford Owners Club celebrates 50 years of the Ford Capri with a superb mix of project and restored cars. The RS500 Owners community pay tribute to the brilliant driver, Rudi Eggenberger, who sadly passed away this year. His exploits in the Cosworth RS500 touring car were legendary and the stand features one of his racers.

For something a little more unusual, the Retro Caravan Club stand is a must-visit.  Displaying caravans at different stages of restoration, including a barn-find example, visitors can watch repairs being made to one during the show.

Staying with the unusual theme, the Buckler Register enthusiastically promotes these fascinating British sports cars, and show-goers can watch members build an example from a bare chassis to a running car and admire a Buckler 90 that has never been on the road. And remember the tiny Peel P50 hailing from the Isle of Man? The Peel Owners Club will attempt to build one during the show.

British cars are also well represented amongst the debutantes, including the MG Car Club’s Young Members Group. Highlights of the Group’s stand include an MGB GT in daily use, a barn finds MGA Coupe and an MG ZT-T in concours condition. And be sure to visit the 1100 Club which will be showcasing maintenance and restoration work alongside fascinating technical displays.

For more Britishness, the Rover Coupe Owners Club is marking 20 years since the end of Coupe production and 30 years since the launch of the R8 platform that underpinned the stylish sports car. A very early, pre-release press car is a highlight of the stand and restoration work will begin at the show. With numerous Vauxhall anniversaries to be celebrated - including 30 years of the Calibra coupe - visitors should head to the Vauxhall Bedford Opel Association stand.

German marques are well represented, too, with the Quattro Owners Club displaying the first ever UK model that requires restoration. Visitors to the Scirocco Register stand can enjoy the 45^th anniversary of the Mk 1 model and admire one of the earliest cars in existence, a 1974 Scirocco TS.

With such a great selection of clubs making their debut, the 2019 show promises to be better than ever. For more information as well as all the ticket prices and booking details, visit www.necrestorationshow.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

SATURDAY 4th - SUNDAY 5th NOVEMBER

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SUNDAY 5th NOVEMBER

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SUNDAY 5th NOVEMBER

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FRIDAY 10th - SUNDAY 12th NOVEMBER

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