The Silverstone Classic 2012

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Anne Jacobs

Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire are hosting the Silverstone Classic from the 20-22 July. It is firmly established as the largest classic motor racing festival in the world with a record attendance in 2011 of 80,000.

The paddock and pits complexes at both the new International Wing and the National are to be utilised to hold over 800 world-renowned historic racing cars that will race on all of the Grand Prix circuit. In addition over 7,000 classic cars will be on display on the infield.

There will be air displays, rally car rides, live rock concerts, celebrity race, and vintage fun fair. Advance ticket sales have hit a new record being 31% more than last year.

“The Silverstone Classic just gets bigger and better every year with even more for all ages to see and do”  said Nick Wigley, Event Director at Silverstone’s media preview on Wednesday 9th May. ‘The quality and quantity of our grids and car club displays is second to none while our new partnership with the AA is playing a significant role in extending the event‘s massive appeal to an even wider family audience. We thought last year’s blockbuster was going to be hard to match but, with so many unmissable highlights already confirmed, it’s clear that this summer’s festival is going to be the best yet.”

The 2012 Silverstone Classic is scheduled to run 24 races featuring at least 100 Grand Prix cars plus GT, Le Mans, Jaguar E-types, Group C and many more.

The Silverstone Classic Celebrity Challenge will see many well known stars of music, TV, sport etc putting on race suits to compete in Morgan sports cars.

This year sees the introduction of the AA World motoring theme park that will provide free driving experiences in a huge range of vehicles for toddlers through to adults.

AA President, Edmund King, said: “AA World will get the whole family involved in the fun of driving from Roary The Racing Car for toddlers to hot laps and skid-pan sessions for the grown-ups. And pre-driving age teenagers will be able to get behind the wheel of an AA driving school Ford Focus for a first drive at Silverstone. Personally I believe Drive.Live. In conjunction with AA World will be fantastic fun – a rolling motor show providing visitors with passenger and hot lap driving experiences. Already those signed up include Aston Martin, Bentley, Lamborghini, Maserati and Morgan and there’s going to be lots more. It’s a real opportunity for visitors to have a go in those cars. AA World will be thrilling free fun for all the family and will put 100 per cent enjoyment back into motoring. “

Advance tickets for the 2012 Silverstone Classic cost from as little as £35 that provides access to all events etc.

If you are driving to Silverstone in your classic car make sure you have it covered with classic car insurance.

 

 

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Collectible Classics Up For Auction

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Anne Jacobs

In Mallusk, an auctioning company will be selling a large collection of classic cars that used to belong to the ex-President of the East Antrim Old Vehicle Club.

Donald Davies, past president of the club and a classic car aficionado from Glengormley, passed away in November last year. Davies, 72, left behind him a large collection of collectible vintage cars.

The diverse collection comprises of a 1971, VW Karmann Ghia, 1983 DeLorean DMX, 1956 Berkeley Sports Car, 1957 Austin Nash Metropolitan, 1955 Messerschmitt Tri-Cycle Car and a 1956 Bond Mini Car Mark D.

Gavin Harvey from Wilson Auctions, which is currently tasked with the sale of the vehicles, was found commending the unique collection housed by the late Donald Davies.

“The DeLorean Motor Company built their cars in Belfast and it went on to become instantly recognisable after the ‘Back to the Future’ films,” Harvey commented.

“There is also a rare 1962 Messerschmitt Tri-Cycle. Under a post-war ban on aircraft production, Messerschmitt, the German plane manufacturer, turned their attention to manufacturing cars and the Tricycle was a result of this diversification,” Harvey continued.

The auction of the classic cars and motorcycles will be held on Thursday, April 12th. There will be a Live Online Bidding System for buyers who are unable to attend the auction in person. A certain number of classic cars not part of the collection will also be accepted into the auction, subject to the auctioneer’s approval.

In other news, Vauxhall will be opening its Heritage centre on the 22nd April, with a collection of over 70 classic cars from different eras. This means that the Heritage Centre will be part of the prestigious Drive it Day, which is slated to be held on the same day. There’s free entry for everyone and all classic car owners will be given refreshments along with access to the motor giant’s heritage collection, incidentally one of the largest in the UK.

Drive it Day is being organised by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs so as to encourage owners and aficionados to take their classic cars out on the road and celebrate the heritage of motoring spirit from its glory days.

This event started out as a tribute to the Thousand Mile Trial from 1900, where 64 cars had set off from London to promote motor reliability in a three-week reliability test. It will be quite interesting to see how many classic cars show up on the Drive it day to affirm that classic cars are still plentiful on UK roads.

This can only mean well for the bevy of classic car insurance sites, which are looking for more and more business all the time. One can surely expect to see representatives of some of the prominent companies on the Drive it Day, hunting for prospective customers.

 

 

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Ethanol Spike In Petrol Gives Shivers To Classic Car Owners

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Anne Jacobs

The current fuel problem is no stranger to anyone in the world. But did you know that the fuel type running in car and bike engines at present may severely harm your classic car?

Due to the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation that was announced by the Government in 2005, petrol now comes mixed with up till five per cent ethyl alcohol, also known as ethanol. The level of ethanol may go even higher to an alarming ten per cent in the coming years, or even months.

The concept of running internal combustion engines on alcohol is definitely not new, since Model T Ford engines did run on ethanol until the better quality gasoline became more readily available.

Ethanol was usually used as an accompaniment to petrol due to its resistance to ‘knock’, which essentially meant that an engine could have a higher compression ratio along with churning out more power. During the 70’s fuel crisis in the US, things changed when people realized the risk of being overtly reliant of imported fossil fuels. Crops began to be grown that would be fodder for engines, rather than people. A new blend of bio-ethanol and petrol was devised and known as Gasohol and began to be touted as the future’s fuel. However, once the Middle Eastern countries normalised crude oil prices, Gasohol again became sidelined as a lesser cousin of gasoline.

However, ethanol is a powerful solvent that can harm several components of the fuel system, comprising of galvanised materials, zinc, copper, brass, aluminium, hoses and seals, polyurethane, cork and epoxy resins. This basically defines the complete fuel system of a classic car that was made more than 20 years back. Also, ethanol is hydrophilic, which means all sorts of extra hassles for the vehicle.

So, in short, if our classic cars do run on the current fuel type for a protracted period of time, a misshapen blob of a fuel system might be all you get to see on your beloved Tribsa the next time you open your garage doors.

However, that’s not the end of worries for typical classic cars. E15 fuel type, which utilises 15 per cent ethanol, has recently been approved by the Government in light of paralyzing fuel shortages and virtually fruitless searches for alternative fuel. If accepted, even more recent cars that do not fit into the classic car category may find it difficult to stomach the fuel.

Classic car insurers have already started spreading the word about the hazardous effects of the new fuel types. It seems quite possible that classic car insurance may become redundant as the vehicles are taken apart by their own food.

 

 

 

 

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Vintage Bentley Set To Become Most Expensive British Classic Ever Sold

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Anne Jacobs

An old classic Bentley will be sold in the open market for a record price of £5 million, making it the most expensive British classic ever to be sold. The 1929 Bentley 4.5 Litre, which belonged to British racing champion Sir Henry ‘Tiger Tim’ Birkin, shot to fame when it touched a staggering 137mph during the illustrious Brooklands Outer Circuit in 1931.

With a slated sale price of £5 million, the Bentley could well become the most expensive British classic car ever sold publicly. The current record-holder for highest price is a 1904 Rolls-Royce, which fetched £3.5 million when it was sold in 2007. Adjusting for inflation, that price reaches till £4 million in the present day.

The vehicle is a bright red Bentley and is part of George Daniels collection. This collection is set to be auctioned off on June 29th during the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Talking about the man behind the wheel, Sir Henry Birkin was one of the most popular of the Bentley Boys, which was a group of rich, influential men who were into serious racing during the Roaring 20s. The Bentley Boys shared four consecutive victories at the Le Mans track and one of their members, Woolf ‘Babe’ Barnato, bought the British car company, Bentley.

After Sir Birkin’s tragic demise in a freak accident, the Bentley was sold to George Daniels, a legendary horologist who kept it until his death in 2011.

The vehicle is known as a Bentley Blower and comes packed with a 4.5-litre supercharged engine, capable of producing 240bhp. This was an awesome statistic back in the 1930s so it is easy to understand why the Blower has been immortalised in the annals of racing history. With merely 54 models built, classic car enthusiast George Daniels kept it as his prized possession until his death.

Now, with the car up for sale, plenty of classic car aficionados have already started rubbing their palms in anticipation. Of course, the exorbitant price tag of £5 million would deter most away, but there are still many who would like to get behind the wheel of the Bentley Blower.

Vintage cars like the Blower have been fetching relatively cheaper rates of classic car insurance lately. With maintenance and safe driving being a foregone conclusion with classic car drivers, insurers are wont to offer relaxed premiums for the same.

Coming back to the Blower, the £5 million price tag is not enough to keep away fanatics like George Klepp, who would like nothing better than to see the vintage jazzing up his garage. However, he remains unsure of the exact price when the car goes under the hammer.

“If you have a car like this, then you will get invited to all the best parties. It has a great racing history and the wow factor, but it is difficult to predict how much it will go far,” he said, “In the world of vintage Bentleys, it is a very important model as it ticks all of the boxes.”

 

 

 

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HAGI Index Raises More Questions Than Answers

Posted on February 4, 2012 by Anne Jacobs

Although classic cars have proved to be reliable investment assets with stellar returns on equity, some say that there is quite a bit of irregularity between the top performers in the classic car collectible lot and the seemingly-obvious choices.

The recently-published HAGI (Historic Automobile Group International) Index listed 50 of the most profitable investment collectibles in the classic car market. While cars like the Jaguar MK2 made the list, high performers like Porsche and Ferrari were not in the top slots for 2011, even after having delivered significant gains.

The HAGI Index reflects the prices of the most expensive and the rarest of classic cars such as the 1955 Aston Martin drophead coupe. The Aston Martin, incidentally, experienced quite a boost in its sale recently, when it was sold for £227,000 in 2011, having been bought for £181,000 in 2009. The current price tag is far beyond the reach of ordinary investors.

While many investors will be inspired to invest in classic cars after this happy piece of news, there is currently no data to suggest that cheaper classic cars have witnessed similar price hikes as the Aston Martin.

According to Mr. Dietrich Hatlapa, who published the HAGI Index, “Simply because a model or marquee has performed well in the past, it does not mean it will continue to advance at the same rate in the future. Often, there can be better opportunities among models that have underperformed. This market is highly segmented and affected by changing tastes and fashions.”

Alan Boulding works at Legal & General as a pensions strategy director and is a classic car enthusiast himself. He says, “A successful investment in classic cars will require foresight to gues which vehicles will become more popular over time. We haven’t yet seen big Chinese or Indian money coming into the market as we have with fine wines, so a speculator might go for the marques that have some historical connection in the East such as Daimler or Lanchester, but which are still very modestly priced over here.”

He went on to say that prices are given to fluctuate with the change in tastes and trends.

“In the future, they may not appeal to people who want to show that they are up with the latest. I’m mindful of Menzies Campbell, who quietly dumped his 12-cylinder Jaguar the moment he became Liberal Democrat leader as it didn’t convey the right environmental credentials.”

In addition to being unfriendly with the environment, the cost of upkeep of a classic car is another hassle for owners to deal with. But cheap classic car insurance is still quite easy to have, what with the maintenance of the car being a foregone conclusion.

Mr Boulding continues, “As a form of retirement savings, a car from the Sixties does offer something quite unique. These are from a golden period with sufficiently advanced engineering that they still keep up with modern traffic but are entirely mechanical and free of electronics, making them easy to repair.”

 

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UK Classic Car Auctions Pale In Face Of Stiff European Competition

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Anne Jacobs

It seems the UK collector’s market is steadily losing out to its European cousins in the race for sales. The previous year end saw a record 3512 classic cars being sold under the European auction hammer, which is 770 more than the year before.

In the UK, where the number of cars auctioned and sold has definitely increased by leaps and bounds from the year before, the average price paid for a purchased classic car has dropped by almost £2,000, which indicates a year-on-year drop of 5 percent in auctioned classic car prices.

In terms of auction events, there’s another reason to smile for classic car insurance companies; as the auctions have increased from 59 in 2010, to 74 in 2011. This year seems to hold even better prospects, what with 79 auction events already scheduled, with plenty more slated to be introduced later this year.

In the UK classic car sector, Bonhams has emerged as a clear winner of 2011.
Holding a significant lead over other classic car competitors such as RM, H&H and Coys, Bonhams is by far the most popular choice for classic car aficionados in UK.

Local classic car experts say that, taking the previous year’s auction haul in account and comparing it with the accelerating market of the European union, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that the UK collector’s market has just lost as much as 8 percent of auctioned cars to the EEC in 2011.

Looking back, some classic cars garnered more acclaim than others. Out of all the cars presented in the auctions, four stood out from the rest. These were: TVR Griffith, Aston Martin DB5, E-type Jaguar and Austin A30.

The Griffith scored brownie points mainly on the strength of its sporty fabric and powerful engine. Widely admired as one of the most responsive cars of the early 90’s, the Griffith’s beauty lies in the raw, fiery noise that comes from its engine. This surely explains why Griffith owners are inclined towards revving up their engines more enthusiastically than most.

The Aston Martin DB5 remains an iconic favourite from the Sixties. Immortalised in the James Bond flick as the car of choice for Sean Connery, the DB5 had an incredibly progressive design that was way ahead of its time when it was launched. It’s sleek, classy exterior along with an established sporting pedigree is the reason why the DB5 now looks down upon it’s progeny extending all the way till the DB9 and DBS 12 versions.

If you’re looking for a polar opposite from the DB5, you couldn’t find a stronger candidate than the Austin A30. With looks that strongly remind you of the archetypal Noddy car, the Austin A30 has a reliable countenance with a deceptively powerful engine. Truly, one of the stalwarts of the classic cars in UK.

Last but by no means the least is the E-Type Jaguar, which was one of the roaring models of the mid-sixties. A wonderfully streamlined design with curves that command attention add to the sporting pedigree of the 1965 E-Type Jaguar. Another enviable classic to keep in the garage.

 

 

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Seventeen Cars To Be Certified ‘Classic’ In The Coming Decade

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Anne Jacobs

2011 witnessed seventeen vehicles coming to the end of their respective assembly lines. From the relatively unheard-of Nissan Altima Hybrid to the farmer fancies like Ford Ranger and even the running favourites such as the popular Mitsubishi Eclipse have been taken off production.

Industry experts are speculating that each one of these seventeen cars can be expected to be called a classic car in a few decades.

However, the exact contours of what constitutes a classic car are slightly garbled.

Dan Wilkin, owner of Dan’s Old Cars, Miltona, says: “If someone wants one because they had one as a kid, that’s what makes it a classic. If it was their grandpa’s car and they loved it, that’s all it takes.”

Typically, any car that has seen 20-30 years of service can be classified a ‘Collectible’, but some connoisseurs tend to opt for more selective breeding.

Scott Ellingson, who’s the owner of Ellingson Car Museum, says, “I don’t feel a ’91 Ford Taurus is a true collector. Thirty years is generally what I’ve always worked on, and even then, what 1981 cars are classics now?”

Most collectors tend to place the ‘certified classic’ lapel on vintage models with chrome grilles, big fins and other finesses of the yesteryear era. The cars from the last 30 years don’t have that, sadly.

“Most of the newer cars are considered throwaway cars. But 30 years go, people considered the 1950s cars were throwaway cars,” Wilkin continued.

Cavan Lasch, who used to run shows like the West St Paul’s Downtown Beat Classics, says: “Classic car gatherings usually have a benchmark beyond three decades, mostly mid-century models. Most hot-rodders believe in 1975 on down (in years).”

“If you have a car that’s 1975 and older, you can go to all shows except for ‘Back to the ‘50s’ which is 1964 and older. But you’re going to get different opinions, absolutely,” Lasch said.

Surmising the standards of classic cars can be very subjective, since people tend to have a different opinion of what a classic car should be.

Models that are being declared redundant, such as the Eclipse, may be coveted by the next generation. For instance, the Ford Crown Victoria already has such a unanimous appeal that it is assured to be declared a classic car in a few years.

However, one of the prime assets of a classic car has to be its rarity, so popular cars that have been phased out this year, such as the Ford Ranger and Dodge Dakota, will have to wait for another 50 years or so to gain the necessary tag.

“They made too many of them. Rarity does mean value,” Lasch says.

Certain cars with unique engines or parts also have a shot at becoming collectibles in the coming decade. The Mazda RX-8, which is still commonplace, does have the calibre to become a classic car, courtesy the Wankel (rotary engine). The Mazda is the only car around with a rotary engine, which ups it chances considerably.

In terms of classic car insurance, the insurers can look forward to a lot of business in the next decade, with more and more vehicles joining the classic car bandwagon.

 

 

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Tips And Tricks To Get A Solid Car Insurance Cover

Posted on December 26, 2011 by Anne Jacobs

Calculating one’s classic car insurance bill comprises of many factors and the knowledge of these factors could go a long way in helping you avoid expensive rates. The policy holder’s age, residence, driving record and the driven vehicle are some of the major factors that affect the proffered insurance quote.

Insurance companies predict the chances of you being involved in an accident based on the numbers they have gathered over the course of many years. Take it this way: if your premium seems high to you, there’s obviously something in your policy that suggests a likelihood of having an accident.

Shopping around for car insurance premiums on different websites can really help you get that coveted classic car insurance that is affordable and provides a safety blanket on your precious vintage.

Also, the kind of policy you are opting for is another factor that should be kept in mind while shopping for classic car insurance. Some might want to lean on cover that only includes the repairs for any damage caused to the vehicle by the driver. Others may want to go the whole nine yards and protect themselves from everything, including the costly court fees.

It is very simple to say that you want coverage for everything, but complete cover that includes accidents, speeding tickets and the whole shebang usually turns out to be quite a costly venture. So always try to narrow down the situations that you’re most likely to be caught in. This is something you know best, being the main driver of your vehicle.

Insurance premiums vary considerably based on age and driving history, so don’t be surprised when someone else’s rate differs from what you have to shell out.

Discounts are always available. If you have no recent accidents, clean driving record, newly purchased vehicle, get good grades or have served in the military, a discount can be availed. Of course, such discounts will vary from one service provider to the next, so it’ll be good on your part to have done some extra research.

Curiosity is a fine quality to have when you’re shopping for classic car insurance and you should always make sure your questions are answered by an expert. It’s absolutely fine to ask the insurer a lot of questions, regardless of whether you think they’re stupid or not. Certain insurance companies even offer cover including roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, custom repair parts and even medical help for injuries sustained to pets.

If you’re looking for a customized policy, there are many insurers who offer special cover. Add-on packages such as roadside assistance and rental car reimbursement are also close at hand, although they will increase your premium.

Always insure that you know the front and back of your classic car insurance cover, so that you’re not caught with your pants down in a sticky situation. As we all know, those kinds of situations are bound to happen at some point or the other. Better to be prepared!

 

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Classic Car Insurance Is No Ball Game!

Posted on December 25, 2011 by Anne Jacobs

Nowadays, getting your hands on that cheap classic car insurance is nothing short of a cakewalk. The multitude of car insurance comparison websites that have sprung up ensures that one finds the best deal possible. There’s an air of impartiality and consideration to your needs, and based on the availability, you can come to an informed decision. Two and two.

However, there have been numerous reports over time that classic car owners face a certain bias when they go to insure their precious vintage models. Most of them need to find a specialist broker to help them get a tailored deal for their particular vehicle. This only adds to the cost, but there are several other obstacles that hinder a classic car owner from bagging an economical insurance cover. Most of the regular sites (barring certain specialists) don’t want to have any truck with classic cars, since they aren’t mainstream enough for their liking. Others remain nonplussed about how to charge for the car insurance in the first place.

This is why it’s always good to have a specialist site like www.classiccarinsurance.co.uk , since it’s main area of expertise is classic cars, thereby guaranteeing cheaper rates to applicants. Since the annual mileage of a classic car is much lower than that of a regular car, the insurance premium is substantially toned down. Most classic car owners generally drive their cars on special occasions and they are legendary for keeping their vehicles in mint condition.

Another factor to be considered is that classic cars are a lot cheaper than a standard car. Granted, some of the car parts may come expensive due to lack of availability, but the overall cost of upkeep is much lesser than owning, say, a BMW.

Although some mainstream insurers do include a section on classic cars, they usually pass on these leads to a specialist company, add their own subsidy and overcharge the owner in the process. A specialist site such as classiccarinsurance.co.uk will ensure that you stand to benefit from the bare minimum in car insurance premium and receive a royal treatment for your vintage vehicle.

Also, getting a quote from an online company like classiccarinsurance.co.uk saves you from the trip of actually going down to the office, filling up the forms and going through the proverbial mill of necessary formalities. Even the issue of a renewal letter is done away with, which makes the entire process a sit-at-home affair for the owner.

Without the haranguing trips, the added expenses of a commission fee and a specialist overseeing your classic car, you can rest easy knowing that, with classiccarinsurance.co.uk, your vintage is in good hands!

 

 

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Classic Car Event Held In Chester

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Anne Jacobs

Classic car enthusiasts had another moment to cheer recently, when CES, a car parts distributor based in UK, held a classic car show event in the city of Chester. The event came ahead of the Winter Challenge Rally, also sponsored by CES, a four day rally that goes on to Monte Carlo.

The classic car show had about 70 gleaming classic cars on display, cars that would soon be participating in the Winter Challenge Rally. Their drivers, not to be outdone, were replete in period costumes and patiently answered questions from the gathered public.

CES spokespeople said that the rally was a marvellous opportunity for the company to showcase its brand, along with providing a boost to the city’s economy.

It was a foregone conclusion for CES to choose Chester as the base for holding the event, since the car parts distributor has been based in the sleepy city for over 26 years now.

Paul Daniels, Chester City Management’s chairman was exhilarated with the positive response that the event received.

“Our thanks to CES, for bringing the rally to Chester and for working with us to help boost trade in the city of Chester on Saturday. The crowds to see the cars were as big as any I have seen. I hope they will come again next year,” Daniels stated.

CES staff was kept busy for the better part of the afternoon, giving out company products and promotional souvenirs to the shoppers. Also, the company ran its ‘Autosessive of the Year’ annual competition, which awards the owner of the best-looking classic car in the gathered audience. Richard Snowdon was this year’s winner, with his 1986 Ford Capri 280 Limited Edition stealing the show. The awards and trophies for the day were presented by CES’s marketing manager, Simon Moore.

The classic car event had many in the public declaring newfound desires of owning a classic car. Rick Huffington, 56, a retired accountant, expressed a desire to start shopping around for an MGB Roadster.

“Well, I’ll definitely be making some calls around and see what the story is. If my savings allow, my heart is set on a cherry-red MGB Roadster,” Huffington enthused.

He’s not the only one; many others in the crowd voiced similar opinions. Also, the fact that classic car insurance has become increasingly more convenient seems to have cemented their desires even more.

Next morning saw a throng of people getting up early to see off the classic cars on their way to Monte Carlo. Both days saw crowds over a thousand strong, no mean feat for the generally reticent city of Chester.

Howard Warren, CES Chairman and an enthusiastic participant in the rally, was overwhelmed with the response that the event and company got.

“That is as big a welcome as we have ever had for any rally I have taken part in. To have over 1000 people come out on a Sunday morning to see us off was very special,” Warren said.

 

 

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