WIN TICKETS TO THE LANCASTER INSURANCE CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW

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The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, to be held this year on 13-15 November, is the UK's biggest classic motor show. If you're thinking about attending then make sure you enter our competition to win tickets, you may get to go for free...

Win tickets to the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show

There's a mouth-watering array of classic cars on display at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show. Whether you’ve a passion for traditional British classics, vintage motors, historic motorsport, European exotica, American muscle, or prefer the more modern retro classics, you won't be disappointed. Take a nostalgic trip down memory lane and enjoy the cars from years gone by.

When you think of places you’d see a Ferrari 250 GT SWB or an Alfa Romeo Spider, where springs to mind, Monaco, Cannes…Birmingham? That’s right; you don’t have to travel across the water to see a European beauty because at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, they’re bringing continental chic to you. Gaze enviously upon the collection of flamboyant and exotic motors as they flutter their headlights at you and, with marques including Porsche, Maserati and Ferrari, you’ll be in classy company.

The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show is often seen by clubs’ as the 'season finale', after a year spent attending events up and down the country, and celebrate by exhibiting their most prestigious and cherished vehicles for our visitors to enjoy. 250 classic motoring clubs are set to attend the show this year, so the show is the perfect place to join or learn about car clubs, with such an eclectic range of clubs, the choice is yours.

The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show also brings together huge numbers of UK and European companies and traders. Together they offer over 650 trade stands to browse through and buy from for any conceivable products and services to the classic car owner and enthusiast.

From the biggest classic brands such as our market leading partners Meguiar’s, through to 'cottage industry' specialists and hundreds of smaller companies, traders and Autojumblers. You will also find specialist engineering and restoration products/services.

Find out more about the show and book tickets at www.necclassicmotorshow.com/

We've got 10 pairs of tickets to the show to be won. To be in with a chance of winning make sure you enter today...

DVLA LAUNCHES HISTORIC VEHICLE CRACKDOWN

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Agency tells owners to prove their cars' histories, or they'll get Q-registrations

The DVLA is investigating owners of classic cars with Historic Vehicle status and demanding they send evidence to prove that their cars qualify for it - but won't reveal the scale of its activities.

The agency has been sending letters to owners asking them to send information to prove their cars qualify for the tax-free category for pre-1974 vehicles. In one of the letters, the agency warns that it may issue the owner of a 1936 Bugatti with a 'Q' regiatration plate, depending on the quality of information it receives.

John Vale, Vehicle Registration Policy team leader, said in the letter: 'Initial investigations have confirmed that some historic vehicles have been built using replica or replacement parts, or a mixture of period and new components, and have therefore been incorrectly registered.' He added: 'A period manufacturer date has been recorded in error and a registration number allocated based on this date. The DVLA requires information about the provenance, construction and origin of your vehicle - you should provide it.

'Once our investigations are complete, we will write to you again explaining our conclusions. If any amendments are needed, these will be made and a new vehicle registration certificate issued. This could involve the issue of a new vehicle regiatration number - and in some cases Individual Vehicle Approval may be required or a Q registration number may be appropriate.'

Classic Car Weekly understands that so far around 100 letters have been sent out - primarily to owners of Bugattis and other pre-WW2 cars - and that the DVLA is not planning a blanket initiative covering all Historic Vehicle owners.

The DVLA has confirmed to CCW that it is sending letters to Historic Vehicle owners in order to investigate if their vehicles are eligible for the status, but did not respond to requests for information on the scale of the initiative.

An agency spokesman said: 'DVLA has been made aware that some vehicles recorded in the Historic tax class may have been incorrectly registered. WE have a legal responsibility to ensure that the records we hold are accurate. Where doubt is cast over the accuracy of the records held, thorough and proportionate investigations are necessary. We have started to contact the vehicle heepers inonvolved. Where investiagtions establish that the original registration was incorrect, these vehicles will require re-registration under an alternative number appropriate to the age of the vehicle.'

The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs confirmed its representatives met with the DVLA on 9 July to discuss the issue.

It said in a statement: 'As the represenative body for many of the historic vehicle clubs in the UK we see it as a prime responsibility to ensure that clubs and their members are not unfairly or without grounds required to engage in such an exercise. On the casis of the meeting we are clear that there is no current intention to send a letter to all historic vehicle owners.

'Rest assured that the Federation will stay very close to this situation and will vigorously defend the interests of bona fide historic vehicle owners.'

The Bugatti Owners Club declined to comment on the latest letters but shared a copy of a letter it sent out to its memebers warning them of the DVLA's initiative. In the letter, chairman Charles Trevlyan said the club was 'deeply concerned' about the notification the DVLA received.

He wrote: 'The club has been concerned as to the potential impact on our members and indeed the wider historic vehicle movement, of the DVLA's review of the registration of Bugatti cars in the UK.

'In view of this we have been in discussion over the past two years with the DVLA, as the vehicle licensing authority in the UK, in order to resolve some of the issues that have arisen.'

Other clubs are also aware of the issue, and the MG Car Club and the Vintage Sports-Car Club have said they are monitoring the situation.

JUNE'S CLASSIC CARS MAGAZINE OUT NOW!

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June 2015 issue, on sale now!

The cars we celebrate this month:

•    Convertibles We've brought together the finest drop-tops for summer 2015 – Mazda MX-5, Triumph Spitfire, Sunbeam Tiger, TVR Chimaera,Porsche Boxster, Triumph TR6, Aston Martin V8 Volante, Alvis TD21and Lincoln Continental
•    The List Reader Michael Flanavan gets his flux capacitor... fluxing when we hand him the keys to a DeLorean DMC-12. Does the driving experience shatter his dreams or fulfil all his hopes?
•    Ferrari 212 Export It was bought new by a Baron to take on Italy's greatest road races. This is what it's like to drive
•    Porsche 911 Kremer Think a standard Porsche 911 Turbo's tower of boosted power is a little weedy? We sample a 930 tweaked by the race team that trumped the works cars at Le Mans
•    The Collector We take a peek inside Hector Capurro's menagerie of classics, which includes Rolls-Royces, Austins and more – plus a life-size tribute to Marilyn Monroe
•    Life Cycle A road trip around Europe, shipped to Canada, time spent lurking in a garage and then returned to the road, this Jaguar E-type has lived an extraordinary life
•    Jensen Interceptor Years before the heralded Chrysler-engined GT of the Sixties, West Bromwich turned out discreet style for post-war sophisticates. Time for a gentlemanly drive
•    Epic Restoration Any restoration takes time and dedication, but this Siata Daina took 20 years, several specialists and finally Carrozzeria Touring to bring it to perfection
•    Buying Guide Six steps to picking up the finest Range Rover Classic
•    Classic Punts How a chance encounter with a Mercedes Fintail prompted adoration

Unmissable regulars includes new 10-page markets section with Quentin Willson

•    The Month In Cars
Goodwood Members’ Meeting Reunited Maseratis steal the show
PC Restoration Show Super-rare, super-yellow Ford Mustang catches the eye
Emirates Classic Car Show Jaguars are cream of the crop in Dubai
•   Events planner Plenty to savour, including Techno Classica Essen and the Silverstone Classic
•    The Market
Smart Buys Quentin Willson believes it’s time to seek out a Ford Cortina Mk1, Mercedes-Benz W114 or BMC 1100/1300, while the Land Rover Defender 110 could be a mover
Market Watch Russ Smith analyses the latest market moves
Temptations Nine cars that will have your purse strings slackening – if you give in, of course...
•    Barn Finds Russ Smith chances upon a lesser-spotted MG SA, finds out how social media unearthed aTriumph TR4 and has a hand in the rescue of an Armstrong-Siddeley Sapphire
•    The Insiders
Quentin Willson warns that private buyers at auctions might be best off talking to dealers
Tom Tjaarda reflects on the difficulties inherent to crafting convertibles
Simon Kidston tells us why the difference between good and great shows is context
•    Books and models New releases reviewed by Sam Dawson
•    Letters Memories of Mike Costin. Plus: has the markets talk gone too far?
•    Ads on Test Jaguar E-type Series 1, Bentley Brooklands R Mulliner, Ferrari 308 GTB, Porsche 911 Turbo S
•    Our Cars Phil heads back under his Jaguar E-type, Nathan’s Mercedes W123 reveals the extent of its engine destruction, and a new engine is needed for Adam's Peugeot 205 GTi
•    Cars for sale – more than 1000 to choose from

SUMMER CLASSIC CONVERTIBLES FOR EVERY BUDGET – FROM £1500 TO £360K

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A summer afternoon drive through smooth open roads is one of life’s greatest little pleasures.

There is nothing better than having the wind in your hair, a patchwork quilt of sun-kissed country lanes to thread your way through and a great set of wheels to enjoy. We’ve picked one out for every budget – which would you go for?

1970 Triumph Herald 13/60 - £1500

For those on a budget, this Herald is in sound running order after a few replacement parts. The seller freely admits it needs a little TLC, with visible decay around the sills and doors, and patches of rust on the bonnet. The cab is in need of a bit of a revamp before you head off towards that weekend on the coast, but won’t be long before this motor is becomes a brilliant run-around for your summer holidays.

1971 VW Beach Buggy – £7000

Fully restored and upped from 1600cc to 1650cc for added oomph, this roadster’s great for pretending you’re in sun-kissed California rather than Sunbury-on-Thames. This sky blue 1971 car is perfect for taking a couple of surfboards down the beach or at least popping out for a paddle.

1967 Austin Speedex 750 – £12,000

This roadster has been stripped down, cooled off and completely rebuilt. 50% of the bodywork is still original and it comes with plenty of history. The Speedex became so successful in early 1960s that creator Jem Marsh was given an award for the car’s creativity. Now it’s ready to grab plenty of attention at a car show near you.

1959 MG TD - £23,500

This wonderful MG is just waiting for you to take it along some quiet country lanes to a charming riverside pub. No it’s not in the more obvious shades of red more readily associated with T-types, but it’s been fully restored and has a measly 6000 miles on the clock. They’re great fun to drive and brimming with character.

1957 Ford Thunderbird – £47,603

This Thunderbird has been lovingly maintained and has a laundry list of original style refurbs and replacements. It’s been repainted in its original vanilla paintwork, and the 5.1-litre, 245bhp V8 is perfect for cruising lazily to your nearest classic car show. It’s also – seeing as the car’s located in France – the perfect excuse to disguise picking it up as your next holiday!

1955 Austin-Healey 100 – £69,995

topping pace, this racey Austin-Healey 100 looks to be in great condition, and should have plenty of summer adventures left in it. This fully-restored roadster will not only keep you entertained on England’s leafy lanes, but also grab the attention of every passer by with its shapely curves.

1984 Jaguar D-type - £360,000

It says a lot about D-types that even replicas attract six figure sums, but this is just about the closest you can get to popping to the pub in Jaguar’s 1950s Le Mans winner. Maintained by CKL for a number of years, this 1984 model is an authentic Jaguar recreation. In the real world it’s beautiful and bizarre in about equal measure, but it’s the ultimate of upstaging the E-type owners at a summer pub meet!

TIMEWARP SUZUKI OFFERED TO 4X4 FANS

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A Suzuki off-roader that has spent 28 years of its life in storage and is in near-showroom condition is being offered for sale online. The 1978 LJ80, which has only done 12,000 miles and is completely original, is being advertised for £9,990, and has 12 months MoT and six months tax in a bid to attract interest from followers of the diminutive Japanese 4x4.

Hampshire-based car collector Neil Thomas, who has owned it for the past four years, said: “This is the nearest you will get to buying a brand new LJ80. It is totally rust free and in perfect working order - I've been using it to drive to work and back for the last three weeks!

“Most LJs today have dissolved away or been restored with SJ or car parts. Body panels and mechanical parts are no longer available and genuine 'new old stock' parts are next to impossible to source quickly. This LJ is in its original condition as it left the factory with original bodywork, doors, hood, radio, heater, seats, everything. Nothing has been added or taken away.”

The left-hand-drive car has a full service history and the original owner bought it while he was serving in Dubai in the late 1970s, and brought it back with him to the UK in 1983 and registered it here (hence the Y-registration). It was used for two years before being put into storage, where it remained until being bought by Mr Thomas four years ago.

The LJ was Suzuki’s off-roader offering between 1970 and 1981, when it gave way to the SJ model.

TWO NICE LITTLE EARNERS

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A pair of cars that featured in the long-running Minder TV series is coming up for sale at auction.

Would you buy a used motor from these men? Terry and Arthur are looking for punters.

Arthur Daley’s 1981 Daimler Sovereign and Terry McCann’s 1977 2.0-litre Ford Capri are both included in H&H Classics’ sale at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambridgeshire on 20 April. The Daimler – estimated at £35,000-45,000 – has recently been re-finished in its original Portland Beige livery and has had £5000 worth of mechanical work carried out. It has 43,990 miles on the clock.

The late George Cole, who played Arthur Daley in the hit TV series, 1974-’94, was interested in buying the car himself but it was given away in a TV Times competition.

The Ford Capri driven by Dennis Waterman – Terry McCann in the original series – has 88,700 miles on the clock and is estimated at £65,000 to £85,000 due to the current interest in Capris (see also page 4-5). The two cars appeared in The Cars of Minder feature in the December 2014 issue of CCW’s sister publication Practical Classics.

‘Both cars have been estimated to make allowance for their small-screen history,’ says James McWilliam, H&H motorcar specialist. ‘These cars are celebrities in their own right.’

£80M LOSS 'YOUR FAULT'

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DVLA blames road tax revenue shortfall on cars over 10 years old

The DVLA ended the need for drivers to display a valid car tax disc last October.

The DVLA has stated that older car owners are a major reason behind the Government losing £80 million in revenue from scrapping the car tax disc – but is clueless as to why.

New official statistics released in November revealed that it has lost £80m
in revenue from unlicensed vehicles, which the DVLA says is caused by scrapping the tax disc. Around 560,000 drivers are now evading the annual payment, up from 210,000 in 2013.

Of the unlicensed vehicles in the survey, 45% of these cars were more than 10 years old. The DVLA has credited these statistics to owners of older vehicles, but doesn’t understand why.

Karen Powell, press officer for the DVLA said: ‘We don’t know why cars older than 10 years old are the main culprits for tax evasion. The stats are what they are.’

Oliver Morley, DVLA chief Executive added: ‘Almost 99% of all vehicles on the road are correctly taxed but we are taking action against those who are determined to break the law.’

Clubs have fought back accusations from the DVLA, refusing to accept that members would be evading vehicle excise duty. Tony Ridge, head of public relations for the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club said: ‘It’s a generalisation really. There’s a big difference between the type of person with a cherished classic and someone who just has an older car.’

Lesley Phillips, president of the Stag Owners’ Club added: ‘Club members take care of their cars in general and are more than likely not evading anything. It seems like the DVLA could be doing more with their figures, it should include or exclude possible club members.’

Worrying statistics

The analysis of road users carried out this summer showed that 1.4% of vehicles were being driven without vehicle excise duty – up 0.6% from two years ago when the disc was still required. This new system caused many admin problems, including innocent motorists having their cars clamped.

Many groups were opposed to the new measures, including the RAC. Chief engineer David Bizley. He said: ‘Sadly, the concerns we raised about the number of car tax evaders going up at the time the tax disc was confined to history have become a reality.

‘These are very worrying and disappointing statistics indeed. We really cannot afford for this to increase again for the sake of both road safety and the country’s finances.’

CLASSIC CAR WEEKLY ON SALE NOW!

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Racing legend John Surtees leads calls to save car firm Lolo - Get the full story

PLUS

Jaguar E-type Series I and Alfa Romeo 155 Buying Guides - Everything you need to know

Aston Martin V8 Classic Road Test - We put it through its paces

AND

Great Driving Roads - The best the British Isles has to offer, and more!

Four car Jaguar test - all up for auction!

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