Motoring: Britain’s endangered classics; Bank Holiday rentals; 2016 Concours of Elegance

THE late and for many, unlamented, British Leyland had a reputation for producing (at least when its workers weren’t on strike) a batch of largely unloved motor cars.

The likes of the Austin Allegro and Morris Marina – and its later variant, the Ital – are now in the top ten of most people’s worst cars of all time.

As testament to their rather lacklustre build quality most of these marques have been allowed to rust in peace since the 1970s – and good riddance as far as many motorists are concerned (especially those unlucky enough to have owned them).

Yet for many people these functional Longbridge saloons remain national treasures worthy of iconic status alongside some of the world’s most sought-after classic cars.

However, their numbers have dwindled to such as extent that only a few remain on our roads – and that figure is diminishing every year.

The good news for these diehard fans is that a new campaign is being mounted to try and preserve these cars for future generations to ‘enjoy’.

Hinckley-based ClassicLine Insurance is mounting a new Save our Classics campaign, which encourages the preservation of British classic cars that are facing extinction.

It has compiled a list of eight top tips to help ensure this uninspired period in the UK’s motoring heritage is preserved for a little longer.

It estimates that more than 75,000 once popular models have disappeared from UK roads in the last decade, with models such as the Ital, Austin Maxi, Allegro and Vauxhall Chevette now number in the low hundreds.

The Great Eight (tips)

1. Buy one. Many of these cars are relatively affordable in comparison to more exotic classics. For example, a Morris Ital in excellent condition can be bought for around £5,000. Options include buying at an auction, seeking one out privately, searching online or on the very rare occasion, from a dealer. However, whichever option is selected buyers have been advised to buy the best they can afford and to always check the history file.

2. Join a car club. Car clubs are a great way to meet like-minded classic car fans, show off your pride and joy and get discounts on parts and accessories. Specialist insurers will also often offer discounted deals, as ClassicLine does for the likes of The Association of Rootes Car Clubs, Sunbeam Talbot Alpine Register and XK8/XKR Enthusiasts Club.

3. Store it correctly. Classic cars, whatever their era, are high maintenance and fragile things. However, given correct care and attention they can – and should – be easy to live with. The best place to leave a car is a dry, airy barn. Wood or brick garages are preferable to pre-cast concrete units, which tend to ‘sweat’ in very cold conditions. One way to avoid the damp problem is to use an inflatable plastic tent, using fans to keep air moving inside.

4. Use marque and model specialists. When sourcing new parts, repairing or restoring a car, servicing and other maintenance try to use marque and model specialists who will be able to give you expert support, particularly on rarer models.

5. Petition the Government to reduce the current UK road tax exemption from 40 years to 30 and increase the current MoT exemption on vehicles made before 1960 to 1970. This would have the effect of reducing running costs, encouraging ownership and keeping more classic cars on the road.

6. Petition the Government to encourage schools and colleges to promote the IMI Diploma in Classic Vehicle Restoration. Out of the 22,000 people earning some or all of their living from the classic car industry, 43% are 45 years old or more meaning that a large number of the workforce will be retiring or coming up for retirement in the next 20 years.

7. Use it. Classic cars are there to be enjoyed so get out and drive it! Seeing these cars out on the road is fantastic way to promote them. Equally if you’re driving it regularly you’re more likely to keep it in a roadworthy state.

8. Insure it with a specialist. Policies vary for older models so it is important that you have the right one for your vehicle.

So, what are the Top 10 most endangered cars in the UK

Model Number on the road in 2015 Number on the road in 2005 Amount Built % lost
Morris Ital (1980-84) 35 185  175,276 99.980004
Austin Maxi (1969-81) 140 318 472,098 99.97035
Austin Allegro (1973-82) 170 543 642,340 99.97354
Vauxhall Chevette (1975-84) 202 765 416,058 99.95145
Hillman (Crysler) Avenger (1970-81) 215 291 638,631 99.96634
Morris Marina (1971-80) 273 550 809,612 99.96629
Austin Metro (1980-91) 464 8,395 1,518,932 99.96946
Vauxhall Victor (1961-78) 828 1,050 827,159 99.8999
Ford Sierra (1982-93) 3,350 67,817 3,470,524 99.90348
Ford Cortina (1965-82) 3,580 4,967 4,154,902 99.91384

Information source: www.howmanyleft.co.uk

***

ALMOST three quarters (72%) of Britons planning to go away this August Bank Holiday are intending to stay on UK shores – which is good news for the tourist industry but probably not so go good for our already congested roads.

According to new research by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), young people and Londoners are the most likely to be heading off for the long weekend, and the most likely to be hiring a car when doing so.

Younger holidaymakers (aged 18-34) are leading the charge for ‘staycationers’, with 77% planning a UK break. Almost a quarter (24%) are just as likely to hire a car as go on a train (27%) for their journey.

The value-for-money advantage of hiring a car is seen as the main motivating factor for these often cash-strapped youngsters.

However, many (33%) will opt for a rental package because it means they will be able to drive a car they would not otherwise have been able to afford.

Gerry Keaney, chief executive of the BVRLA, said: “This Bank Holiday most people will be staying local, which we suspect is a knock-on effect of the vote to leave the EU and the increasing cost of holidaying abroad.

“It is encouraging to see that plenty of UK holidaymakers are planning to rent cars, particularly young people and Londoners. Furthermore, we expect the actual numbers to be even greater, as planned train strikes tip the scales in favour of car hire this Bank Holiday.

“We advise anyone planning to hire a car to do their research and reserve their vehicle in advance. This gives them the time to weigh up their options and make an informed choice.”

***

Bentley at the 2016 Concours of EleganceMOTORING festivals are a magnet for car lovers everywhere.

The heady mix of England’s most elegant country homes combined with some of the most glamourous conveyances on four wheels make for an alluring proposition.

This year’s Concours of Elegance in the unmistakeable surroundings of Windsor Castle is no exception.

In a display of automotive excellence, more than 150 Bentleys will grace the grounds of the castle next weekend (2-4 September).

Now in its fifth year, the Concours of Elegance has established itself as one of the world’s most prestigious motoring gatherings, convening the finest cars at Britain’s stunning Royal palaces.

As a key partner of the Concours, Bentley will be presenting a range of models from its past and present – from the famous 1930 Six-Speed Van den Plas Tourer ‘Old Number 2’ (which won the Brooklands Double 12), to the new Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase and Bentayga.

On Friday (September 2), Bentley will showcase three cars that bring to life the story of the marque’s pinnacle luxury flagship, the Mulsanne. Chassis No. 2 is a perfect example of the first Mulsanne produced, while the two members of the current Mulsanne family on display offer different interpretations of Bentley’s flagship.

The Mulsanne Speed focuses on performance and power, offering 537 PS and 1,100 Nm torque (530 bhp / 811 lb. ft), while the Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase offers an additional 250 mm of rear legroom for those who prefer to be driven in unrivalled luxury and style.

‘Bentley Sunday’ sees two Trophy of Elegance awards given to the best customer cars (pre- and post-1965) selected from the 150 Bentleys expected to gather at the prestigious event.

On the same day, to celebrate The Queen’s 90th year, Bentley will exhibit three cars as part of a special display of iconic vehicles launched during her lifetime. Included will be the very first examples of the Continental GT and Bentayga to roll off the production line at Bentley’s factory in Crewe. The monarch’s State Limousine, perhaps the most famous example of a modern coachbuilt Bentley, will also form part of this display.

Visitors to this year’s Concours of Elegance will also have the opportunity to see the reawakening of a British motoring icon, as Atalanta Motors debuts its first completed model since 1939.

Established in the 1930s, and with only 21 models produced before the outbreak of war, Atalanta models were amongst the rarest and most technically advanced British sports cars of their day.

The car at Concours of Elegance is the latest version of a new, modernised Atalanta range that is intended to stay true in spirit and design to the original. Using a traditional aluminium over ash construction and with a light but powerful four-cylinder engine, the updated Atalanta, built in Bicester, is intended to be a worthy successor to the original.

Other exclusive brands for the event include AIG, Autoglym, Bentley, Ferrari, Jaguar Land Rover, Octane, RM Sotheby’s and the Royal Automobile Club (RAC).

One company continuing its partnership with the event is Bridge of Weir Leather Company, which has produced a special display celebrating a ‘Century of Iconic Interiors’.

Bridge of Weir has supplied interiors to many of the most iconic cars of the last century and the display will reflect this.
A 1915 Ford Model T is an example of the Scottish firm’s very first automotive customer, a relationship that dates back to 1911 when the model first entered production in the UK at Trafford Park in Manchester.  

The relationship between Bridge of Weir and Ford Motor Company continues to this day. The model being displayed is a Model T Tourer that forms part of Ford’s own heritage collection.

In complete contrast, the firm also supplied the leather that went into the now-iconic DeLorean DMC-12. Around 9,000 – way more than most people realise – of the gull-wing sports car was produced during its short life before founder John DeLorean’s spectacular fall from grace.

Bringing things bang up to date is the 2016 Aston Martin DB11.  

All Aston Martin products feature Bridge of Weir leather, and 2016 marks more than 50 years of the companies’ collaboration – a relationship that began with the DB5 of the 1960s.

Marek Reichman, director of design at Aston Martin, said: “A car like this is not just about how it looks on the outside. Most of the lifetime of ownership is spent inside the car, and the interior’s sense of occasion is created by beautiful smell, touch and feel – it’s part of our identity and our interiors are each unique and hugely important to Aston Martin owners. 

“Our leather from Bridge of Weir is a timeless product, and there is a long history of the company working closely with us – we believe it is the best leather in the world.”

Over the years, Bridge of Weir products have been used in everything from the Charles Eames Lounge Chair to Concorde.

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close