by Admin.

Fancy winning a stunning MK1 Golf GTi? Our club sponsors Lancaster Insurance Services are offering you the chance to do just that - simply click the button below to go to the competition page, fill in your details then keep your fingers crossed!

Congratulations to Thomas Jenkins and his lovely family on successfully organising another charity show at the weekend.

​Sadly the good weather didn't show up, but there was a good turnout of interesting classics including the remarkable Eric Dalton, who drove his Ambassador all the way from Scotland specially! Also a special mention is due for Brian Allison (seen in the photo, left with Thomas and Emily) who brought his Triumph over from Ireland.

Click on any of the pictures below to view the official photo gallery from the weekend including the Driving Tour on Saturday and the show itself on Sunday.

​The theme of this year’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery, has been revealed as ‘Built to Last’.

Held at Birmingham’s NEC from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 November 2018, the clubs and exhibitors are invited to interpret the theme in any number of ways as they create amazing displays. 

Acting Show Director Lee Masters explains the thinking behind this year’s theme choice: “We wanted a theme that paid tribute to the various elements of motoring but in particular the centenary of the end of World War 1, which falls on the final day of the show. If there is anything that sums up ‘Built to Last’, it’s the service men and women that ensured the safety and freedom of our country that we all enjoy today.”

​As well as honouring the military and service personnel, the theme also affords itself to celebrating those marques that have also reached huge milestones such as 130 years of Rover, 120 years of Renault, and 110 years of the Ford Model T. 

​There are also those vehicles that have been ‘built to last’ so that they can be passed down from generation to generation, undertake epic journeys and challenges, and even remain on the roads to this day – some with their original drivers.

​Lee added: “It is not only the show that is marking the impact of these thoroughbred cars as many manufacturers are now also looking to the cars of yesteryear for inspiration and protecting the heritage fleets for the enthusiasts of tomorrow.”

Dave Youngs, Car Club Manager for Lancaster Insurance, comments: ‘‘The theme can be interpreted in many ways and gives great scope for exhibitors to really make it their own. I work with clubs on a daily basis and admire each enthusiasts’ contribution, ensuring that our classic car community stays vibrant for future generations to enjoy. So along with celebrating marques, models and anniversaries, I can’t think of a better theme to showcase this passion and dedication which is undoubtedly built to last!”

​As well as all the obvious ways the theme can be conveyed, the organisers have also come up with a few fun and family elements they hope to showcase too.

This year sees the 60th anniversary of LEGO, enjoyed by children and adults all over the world. With vehicles such as the Mini Cooper, Ferrari F50 and VW Beetle immortalised in the famous plastic brick, and new vehicles being released in the future, it is hoped to have some of them on display.

There are also plans to extend the theme into the various show feature areas including the Restoration Theatre, Discovery Live Stage, and Sporting Bears’ Dream Rides Garage.

​Tickets are now on sale for the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery, at Birmingham’s NEC from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 November.
 
For more information, ticket prices and booking details, visit www.necclassicmotorshow.com.

The Jaguar Spitfires to Sports Cars Tour provides a unique insight into the operation of Castle Bromwich during the '40s and you will learn the secrets of car and airplane manufacturing, visiting many areas of the factory that are being opened to the public for the first time.

Over three fascinating hours learn the secrets of car and aeroplane manufacturing at Jaguar's Castle Bromwich home.
Castle Bromwich has a rich history and it's a history that's still being made as the manufacturing base of Jaguar cars. From the high performance F-Type to the advanced XJ, nearly all of Jaguar's luxury and performance cars have their home at Castle Bromwich.
​
It is at Castle Bromwich where Jaguar continues to develop its unparalleled expertise in advanced aluminium manufacturing, a skill which also served the nation during the war years, when the factory was a primary location for building Spitfire fighter aircraft.

An exclusive group visit to the Jaguar factory in Castle Vale, Birmingham where the XE, XF, XJ and F-TYPE models are built. Numbers are strictly limited, so it's "First come, first served". The intention is to enjoy lunch together at a nearby hostelry straight after the tour (not included in the tour price);

If you decide to cancel your booking:

• Within fourteen (14) days from the date of your booking confirmation, we will refund you the full price paid for the Experience;
• Twenty eight (28) days or more prior to the Experience, we will refund you the price paid for the booking by the method you used for payment, however, we may deduct any sums, including expenses, which have already been paid by us or our suppliers in relation to the Experience and which are non-refundable; or
• Less than twenty eight (28) days prior to the Experience, you will be charged the total price for the Experience.
• We will make any refunds due to you as soon as possible. If you are exercising your right to change your mind your refund will be made within fourteen (14) days of you telling us that you have changed your mind.

Lancaster Car Club Manager Dave Youngs says:
​
"Lancaster offers up to 25% discount for club members and can arrange a whole range of policy extras that you'd expect such as agreed value and breakdown cover.  We  aim to take a realistic view when it comes to modifications, so do give us a try. We welcome feedback - good or bad - to help us to develop the scheme going forward

If you do try us for a quote, please use the bespoke telephone number 01480 400903 and let us know that the introduction has come from the club. Quote discount code DISC15 for an additional £15 discount on any new policy with Lancaster

​We make a payment to the club for each and every policy sold as a result of their introduction which helps keep the club going. I'll stick my head round the door every now and again and pick up any queries that crop up. If you'd like for me to arrange a callback for a quote then i'm happy to sort it - I can be contacted by email dave.youngs@lancasterinsurance.co.uk"

by Paul Sweeney

Those of you who like the monthly Facebook stats might be interested in something I recently found - its possible to download the stats into Excel.

So, I decided to take a look at the countries we all live in - and guess what? The stats went way beyond the "Top 10" FB usually gives us. I then began looking at the data in Excel and found a nifty little thing where instead of drawing a graph or bar chart, it would plot our membership on a world map.

So here it is - click to enlarge.
Key:

• Grey = no members
• Pale blue = small number of members, graduating to
• Dark blue = lots of members

by Admin 

Here are the official Facebook stats covering the last 28 days.

After a fairly prolonged period of reduced activity in the group recently, it's pleasing to see general activity levels increasing once more. USA membership numbers are continuing to grow steadily and it remains our second largest territory.

By Mike Peake

There has been lots of confusion about the new rules concerning the new MOT exemption. OK well I;m confused, but I've just read this in the FBHVC. newsletter issue 2 and found it quite useful..

​Legislation & Fuels Bob Owen
Roadworthiness
Definition of MoT Exempt Vehicles
 
The Federation has received further information which allows us to clarify one area of the information we provided in the last Issue.
 
The DfT Guidance concentrates of course on the Substantial Change aspects of the exemptions. It is however misleading in its very brief outline of which vehicles are entitled to become Vehicles of Historic Interest (VHIs) if they are not substantially changed. I inadvertently allowed myself to repeat the errors. One of our members however, having his own doubts, has managed, through his MP, to obtain the only official announcement from DfT that I can find as to the actual detail.
 
I am using that as the basis for what I now understand to be the actual position on all aspects, which is quite complex.
1.            Motorcycles, cars and light commercial vehicles built
more than forty years ago are all (with the few exceptions listed in the Guidance) entitled to be declared as VHIs and thus exempt from the MOT test.
2.            All buses and coaches, whether or not they are in
commercial use, built before 1960 are entitled to be declared as VHIs and thus exempt from the MOT test.
3.            Buses and coaches not in commercial use built more than
forty years ago are entitled to be declared as VHIs and thus exempt from the MOT test.
4.            Buses and coaches built more than forty years ago, but
in commercial use, are not entitled to exemption from the MOT test.
5.            Heavy Goods Vehicles built before 1960 and not in
commercial use are entitled be declared as VHIs and thus exempt from the MOT test so long as they do not travel laden or towing a laden trailer.
6.            Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) built after 1960, whether
or not they are in the ‘historic’ taxation class, are not entitled to any exemption from the MOT test.
I realise that some of those of our members who preserve historic HGVs will be disappointed at this outcome. All the Federation can say is that this decision was set out in the DfT’s Consultation response and was not thereafter subject to any further influence by the Federation or anyone else.
The concern must be that the 1960 date is not a rolling one and that the age at which preserved HGVs still have to be tested will therefore increase year by year. The Federation will keep this matter under review, particularly with relation to the number of test stations which can carry out this testing, and their geographical locations. The Federation will continue to make the case that the Government should not require that any vehicle be tested unless it is practically able to offer the owner of that vehicle a test within a reasonable geographical distance of the place the vehicle is usually kept.
 
Initial Procedure
The Guidance creates an administrative issue. As set out in paragraph 14 of the Article which appeared in issue 1 (and in the Addendum), declaration as a VHI is to be made at the time of relicensing.
 
It is deemed by DfT to be administratively too complex to permit the required declaration to be made prior to the re-licensing date. This gives rise to three distinct administrative issues, which in each case could result in the keeper of a legally exempt vehicle apparently being at risk of wrongful enforcement action.
(a)          A pre-1960 vehicle is currently exempt from the MOT. It would appear not to be so from 20 May unless it is also a VHI. But the keeper cannot make a declaration as a VHI until the next re-licensing date,
(b)          A post-1960 vehicle in the ‘historic’ class will from 20 May be entitled to exemption if it is a VHI, but the existing due date for an MOT test may arise prior to the next re-licensing date for that vehicle, which is the first date for making a declaration as a VHI, and
(c)           As DVLA uses calendar year of manufacture and as the rolling forward of VED exemption occurs only in April of the relevant year, to define eligibility for the ‘historic’ class, there can be a substantial lag (in some cases of over twelve months) in the DVLA process between a vehicle being forty years old, and therefore entitled to MOT exemption if a VHI, and the date upon which the vehicle qualifies for the ‘historic’ class, entitling its keeper to make a declaration as a VHI.
 
Following discussion with a representative of DVSA, a process has been identified whereby the keepers of vehicles qualifying as VHIs, who are under the law entitled to be exempt, will not be obliged to take what would legally be a voluntary MOT test just to escape possible enforcement based upon the DVLA record.
•             The DVLA record currently shows every pre-1960 vehicle as being exempt from the MOT.
•             The DVLA record will pick up, by reference to the date of first registration, when any vehicle which might qualify (i.e. not an HGV or a bus or coach in commercial use) becomes over 40 years old.
•             The record will then show that vehicle as MOT exempt.
•             If at the time of next licence renewal a declaration as a VHI is not made, the requirement for an MOT will reappear on the DVLA record.
•             The DVLA record is and will continue to be updated bi-monthly to the police.
•             The police will therefore treat every vehicle over forty years old as MOT exempt unless and until the record shows it is NOT exempt.
 
DfT have to date said they do not intend to promulgate the existence of this procedure, but there seems no reason why the Federation should not make our members aware that the keeper of a qualifying vehicle over forty years old is not, from 20 May, at risk of prosecution for failure to take an MOT until the next re-licensing date. However, the Federation would obviously advise that if the keeper of a vehicle considers that he will not be able to make the required declaration that the vehicle is a VHI he ought to have a valid MOT certificate, at the latest before the re-licensing date for the vehicle arises.

by Paul Sweeney and Gar Cole

Our personalised club polo shirts have proved very popular and this is your last chance to get one. We are taking orders now for the second and final batch - orders close at midnight GMT 31 May 2018 then there will be no more in the foreseeable future, so if you fancy owning one, get your order in now!

by Paul Sweeney.

What does it mean? Well, in essence it means any information sent back and forth across the world wide web between your device and the machines where this website is hosted (which can be anywhere in the world) is now scrambled or encrypted - meaning any bad people intercepting it en route wont be able to read or re-use it.

Only your device and the machines at the other end can do that - so if for example you decide to make a purchase from our shop, your name, address, payment information etc are all protected from prying eyes - making you safer.

Or to put it another way:
"Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) is the secure version of HTTP, the protocol over which data is sent between your browser and the website that you are connected to. The 'S' at the end of HTTPS stands for 'Secure'. It means all communications between your browser and the website are encrypted."

Have you noticed the new Facebook Group feature called, "Announcements"?

​No - we hadn't either until good old Mike Peake pointed it out ... it's a new way we can highlight Admin messages so they don't get lost among all your lovely posts.

See the image below - we've circled the link to it in blue. Enjoy

Earlier this week we launched a group Twitter account here and now we can also unveil a brand-new Instagram presence. For those unfamiliar with it, Instagram is a photo and video-sharing social networking service owned by Facebook, Inc. It was launched in October 2010 exclusively on Apple's iOS and has since expanded to other platforms. Instagram is described by it's makers as, "A simple, fun & creative way to capture, edit & share photos, videos & messages with friends & family." 

Instagram makes photo sharing really easy and only requires a caption - its all about pictures, making it ideal for sharing photos taken on the move at shows and events, or even for those random shots of cars spotted here and there when you're out and about. 

You can find our Instagram page here and would love to see you sharing your photos of pre-85 British classics.

by Admin

Buy a club car sticker (£1.50 + shipping) and a leather key fob together and get a massive £5 discount on the key fob (normal price £5.99). You pay £1.50 for the sticker and £1 for the fob, plus standard shipping costs.

Once they're gone, they're gone - available only while stocks last.

To get this deal, you must enter the Discount Code, "keyfobdeal" at checkout.

We often see posts and comments in the group about coming across little-known motor museums tucked away in quiet places around the UK.

Group Member David Burke has shared with us a website he runs called, "British Motor Museums" that is chock-a-block full of information about a huge number of museums across the country - its now available as a link off the navigation menu of this website, or you can go directly to David's website by clicking on this text. 

by Admin

The next official club meet/event is our third at the Bubblecar Museum, organised by group founder John Simpson.

​Click the button for more details.

by Admin

To celebrate a very successful 3 days at the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show at the NEC last weekend, we have a small gift for you - yes, it's completely free.

Click on 'Buy Now' below to receive FREE three video clips to download featuring the club stand at the NEC. There is no charge - enjoy them with our compliments!

Most of all we all owe a debt of gratitude to Gar Cole, without whom none of it would have happened. Gar is our very own Energiser Bunny and deserves a huge pat on the back for organising our part in a very successful show.

Well the guys thoroughly enjoyed their evening even though we didn't win an award - we were shortlisted for Car Club of the Year (won by the TR Register) and Outstanding Online Presence (won by the Lotus Drivers Club) but weren't in luck on this occasion. Nevertheless we are pretty pleased that we - as a non-subscription Facebook Group rather than a traditional car club - were shortlisted in two categories. That's an achievement we should not and do not take for granted.

Our founder and all-round good chap John Simpson was also shortlisted personally for the Lifetime Achievement Award; he wasn't lucky either but don't worry John - you're our winner regardless!

Our sincere congratulations go to all of tonight's winners - we will just have to take a look at what they do better than us and try even harder next time!

The full list of winners can be seen here: https://www.facebook.com/nationalcarclubawards/

In one week's time, we will stop taking orders for our very popular grille badges and the order will go to the manufacturer. This may very well be the final batch, so we suggest everyone treats this as the last chance to get one of these high quality badges - once the order's gone in, we cannot add more.