LANCASTER INSURANCE PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP – NEXT TEN AUTUMN FINALISTS REVEALED

Another ten finalists have been revealed for the Autumn Final of the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership with cars coming from across the UK and even France. ​Held at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery, 20 cars in total out of the 100 entered will be invited to Birmingham’s NEC from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 November for the Grand Final.
 
Andrew Evanson, Senior Operations Manager of Lancaster Insurance, sponsors of the Pride of Ownership, said: “At the show, there is always a real buzz surrounding the Pride of Ownership as it showcases incredible cars with some fantastic stories behind them. It’s always exciting to hear about who will be displayed and these ten cars will be a fantastic addition!”

​The oldest car in the Final is Gillian Caldicott’s 1922 Calthorpe All Weather Tourer affectionately known as Connie (above). Believed to be one of only nine examples left, Connie was built in Birmingham and was originally owned until 1928. After then, she was lost until she was discovered partly dismantled in a semi-derelict building. Lovingly restored, the Calthorpe is around 85 per cent original but was sold to Gillian as it wasn’t being used as it should

A pair of Fords will also compete in the final – but they couldn’t be more different. Rob Sargent’s 1969 Ford Savage Mk2 V6 (below) and Mark McClelland’s 1994 Ford Escort RS Cosworth Lux.

One of the youngest cars and the youngest finalist is 20-year-old Tahmid Haque and his 1989 BMW E24 M635csi, believed to be the last M635csi finished in Diamond Schwartz Metallic, and car number 508 of 524 produced.
 
Tahmid said: “I am very fortunate in only being 20 years old and having the opportunity to own and drive such rare cars. But the real happiness comes from being able to share these cars with other enthusiasts that appreciate them and I look for every opportunity to do so.”

Kevin Peck will have quite the journey to the show, given that he resides in France, but it will be worth it to see the Bugatti Type 35 Replica he purchased for just £1,000. Visiting a friend in hospital, Kevin met the then owner in the next bed who had bought the car, crashed it after eight miles on its first trip out, and not taken it out the garage since. He offered to sell it to Kevin for £1,000 complete with dent. Kevin accepted and restored the car back to its best.
 
Also travelling across the water is David Selfridge from County Antrim, Northern Ireland, and his 1938 Citroen Traction Avant Light 12. Having been parked in the garage for ten years by the previous owner, David has restored the vehicle over the past three years and will be driving it to the show.
 
Representing the 1950s, Christopher Joyce’s ’56 Daimler New Drophead Coupe and Nick Pollitt’s ’55 Triumph TR3 will add some sports car style to the proceedings. Chris’ Daimler is one of 56 built with very few in the UK, while Nick’s TR3 was retained by Standard Triumph as the press and publicity car.
 
Lucas Reynold’s 1982 Lotus Turbo Esprit was built by Lotus for the 1982 British Motor Show at the NEC so it is great to see it return some 34 years later. To make it stand out from other manufacturers, a new metallic paint colour named Iced Blue was used on all cars on the Lotus stand to catch the eye – and it certainly does that!
 
Talking of eye catching, Josh Lydiard’s 1972 Volkswagen Trekker is not something you see every day. “It’s an odd vehicle when original but mine has a unique patina with tasteful modifications and a slightly rat rod look,” explains Josh. “The car was originally used by the Luftwaffe in the 70s and still sports its original military markings which lead me to finding out it was a radar and artillery car at an airport in Germany near Munich. The car was very unique from the factory, but this example is one of a kind.”

These ten cars and owners join Richard Pinkett and his 1939 MG TB, Michael Jones’ 1960 Jaguar MkII, Andy Nash’s 1966 Morris Mini Traveller, and Mandeep Sandhar and his 2000 Nissan Skyline. Sadly, Mark Stewart’s Ford Escort XR3i has been withdrawn and a new finalist chosen in its place.
 
Visitors will be asked to vote for their favourite car and story, with the winner announced on Sunday 11th November by Wheeler Dealers’ Ant Anstead. For more information, visit www.necclassicmotorshow.com