The 1975 MG GT V8. A true British icon in the motoring world. Sporting a 3,258cc Rover V8 engine pushing the cars top speed at 125mph, impressive for the age!
The Rover V8 engine powering the MG first featured in the infamous Rover P5B. Widely known for being used by high-ranking government ministers and ex-prime ministers such as Harold Wilson, Edward Heath, James Callaghan and Margaret Thatcher. The engine even has royal roots with Queen Elizabeth the second, owning a P5B that also guest-featured on the BBC Motoring show “Top Gear”.
Although the short lived production line of the V8 variant only spanning 3 years, MG managed to produce 2591 models out of the factory in Abingdon, Oxford. The average price of the MG back then would only set you back £1,925! That’s a mere £16,901 in today’s money, not a bad price to pay for a lightweight, convertible, 2 seater sports car! Unfortunately, the fuel crisis following October 1973’s middle east war was the first domino to fall in the V8’s demise, as well as many other big engines of the time. The car was dropped in 1976 mainly due to the fuel crisis. However the legacy lives on as it is still the most popular modification of the MG, swapping it to the glorious Rover V8 engine.
A massive thank you to our client Mr B for letting us showcase his MG in the stunning Vermillion red paint.
Give our friendly team a call for a quote on 02380 268 351!
This is week is dedicated to showing off all the wonderful MG’s that we insure here at AIB Insurance!
First up 1974 MG B ROADSTER!
When you think of a classic sports car its a British convertible with 2 seats, more than likely an MG will spring to mind first!
First founded in the 1920’s, MG has a deep history. With roots going back to Morris, another British classic icon.
The MG B Roadster was the first of the MGB range to be produced. Manufactured for just shy of 20 years, it puts the MGB Roadster in the running for one of the greatest 2 seater sports cars to come from Britain.
When it comes to the engine powering the MGB, its heart is the 1.8 liter twin carburetor, producing 94 horsepower, it got the job done for the lightweight 1064kg curb weight. The B series engine they created turned into an excellent choice for commercial vans of the time, creating a diesel alternative featuring on the Leyland Sherpa van. The engine is so well built that it is still commonly used on narrowboats on the canals of the UK.
Thank you to our client, Mr N, for letting us show of his stunning MG B Roadster in the lovely Damask Red!
If you’ve got a MG yourself, please give our friendly team a call on 02380 268 351 we would be happy to help!
The land rover series are compact British off-road vehicles, produced by the rover company since 1948. Inspired by the World War 2 jeep, The Land Rover immediately distinguished itself from other cars.
The series 2a is considered the most hardy series model constructed and is quite possibly the most classic type of Land Rover that features strongly in the general public’s perception, from its many appearances in film and television.
The Series II Land Rover replaced Series I production in 1958, initially sporting the original two liter engine from the series I. Once supply ran dry, the 2286cc engine was introduced, which has proven to be a popular and reliable unit ever since. Designs changed over the following years, with the most significant being the moving of the headlights to the wings in 1969. Also introduced at this time was the razor style bonnet and Maltese grille; later to be followed by the plastic grille as used on the Series III.
Thankyou to your lovely client Mr L for letting us show off his Land Rover Series 2A!
We value every classic car, understanding the needs of each client, offering bespoke policies which cater to cover our clients needs! If you have a classic car of your own call one of our specialist consultants on 02380 268351 for your bespoke quotation.
The Volkswagen Westfalia camper has become something of an icon in European and American culture, a symbol of hippy and surf culture that grew into the mid to late 1960’s.
They epitomize outdoor adventure lifestyle, favoured by Campers, Surfers, Skiers and adventure travelers for the versatility and functionality of what the Westfalia can offer.
They have been one of the leading names in camper van conversions, constantly maintaining the comfort, style and dependability that is now synonymous with the brand.
The Westfalia camper was a conversion of the Type 2 and Type 2 T3, sold from the early 1950sto 2003.
Early models sported the iconic split windscreen before Volkswagen transitioned to the bay-window with large, single curved windshield and sliding side door, the Westfalia camper was modified to include an angled poptop. This design provided space for a large child’s cot overhead, and on later models, the poptop was further enlarged to fit a full bed large enough for two adults.
Westfalia Campers were available from Volkswagen dealers worldwide and were also delivered via the Tourist Delivery Program — where a customer would pick up their new van in Germany, drive it in Europe, then VW would ship it to the customer’s home. Many Volkswagen Campers were purchased by American servicemen and sent home in the 1950s and 1960s.
We value every classic car, understanding the needs of each client, offering bespoke policies which cater to cover our clients needs! If you have a classic car of your own call one of our specialist consultants on 02380 268351 for your bespoke quotation.
The Morris Minor is a British economy family car that made its debut in 1948, more than 1.6 Million were made between 1948 and 1972.
Originally only available as a two door saloon or tourer, the four door salon was introduced in September 1950, known as the Traveller. This Wood Framed estate car was the first to sell over a million units and has always been considered a classic example of automotive design, typifying ‘Englishness’.
The External structure to The Traveler are made from varnished Ash (wood) for a highly visible feature.
Our lovely Client Mrs B has allowed us to show off her classic Traveller.
We have this beautiful Traveller insured under a specialist policy offering; agreed value, choice of repairer, legal expenses, salvage retention and many more benefits which we offer here at AIB Insurance.
If your looking for classic car insurance give our team a call on 02380268351.
The Plymouth Belvedere is an American made car manufactured by Plymouth, part of the Chrysler Corporation, from 1954 until 1970.
The name plate ‘Belvedere’ is Italian for ‘Beautiful sight’ or ‘Fair View’ and with the tailfin rear that perfectly encompasses the 50’s – 60’s era of automobiles , we could agree more with the name.
The 1956’s models came with more upgrades with the notable introduction of the first push-button automatic transmission to appear in America. Along with more V8 power upgrades.
World Famous NASCAR Racer Richard ‘The King’ Petty’s Plymouth Belvedere can be found in pride of place at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC!
The Belvedere continued as Plymouths full sized car until 1965 when it was replaced with the 1970 Satellite.
Belvederes were also used in the police services through the late 1960’s to the early 1970’s, a favorite of the LAPD and NYPD!
Thankyou to our lovely client Mr B for allowing us to show off his beautiful Belvedere! If your looking for Classic car insurance, give our team a call on 02380268351!
AIB are delighted to announce that experienced broker, George Procter has joined our business and will be based from our Chandlers Ford office. George comes to us with many years of experience and will go straight to work learning our different products and markets within our busy insurance broker.
Despite his young looks, George’s experience will be a great asset to us as he joins us from high street insurance broker A-Plan, where he worked in both the Eastleigh and Fareham offices for many years. Prior to that, he worked at Zurich Insurance as an underwriter, within the Construction and Terrorism team. He has a passion for home insurance and high net worth clients generally, but can turn his hand to almost any personal lines or property insurance product. We look forward to welcoming him into the team with his varied set of skills, resourcefulness and diverse experience.
FAST FACTS:
George attended school at Swanmore Centre of Excellence, achieving a set of excellent grades. His seriously cool claim to fame is that he scored a belter of a goal at the home of Southampton Football Club, St Mary’s! George enjoys golf, going to the gym and using his beloved steamer to ensure a healthy diet. Perhaps this robust lifestyle is the reason why he excels at everything he applies himself to. With his super fit brain power engaged, there will be no stopping this focused chap making a success of his role. Full Steam Ahead!
GEORGE SAYS:
“I have been warmly welcomed into the team here at AIB. I am excited about how rewarding the work will be, having heard that AIB are very successful in retaining a loyal client base and I am looking forward to working within a fast moving environment”
WE SAY:
Kirby De Gray Birch says: “George is a great addition and will work initially in our renewals department learning our company cultures and ethos’s as well as our product range and our strong insurer relationships. We’ve got very high hopes for George who reports directly to our Managing Director, and we are all excited to watch his career develop and progress”.
In addition to George, we also welcome Josie Bones to our team. Josie joins our Administration Department, handling every aspect of a busy, personal lines broker. She possesses a wealth of customer service experience, having worked for many years at B&Q and within the hospitality sector, as an Events Co-Ordinator in Winchester.
FAST FACTS:
Josie lives locally in Chandlers Ford where she loves to walk her new puppy, Peanut, a beautiful brown, lively Cookapoo. Josie is passionate about music, festivals and theatre and has a very healthy addiction to Harry Potter World, having visited more times than she cares to remember! Josie’s vibrant approach to life, her imagination and creativity make her an excellent and joyful asset to our ever strengthening team. We are supremely confident that she will wave her magic wand over everything she applies herself to, here at AIB.
JOSIE SAYS:
“I feel very welcome here, everyone is kind, encouraging and have proven to be fantastic mentors and teachers. I look forward to a great career ahead of me and will apply my current skillset and knowledge toeverything I do, hopefully with a view to enhancing the provision of this excellent company”.
WE SAY:
Administration Manager, Megan Greer says: “Josie has made a brilliant start to her career at AIB and is rapidly learning all aspects of our business, including motor, home and liability. Her strong transferable skills have stood her in excellent stead. She has embraced all of our rigorous training and picked things up super fast.”
If you are interested in a career within the insurance sector and feel you have the skill set or the passion for great customer service please send your CV to info@aib.co.uk with a covering letter.
Here at AIB Insurance, we have an extensive panel of closely vetted insurance partners enabling us to tailor-make policies for our valued customers. We are pleased to announce that we have recently added another partner to our panel – First Underwriting Ltd.
First Underwriting was established in 2011 and has built a reputation for providing a high level of service along with a quality range of insurance products through select insurance brokers like us. Its main insurance partner is Accredited Insurance (Europe) Ltd that is apparently excellently rated by AM Best that provides credit ratings for the insurance industry worldwide.
First Underwriting is supported by NSM Insurance Services that is apparently one of the biggest specialist broking and underwriting groups located over in the United States of America. It is said that NSM Insurance Services is backed by a company listed on the NYSE called White Mountains Ltd.
First Underwriting Ltd’s specialist range of motor insurance policies include cover for the likes of prestige cars, fleet motors, rural vehicles, passenger vehicles and vans. As you can see, it provides cover for a wide range of motor vehicles.
In addition, it can also arrange buildings and contents insurance for a range of property types including, premium – covering standard risks, premier – covering unusual risks and speciality – covering long term unoccupied and residential lets.
Motor insurance claims are dealt with by its partner WNS Assistance and household insurance claims by its partner Claims Consortium Group.
We are extremely pleased to say that our experience to date when dealing with First Underwriting has been nothing but positive. The company’s staff are quick to respond to enquiries at every stage of the insurance process from initial quotation, setting up the policy to dealing with renewals. We are sure that our working relationship will benefit all concerned but, in particular, our valued clients.
Winter is upon us and we have already seen temperatures fall below freezing on occasions here in the UK. Therefore, perhaps it is an appropriate time to mention about protecting your household pipes against the cold weather.
According to information published by the Association of British Insurers (ABI), you may find it rather concerning to read that the average amount of a burst pipe insurance claim due to adverse weather conditions exceeded £10,000 in 2018. This is a sizeable sum and a claim of such magnitude has no doubt caused a significant amount of damage whether it is to property, contents or both never mind the potential distress and upheaval to the owners of the premises.
The ABI has very kindly made some recommendations as to what action you can take to lower the possibility of your pipes getting frozen over the winter period: –
If you have one or more taps that drip when turned off get them repaired.
Check in the loft that any water tanks and water pipes are suitably insulated.
Make sure your heating is set to come on periodically even if you are away for a short break.
Make sure that you are familiar with where your stopcock is situated in your home.
If a pipe freezes then you should take the following action according to the ABI: –
Any contents such as clothes and furniture should be moved away from the pipes just in case one of the pipes bursts.
Do not try to remove ice using the likes of a blow torch or a hammer as this may damage the pipework even more.
Turn off the mains water at the stopcock until the pipes have defrosted.
If a pipe bursts, according to the ABI, you should: –
Remove any possessions to a safe place.
Turn off the stopcock, drain the water supply by turning on the taps, and turn off the water heating and central heating.
In the unfortunate event that you do suffer water damage, get in touch with your insurer as soon as possible.
So far, 2019 has not been a good year for the motor trade industry overall with the figures for the number of new vans sold in the UK not helping matters. Regrettably, for the third month in a row, according to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the number of new vans sold has dropped in November 2019.
In the above month, new van sales all up to 3,5 tonnes fell by 9.6% when compared with November 2018. In November 2019 the figure was 26,238 yet in the same month last year the figure was 29,035. The biggest drop in percentage terms was in new van sales in the category up to 2.0 tonnes with a fall of 24%. On a positive note, the number of pickup sales rose from 3,876 in November 2018 to 4,541 in November 2019 – an increase of 17.2%.
On a year to date to November 2019 basis, the number of new vans all up to 3.5 tonnes sold rose to 338,227 from 331,776 for the same period last year. That is a small rise of 1.9%.
In November 2019, the top selling new vans were the Ford Transit Custom at 3,046, Vauxhall Vivaro at 2,452, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter at 2,321, Ford Ranger at 1,946 and the Ford Transit at 1,758.
For the year to date basis to November 2019, the top selling new vans were the Ford Transit Custom at 48,912, Ford Transit at 24,594, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter at 23,931, Volkswagen Transporter at 17,697 and the Vauxhall Vivaro at 16,385.
Let us hope that there is better news in 2020 relating to the number of new vans being sold here in the UK.
If you are looking to insure a new van or a used one for that matter then why not give us a call on 02380 268 351 and speak with an experienced member of our team. He or she will discuss your requirements in detail and then arrange a bespoke, competitive quotation from our closely vetted specialist panel of insurers without any obligation. We look forward to being of assistance.
AIB Launch Classic Car Offering
AIB is proud to announce the launch of our non-standard per...
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