Tag Archives: Car Insurance

Car of the Day… BMW M3 Coupe

 

The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series developed by BMW’s in-house motorsport division, BMW M GmbH. M3 models have been produced for every generation of 3 Series since the E30 M3 was introduced in 1986.

 

 

The initial model of the BMW M3 was available in a coupe body style, with a convertible body style added soon after. The M3’s biggest contribution to both driver safety and the performance industry is BMW’s continual development of their limited-slip differential, which mathematically maximizes torque and grip without compromising handling. The M3’s most notable implementation of technology came in 1992 when they fitted the E36 M3 was outfitted with the SMG-I gearbox. After this occurred, it officially took the title as the fastest shifting gear box in the world!

 

 

CoupeA massive thank you to our client Mr V for letting us showcase his incredible BMW M3 Coupe!

Give our friendly team a call for a quote on 02380 268 351!

 

Car of the Day… Jensen GT

 

The Jensen GT is a British sports car. It was introduced by Jensen Motors in 1975 as the shooting-break version of the Jensen-Healey. During its short production run from September 1975 to May 1976, 511 Jensen GTs were built before Jensen Motors went into receivership.

 

The only estate-bodied Jensen car made, the GT represented, along with the Coupé, the company’s swansong. It remained in production right up until the last day the company was in operation before the liquidation in May 1976. Introduced alongside the Coupé at Earls Court in October 1975, the GT shared the dubious distinction of being a model introduced under the shadow of receivership with that car.

Although the GT was not unveiled until late 1975, ideas for something like it had been around for almost as long as the Healey. Drawings of an estate version can be discovered from as early as 1972.

From 1974 to 1976, only 511 GTs were made with 230 of them being sent to Mainland UK and 260 were sent to the USA. The first Jensen GT was made in 1974, the next 216 made in 1975 and the final 294 were made in 1976. This makes the oldest Jensen GT 48 years old. Had the cars continued in production for longer than circumstances allowed, GTs would probably have followed the Healey in finding their way to North America in larger numbers.

Thank you to our client, Mr C, for letting us show of his incredible Jensen GT!

Give our friendly team a call on 02380 268 351 we would be happy to help!

 

 

 

Concorde Classics Car Show – A Garden Party for Car Enthusiasts!

On Sunday 11th September 2022 will be the 13th Concorde Classics Car Show held at the Concorde Club in Eastleigh. The show first started in 2008 when a group of like-minded people wanted to support local businesses, as well as raise money for worthy causes.

It was decided to utilise the lovely grounds around the Concorde Club to stage a charity car show, little did the small organising team realise what a great success the show would become and now features as one of the best Car Shows in the area. Many visitors describe the show as a garden party for car enthusiasts.

The show in the first year featured a few cars on display and was really just for owners and their vehicles taking part. After two years of running the show, the organising committee teamed up with Naomi House Children’s Hospice to make the show primarily about supporting and raising funds for Hospice. In fact, every penny made from the show goes to the charity.

Naomi House is a children’s hospice providing a professional palliative care service for families whose children and young people have a life limiting illness and their families from central southern England. The charity provides care to families living in communities across the seven counties of Berkshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Surrey, West Sussex and Wiltshire. The children’s charity has two specialist units, Naomi House for children, and jacksplace for young people. Each unit is purpose built and provides an appropriate environment for each age group. It costs around £4.5million a year to run the two units. The vast amount of money for running the hospice come from donations and fund raising like Concorde Classics Car Show. In the last 12 years the Car Show has now raised over £107,000 for the charity and in November 2019 was awarded the Dr Peter Lee Award for long term support to Naomi and jacksplace.

As the word spread, and the show changed from not just a show for owners but for visitors as well and began growing in popularity. Today the show attracts over 3,000 visitors with around 160 cars on display at any one time. The cars on display vary from vintage right the way up to modern supercars and is very family orientated.

Being family orientated the organizers understand how expensive it can be for a family day out and therefore set the entry cost to visitors low, being £5 per adult, £1 for a child under 12 and children under 3 can get in for free. Tickets are purchased on the day only at the entry gate, and payment by cash is requested. All display vehicles need to prebook, and the show is so popular most of the display places go by June before the show. Display owners pay £8 per car to display. During every show the public vote for their ‘Car of the Show’ and the winner has a lovely photograph taken of their vehicle and awarded a trophy. In 2019, the last full normal show before Covid, the winner was beautiful Jaguar E-Type.

 

 

Every year the organizers want to have a special attraction for people and over the years we have had an array of attractions like Michael Schumacher’s Benetton winning F1 car, Dragsters, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Batman and his Batmobile and much more

 

          

The show always attracts a lot of attention, and the show often gets celebrities attending to help support the show. The TV chef James Martin is a big petrol head and has a wonderful array of classics cars and often attends the show with one of his beauties. The photograph shows James being interviewed with his beautiful Ferrari 275 GTBC. You will often see ‘The Stig’ at the show, although don’t expect him to talk to you, but he does enjoy sitting in people’s cars.

Whilst wondering around the show you will see a great selection of cars, treasured by their owners all willing to chat about their cars and what they have and do to maintain them, whilst relaxing and enjoying the show themselves. The show has a Ferrari and Super Car section, often sporting the newest Super cars on display for visitors to see. At intervals during the show you will hear the ‘Sound Off’ competition and this is great to hear the rumble of V8 and V12 engines.

The show has a large marquee with trade stands, and you can have a go on a large Scalextric track, the fastest person around the track over a number of laps will win a prize.  If you’re hungry then there is a BBQ, Ice Cream Van, Bar and Coffee van. Attention to detail is the show organizers wish and they are always looking for new and exciting things to bring enjoyment and fun to all who attend.

If you fancy a ride out in a car, then the show has Sporting Bears Charity running ‘dream rides’ for a donation to the show charity. You will be taken on a 10-mile drive to experience an array of different cars and is a must do for any visitor, so make sure you book your slot on the day early as places go quickly. Visitors attending the show are directed to nearby car parks and the show runs a Park & Ride scheme as well, so look out for the signs when arriving. To help transport people across the car parks they have Trigger the Train which you can ride on for free, the kids love this experience

This year the show is being sponsored by Airsports Insurance Bureau (AiB) in Chandlers Ford and the show organizers are planning a special show to welcome people back after the recent pandemic. The show this year will feature a Movie and TV car and bike display. The show will have a wonderful ‘Back to the Future’ DeLorean, Herbie the Love Bug, James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 and many more.

To find out more about the show visit www.concordeclassics.co.uk

 

 

Car of the Day…Renault 16 TL 1977

With a maximum top speed of 93 mph (150 km/h), a curb weight of 2227 lbs (1010 kgs), the 16 TL has a naturally-aspirated Inline 4 cylinder engine, Petrol motor.

 

 

This engine produces a maximum power of 66 PS (65 bhp – 49 kW) at 5000 rpm and a maximum torque of 111.0 Nm (81 lb.ft) at 3000 rpm. The power is transmitted to the road by the front wheel drive (FWD) with a 4 speed Manual gearbox.

 

 

 

On the topic of chassis details responsible for road holding, handling behavior and ride comfort, the 16 has Torsion bar. Anti-roll bar. front suspension and Trailing arm. Torsion bar. Anti-roll bar. rear suspension. For stopping power, the 16 TL braking system includes Discs at the front and Drums at the rear.

The 16 model is a Hatchback car manufactured by Renault, sold new from year 1977.

 

 

 

Mr G’s Renault 16 TL 1977 has been insured with us here at AIB Insurance on a classic car policy meaning that his car is taken care of always. Agreed value is one of the many benefits that comes with a classic car policy as well as salvage retention.

 

 

 

Mr G has also received a discount on this policy because of the length of ownership on this vehicle. If you also have a classic car that you have recently bought or have owned for a long period of time and would like to get a quotation, call our specialist classic car quotation team on 02380 268351.

Car of the day… Austin Mini GT!

Today’s car of the day is Mr A’s classic Austin Mini GT.

 

 

Mr A’s Austin Mini GT has been insured with us here at AIB Insurance on a classic car policy meaning that his car is taken care of always. Agreed value is one of the many benefits that comes with a classic car policy as well as salvage retention.

 

 

Mr A also received a discount on this policy because of the length of ownership on this vehicle. If you also have a classic car that you have recently bought or have owned for a long period of time and would like to get a quotation call our specialist quotation team on 02380 268351.

 

 

If you also have photos of your classic car and would like to share them, email them to info@aib.co.uk. Thank you Mr A for sharing your photos!

Car of the day…Jaguar E-type 1972!

Today’s car of the day is Mr J’s Jaguar E-type 1972.

 

 

The Jaguar E-type is widely regarded as one of the most important and pretty sports cars of all time. At its launch at the Geneva Auto Salon in March 1961, the E-type not only stole the show but every headline!

 

 

Yet it’s hard to fathom the effect this British machine had on the world in 1961, when 70mph was rapid for the average family runabout, never mind the claimed 150mph the E-type could reach. Mr J has insured his very own Jaguar E-type here with us at AIB Insurance which means he has been offered the best policy to ensure his car is well looked after.

 

 

Mr J’s E-type is insured on a classic car policy which comes with lots of benefits! This includes agreed value, salvage retention, choice of repairer and legal expenses cover. Choice of repairer means that Mr J can relax knowing that his car will always been in the capable hands of a repairer he trusts.

 

 

If you too have a classic car and are looking for insurance you can count on, call our specialist teams today on 02380 268 351. If you also have a classic car and would like to share your photos, email them to info@aib.co.uk.

Car of the day…Austin Healey 3000 1967!

Today’s car of the day is Mr J’s Austin Healey 3000, 1967.

The Austin Healey 3000s are powered by a robust and torquey 2,912-ccstraight-six which is exactly what they were named after.

 

 

Originally built as a left hand drive vehicle, Mr J had his Austin Healey restored by Murray Scott Nelson, after having it imported from the USA, and it is now a right hand drive vehicle. Mr J took his Healey to Murray Scott Nelson as they are Austin Healey restoration specialists.

 

 

After having such delicate work done to his vehicle, it was only right that Mr J made sure his car was always going to be looked after and came to us at AIB to take out a classic car policy.

 

 

A classic car insurance policy means that Mr J gets a choice of repairer which means that only approved garages and approved parts will be used on his vehicle. The benefits don’t stop there, Mr J also has agreed value on his vehicle with his insurers, salvage retention and legal expenses cover.

 

 

If you also have a classic car and would like a bespoke quotation on your vehicle give our classic car team a call today on 02380268351. If you also have a classic car and would like to share your photos then email them to info@aib.co.uk.

 

Car of the day… Triumph GT6 1972!

Today’s car of the day is the Triumph GT6 1972.

The Triumph GT6 is a 6-cylinder fastback version of the Spitfire, styled by the Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti, and produced over 7 years from 1966 to 1973.

 

 

The 6-cylinder engine was tuned in the GT6 to develop 95 hp (71 kW) at 5000 rpm, and torque of 117 lb.ft at 3000 rpm. Its top speed was reported as being 106 mph and could accelerate from 0–60 mph in slightly under 12 seconds.

 

 

Mr G has his Triumph GT6 insured on a classic car policy here with us at AIB insurance. This means that Mr G has agreed value on his car as well as salvage retention.

 

 

Another benefit of the classic car policies is choice of repairer meaning that Mr G can choose where his car is taken and only have approved parts used on his car. If you have a classic car that you would like to have insured on this kind of policy, call our specialist team for a bespoke quote on 02380 268351.

 

 

If you have a classic car and would like to share your photos with us, email them into info@aib.co.uk.

Car of the day…Mercedes Benz 190E 1993!

Todays car of the day is the Mercedes Benz 190E.

In the early 1980s Mercedes decided its new small saloon, the 190, with its low-drag body and sophisticated multi-link rear suspension, would be the ideal base for a rally car to outfox the BDA-powered Ford Escorts and the Talbot Lotus Sunbeams that dominated rallying at the time.

 

 

Initially, buyers could choose only a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine model, with power steering, central locking and electric mirrors as standard. A year later however, a 2.0-litre diesel arrived, and a sporty 2.3-litre 16-valve flagship was announced in 1985.

 

 

The six-cylinder versions arrived in 1987, with the 2.6-litre 190E and 2.5-litre 16-valve arriving in 1988 when the range was slightly facelifted. Finally, a 144mph Evolution variant was imported in 1990. Mr W has his own Mercedes 190 E insured with AIB insurance on a classic car policy.

 

 

A classic car policy means that Mr W gets the benefits of agreed value on his car, salvage retention, choice of repairer and legal cover expenses.  Mr W can rest easy knowing that his car will be taken care of in a garage of his choice and knowing that only Mercedes approved parts will be used.

 

 

If you have a classic car that you would like to get insured on one of our classic car policies give our specialist teams a call today on 02380 268351. If you also have a classic car and have any photos you would like to share, email them to info@aib.co.uk.

Car Of The Day…Porsche 911 Carrera 4S!

Todays car of the day is Mr L’s Porsche 911 Carrera 4S.

The unmistakable silhouette of the 911 is characterised by its iconic fly line. It has barely changed since 1963, and has shaped the DNA of all Porsche models.

 

 

With its 325-horsepower 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine, the 2006 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 is capable of accelerating from a standing start to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 4.9 seconds and reaches 99 mph (160 km/h) in 11.2 seconds.

 

 

Mr L has insured his vehicle through AIB insurance on a high net worth policy. This policy includes an agreed value, salvage retention, choice of repairer and legal cover expenses.

 

 

If you also have a high net worth vehicle that you would like a bespoke quotation for, call our specialist teams on 02380 268351. If you also own a high net worth vehicle and would like to share your photos with us, email them to info@aib.co.uk.