Tag Archives: Classic Cars

Car of the Day .. Lotus Elan +2S!

In 1948, Colin Chapman CBE, founded one of the most iconic British racing car companies of all time. Lotus is profoundly known for, not only their Formula 1 team but for their 2 seater sports cars sold in the tens of thousands.

 

 

 

The Lotus Elan was the first Lotus road car to use a steel backbone chassis with a fiberglass body. This style of construction was to be repeated in subsequent Lotus models for nearly three decades.

 

 

In 1971 the Elan +2S was upgraded to include the Big Valve engine and then renamed to the +2S 130. This stunning example of the +2S is owned by one of our clients. The vehicle has undergone a full nut and bolt restoration and resprayed by a Lotus specialist in Lagoon Blue with a contrasting silver metal flake roof. Alongside the full restoration and paint job, the car has had a full interior re-trim, making this look as good as the day it rolled of the factory line in Norfolk. In fact, with under a thousand miles on the clock this may be one of the best examples of an Elan left in the country. Unfortunately, it’s not known how many rolled out the RAF based factory; however, it is estimated at roughly 3,300 with under 1,000 left on the roads today.


 

Give our fantastic Quotes team a call for quote on your classic car! Call us on 023 8026 8351!

Its MG Week!!

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!

 

 

Car of the Day … Volkswagon Westfalia!

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.

Car of the Day … Cadillac Elorado Biarritz 1959!

The Cadillac Eldorado is a luxury car manufactured and marketed by Cadillac from 1952 until 2002 over twelve generations.

 

 

Arguably the most desirable of the Eldorado’s was the Biarritz convertible; it was Cadillac’s most expensive open-air car for 1959, and only 1,320 of them were built.

 

 

For many, the 1959 Cadillac represents the peak of American industrial design in its era. The Eldorado Biarritz is the most desirable among its ranks.

 

 

Our wonderful client Mr H has shared some photos of his lovely Eldorado Biarritz.

 

 

Mr H has this beauty insured through ourselves here at AIB Insurance, we offer specialist classic car polices which can also include optional extras, such as UK and EU breakdown cover, Motor Legal Expenses Cover up to £100,000, Courtesy Vehicles for the duration of repairs and Agreed Value.

 

If you have a Cadillac or another classic car you would like covered under a specialist classic car policy, call our friendly motor team on 02380 268351.

The Car of The Day…. Ferrari F355 Berlinetta

Our lovely client Mr S has allowed us to share photographs of his stunning Ferrari F355 Berlinetta.

 

This vehicle is a continuation of the iconic Ferrari 348, improving on its foundations to produce one of the best driving experiences Ferrari has ever manufactured.

 

 

The beauty of the 355 berlinetta’s exterior is also matched by its engineering prowess, being the first road car to be equipped with an F1 style gearbox management system.

 

 

 

We have this beautiful Ferrari 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.

 

 

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.

Thank you, Mr S, for sharing your wonderful Ferrari F355 Berlinetta.

 

 

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…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… Ford Escort RS 1983

The car of the day is the Ford Escort RS 1983.

Ford Escorts have dominated the British roads since global rally fame in the seventies. However, the Ford Escort RS1600i was the first RS Escort since 1980.

 

 

It was introduced in September 1981, and production ceased in July 1983. Ford planned to build only 5000 for homologation requirements, but it sold so well that 8659 cars were made (2600 sold in the UK).

 

 

Mr D has insured his Escort RS with us here at AIB where we can provide policies that offer agreed value, choice of repairer, legal expenses cover and salvage retention, perfect for classic cars!

 

 

If you also have a classic car that you would like a bespoke quotation for, call our classic car team on 02380 268351. Equally, if you have a classic car and have any photographs you would like to share, email them over to us at info@aib.co.uk.

Car of the Week…Triumph TR6

The car of the week this week is the classic Triumph TR6!

 

 

An iconic British sports car the TR6 was produced in the UK, boasting an impressive 150bhp using a 2.5 litre straight six engine enabling this car to really produce an exciting driving experience. This timeless classic of British engineering gave the thrill of 0-60mph in 11seconds.

 

 

Mr T and Mr C know their stunning Triumph TR6s will always be safe to take for a cruise thanks to his caring insurance package from AIB giving him agreed value, choice of repairer and salvage retention! If you have a beloved classic car of your own than think no further than AIB insurance.

 

 

 

If you have a classic car be sure to call our friendly motor team on 02380 268351 for a bespoke quotation covering all your needs.