Tag Archives: Classic

The Car of the Day is the Luxury Ford Zephyr Zodiac 1962!

 

The Ford Zephyr is an executive car that was manufactured by Ford of Britain. The Zephyr and its luxury variants, the Ford Zodiac and Ford Executive, were the largest passenger cars in the British Ford range from 1950 to 1972.

 

The Zephyr Zodiac or Zodiac Mark I was an upmarket version of the Zephyr launched at the London Motor Show in autumn 1953. It had two-tone paintwork, leather trim, a heater, windscreen washers, whitewall tyres, and spotlights. The engine had a higher compression ratio increasing the maximum power to 71 bhp.

 

 

In 1956, the Consul, Zephyr, and Zodiac were all restyled. The six-cylinder cars’ engines were enlarged to 2,553 cc with power output correspondingly raised to 86 bhp. The wheelbase was increased by 3 inches to 107 inches and the width increased to 69 inches. Top speed increased to 88 mph and the fuel consumption was also improved at 28 mpg‑imp.

 

 

Mr P has snapped some fantastic photographs of his 1962 Ford Zephyr Zodiac, the height of luxury. Mr P has insured his pride and joy through ourselves here at AIB with a bespoke classic car policy. The policy includes 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 Ford Zephyr or another classic car would like covered under a specialist classic car policy, call our friendly motor team on 02380 268351 for a bespoke quotation.

Car of the day… Mantula Coupe!

The Mantula Coupe was launched at the Motor Show in 1984 beginning a long relationship between Marcos and the Rover V8 engine.

 

 

The Mantula Coupe evolved from the 3 Litre form with the addition of a front-end spoiler,- giving the car a lower approach angle, extended wheel arches, a wider back end, and a bonded windscreen. The interior was also altered with the addition of a gearlever console, incorporating storage trays. The suspension was unaltered from the 3 Litre.

 

 

In July 1985 Marcos ventured for the second time into a soft top car with the Mantula Spyder. The original car was fitted with a detachable T-top which was dropped on subsequent production models due to being too expensive to produce and not entirely practical.

 

 

In 1986 with Ford live axles becoming difficult to source, the fully independent rear suspension was introduced. Utilizing differential and hubs from the Ford Sierra range and wishbones, uprights and A-frame developed by Marcos, transforming the ride quality of the range, the live axle was phased out on factory-built cars at this stage.

 

 

Mr O has a lovely 1992 Marcos Mantula currently insured with us under a bespoke classic car policy. The policy has many benefits including agreed value, choice of repairer, salvage retention and 30 days fully comprehensive EU cover! Thank you, Mr O allowing us to share your pristine example.

 

 

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.

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

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…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… 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… Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe

The car of the week this week is the perfect Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe.

 

 

 

The Carrera was available in rear and all-wheel drive versions. It was equipped with the naturally aspirated 3.6 liter M64 engine, further developed from the 964, and combined with a new dual-flow exhaust system now incorporating two catalytic converters. In contrast with most of the other variants, production of the Carrera coupé and Cabriolet ceased with the end of 1997 model year, except for a very few produced in a shortened 1998 model year.

 

 

 

 

Mr G knows this beauty is fully covered with salvage Retention, agreed value and choice of repairer along with legal expenses cover covering any uninsured loses up to £100,000.

 

 

 

Thank you Mr G for sharing this perfect example of a 1996 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe. If you have a classic needing insurance cover call our specialist team on 02380 268351.

 

 

Car of the Week…MGB GT

The car of the week is this gorgeous MGB GT.

 

 

The original concept of the two seater open sports MGB was considered ahead of its time in 1962 and still had not dated after production ceased in 1980 when the last MGB rolled off the Abingdon assembly line. Over half a million examples of the car in its various guises were produced, making it the best selling MG of all time.

 

 

Mr A has kept this beautiful example in pristine condition. If you have an MG or any other classic car that needs caring for think no further than AIB insurance. We can offer agreed value, salvage retention and choice of repairer.

 

 

Call our specialist classic car team on 02380 268351 for your bespoke quotation. Do not forget to ask about our optional extras which provide extra security.

 

 

 

Thank you Mr A for sharing your beautiful MG B GT!