Author Archives: Mike Cowlam

Classic car insurance specialist Footman James is calling on classic vehicle owners to make their voices heard over new Government vehicle emissions proposals that could have serious unintended consequences for Britain’s enthusiast community. The Department for Transport has launched a consultation on in-use vehicle emissions, proposing tougher rules to ensure vehicles continue to meet theContinue reading “Government emissions plans could force modern classics off the road.”

Special Jaguar stars in racing father’s classic car auctionBy Classic Yorkshire contributor Tony Lofthouse Lewis Hamilton’s dad has auctioned off 27 prestige cars for some record prices in a classic sale at Silverstone. Anthony Hamilton was moving on a selection of motors from his private collection and made almost £2.9 million. Amongst the sale wasContinue reading “Special Jaguar stars in racing father’s classic car auction”

In keeping with the ongoing discussion about car shows, how about one with all the organisation and pizzazz of a top flight concours but specialising in what Haggerty call unexceptional. That is perhaps an unfair description as these cars are exceptional, at least amongst the unexceptional. The 12th Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional took placeContinue reading “Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional 2026”

Founded in 2008, Thornley Kelham Ltd is a specialist in concours restoration, maintenance, servicing, rally preparation and support of iconic vintage and classic cars. From its Cotswold headquarters, the team of 30 manage, restore and prepare examples of collector cars for global concours and motorsport events from a state-of-the-art 32,000 sq/ft facility. With in-house bodywork,Continue reading “Thornley Kelham Ltd – 356 SL (Super Leicht)”

By Classic Yorkshire contributor Tony Lofthouse If ever a car of yesteryear felt ideal for today’s hot summer days it’s the British-made Mini Moke. Launched in 1964, this little Mini was the vision of auto designer Alec Issigonis – the man behind the original Mini launched five years earlier. The Moke was originally pitched forContinue reading “The Mini Moke – from Cowley to the Caribbean”

One of the more unusual events I attend is the Holme Moss 100. Originally held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first hillclimb up Holme Moss. It has now become an annual event and it has grown steadily every year. What is great about the event is the variety of the cars. From anContinue reading “Holme Moss 100”

DRIVING TOUR…In all 23 cars took part in the two-day driving tour, taking in the North Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines. It proved to be a lot of fun with a bunch of great people, spectacular roads and stunning scenery.  A wonderful mix of cars from a 1923 Bentley 3.0 litre, a 1934 LagondaContinue reading “Yorkshire Elegance results.”

By Classic Yorkshire contributor Tony Lofthouse Gear stick design is one of those often overlooked accessories in cars today (manual ones anyway!) but there’s been some amazing examples over the years. Going back 120 years, the first gear levers were fitted on the driver’s right along with the handbrake stick. Often positioned outside, by theContinue reading “Classic gear knobs – five of the best”

The other day I was browsing the adverts in Autotrader and came across a convertible Aston Vanquish. I am due to change my everyday classic this year and an Aston Martin is on the fantasy end of that list. I went through all the details and just for fun I asked for an insurance quote.Continue reading “Exclusive new Vanquish 25 celebrates 25 years.”

Over the years I have attended many different types of car shows, from your local club show in a park to Goodwood and other prestigious events. It has surprised me that attending these elite shows has generated some negative on line comments. My view is that there is room for all these events and youContinue reading “Surprise at an elite concours”

Classic Yorkshire contributor Tony Lofthouse I love hearing about interesting barn finds and when it’s a classic French motor it’s extra special. Earlier this year, Citroen restoration specialists CQS Classics were called in to recover a 1971 DS21 Pallas that had been gathering dust for over 20 years. It seems that following the death ofContinue reading “‘Barn find’ Citroen gets long overdue clean-up!”

You would have to be blind not to have noticed the number of Chinese cars flooding the roads of Britain. I think many car enthusiasts will instantly dismiss them as cheap versions of the Range Rover or targeting the bottom end of the market. That is a view that those of us with a fewContinue reading “BYD launches the Z supercar”