Latest news

If you own a classic car, chances are you love to talk about all things automotive with whoever will listen. Only thing is, not everyone will share your passion for the nitty gritty of classic car maintenance, repairs and parts. For that you need to find fellow classic car enthusiasts. A good place to start looking is at one of the many local and national classic cars owners clubs around the UK.

Classic car enthusiasts like nothing better than chatting to like-minded motor heads, which is why so many join classic car owner communities.

It’s your chance to celebrate your pride and joy and share how much pleasure it brings you (with people who know exactly where you’re coming from).

It’s also the perfect opportunity for you to geek out to your heart’s content about how to prevent rust, the latest barns find, and why your rolling restoration is proving even trickier than you thought. Being a member might even save you a tidy sum on your classic car insurance.

 

Classic car ownership on the up

The number of people who own (or are interested in owning) a classic car in the UK is steadily increasing.

According to the latest research by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC), 9.8 million people in the UK are interested in historic vehicles.

Even better, 21 million people believe that historic vehicles are an important element of the UK’s heritage that should be preserved.

Add to that, figures from the DVLA that show the number of classic vehicles listed on their database last year was 1,241,863 (up from 1,039,950 in 2016).

The FBHVC survey also revealed that owners of classic cars are seriously committed, spending an average of £1,500 per vehicle each year.

Today’s classic car owners have a deep-rooted passion for keeping these vehicles on the road, but they are also invested in the lifestyle surrounding classic car ownership.

Why join a classic car owners club?

Joining a classic car owners club is one way to celebrate that passion and lifestyle. Here are 10 reasons why you should consider joining a classic car club today.

 

1. You meet like-minded people

When you’re passionate about something, there’s nothing better than surrounding yourself with people who share the same passion.

Joining a classic car owners club is the perfect way to meet like-minded people and chat, at length, about the ins and outs of the classic car industry.

Having this network of fellow classic car enthusiasts means you can really get to know your beloved motor in detail (and don’t have to bore friends and family by waxing lyrical to them).

 

2. You learn more about your car

When you join a classic car owners club, you’re going to learn a lot. Talking to fellow motor heads about the things you love will unearth all sorts of extra information and trivia.

However knowledgeable you think you are about classic cars, there’s always something new to discover.

Plus, learning more about classic cars and sharing your knowledge with others will take your interest to the next level, keep your mind active and will do wonders for your creativity. What’s more, it could also help the next time you need to carry out a repair.

 

3. You get tips and advice

Trying to restore and look after a classic car isn’t easy. Yes, there’s a whole host of information (and misinformation) available online, but nothing beats getting first-hand advice from an experienced enthusiast to keep you on track.

Being a member of a classic car club means you’re instantly surrounded by people who are keen to share their knowledge.

There may also be members-only forums that allow you to get in touch with people across the UK (or beyond) and learn from their years of knowledge. Who knows, you might even meet previous owners of your own classic from years gone by.

 

4. You become instantly more sociable

We’re all social creatures at heart and joining a car club is the perfect opportunity to socialise. Even if you’re not naturally outgoing, you might be surprised.

It’s easier to be around other people when you have something in common. Plus, it’s a chance to step away from your beloved motor for a while and make (human) friends.

You’ll also become more sociable thanks to the classic car events taking place throughout the year (the majority happening over the summer).

You may not want to go to one of the big events by yourself, but you might change your mind if you can go as part of a group.

These events are also family-friendly, with plenty of activities and things to see. Being a member of a classic car club is the ideal way to hear about these events and make sure you don’t miss out. You might even get priority entry or discounts on admission if you attend as part of a club.

 

5. You get to show off your classic car

Restoring a classic car back to its former glory is a labour of love and requires lots of time and energy. But while working on your car is rewarding and therapeutic, it’s always good to let others see the results.

With fellow classic car club members you have a willing audience of people who can understand and appreciate all your hard work.

Having such an audience also gives you an added incentive to keep up the good work on your restoration or refurbishment job.

There’s nothing like the razor-sharp eye of other enthusiasts to give you that extra push to keep making progress and get every repair spot on.

You’ll also get the chance to cast your own expert eye over the progress being made by other members – something that will probably inspire you even more.

6. You get special deals on classic car insurance

Many classic car clubs work with insurance companies to give members the best classic car insurance deals out there.

At Lancaster Insurance, we currently work with more than 150 classic car clubs (with that number constantly rising).

Being a member of a classic car club means you are able to benefit from better deals and lower prices when it’s time to renew your classic car insurance policy.

You may also be able to take advantage of a discounted introductory fee for new members.

From European touring cover and breakdown insurance to cover when your car is not on the road, Lancaster Insurance has a range of classic car insurance packages to keep your motor fully protected.

 

7. You meet the next generation of classic car enthusiasts

It’s no secret that most classic car club members are, let’s say: more advanced in their years.

That raises concerns about the survival of these clubs and who will become the next generation of classic car owners and enthusiasts.

But clubs are taking action – for example, offering reduced membership fees to the under 25s – and interest from younger generations is building.

Buying a classic car when you have no prior knowledge can be daunting to a younger driver, especially when funds might be limited.

But there is a wealth of knowledge and information within clubs and plenty of people keen to lend a hand. Getting to know this new generation of classic car owners can be beneficial to everyone.

 

8. You become part of the conversation

There’s much debate about the role classic cars play in the modern world.

Should they be exempt from emissions restrictions? Is it wrong to convert a classic car to electric? How far should the world of classic cars be allowed to evolve? And why are some classic cars harder to insure than others?

Being a member of a classic car club puts you at the heart of these conversations and allows you to voice your opinions with others who really do care.

A classic car club is a great starting point to build momentum around a particular idea you feel strongly about.

You’ll have a ready-made band of volunteers who also want to have their say, and you’ll be surprised at what you can achieve together.

 

9. You don’t need a car to join

Contrary to what you may think, you don’t need to own a classic car to become a member of most classic car clubs.

Yes, there are a few that insist you’re a classic car owner, but they are in the minority. 99% of classic car owners clubs will gladly welcome all new members with open arms. In fact, the only criteria is that you have a genuine passion for a certain type (or all types) of classic car.

But a quick word of warning: If you do join a classic car owners club as a non-car owner, it probably won’t be long before the urge to own your own classic car becomes all consuming.

If that’s the case, at least you’ll be surrounded by people who will be able to give you all the buying advice you could hope for. And Lancaster can help with your classic car insurance.

 

10. You know where you stand with a classic car owners club

The point of a classic car owners club has never changed. They are the hubs of the world’s classic car owners’ communities, providing credible sources of knowledge, authority and expertise.

You will find yourself surrounded by friendly people who are keen to meet new members and keep classic cars on the roads.

What to consider before joining a classic car club

Once you’re clear about why you should join a classic car club and the benefits it will bring, you need to do your research. Here are three questions you can ask to find out what’s involved:

• Cost: The cost of classic car club membership can be surprisingly low. Most clubs have an annual subscription fee of around £20-£40. However, some of the more high-end clubs may charge a lot more.
• Expectations: It’s good to do some research into what a club expects from its members. You may be expected to represent the group in some way or commit a certain amount of time. Find out what’s expected from you before you sign up.
• Meet-ups: You want to be clear about when and where the classic car club meet-ups take place. If you can’t make the meetings, you won't get the most benefit from your membership.

 

Signs you’re ready to join a classic car club

Wondering whether you’re ready to join a classic car club? There are a few signs you can look out for.

 

You own a lot of classic car automobilia

Your home and office are filled with classic car memorabilia. Are you the proud owner of classic car mugs, biscuit tins, T-shirts and die-cast replicas? Do you find yourself opening classic car-related presents every birthday and Christmas? If so, it’s time to go a step further and join a classic car owners club.

 

You’ve named your car

Does your classic car have a name? If it does, you’re hooked. And if you talk about your car the way you’d talk about a loved one, you’re even more hooked.

 

Your classic car gets serious TLC

Do you like to keep your classic car in tip-top condition – cleaning it, polishing it and making sure those wire wheels sparkle? When all your free time is dedicated to looking after your car, perhaps you should spend some of that time with like-minded souls at a classic car club.

 

Tips on choosing classic car insurance

Here at Lancaster Insurance, we’re committed to supporting the UK’s classic car clubs.

Over the past 35 years, we’ve built strong relationships with more than 150 classic car clubs. And as a member of one of these owners clubs, you can access .

As experienced specialist brokers, we have access to deals, and offer a range of insurance packages.

With our vast experience and knowledge of the industry, we can quote for virtually every classic car available. We can even offer quality cover for those models that are hard to insure.

Get a quote for your classic car insurance today.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.