Pride of Ownership finalists revealed for NEC classic motor show

The first ten classics to secure a place in the autumn final of the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership will showcase the widely varied tastes of motoring. Always a diverse display, the autumn final is no exception and includes the first ever Ferrari in the line-up. 

Mark Vincent’s stunning red 1977 Ferrari 308 GT4 has just undergone a bare metal restoration and the NEC will be the car’s first outing. Mark purchased the car in 2012 with a huge history folder that revealed the car had only been driven 500 miles over a 20-year period.

He managed to track down the previous owner who revealed that the Ferrari had been his dream car. But not long after buying it following his retirement, ill health meant he couldn’t get insured to drive it. Not wanting to part with his beloved Ferrari, the owner maintained and improved the car, passing all its MoTs despite only going from garage to garage.

At the other end of the scale is Brian and Trevor Ford’s 1982 Morris Ital 1.3HL in beautiful beige. The car was owned by their late parents and was restored in their memory around ten years ago. The Ital was the last car to ever have the Morris name and is now extremely rare with only 30 examples believed to still be driving on UK roads. In addition, this particular vehicle was the last Morris car produced at the Cowley works making it even more special.

Sticking with the 80s, Jonathan Smith had a poster of the AC 3000ME on his bedroom wall as a teenager so when one finally came up at auction many years later, he knew he had to buy it. With only 104 made, this 1986 example was the third from last built and has just 4,700miles on the clock.

Moving into 1990, David Doolan’s Ginetta G32 Coupe in canary yellow will certainly add some colour to the display. The car is mostly original except for the suspension being lowered and a fresh coat of paint. David’s owned this car twice. First time from 2004 through to 2012, but then he sold it on the proviso he’d get first refusal if the new owner ever decided to sell – and earlier this year, he bought the car back into the fold.

Also representing this era is Dale Coan’s 1997 Daihatsu Hijet called Skylark. This diddy camper was full restored by Dale and his wife Anne and has since journeyed all over the UK. Dale is the first to admit that Skylark isn’t the biggest or the fastest, but it is all theirs and is as much a part of the family as their beloved pet dog.

A million miles from the Ginetta is Steven Murray’s 1953 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith with its Hooper 7-seater limousine body that was built for the Geneva Motor Show. The car ended up in the West Midlands used by a local industrialist before travelling to Ghana. To this day, ‘Lily Beamont’ as the car is known, continues to travel, most recently to concours and marque meets in the USA. 

The 60s are represented by a trio of British cars – John Simpson’s 1966 Sunbeam Alpine, Keith Hudson’s 1969 Jensen FF, and Mark Misiura’s 1964 MGB Roadster. They are joined by some American muscle in the form of Mart Dawson’s 1966 Ford Mustang Coupe.

Andrew Evanson, Lancaster Insurance senior operations manager, said: 'The feature is renowned for showcasing a fantastic array of classics from over the decades and the first ten to be announced have not disappointed. It’s a real emotive and inspiring experience speaking to the owners and I can’t wait to hear the stories behind all the cars at the show.'

The winner of the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership will be decided by the show visitors who will be invited to vote for their favourite. The winner will be announced by Mike Brewer on Sunday 10 November at 2pm.

Tickets are now on sale for this year’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery. For more information including ticket options, booking details and all there is to see and do, visit www.necclassicmotorshow.com.