Determining the correct answer to this question could be worth hundreds of pounds to many vehicle owners who may be missing out on savings on their car insurance.

The specialist classic car and motorcycle insurance broker Footman James says motorists should check whether their vehicle is classed as a classic as they could receive a number of benefits, not least a reduced insurance premium.

Now offering specialist insurance policies on some marques at just five years old, Footman James believes a number of motorists could be missing a trick.

For example, Mercedes-Benz and Jaguar car club members who are lucky enough to own a cherished Jaguar or Mercedes that is their second car and only covers limited miles per year could benefit from special policy rates when that vehicle reaches its fifth birthday.

Owners of American cars which are five years old or more also qualify for a specialist insurance policy.

Customers looking to insure a classic car under 15 years or a classic American car under 20 years old must be a member of a related car club... Join the British Mini Club Today

Andy Fairchild, Footman James’ managing director, said: “The industry recognises that, on the whole, owners who cherish their vehicles usually drive fewer miles and generally avoid taking their car out in adverse weather conditions, therefore reducing the likelihood of a claim.

“Therefore, in many instances, classic car policies, whilst not totally immune, generally suffer lower premium rises than modern car policies.

“So, it is definitely worth shopping around and checking whether your vehicle is classed as a classic.”

He added: “In addition, there are a number of ways in which classics owners can keep their premiums down.

“For example, if a customer owns a number of cars, there is the option of a multi-vehicle policy or if they don't cover many miles in their classic, a limited mileage policy could be ideal.  Customers can also benefit from additional savings by being a member of a car club.”

Footman James offer discount insurance to British Mini Club members through the Club Scheme; More details

The classic Mini won the Monte Carlo Rally and thrilled millions of enthusiasts in everyday driving. Even today it is one of those cars that attract affectionate glances on the road and, time and again, it sets itself new challenges. Now it is making its debut in the Allgäu-Orient Rally. Five classic Minis are joining 44 venerable BMWs to take part for the first time in the alternative competition for classic and near-classic cars, which will be flagged off on 28 April 2012 in the tourist village of Oberstaufen in southwestern Bavaria. Together with 207 other cars, they will be making for Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, more than 5,000 kilometres away. There, on 12 May 2012, two weeks before the European Song Contest, the city will celebrate the arrival of the four-wheeled “Stars for Baku”. All the vehicles that reached their destination will subsequently be auctioned for a charitable cause.

A unique blend of sporting contest and fundraising event, the Allgäu-Orient Rally is being held for the seventh time this year. For the past three years, BMW Group Classic has been a supporter of this event. Quite separately from this, numerous staff members of the BMW Group are represented in the teams, each comprising three cars and six drivers. They are placing their free time and technical expertise, their passion for historic vehicles and lust for adventure in the service of this good cause. Teams with memorable names like “ChittyChittyBangBang”, “Bavaria2Baku” and “Dust Busters” are setting off, each with three BMW 5 Series Touring models, while the team named “Convoy” is relying on three second-generation BMW 3 Series Touring cars. In earlier years, cars from both series have already demonstrated their rally-worthiness with high long-distance performance. Now is the moment for the five classic Minis, lining up for the start in the late autumn of their long motoring life, to put to the test that reliability which used to be so crucial to their rallying success. The “Minibaijan” team brings to the starting line no fewer than three works-prepared classic Minis, and Austria’s Classic Cars Sports Club has two more of the original diminutive British cars in its fleet.

All the cars taking part in the Allgäu-Orient Rally have one thing in common: they are going to be auctioned at the finishing point, and the proceeds will go to humanitarian aid projects. In this way, last year about €250,000 was raised for the aid organisation Turkish Crescent, which used the money to help earthquake victims and Syrian refugees. In addition, a number of teams use the campaign to raise donations for other charitable institutions. For example, the “Minibaijan” team has made a commitment to SOS Children’s Villages, the “Convoy” team supports the organisation Every Child in Georgia, and the “ChittyChittyBangBang” sextet is collecting money for a children’s home in Albania. In addition to all this, the rally organisation committee coordinates a variety of fundraising activities by sponsors on behalf of aid projects in the countries through which the rally passes.

The Allgäu-Orient Rally not only has unusual objectives, but is run according to special rules. The organisers conceived it as a “low-budget” rally. None of the cars entered is allowed to be less than 20 years old or to have a value of more than €1,111.11. The teams spend each night either in their cars, in tents brought with them or in hotels that charge a maximum of €11.11 per person per night. The journey of more than 5,000 kilometres runs from the starting point in the Bavarian Allgäu, through Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Georgia to Azerbaijan, though the precise route taken is a matter for the team themselves to decide. Thus it is even possible to take routes through Italy, Croatia and Macedonia. The cars are expected to cover some 375 miles per day; motorways are off limits and satnavs are a no-no. All local traffic regulations must be observed without fail. Special trials and various team tasks have to be completed en route, the results of which form part of the overall evaluation. For more information on the Allgäu-Orient Rally visit:http://www.allgaeu-orient.de/ or alternatively:  

Team 27 - Dust-Busters    www.dust-busters.de                           

Team 51 - Bavaria2Baku  www.bavaria2baku.de                                  

Team 59 – minibaijan      www.minibaijan.com                                              

Team 65 – Convoy   www.convoytobaku.com                               

Team 106 - ChittyChittyBangBang    www.ccbb-on-tour.de

The classic Mini won the Monte Carlo Rally and thrilled millions of enthusiasts in everyday driving. Even today it is one of those cars that attract affectionate glances on the road and, time and again, it sets itself new challenges. Now it is making its debut in the Allgäu-Orient Rally. Five classic Minis are joining 44 venerable BMWs to take part for the first time in the alternative competition for classic and near-classic cars, which will be flagged off on 28 April 2012 in the tourist village of Oberstaufen in southwestern Bavaria. Together with 207 other cars, they will be making for Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, more than 5,000 kilometres away. There, on 12 May 2012, two weeks before the European Song Contest, the city will celebrate the arrival of the four-wheeled “Stars for Baku”. All the vehicles that reached their destination will subsequently be auctioned for a charitable cause.

A unique blend of sporting contest and fundraising event, the Allgäu-Orient Rally is being held for the seventh time this year. For the past three years, BMW Group Classic has been a supporter of this event. Quite separately from this, numerous staff members of the BMW Group are represented in the teams, each comprising three cars and six drivers. They are placing their free time and technical expertise, their passion for historic vehicles and lust for adventure in the service of this good cause. Teams with memorable names like “ChittyChittyBangBang”, “Bavaria2Baku” and “Dust Busters” are setting off, each with three BMW 5 Series Touring models, while the team named “Convoy” is relying on three second-generation BMW 3 Series Touring cars. In earlier years, cars from both series have already demonstrated their rally-worthiness with high long-distance performance. Now is the moment for the five classic Minis, lining up for the start in the late autumn of their long motoring life, to put to the test that reliability which used to be so crucial to their rallying success. The “Minibaijan” team brings to the starting line no fewer than three works-prepared classic Minis, and Austria’s Classic Cars Sports Club has two more of the original diminutive British cars in its fleet.

All the cars taking part in the Allgäu-Orient Rally have one thing in common: they are going to be auctioned at the finishing point, and the proceeds will go to humanitarian aid projects. In this way, last year about €250,000 was raised for the aid organisation Turkish Crescent, which used the money to help earthquake victims and Syrian refugees. In addition, a number of teams use the campaign to raise donations for other charitable institutions. For example, the “Minibaijan” team has made a commitment to SOS Children’s Villages, the “Convoy” team supports the organisation Every Child in Georgia, and the “ChittyChittyBangBang” sextet is collecting money for a children’s home in Albania. In addition to all this, the rally organisation committee coordinates a variety of fundraising activities by sponsors on behalf of aid projects in the countries through which the rally passes.

The Allgäu-Orient Rally not only has unusual objectives, but is run according to special rules. The organisers conceived it as a “low-budget” rally. None of the cars entered is allowed to be less than 20 years old or to have a value of more than €1,111.11. The teams spend each night either in their cars, in tents brought with them or in hotels that charge a maximum of €11.11 per person per night. The journey of more than 5,000 kilometres runs from the starting point in the Bavarian Allgäu, through Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey and Georgia to Azerbaijan, though the precise route taken is a matter for the team themselves to decide. Thus it is even possible to take routes through Italy, Croatia and Macedonia. The cars are expected to cover some 375 miles per day; motorways are off limits and satnavs are a no-no. All local traffic regulations must be observed without fail. Special trials and various team tasks have to be completed en route, the results of which form part of the overall evaluation. For more information on the Allgäu-Orient Rally visit:http://www.allgaeu-orient.de/ or alternatively:  

Team 27 - Dust-Busters    www.dust-busters.de                           

Team 51 - Bavaria2Baku  www.bavaria2baku.de                                  

Team 59 – minibaijan      www.minibaijan.com                                              

Team 65 – Convoy   www.convoytobaku.com                               

Team 106 - ChittyChittyBangBang    www.ccbb-on-tour.de

The Worlds oldest surviving unrestored Classic Mini has been found in a barn in Chichester, Said by British Motor Heritage to be number 8 of the production line and the 4th oldest surviving Mini. SOLD AT AUCTION FOR £40,250 ON APRIL 30th 2012, if you know whio the lucky bidder was please let us know

Bought by David Gallimore in 1986 and stored in a barn for at least 20 years has covered only 30,000 miles from new on its original 848cc engine. The Austin Mini Se7en Super Deluxe which was first owned by a Gladys Hobro of Bognor Regis in Sussex is expected to fetch £15,000 at auction on the 30th April at Hendon RAF Museum.

The Mini in Farina Grey was built in July 1959 at Longbridge 3 months before full production started and only has a speedometer in the dashboard. The car has not worked for many years and is in desperate need of restoration. Still retains the original number plate XLL 27, which has to be quite a valuable item as well.

Auctionners Bonhams are selling this amazing find and John Polson from Bonhams said 'This is a wonderfull opporthunity to byu the car and restore it. It is the oldest unrestored Mini. Collectors love the fact it has had very little done to it since it was built. It was the eight to be produced and is the fourth oldest to survive.'

John continuew ' The Mini is one of the most important cars of the 20th century, They have always been collectable, Some collectors would want to return her to new, but others would just like to get her going again and keep her in the original condition'

It could actually spark quite a debate as to wether this incredible find should be restored or not. If it is restored does it loose its originality or should it be restored back to its original condition so it can be driven and enjoyed again?

The 3 earlier MInis including 621 AOK which resides in the Heritage Museum at Gaydon, Warwickshire and the other 2 are said to be in collections in Japan.

The following text appears on the Bonhams website and describes the car:

This Austin Se7en De Luxe is believed to be the oldest surviving un-restored Mini. Accompanying correspondence from the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust states that it is the 8th of its type to come of the production line at Longbridge in May 1959, some three months before the launch of this legendary model on 26th August. The BMIHT correspondence confirms that the car was despatched on 31st July 1959 to Car Mart Limited in Colchester, whose service plate is riveted inside the engine compartment.

It is believed that only three Minis earlier than 'XLL 27' still exist; one is '621 AOK', which forms part of the BMIHT's collection at Gaydon while the other two (one of which has been converted into a cabriolet) are in Japan. From 1986 until last year the car was owned by David Gallimore of Chichester, the previous owner listed on the copy Swansea V5 on file being Mrs Gladys Hobro of Aldwick, Bognor Regis. The car is complete and has all the features that distinguish these very early Minis, including the famous glass washer bottle. Some parts have been removed for security and ease of transport but all will be provided at the sale together with a Swansea V5 registration document. 

The driver's door has been replaced but other than that only a few small items appear to have been renewed. 'XLL 27' retains its factory Farina Grey paintwork, all its original panels, engine, transmission and the original registration number. The interior is likewise original, intact and complete except for the carpets. Even the original Bluemels numberplates survive and there is evidence to support the belief that the recorded mileage of 30,041 miles is correct. A paper brake service label remains fixed to the near-side door jamb, recording work carried out at 17,942 miles. 

There is evidence of corrosion in the front floors, 'A' panels, sills, doors, rear seat well, boot floor and rear valance but a surprisingly high percentage of the shell is intact. The rear sub-frame appears original, as do all the steel hydraulic pipes. The engine has not been run for many years. The August 2011 issue of Classic & Sports Car magazine devoted six pages to this amazing survivor, which represents a unique opportunity to own an astonishingly correct example of one of the 20th Century's greatest cars in its earliest, purest form. There can be few more important examples of British automotive engineering. 

Full Details of the Auction can be found on Bonhams Website

Feel free to continue the debate on our Facebook Page

Many UK newspapers have covered the story and very interesting to read some of the comments tha have been left as well!!

The Sun

Daily Mail 

Daily Express

Daily Telegraph

The Guardian

Hot on the heels of announcing the availability of galvanised fuel tanks for a whole range of British classic cars, British Motor Heritage (BMH) is now delighted to be able to offer a replacement galvanised tank for the Mini Van – latterly known as the Mini 95 – over 0.5 million examples of which were made between 1960 and 1982.

The new tanks are made to the original specification on the original press tools, jigs and roller welder, and it is the recent major refurbishment of the latter – the machine that creates the all-important seal for the main body of the tank – that has allowed BMH to make the milestone move from un-plated steel to the infinitely more corrosion-resistant galvanised stock for these replacement items. A lack of corrosion resistance is the Achilles heel of most classic vehicle fuel tanks. The use of galvanised steel eliminates such problems entirely and is therefore a major product improvement.

The tanks (Part No.21A691) carry a suggested retail price of £195 each, inclusive of VAT, and are available now through the BMH’s global dealer network.

Commenting on this important addition to the company’s ever-growing range of replacement parts for British classic vehicles, BMH’s Managing Director John Yea said: “We know the van fraternity has been crying out for this part. Its availability will also please the many special builders who favour it for its squat, easily packaged shape.”

For details of all BMH products and dealers, log on to www.bmh-ltd.com. Information regarding the company’s Motoring Classics retail range of car parts, accessories, personal items and quarterly magazine can be found at www.motoringclassics.co.uk. 

We recently received an email from Matt at Attaboy TV regarding a new TV programme that features a Mini and MINI right from the start and they want you to take part. Interested? then please read Matts email below and use the email link below to contact Matt

"I'm part of the production team at Attaboy TV working on a brand new motoring programme for National Geographic. The programme pits two teams of mechanics against each other to take apart a car that is beyond repair, sell the parts and see who can make the most money.

As part of the new series we're featuring both a Classic Mini and a New MINI.

For the beginning of the episode we’re looking to film a 'pristine version' of a Classic Mini and a New MINI. This will act as stock footage to set up the story for the rest of the programme.

As such we need both a Classic Mini and a New MINI to film with that are in good condition (possibly having undergone a resto). We’re looking to film at a location in Surrey on Friday 13th April.

If you have such a vehicle and want to have it featured on TV please email me: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   Preferably if you could send some pics of your car it would be appreciated. We would require you and your car for the one day and would cover travel expenses and provide a DVD of the finished programme after it has aired.

We look forward to hearing from you."

The Attaboy Team

One of our many followers on Twitter sent us a tweet recently, Ben Powell who wanted to let us know about a little video he made of his Austin Mini MK1 first outing of the year. We enjoyed it so much we thought our visitors would also enjoy the journey of a beautiful early Mini on a lovely late winter day in the UK. Love the various angles Ben uses. Makes us want to go straight to our garage, fire up the classic Mini and go for a drive in the country

Dim lights Embed Embed this video on your site

If you have made anything similar please us know via Twitter @britishminiclub or of course the normal means

FOUND safe and sound, with thanks to the Mini community....A 1970 Austin Mini was sadly stolen from the owners drive on 27th December 2011 in the early hours of the morning. Registratiion number ONA 343H

The colour is purpley blue, leather seats and wing mirrors on the wings. Black and white number plates and a garfield teddy in the back windiow. If anyone spots this Mini in the Stoke On Trent area or maybe it has been taken away on the nearby M6 motorway network. Please contact the British Mini Club by email only on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we will passyour information onto the owner.

Or call the Stoke police using incident number 24827/december/2011