With it being our 60th anniversary this year, we’re celebrating it with our customers by sharing the stories of their classic cars and their journey of insuring with us over the years.
In this edition, we meet Ivor Davies from Altrincham, proud owner of a Reno Red 1956 Austin Healey 100 BN2 “Le Mans” Conversion. With more than three decades of ownership and over 117,000 miles clocked up in his beloved ‘GSK’, Ivor’s story is one of true passion, adventure and a lifelong love for classic motoring.
Tell us a little about you
I live with my wife Pam in Altrincham, Greater Manchester. I’m 79 years old and a retired landscape contractor. My hobbies are classic car ownership, rambling, gardening and reading.
Tell us about your classic cars
My main classic car is GSK 116, a Reno Red 1956 Austin Healey 100 BN2 “Le Mans” Conversion. I have also owned an Austin-Healey 3000 BJ8 and a 1985 Porsche Carrera 3.2 Sport.
How long have you owned these classic cars?
The Austin Healey (AH) 100 for the past 33 years, the AH BJ8 for 6 years during the 1990s, and the Porsche for 11 years from 2010 to 2021.
I have been a member of the Austin-Healey Club since buying my first Healey. I have been involved in the organisation of the Northern Centre for many years and am now an Honorary Member of the AHCNC.
How did you come to own your classic cars?
I already owned the Austin-Healey 3000 BJ8 that I bought privately through an advertisement in Classic Car magazine, and because of that I am involved with the Austin Healey Club.
A fellow member of the club offered his newly finished AH100 for sale, a complete nut-and-bolt restoration. I drove it, was smitten, and bought it. It quickly replaced the BJ8 in my affection and has since been my go to classic car and my steed for many adventures around Europe and South America.
I also owned the Porsche that became my back-up car should conditions conspire to prevent me driving GSK. That was a lovely classic, preferred in many ways by my wife Pam, but could not compare with GSK in my affections.
What makes these classic cars special to you?
I had a hankering to own an Austin-Healey ever since encountering an ex-works, ex Timo-Makinen car owned by a friend of a work colleague at my first place of employment. Two decades later, after owning several cars as my daily drivers many of which would later become classics, I had the opportunity to actually own one that had become a true classic. Immediately on seeing, purchasing and driving GSK (my 100) I knew that she suited me perfectly and I enjoy every aspect of driving her.
