This year marks a major milestone for us as we celebrate 60 years of serving our clients.
Our journey began in 1965 with a simple yet ambitious vision: to deliver exceptional service, build strong relationships and consistently exceed expectations. Staying true to these values has been the foundation of our success.
Over the past six decades, we have insured everything from Jaguar E-Types to Volkswagen Mk2s – and countless other classic cars.
1965: The year it all began
The world looked very different in 1965.
In the UK, seatbelt fittings became mandatory in new cars, a significant step for road safety, though wearing them wasn’t required until 1983. On the global stage, the Ford Mustang cemented its place in automotive history by selling over 400,000 cars in its first full production year.
And other notable models introduced that year included the Jaguar E-Type 4.2, Lotus Elan Roadster Type 36, Toyota Sports 800, and Chevrolet Impala (fourth generation).
It was also a pivotal year for culture. The Beatles held the first-ever stadium rock concert in New York City, attracting tens of thousands of fans. British TV viewers tuned into Doctor Who, with the Daleks securing their place as pop culture icons. Piers Morgan was born that year too.
Our journey: From King’s Norton to serving our clients across the UK
In 1965, Chris Wilkinson founded our company from Kings Norton in Birmingham (hence the name). At the time, there was no such thing as a tailored insurance policy for classic cars. Driven by his passion for classic vehicles, Chris collaborated with insurers to create specialist policies, providing coverage uniquely suited to enthusiasts. This innovative approach laid the groundwork for the classic car insurance industry that now serves tens of thousands of classic car owners.
Fast forward to today, we remain true to the values that set us apart. Since Chris’ son, Mark Wilkinson joined the business in 2002, he has overseen significant growth. This includes new insurance offerings, growing the team, upgraded our offices and invested in our people. Along the way, we’ve also won awards and earned the trust of thousands of loyal clients.
Today, we continue to live by our values, providing the care you need for the things that matter to you, our clients.
Looking ahead: The present and the future
As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we’re also looking ahead with excitement. Our commitment to serving our clients with passion and dedication remains as strong as ever. Throughout 2025, we’ll mark our anniversary by sharing stories from clients who have insured their classic cars with us over the years.
Mark Wilkinson reflects on this achievement: “Reaching 60 years is a tremendous accomplishment that I’m incredibly proud of. It’s all thanks to our dedicated team and loyal clients. Over the decades, we’ve built a reputation for trust, and we’re committed to strengthening it even further.
“As the world evolves, so do our clients’ needs. We’re ready to meet these challenges with innovative solutions and the same exceptional service that has defined us for 60 years. Here’s to the next chapter in our journey!”
If you enjoyed this article, you also like reading Heritage’s Classic Car Report of 2025 for exclusive insights into the classic car market – from insurance and values, to ownership and other trends.
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