[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text module_class=”fp-main-header” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”Open Sans|800|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”36px” custom_margin=”||5px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
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Enthusiasts have dismissed suggestions that some of Britain\u2019s best-sellers from decades ago are facing extinction \u2013 but have warned that dwindling spares are putting classic survivors at risk of scrappage<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”fp-byline” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Open Sans|600|||||||” text_font_size=”12px” text_line_height=”1.3em” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]Words NICK LARKIN
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/flatplan-plus-content.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2025\/01\/CCW-04-THIS-WEEK-2-3-Main-Story-22-January.jpg” title_text=”Cavalier Mk 3″ module_class=”fp-lead-img” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text module_class=”fp-caption” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”12px” custom_margin=”-15px||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
The Vauxhall Cavalier MkIII has been highlighted as a classic at risk from extinction \u2013 and while clubs believe that\u2019s unlikely, spares availability is proviing an issue for some modern classics.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]Clubs have rebuffed suggestions that classics like Rover\u2019s Metro and Vauxhall\u2019s Cavalier face extinction within a decade.<\/p>\n
A report from classic insurer Adrian Flux has suggested that the Austin\/MG\/Rover Metro and other classics could be \u2018extinct in the next five or six years\u2019 and predicts the same fate for the Maestro, Rover 200\/400 and 75. The findings, which have been incorporated into a \u2018Top 30 list of iconic car models set for extinction by 2035\u2019 report that the Vauxhall Cavalier is also expected to disappear by 2032.<\/p>\n
Having analysed vehicle registration dates, the insurer said that \u2018based on the historic rate of declining registrations, the Metro will wave goodbye to our roads for good, vanishing within the next five to six years\u2019.<\/p>\n
General manager Gerry Bucke said: \u2018Trends, societal needs and technology will always evolve, and car models will inevitably become obsolete. However, it\u2019s heart-warming to know that British classics like the Metro continue to be celebrated decades after their peak, and perhaps even after their extinction.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018Car enthusiasts and their positive spirit play an important role in ensuring that our automotive and engineering history continues to be passed on, and younger generations understand the influence of the British automotive industry.\u2019<\/p>\n
While some commentators from clubs catering for the classics have dismissed the findings, several have warned that spares provision is a massive problem. Metro Owners\u2019 Club chairman, Tom Morley, said: \u2018This suggestion that Metros will disappear is a load of nonsense. A transition from ten years ago is that very few cars are in the hands of non-enthusiasts nowadays and they are not used on a daily basis. That even applies to the later Rover 100s.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text module_class=”fp-quote-bold” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Poppins|700|||||||” text_font_size=”20px” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
\u2018Based on the historic rate of declining registrations, the Metro will wave goodbye to our roads for good, vanishing within the next five to six years\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]\u2018Now the cars are cherished, looked after and stored carefully, which should see them survive for years to come. They create a lot of interest. \u2018We have 200 members, many of whom have more than one car, and these Metros should remain within the club.\u2019<\/p>\n
However, Tanya Field, who serves as chair of the Maestro & Montego Owners\u2019 Club and the Rover 600 & 800 Club said: \u2018I think our cars are under threat. Spares are going to get more and more difficult to find but both clubs are doing all they can to locate items.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018They are also looking at having some items re-manufactured, though this would be impossible in some cases. How could dashboards be re-made, for example? Pooled knowledge means that it has been found that parts from other cars would fit or could be adapted.\u2019<\/p>\n
Tom added: \u2018The non-availability of the 315mm \u2018safety\u2019 tyres that were fitted to some Metros has led to some owners changing all of the wheels on their cars.\u2019<\/p>\n
Rover 200 and 400 Owners\u2019 Club chairman, John Batchelor, said: \u2018Cars are still being scrapped but it\u2019s more akin to radioactive decay. Cars have a \u2018half-life\u2019, too \u2013 the time it takes for half of them to be taken off the road.<\/p>\n
\u2018We\u2019re already working with other members of the Joint Rover Clubs grouping\u00a0\u2013 such as the Rover Coup\u00e9 Owners\u2019 Club \u2013 on the spares front and hope that other clubs will become involved, too.\u2019
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Spares Threat To Modern Classics Enthusiasts have dismissed suggestions that some of Britain\u2019s best-sellers from decades ago are facing extinction \u2013 but have warned that dwindling spares are putting classic survivors at risk of scrappageWords NICK LARKIN The Vauxhall Cavalier MkIII has been highlighted as a classic at risk from extinction \u2013 and while clubs […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":517,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-525","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"modified_by":"akindell","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/classic-cars\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/525","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/classic-cars\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/classic-cars\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/classic-cars\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/classic-cars\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=525"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/classic-cars\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/525\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":530,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/classic-cars\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/525\/revisions\/530"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/classic-cars\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/517"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/classic-cars\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=525"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/classic-cars\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=525"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flatplanplus.io\/classic-cars\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}