Classic?... how old?
Discussion
For insurance purposes it is probably just anything that the insurance company on the day considers you might use as a classic car, ie occasional toy not your everyday wheels.
One year when I was renewing the insurance on my classic they asked if I had any other cars, I asked what they'd quote on my 1994 X300, which would have been about 12 years old at the time. Sure they came back with a competitive price, then I asked about using it occasionally for business. for my XK150 this had been covered for free. But on the 12 years old they said no, it wouldn't count as a classic if I wanted business cover but would if I didn't.
One year when I was renewing the insurance on my classic they asked if I had any other cars, I asked what they'd quote on my 1994 X300, which would have been about 12 years old at the time. Sure they came back with a competitive price, then I asked about using it occasionally for business. for my XK150 this had been covered for free. But on the 12 years old they said no, it wouldn't count as a classic if I wanted business cover but would if I didn't.
I don't think there is a cut and dry answer, some are more open to the non tax exempt classic than others.
I have a mk1 Focus RS some take it as classic, most of the traditional classic insurance companies don't e.g the ones that sponsor the classic car shows , they will still offer insurance, but aren't generally that competitive, but some do class it as a classic. So its just a case of ringing round and seeing what they say.
Ive found the brokers very good for dealing with it, the likes of A plan, Adrian Flux etc and actually a lot of the classic policies are quite restrictive so you don't build up NCB, it probably won't cover you for other cars (which may or may not be an issue for you). So If you insure it through a specialist (like Adrian Flux) but not as a traditional classic you might find you get better cover, whilst still building in the extra you want like restricted mileage and guaranteed values.
I have a mk1 Focus RS some take it as classic, most of the traditional classic insurance companies don't e.g the ones that sponsor the classic car shows , they will still offer insurance, but aren't generally that competitive, but some do class it as a classic. So its just a case of ringing round and seeing what they say.
Ive found the brokers very good for dealing with it, the likes of A plan, Adrian Flux etc and actually a lot of the classic policies are quite restrictive so you don't build up NCB, it probably won't cover you for other cars (which may or may not be an issue for you). So If you insure it through a specialist (like Adrian Flux) but not as a traditional classic you might find you get better cover, whilst still building in the extra you want like restricted mileage and guaranteed values.
There doesn't seem to be any specific age.
I read about a company called Classic Line Insurance UK that has a scheme for "future classics" and got a very competitive quote from them in June for my 12 year old BMW Z4 Coupe.
The only reason I ended up going elsewhere was that they don't give any NCD, so if I had stayed with them for 2 years I'd lose any NCD entitlement.
I read about a company called Classic Line Insurance UK that has a scheme for "future classics" and got a very competitive quote from them in June for my 12 year old BMW Z4 Coupe.
The only reason I ended up going elsewhere was that they don't give any NCD, so if I had stayed with them for 2 years I'd lose any NCD entitlement.
I have my Escort Cosworth (1996) on a classic policy, think their terms was vehicle type has to be 25 years old (so in my case from 92') and needed to be a member of a recognised owners club that catered for it for valuation purposes.
Does seem to change from insurer to insurer though.
Does seem to change from insurer to insurer though.
it all depends...
When I were a lad..
My first car was an MG BGT - built in 75 and full of rot when I got it for five grand in 96 or 97 ish.
A classic then - a classic now. (despite the rubber bumpers)
My current car is a '97 Honda Prelude - A classic?
not in 99% of people's eye's, despite now being the same age as the MG was when I bought that..
(the 1% is the local garage mechanic who loves it and talks me hind legs off when I see him)
so it's subjective - and always has been
When I were a lad..
My first car was an MG BGT - built in 75 and full of rot when I got it for five grand in 96 or 97 ish.
A classic then - a classic now. (despite the rubber bumpers)
My current car is a '97 Honda Prelude - A classic?
not in 99% of people's eye's, despite now being the same age as the MG was when I bought that..
(the 1% is the local garage mechanic who loves it and talks me hind legs off when I see him)
so it's subjective - and always has been
redchina said:
it all depends...
My current car is a '97 Honda Prelude - A classic?
not in 99% of people's eye's, despite now being the same age as the MG was when I bought that..
(the 1% is the local garage mechanic who loves it and talks me hind legs off when I see him)
LJK Setright used to talk the hind legs off everyone waxing lyrical about them back in the day, so that must count as another vote.My current car is a '97 Honda Prelude - A classic?
not in 99% of people's eye's, despite now being the same age as the MG was when I bought that..
(the 1% is the local garage mechanic who loves it and talks me hind legs off when I see him)
PositronicRay said:
lowdrag said:
It would be interesting to know how many cars nowadays actually last ten years, what with allowances for sending the old one for scrap etc. I guess more than 50% but I have no real idea.
I would think most, 2009 isn't an awfully old car. Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff