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Owning a Classic Car – the Basics

Owning a classic car is a dream for many people.  It can however be a costly and time consuming hobby.  Classic car ownership has many subtle differences to owning a regular vehicle and so potential buyers should take their time before making their purchase.

Where to Buy

Just as with buying an everyday vehicle buyers of classics have many options in where to look for their new car.  Places to look include classic car magazines, newspapers and the internet.  There is certainly no shortage of classic cars for sale.  A popular place to purchase a classic car is at a specialist auction.  By taking their time and attending a number of auctions it is possible for classic car enthusiasts to uncover an absolute bargain.

Wherever the vehicle is being bought there are a number of things the buyer can do to ensure that they are getting a good deal.  Before making the purchase a close inspection of the vehicle should be carried out.  The outward appearance of the car should reflect its mileage.  A common check is to compare the mileage shown on the odometer with the condition of the rubber cover of the brake pedal and see if they tally.  

Insurance

To be eligible for classic car insurance the car must be at least 15 years old.  Insuring a classic car differs from insuring a regular vehicle.  In normal vehicle insurance the amount to be paid out in the event of a total loss will be equal to the value of the car at the time that the claim is made.  In other words the payout is equal to the depreciated value of the car.

For classic car insurance the process is different.  The amount paid in the event of a claim is pre-arranged at the time the insurance policy is taken out.  When taking out the insurance policy the owner first needs to get the car appraised.  This appraisal will set the value of the vehicle and this amount will not change no matter when the claim is made.  

Transporting

Many classic cars are simply too valuable to be driven, certainly not over a long distance, and so if the car needs to be moved an alternative method must be found.  There are several companies in the UK who specialise in the transportation of classic cars.  Transporting classic vehicles is usually done using covered transporter trailers. 

The use of a covered trailer is a sensible choice for classic vehicle owners.  By keeping the car covered it is protected against the weather and accidental damage.  It is also kept away from the eyes of thieves.  Drivers of these types of trailers have specialist experience in transporting prestige vehicles and so owners can be sure that there car is in safe hands.

About the Author

Rapid Recovery UK are a provider of classic car transport, vehicle disposal and car breakdown recovery in Manchester.

Are classic American cars (pre 1989) popular in the UK and would it be hard to get spare parts?

I wouldn't say they were that popular.... but I've seen a few knocking around (and several years ago helped service a 1960's Mustang while doing work experience in a garage), so there's quite a few enthusiasts.

Parts are supposed to be pretty cheap considering the size of the engines in some of 'em, and here's a list I've found of "a few" suppliers in the UK:

http://www.yanktanks.co.uk/carpartsales/partsUK.htm

Insurance you'll likely need to get from a specialist

http://www.adrianflux.co.uk/american-detail-go.php

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