Thinking....

[littlefitzer]

Hi all,
I'm half thinking about getting a bit of a banger next year. Probably a Mini, don't really care how old as long as it's capable of running. I'd love to just tinker with it, and do it up as best I could over a fairly long period of time i.e. at the weekends.
There seem to be alot of them out there (having just looked at cbg,ie and buyandsell).
To get classic car insurance I hear the car has to over 3o years old. Is this true?
What price would I expect pay for insurance on such a car for purely weekend use etc.?

Also, perhaps Paul can answer, does anyone have any advice, specific or general about what I am planning on doing?
Thanks,
littlefitzer

[PaulKanters]

A car has to over 20 years old to qualify for cheaper insurance, so this would broaden the choice. But please note that to be exempt for Tax and NCT requirements, your car must be over 30 years old. And this is where your scheme might falter. If you buy yourself a 20-25 year old banger and would like to fix it up as you go along, you will have a problem taking it out on the road in the meantime, as your car still MUST be NCT-ed to be able to tax it.

You might be able to get away with it if your car is 30 years or older, but personally I would not be too keen to advise people to go out and buy themselves a half-decent old banger and do it up as they chug along. I feel that Classic Car owners have a responsibility towards other road users and that whatever car they decide to take out on the road, whether it's a 1989 or a 1969 Mini or whatever else, it MUST be safe and in good overall condition, so as not to endanger their own and other people's safety.

That said, there should be plenty of mini's, beetles or other cheap classics out there, that you can sink your teeth in and tinker with, but just make sure the car is safe to drive before you take it out. Unfortunately most of the cars offered for sale in places like buy&sell etc, are in such an appalingly bad condition, they will be far beyond viable restoration, let alone driving.