My First Classic

ta2kev

Hi lads / (girls?)
I'm 22 years of age and I'm looking to buy my first classic in the next month or so. My question is, what's the best car to ease me into the world of classics. I've always liked the VW Beetles and my insurance will only be €260 on a 1300, when I turn 23. I come from a panel beating background so I don't mind having to do any bodywork. I've basic mechanical knowelege so I'm hoping to find something that's easy enough to work on. I'm in the process of building a workshop behind my house so I'm looking to fill it. My budget is around €1500 so this should narrow down my options a bit. Thank you in advance for any ideas / advise

Dades

What you get will depend what you can get an insurance quote on. If you've got a quote at 22 on an old beetle you've done well. You will find it impossible to get quoted on most classics until aged 25 at least.

G'luck!

ta2kev

I got a quote from Norton Insurance (01) 286 2592. They'll cover me when I'm 23 on a '73 Beetle 1300cc with a 5000 mile limit for €260

dlofnep

ta2kev wrote:

I got a quote from Norton Insurance (01) 286 2592. They'll cover me when I'm 23 on a '73 Beetle 1300cc with a 5000 mile limit for €260

you've done well

Blue850

Will the Beetle be your only car? That quote from Nortons is very like a classic car quote where you are supposed to run a modern car everyday.

ta2kev

No, I'm just buying it for thet weekends and for something to do in the long summer evenings. I've an octavia as a daily run around so I want something that will stand out for the weekends

Henry Ford III

If I were you I'd look at an early Mazda Mx-5. Classic ins. Goes and handles light years ahead of a Beetle.

Redrocket

how early were the mx-5s made? and whats the smallest engine??

Henry Ford III

Feb. 1989. 1.6 was and is the smallest engine.

I think (hope) some insurers will offer a classic policy on a 17 year old car.

ta2kev

I was told by the insurance company that the car has to be over 25 years old, otherwise I'd go for a MKII Golf GTI

Henry Ford III

It doesn't. 20 years is normal, and some will do a classic policy for even younger cars. Shop around.

Abelloid

dlofnep wrote:

you've done well

I agree, I'm 31 and paying €290 on a beetle ('57 LHD 1835cc) with 2k limit, garaged and as a second car

My first beetle at 22 was a '73 1300 and the best quote was £1600.....

RoundyMooney

Henry Ford III wrote:

It doesn't. 20 years is normal, and some will do a classic policy for even younger cars. Shop around.

Apologies for the hijack:

Can I ask which companies will give classic cover on cars under 20 years old?

This actually may benefit the OP if he chooses a newer car :rolleyes:

BigCon

Carole Nash 15 years...

RoundyMooney

Thanks Con. You're a gent.

Henry Ford III

BigCon wrote:

Carole Nash 15 years...

They won't do Cosworths, 911's, or anything very high performance though.

69 mustang

ta2kev wrote:

Hi lads / (girls?)
My question is, what's the best car to ease me into the world of classics. ideas / advise

A Mini or a Morris Minor. Easy to work on cheap to get parts once you don't mind loosing some knuckle skin. And WILL need body work {doors and sill}:)

Blue850

Carole Nash 15 years!!. Time to resurrect my 92 Lancia Dedra for next year.

ta2kev

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I've my heart set on a beetle but I wouldn't mind a mini. What are your opinions of the beetle for a novice mechanic. I've always done the basic work myself eg. servicing, brakes etc. so i want something that's not too complicated. My next questionis where's the best place to look for one. I've been watching the Buy and Sell lately but a lot of it is fully restored cars for €4-5k. Thanks again for all your help.

Henry Ford III

Beetles are quite slow and thirsty. Look nice though.

A mini is pretty much the opposite.

Blue850

How about an Austin A40 , cheap and tuneable

Henry Ford III

Scimitar GTE?

ta2kev

I've checked out both these cars in Google Images, they both look pretty cool. I prefer the pre '55 Austin A40 with the big arches and the Scimitar GTE is really sporty looking. The reason i first suggested the beetle is 'cause i really like the retro hot-rod look and I thought it suited the beetle well. This would probably suit the A4o also i reckon. Attached photo is the kind of look I'm going for

Abelloid

That's a volksrod, try http://www.bayarearods.co.uk/ or http://www.dezaster.co.uk/

Abelloid

Henry Ford III wrote:

Beetles are quite slow and thirsty. Look nice though.

A mini is pretty much the opposite.

Mine does 28 MPG and 0-60 in 7.5 seconds :rolleyes:

Henry Ford III

Very impressive

ta2kev

JustinOval wrote:

That's a volksrod, try http://www.bayarearods.co.uk/ or http://www.dezaster.co.uk/

Thanks fot the links, that bayarearods site was very good. They do a bolt-on kit for increasing the wheel base which is something I'm realy interested in doing. I don't think I'll try the roof chop myself though. Does anyone know of someone in Ireland who has experience in roof chops?

Blue850

don't think the insurance company will like roof chops etc.

ta2kev

I never actually thought about that, I presume if I stretched the wheelbase I would have to get it tested or certified.

corktina

right...you are 22, male and single....you need something cool quick and modifyable......got to be a RWD ford........escys and crapis are a touch dear maybe, CORTINAS are moderate in price, Corsairs and Anglias are cheap.....need i say more? see below...

Abelloid

Blue850 wrote:

don't think the insurance company will like roof chops etc.

True, you will probably have to get a kit car insurance policy which at 22 won't be easy. see http://www.irish-customs.com/

A mini is a good start but I've never owned one so can't comment, but I can say that beetles are ridiculously easy to maintain with a little
patience and guidance from the right people, take a look at the tech forum on http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/ to see just how
many people are tackling their own mechanical work, the absence of water cooling is definitely an advantage here.

A roof chop isn't for the faint hearted, there is one good one around, last seen in Cork, not sure where now -

dubtom

Is that your beetle Justin, it's a cracker.

Abelloid

Nope, not mine http://www.southernvolksfolks.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=914

shagman

I think if you are 22 and getting classic insurance you are doing very well.I wouldn't go rockin the boat by trying to get away with a structurally modified classic. Do a tonne of research, find what you want, join a club and buy from a fellow club member.Spend the next couple of years getting to know the car really well and finding out what is possible in terms of modifying.Buy all the parts you need to complete your chosen project then when you turn 25 and can shop around a bit more for insurance cover get all the mods done in one go . I have a Scimitar GTE and would recomend it, but I doubt they'll insure you on something with a 3L V6.
Check out www.sportingreliants.com for some modified and track versions.
The Irish Custom Federation /Irish Hot Rod Association AGM is on in Carlow on sunday if you're about check the forum on www.irishcustoms.com

ta2kev

Thanks for all the advise guys, I think my next step is to find a car to start my project. I can't get insured until I turn 23 in April so I've a couple of months to shop around. Apart from the buy and sell / autotrader, is there anywhere else I should look?

Blue850

try the thread for different clubs around the country, some of them have 'for sale' sections, or Classic Car weekly if you're thinking of buying in the UK

ta2kev

I've been looking at a couple of cars and I'm trying to set the balance between a cheap car that needs a lot of work or a max budget car with little to do. I like the idea of putting work into something that I can stand back and be proud of. On another note, what do I have to do to display my car at classic car shows. Do I have to ring the organisers in advance or do I just turn up on the day. Is the parking designated my the age of the cars or the make or do you just park wherever. Thanks again.

Abelloid

I would say go for the best your budget will allow, unless you are contemplating a full restoration.

Take a look at a few clubs for relevant info on the car you choose, and with most shows you can turn up on the day,
but if you are a club member there might be a club stand organised.

Blue850

http://cgi.ebay.ie/VW-beetle_W0QQitemZ4613959458QQcategoryZ18303QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This is on Ebay today, no photo though

ta2kev

I'm arranging to go and have a look at that one on eBay, I went to look at one on friday but the guy wanted €1500 for it and the condition was very poor. I'm not expecting something for nothing but I want to hold out for something better. I was offered a morris 1000 for €100, it's been sitting in a field for the last few years, I'm gonna have a look at that during the week.