The Unique Charm of Older Cars

There’s an undeniable charm that older cars possess. From their timeless design to the nostalgic interiors, these classic vehicles hold a special place in the hearts of car enthusiasts. However, insuring older cars requires specialised coverage that understands their distinct value and needs. Owning an older car is like owning a gift from the past—a tangible connection to a bygone era of automotive craftsmanship and design.

Here are the 5 best classic cars to own right now!

Insurers Who Understand Older Cars

When it comes to insuring older cars in Ireland, it’s crucial to find insurers who appreciate the unique qualities of these vehicles. But who insures older cars in Ireland? Let’s delve into some options.

Tailored Coverage for Your Classic Ride

Specialist Vintage Car Insurance

Dedicated insurers specialising in classic and vintage vehicles are an excellent choice for owners seeking comprehensive coverage. They understand the intricacies of the classic car market and offer policies tailored to the specific needs of older cars. From agreed value policies to coverage for restoration and spare parts, they have you covered.

Established Insurance Companies

Many established insurance companies in Ireland also provide coverage for older cars. They offer specialised policies that account for the unique characteristics of classic and vintage vehicles. Don’t hesitate to inquire about their coverage options and any specific requirements for insuring older cars. Did you know, here at Insure My Cars, we offer classic car insurance?

Factors to Consider

When searching for insurance for older cars in Ireland, several factors should be considered. Let’s explore them:

1. Vehicle Valuation

Determining the value of your older car is crucial for insurance purposes. Agreed value and market value are common valuation methods. Agreed value ensures a predetermined payout in case of a total loss, while market value considers the current market price of your vehicle.

2. Usage and Mileage

Insurers may take into account the usage and mileage of your older car. If you primarily use it for occasional drives or classic car events, you might be eligible for usage-based policies that offer more affordable coverage.

Tips for Finding Affordable Coverage

1. Compare Quotes

To secure the best coverage at a competitive price, obtain quotes from multiple insurers. Don’t settle for the first quote you receive—shop around and compare options. At Insuremycars.ie, we shop around for you, so can be sure you’re getting the best value insurance possible!

2. Bundle Policies

Consider bundling your older car insurance with other policies. Some insurers offer discounts when you combine multiple policies.

Tip: Want to learn more about the difference between classic, vintage, antique and veteran cars? Check out our blog!

Owning an older car in Ireland is a testament to your appreciation of timeless beauty and automotive heritage. With the right insurance coverage, you can protect your beloved classic or vintage vehicle from unexpected risks. So, if you’re the proud owner of a vintage gem or a well-maintained older vehicle, it’s crucial to explore the insurance options available to protect your beloved wheels.

Choose InsureMyCars.ie for Your Older Car Insurance Needs

When it comes to insuring older cars, InsureMyCars.ie is your trusted partner. We understand the insurance market in Ireland and can connect you with reputable insurers specialising in older car coverage. Our experienced team will guide you through the process, ensuring you find the best coverage for your cherished wheels. Contact us today or visit our website to learn more.

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The post Finding the Best Older Car Insurance in Ireland first appeared on Insure My Cars.

There is nothing quite like the roar of the engine or the scent of the leather when you’re lucky enough to get closer with one of the best classic cars, as any vintage car enthusiast will tell you. And how do you feel when you come upon a model that has been expertly restored but is a rather rare appearance on the Irish roads? One in a million!

These fascinating classic automobiles are a history lesson packed in a car, and that’s before you’ve even sat down on the best tattered leather or stroked your finger with appreciation across their spotless paintwork. Driving these vintage vehicles provides quite the enjoyment, but the best enjoyment comes from just admiring these classic cars.

Reasons to own these best classic cars

Over time, their value rises, and a classic automobile is a symbol of its era. Classic cars are a functional piece of history, and as their best value rises through time, they generally prove to be a smart investment too. Not to mention that meeting intriguing folks is a bonus. And because of all the attention, interesting people will approach you. A fantastic vintage car is an unbeatable conversation starter. Moreover, you can attend a vintage & classic car show, comparing your vehicle with the best cars out there. You’ve now joined a prestigious club, and it’s an exclusive one.

What makes a classic car ‘best’?

It’s time to discover what makes a classic car valuable. The “best” tag will always be attached to priceless classic cars. The following four factors should be taken into account when estimating a classic car’s worth:

Condition: A classic car in good condition or properly restored is worth a lot more than one that has been neglected or that received non-standard replacement parts.

Rarity: How many were produced? How many still exist out there? How many are found in Ireland?

Popularity: The larger the demand for a car, the higher its value will be. The more popular a classic car is, the greater the demand for it will be.

Model Quality: Was it regarded as expensive or affordable when it rolled off the assembly line?

How many and which of these criteria your classic car satisfies determines how valuable it is and it’s also a way of choosing to invest in the best vintage vehicles for your collection. Having said that, it’s quite obvious now that any of these older cars are valuable assets, not vehicles to be used for work commute or cabs to take cheap taxi insurance for.

1. Mercedes SL 300 Gullwing

Depending on the final drive ratio, the breath-taking engine output of 215 hp (158 kW) provides a top speed of 250 km/h. Due to this best performance, the 300 SL was the time’s quickest mass-produced vehicle and that contributed to its later classic car icon status. The vehicle had a frame that supported the engine, transmission, and axles but did not have room for conventional doors, just like the sports car from the 1952 racing season.

Additionally, 1954 saw the release of the Mercedes 300 SL “Gullwing”, a coupé with a distinctive look and impressive power that captured the attention of sports car aficionados and that makes it the best classic car for us. The idea for the vehicle was born in the USA, where “a magnificent Mercedes Benz sports automobile is what we need.” The Daimler-Benz Board of Management was persuaded to produce a series model of the popular 300 SL racing sports vehicle in September 1953.

Amazingly, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (W 198) made its dramatic debut at the International Motor Sports Show in New York just five months later, in February 1954. It was the first four-stroke engine production passenger car in the world to have direct fuel injection, which increases output and efficiency.

2. Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn

The full-size luxury vehicle Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn was built between 1949 and 1955. It was the first Rolls-Royce model to be available with a factory-built body, and that alone makes it one of the best classic cars out there. The chassis and body were shared with the Bentley Mark VI up until 1952 and the Bentley R Type up until 1955 when production came to an end.

The vehicle was initially released as an export-only model. Right-hand drives had a floor shift by the door, whereas left-hand drive manual transmission cars had a column gear change. From October 1953, it was only formally offered on the domestic market with the R Type based vehicle.

Up to 1951, the in-line six-cylinder engine’s capacity was 4,257cc, and it had overhead inlet and side exhaust valves. A single double downdraft Stromberg type AAV 26 carburettor was used up to chassis number SFC100 until 1952 when a Zenith DBVC42 carburettor took its place, making it the second-best classic car in the list.

A 4-speed automatic transmission became an option on the ‘E’ Series chassis and the corresponding Bentley ‘R’ Type chassis in late 1952. Initially, all cars were equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission. Whether the automatic gearbox became the Silver Dawn’s default is unclear, but up until the end of the production run, both manual and automatic options were offered.

3. Aston Martin DB4

In 1956, Aston Martin DB4 began development alongside the DB Mark III. General Manager John Wyer, Chassis Designer Harold Beach, and Engine Designer Tadek Marek were the primary figures in the development of the DB4. Every significant part of the DB4 was brand-new, an aspect which today adds to its best value and makes it one of the most sought after classic cars.

The new vehicle debuted at the 1958 London Motor Show alongside the DB Mark III, whose manufacturing would last for over a year. The DB4 claimed to accelerate from 0 to 100 mph in under 30 seconds and attain the 100-mph mark in under 21 seconds.

One of the best classic cars with DOHC Straight six, 3670 cc, 240 bhp @ 5000 rpm 240 lbs-ft @ 4200 rpm engine with Dunlop Servo assisted brakes with front and rear solid discs reaching 0-60 mph in 9 seconds. The DB4 also provides transmission options like a 4-speed manual with optional overdrive and an optional Borg-Warner 3-speed automatic.

4. VW Beetle

The Beetle was ordered in the 1930s to serve as the “people’s automobile” (or “Volks Wagen” in German). Ferdinand Porsche created a curved-shaped vehicle that was reliable, practical, and economical. This historical start is half of the reasons why the Beetle is considered one of the best classic cars nowadays.

The “Bug” gained notoriety as a representation of the 1960s and the motto “tiny is beautiful” three decades later. The 1395 cc and 1984 cc petrol engines had an automatic transmission option. The Beetle’s mileage ranges from 10.98 to 17.68 km/l depending on the model and fuel type, and its ground clearance is 120mm.

The Volkswagen Beetle is a four-seater, four-cylinder vehicle with dimensions of 4129 mm in length, 1721 mm in width, and 2502 mm in wheelbase – one of the best classic cars to consider buying.

And, if you didn’t know already, Ireland was the first country outside of Germany to manufacture the VW Beetle in the 1950s, after the end of WW2!

5. Volvo P1800

The next best classic car on the list is the P1800 coupé – one of the ostensibly most attractive vehicles ever made, but this chic Swedish car has a few more trivial tricks up its sleeve. From 1961 to 1963, the car was manufactured under license in the UK by Jensen, but due to quality issues, manufacturing of the Volvo P1800 was moved to Gothenburg, where it was given the S suffix and continued to be produced until the end of the decade.

The P1800S (the S for Sweden) predominates the classifieds today, with a production run of over seven years. The Jensen-built model’s 1.8-liter, four-cylinder carburetted engine powered this facelifted vehicle, but in 1963 and 1966, power was increased from 101 bhp to 109 bhp and again to 115 bhp.

P1800 is proof of the Volvo four-potential pot’s lifespan, but the best results come from following tight maintenance regimens and being safe, a feature not often seen in today’s classic cars. Pre-E models’ issues with starting or bumpy driving could be due to debris in the fuel hoses or carburettors, but even when in good condition, the earlier engine will have a little irregular idle. Perform a compression test to check for wear and look for dark smoke coming from the exhaust when you step off – this could indicate a problem with the valve seal or piston rings.

Owning a classic car is a great financial investment and maybe a childhood dream come true, so it should benefit of the best protection for it. Ask for a quote today or speak to one of our agents at Insuremycars.ie – your classic car insurance broker in Ireland.

If you consider investing in a classic car, you can start by learning about the differences between classic, vintage, antique and veteran cars in Ireland and by looking at online auto traders like CarZone.ie who have a distinct section for Classic Cars or the Vintage Cars page on DoneDeal.ie. If you’re looking for the opinion and advice of other classic car enthusiasts in Ireland, two of the most reliable sources would be Boards.ie and Irish Veteran & Vintage Club.

The post 5 Best Classic Cars to Own in Ireland in 2023 first appeared on Insure My Cars.

Older Car Classifications

There has always been some level of confusion around what precisely a classic car is, and what exactly sets it apart from vintage, antique and veteran cars. Nowadays, the term “classic” is used liberally to describe any older car that looks a bit out of place on our roads.

As many topics in the automotive industry, the definitions and differences when it comes about classic, vintage and veteran cars are hardly ever agreed upon. But, still, there is some consensus what the term classic car applies to: it’s usually vehicles that are over 20 years old. Furthermore, antique cars are generally the vehicles older than 45 years. That leaves a manufacturing time window for vintage cars between 1919 and 1930. Again, this is merely an attempt at classification of older cars.

Even if the motoring world would agree on these differences, other entities have their own criteria for the classification of classic and vintage cars. For instance, classic car insurance brokers will usually have their own definition, needed to determine insurance premiums and quotes. Moreover, governmental bodies and classic car clubs may have their own versions of defining classic, vintage or antiques cars. For example, a car build in 1980 or after could be labelled as collector car. And some really conservative car clubs could be defining classic cars as vehicles built strictly between 1915 and 1948.

According to Citizen information, a vintage vehicle for motor tax purposes is a vehicle that is 30 or more years old. In determining whether or not the vehicle qualifies for vintage status, the chassis number of the vehicle and the vehicle registration book or vehicle registration certificate must clearly display the age of the vehicle.

According to RSA’s vehicle standards for vintage vehicles: s vehicle becomes vintage 30 years after the date of first registration. For example, a vehicle first registered on 10 September 1988 became a vintage vehicle on 10 September 2018.

The Irish Veteran and Vintage Club is even more specific with the manufacturing year of the vehicle: antique – before 1905, veteran 1905-1918, vintage 1919-1930, post-vintage 1931-1945 and classic cars 1946-1987.

As you can see, it’s almost impossible to be on the same page when we’re talking about the differences between classic, vintage, antiques, and veteran cars.

Classic Cars

Many car enthusiasts in Ireland love to collect older cars but often they may be wondering what cars do they actually have in the garage: classic, vintage or something else. For one of their cars to be considered a classic, it must be at least 20 years old, but not older than 40 years. Another criterion in some parts of the world is that a classic car should not be built before the year 1925.

Also, the purists will argue that a car is truly a classic only if its original design was not altered and the repairs and maintenance were done with respect to the factory form.

In conclusion, classic cars are 20+ years old vehicles used today for casual purposes like pleasure driving, restoration projects or vintage and classic car shows like the annual one we have in Streete. Given the manufacturing time frame for classic cars, this category will comprise mostly of sports cars and muscle cars, and that is easy to spot if you attend any classic car show. Thus, classic cars will usually have 6 or 7 speed manual transmission and will be faster a lot faster than vintage or antiques vehicles. Just to guide your imagination a little bit, some typical examples of the best classic cars would be a 1978 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 or a 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing.

Vintage Cars

Today, a lot of people are mistaking vintage cars with modern cars that have a vintage look. As we mentioned above, actual vintage cars are those built between 1919 and 1930. Or at least that the general convention, although some would argue that the vintage era ended in 1925 for cars. Compared to classic car – and this is the big difference besides the age of the automobile – vintage cars still qualify as vintage even if modifications have been done to the vehicle or the factory settings were altered.

A more trivial difference between vintage and classic cars is that vintage cars will not be seeing a lot of time on the road. Finding one to buy is also much harder, mostly due to their limited volume, high price and the fact that traditional car dealerships don’t sell them. These vintage treasures make great car show exhibits and projects for restoration. Among the most popular vintage cars desired by collectors we’ll mention the iconic 1919 Ford Model T Sedan and the legendary 1930 Cadillac V-16.

Antique Cars

Much like vintage cars, the antique vehicles are not generally purposed for pleasure drives but for restoration projects and car shows. This is easily understandable; we’re talking about 45+ years old cars and financial investments at the same time. It’s also worth mentioning that the antique cars category features the first ever built muscle cars, such as Chevrolet Camaro or Dodge Charger. Just to name a few iconic and popular antique cars: 1956 Porsche Speedster and 1938 Volkswagen Beetle.

Difference between Older Cars for Insurance

When it comes about insurance purposes in Ireland, vintage and classic cars will be classified in a slightly different way, depending on the following aspects: usage – this shows how often it’s used, because it has to a second car with occasional use and not a main everyday car; yearly mileage – has to be low, for example less than 5.000 km or 10.000 km; condition – the car needs to be well maintained and its condition has to be good but alterations are allowed if they improve the condition of the vehicle; age – this will differ a lot from insurer to insurer, some regard 15 years old card as classic, others only 25 years old.

No matter when your car was built, a classic car is a great financial investment and maybe a childhood dream come true, so it should benefit of the right protection for it. Ask for a quote today or speak to one of our agents at Insuremycars.ie – Ireland’s leading classic car insurance provider.

The post Difference between Classic, Vintage, Antique & Veteran Cars first appeared on Insure My Cars.

Vintage & Classic Cars Show in Streete – 20^th edition

Streete is a village and parish in County Westmeath and it lies on the regional road between Lismacaffery and Rathowen. The picturesque village has been the scene of the annual Vintage & Classic Cars Show in the last two decades, but the COVID-19 pandemic has put an unfortunate halt on the show for the last two years. Hence, this was the 20^th anniversary edition, but it wasn’t the 20^th show.

Despite the heavy showers, classic and vintage car owners and enthusiasts from all over Ireland showed up on the 26^th of June. Armed with Wellies and hot tea from the festival’s stands, the crowd had plenty to do. The show provided something for everyone. A Vintage Tractors show for the hard-working Midland’s farmers, amusements for kids, food, live country music and dance for everyone. Over a hundred classic and vintage cars were waiting impatiently to be admired and photographed across the field. We can easily say that there was a car from each imaginable era. The scene was packed with hundreds of vintage car enthusiasts checking up some of the best classic cars – some admiring the cars, some looking to invest in their collection. As a leading classic car insurance company in Ireland, we were very proud to see so many well maintained classic and vintage cars and happy owners who got a cover from us.

If you want the see the reflection of the event in the local media, you can read this article in Westmeath Examiner.

What makes a car vintage or classic in Ireland?

Well, for a car enthusiast almost any vehicle can be considered as classic, as long if it has a legendary status or sentimental value for the owner. But formally, for motor tax standards in Ireland, a car must have 30+ years to be categorised as classic. Moreover, cars that have been manufactured in the years 1919-1930 are classified as vintage. If they have been made before 1919, they are simply referred to as antique or veteran cars. For more detailed information, you can check our article on the differences between classic, vintage, antique and veteran cars.

When it comes about insurance purposes in Ireland, vintage and classic cars will be classified in a slightly different way, depending on the following aspects: usage – this shows how often it’s used, because it has to a second car with occasional use and not a main everyday car; yearly mileage – has to be low, for example less than 5.000 km or 10.000 km; condition – the car needs to be well maintained and its condition has to be good but alterations are allowed if they improve the condition of the vehicle; age – this will differ a lot from insurer to insurer, some regard 15 years old cars as classic, others only older cars that are at least 25 years old.

If you consider investing in a classic car, you can start by looking at online auto traders like CarZone.ie who have a distinct section for Classic or the Vintage cars page on DoneDeal.ie. If you’re looking for the opinion and advice from other car enthusiasts in Ireland, two of the most reliable sources would be Boards.ie and Irish Veteran & Vintage Club.

Why do you need vintage & classic car insurance in Ireland?

Vintage and classic cars fall under a different regime when it comes about insurance in Ireland. Although you are legally required to insure any car you drive in Ireland, classic and vintage cars require a more specialised cover. For instance, classic and vintage cars generally have a higher value than contemporary cars, so the policy needs to cover the high value in case of any claims.

Also, the premium for vintage and classic cars in Ireland is dependent on the annual usage you foresee, bringing down its cost if you drive it less often and with extra care. And, unlike your everyday car, these classic and vintage cars are most likely to present modifications over time, but this won’t hurt your premium as they are being seen rather as improvements to the integrity and safety of the vehicle. Lastly, you will need a specific insurance for a classic car, one that doesn’t include features that don’t apply, like no claims bonus.

So, whether you have a classic or a vintage car as your second drive, getting a good cover is crucial. Remember that some insurers can provide distinct cover for classic and vintage cars, because these are usually regarded as investments and have a high value. You surely don’t want to lose your investment in the unfortunate event of an accident or theft.

If you are the happy owner of a classic or vintage car and you’re looking for a good deal, just ask Insure my Cars to give you a car insurance quote now.

The post Vintage & Classic Cars Show 2022 in Streete, Ireland, Visited by InsureMyCars.ie first appeared on Insure My Cars.