insuring a classic with a engine conversion???

[ltj]

Got a mark1 golf with a 2.0litre 16valve having trouble getting insurance because it used to be a 1.5 on the log book??? any advice please thanks

[VetteG]

Have you tried Hagerty?

G

[lowdrag]

I reckon it depends if you are using it as an every day car or on a classic policy. My insurers didn't give a toss when I rebuilt it with a hot engine but then it is not the everyday car and limited to 5,000 pa. Also your age will come into play here.

[Puff Puff]

ltj said:

Got a mark1 golf with a 2.0litre 16valve having trouble getting insurance because it used to be a 1.5 on the log book??? any advice please thanks

Are you trying to get classic, i.e. not your main car/limited mileage insurance?

[ltj]

Yes i am trying to get classic 3000 miles a year garageed alarmed+immobilised the problem is that they never made a mk 1 2.0 thats the story i keep getting so its not on the database

[alolympic]

I just got a very reasonable quote on a classic with engine conversion from RH Specialist Division - 01277 206911. May be worth a go?

[Mr POD]

Those people on www.mk2cav.com who have fitted a 2.0 16V 150 bhp XE into an SRi 130 tell me that most of the specialists treat it like a 'standard modification' adding about 20% to the cost of an agreed value classic car policy.

[JimexPL]

Any of the specialist brokers like firebond, adrian flux etc will be able to give you a quote no problem.
I've got a heavily modified mini and landrover and have never had any issues getting very reasonable, agreed value classic insurance.

ETA Just thought - you need to get the log book changed with new cc and engine number asap. The insurance companies will probably ask for an engineers report stating that the rest of the vehilce is up to the task of the increased power.

Edited by JimexPL on Thursday 8th January 20:55

[ltj]

The log book has been changed to a 2.0 and it has audi quattro brakes the problem has been because there are no mk1 listed on the insurance database with a 2.0 litre engine.

[Mr POD]

ltj said:

The log book has been changed to a 2.0 and it has audi quattro brakes the problem has been because there are no mk1 listed on the insurance database with a 2.0 litre engine.

The list of cars on 'internet quote sites' was never exhaustive anyway, and assumes all cars are standard.

About 5 years ago I saw a 1985 Opel Ascona C 1.8 GT 2 door RHD car for sale for £495.

Basically the same as a mk2 cav SRI 1.8 4 door with the 2 door shell. Or like a convertible but with the roof still on.

I contacted a couple of so called specialists who made it clear that it would be impossible to insure. Now the guy that bought it knew better, only pays £150 fully comp and the rarity value of the 2 door GT spec and condition has pushed it's value up to maybe £3K.

There's isn't another 2 door known to the club that is Road legal, although there are 2 modified 2 door cars (originally they would have been 1.3's0 with 2.0 engines, one of which is close to completion and one of which is not likely to be finished in the next 3 years)

Anyway I kick myself everytime I see that opel at a show.

[Gompo]

As mentioned previously, many insurers will cover you (Adrian Flux did for me).

A little tip that can supposedly lead to cheapers quotes - if the insurer (or indeed you) dont know the specific car the engine came from via engine numbers etc, then tell them the least desirable (lowest group?) car that had your engine. So maybe a Passat or Vento 2.0 16v as opposed to a Golf. They apparently base their quotes on the cars the engine came from.

[andy-xr]

A-Plan were the best for my Zetec'd XR2, Newbury branch for modified cars. Came in cheaper than Flux and FJ (who I have my kits insured with)

[Mr POD]

Gompo said:

As mentioned previously, many insurers will cover you (Adrian Flux did for me).

A little tip that can supposedly lead to cheapers quotes - if the insurer (or indeed you) dont know the specific car the engine came from via engine numbers etc, then tell them the least desirable (lowest group?) car that had your engine. So maybe a Passat or Vento 2.0 16v as opposed to a Golf. They apparently base their quotes on the cars the engine came from.

I've explained brake upgrades in terms of having difficulty buying new old stock parts, and fitting Cavalier mk3 Sri Brakes to a cavalier mk2, and that was accepted at no cost to me.

I have also explained Astra mk3 GSI rear suspension on a 1.4 LS because I obtained second hand replacements springs after one broke from a friend and they needed to be matched to the shocks, and I'm on a budget, and they were free.

[bimsb6]

could you get it classed as a kit car for insurance purposes ?

[AJAX50]

My Healey has over 200 bhp. I've told the insurance that it has a gas flowed head, high lift cam, triple carbs and an improved exhaust. They don't seem to mind, insurance costs £106 a year.

[Bozwell]

i had no problem getting a quote on a Honda S800 with a S2000 engine (still in building stage at the moment) you just need to phone the right people. many 'ordinary' insurance companies just don't have a clue when it comes to modified or older cars.

[andy-xr]

To get it classed as a kit car brings it's own problems, not a road to go down and possibly not within the definition of a kit anyway

Stick to a modified policy, as I said earlier A Plan Newbury were more than reasonable

[//j17]

When they ask you "What car is it" are you saying "2l Mk1 Golf"?

If you are try replying "1.5l Mk1 Golf" then when they ask "any modifications" include "2l engine" in the list.

[Coco H]

It shouldn't be an issue. I declared pages of mods to my MG which is heavily prepared for hillclimbs and it costs a very small amount o insure comparitively.