Latest news

Whether you’re desperate for the American muscle of a Ford Mustang from the late Sixties or the pretty Italian charms of a Fiat Barchetta from the mid Nineties, there’s a lot to consider when poring over left-hand drive classics.

As well as arranging insurance for you classic car, you’ll need to weigh up the pros and cons of the purchase and give a lot of thought to driving it.

And we don’t just mean your day dreams of an epic road trip along the length of Route 66 or the twisting bends of the Amalfi coast!

Whether from the American or European market, many available examples will be left-hand drive unless they’ve previously been imported and converted.

So, should you opt for a left-hand drive and what are the issues you need to be aware of if you do?

 

Buying a left-hand drive classic car in the UK

In recent years there has been an influx of left-hand drive classics into the UK.

Many enthusiasts are being tempted by the potential to grab a much sought-after bargain. So, what are the benefits and possible drawbacks of buying such a vehicle?

Exciting range of options

By considering left-hand drive classic cars you’ll open up a whole new exciting range of vehicles to choose from. After all, many of the best classic cars were made and sold in foreign markets.

But this doesn’t just include American and European-made cars. For example, some Triumph TR and Jaguar E-type left-hand drive variants that were originally sold in foreign markets are now making their way back home.

 

Future-proofing

If you’re planning on moving abroad in the future then you’ll want a classic car you can register in a country that drives on the right.

Also, buying in the UK means you’ll be able to conduct the whole transaction comfortably in English, often with much of the paperwork being done for you.

The process of buying a used car abroad has its own particular challenges and rules.

Furthermore, in countries such as Portugal, Spain and France, second-hand cars can be expensive. Many classic car fans, therefore, try to save money by buying a left-hand drive in the UK and exporting it.

 

Good deals

Most left-hand drive cars will arrive in the UK via expats returning to live in the UK, or Europeans moving to the UK for work.

In both cases you could get a good deal as the sellers are usually looking to get rid of them so they can purchase a right-hand drive.

Do your research though as sometimes the savings are not as large as you would expect!

A niche market

Left-hand drive vehicles are still a niche market in the UK so if you have a particular model in mind then your choice can be limited.

Many classic car dealers are less willing to stock left-handers as there is simply less demand for them.

This also means that if you ever come to part with your beloved motor it might be trickier to sell. You also might not get as good a price as a version with the wheel on the right.

 

Travelling needs

Normal car dealerships only sometimes end up with left-hand drives so if you want a viewing, you might have to travel.

The vast majority of left-hand drive cars will be located in the south of England. This is where the majority of the specialist dealerships are and where those who are importing are usually located.

Driving your left-hand classic

If you’re still keen to take the plunge and buy your left-hand drive beauty, there’s still a number of important issues to consider.

 

Classic car insurance

Speak to your insurer or insurance broker to make sure they can cover a left-hand drive classic car and at what price before parting with any hard-earned cash.

Transportation, import tax and registration

Buying a classic car abroad and bringing it back to the UK could lead to some hefty additions to your budget sheet.

If you aren’t driving the car back yourself then you’ll need to pay the expense of shipping or transportation. You'll also need to register the vehicle in the UK if you intend to keep it here permanently.

If you’re bringing a classic car from Europe, then you’ll need to check what the situation currently is regarding import duties and taxes until the end of the transitioning period on 31^st December 2020.

From outside the EU, you’ll face the near certainty of an import duty and VAT bill. You can find guidelines and forms for importing cars on the government website.

 

Headlamps

The beams of left-hand drive headlamps can dazzle oncoming drivers when driving in the UK.

Therefore, you must fit headlamp beam adapters to prevent this. You can be fined if you fail to do so and it could impact your classic car insurance.

 

Driving on the left

Perhaps the most obvious issue you’ll encounter is your driving position in relation to the road.

Driving will feel odd at first as your left hand will instinctively move to make gear changes. However, a bit of practice on quiet roads will soon get your brain well trained.

Driving a left-hand drive on the left side of the road means you’ll feel strangely close to the kerb and might be prone to drifting into the centre of the road to compensate.

Again, practice and more practice will help you resist this impulse.

Watch your speed

Car speed dials of left-hand drive classic cars are often in kilometres per hour so you’ll need to be aware of how those speeds convert into miles per hour in the UK.

 

Overtaking

Being on the left of your vehicle does make it riskier to overtake as you can’t see oncoming traffic as clearly as you can in a right-hand drive car. Take your time and stay alert if you're overtaking.

 

Protecting your classic car with insurance

With over 35 years’ experience in the specialist insurance market, the team at Lancaster Insurance love classic vehicles just as much as you do.

Working closely with our panel of specialist underwriters, we will search for the competitive policy for your dream car.

Call the friendly team for a classic car insurance quote today.