Selling your classic car? It's FREE to list your car on Honest John Classics | No thanks
Should I worry about buying a classic with the changes to grades of fuel?
My father recently passed away so at the grand old age of 56, I am thinking of buying my first classic car in his memory and to make the most of the years I have left. Unfortunately, all the cars I have my eye on are Italian and date from the 60s to the early 80s. My father always favoured Italian cars in my childhood. A Fiat 850 Sport Coupe, an Alfasud Sprint Veloce and Alfa Romeo 1750/2000 GTV have all cast their spell on me. With rust and Italian reliability, perhaps not the most sensible choices. But am I being crazy buying ANY classic car at this time as plans are afoot to replace the E5 we all now all pour into our tanks with E10 in 2021? Would it be sacrilege and economically unwise to think of converting any of these cars to electric further down the line if fuelling conventionally becomes impossible?
Asked on 12 August 2020 by Challj
Answered by
Keith Moody
If you want to buy a classic to celebrate the life of your father and keep his memory alive, then that's what you should do. No car is faultless and it's true that Italian classics rust - but so do all other older cars. Choose something from the 1960s and they'll be simple enough for you to work on at home. And don't worry too much about E10 fuel - yes, it causes all kinds of problems but there are additives out there to help you cope. We all managed to make the switch from leaded fuel, so we'll work through this. As for converting it to an electric - this is a huge and very thorny issue. While we're not against it, there is a campaign to have classics converted to EV stripped of their historic status. I think, ultimate, you're commemorating a moment in time and space you should probably stay true to that. Plus, who doesn't love the sound of a roaring Italian engine?
Our Fuel Cost Calculator shows you which will be the best choice for you.
Compare the running costs of petrol, diesel and electric cars to make the right choice for you.
Similar questions
I bought a 1976 Triumph Stag with a Rover V8 from a private seller in October. Just 125 miles and 72 hours after leaving the seller, it suffered catastrophic engine failure. The engine needs replacing....
Are classic cars legally covered by the same warranty as modern cars?
Looking for potential classic with a budget of only £4000. Any suggestions?
Compare classic car insurance quotes and buy online. A friendly service offering access to a range of policies and benefits.
Elsewhere on 
