Press release -
Classic car owners get protective over their motors
Classic car owners have been shown to be fiercely protective over their treasured motors, with 42% admitting they are the only one allowed to drive their vehicle.
According to research released today by the RAC*, male drivers were far less likely to share their classic car, with 48% saying they are the only ones who can drive it, compared to only 16% of female owners. Less surprisingly, fewer than 1% of owners said that they would entrust their classic car into the hands of their children.
And the owners’ over-protectiveness doesn’t only extend to who has a set of keys: almost a quarter (24%) admit to feeling uncomfortable when others so much as touch their classic car, with reactions ranging from a polite request not to do so again right through to shouting and ‘losing control’.
British brands were considered to have produced the most desirable classic cars with Jaguar (17%) just taking the chequered flag ahead of Aston Martin in second (16%) and MG third with 10% of the vote.
While the love of driving an old vehicle was the most cited reason for owning a classic car (41%), nearly a fifth (16%) say they bought their cars because of their beauty and a similar amount did so because they just love working on them. And, one in 10 (11%) claim the reason they own a classic is because it’s a treat for the senses, what with the smell and feel of its interior and the sound of its engine roaring.
Mark Godfrey, head of RAC Insurance, said: “Owning a classic car is a privilege. Each vehicle is a piece of motoring history so it is understandable that some owners are fiercely protective. Having been at the heart of motoring for 115 years we believe great cars should be enjoyed by as many people as possible which is why we have launched our new Classic and Cherished Car insurance to give owners peace of mind that their precious vehicles will always be well-protected.
“What many people probably don’t realise is that their car only needs to be 15 years or older, made as a standard model and be driven fewer than 7,500 miles a year to be considered for RAC Classic Car insurance.”
To mark the launch of its Classic Car Insurance RAC is giving away a 1969 MGB Roadster to one lucky person. To enter visit: www.rac.co.uk/car-competition.
For more information about RAC Classic Car insurance visit: http://www.rac.co.uk/insurance/classic-car-insurance.
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About the RAC
First formed in 1897, the RAC has been looking after the needs of its members and championing the interests of drivers for more than 120 years.
Today it has more than eight million members and is one of the UK’s most progressive motoring organisations, providing services for both private and business motorists. Whether it's roadside assistance, insurance, buying a used car, vehicle inspections and checks, legal services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information – the RAC offers a solution for all motoring needs. The RAC is committed to making motoring easier, safer, more affordable and more enjoyable for drivers and road users.
The RAC is the motorist’s champion and campaigns to support the interests of its members and UK drivers at a national level. This includes voicing concerns about the increasing cost of motoring, particularly the price of fuel and the high level of tax levied on it, advancing levels of road safety, and supporting the needs of all drivers, from young to old.
The RAC’s annual Report on Motoring – first published in 1989 – is one of a kind and provides a clear insight into the concerns and issues facing today’s motorists.
For the very latest news on UK fuel prices, check RAC Fuel Watch. It provides a comprehensive guide to the latest UK unleaded petrol and diesel prices – both at the wholesale level and at the pump - and tracks these prices daily to help drivers check if the price they pay to fill up is a fair one.
