Classic car owners prepare for metric switch

Thousands of classic car owners who do not have modern speedometers are preparing to stick conversion charts on their dashboards for the new speed limits, it emerged today.

There are more than 100,000 classic cars in Ireland, with many of them more than 30 years old.

The Classic Cars Ireland company said many drivers would have to use the conversion chart supplied by the Metrification Changeover board or convert the speed limits in their head.

“People will have to do the conversion for themselves. Most classic cars wouldn’t have a fifth gear but if you have a Porsche, then you’ll have to be a bit more careful,” said owner Paul Kanters.

However, he said the new metric speed limits, which range from 30kph (18mph) in high-risk locations to 120kph (nearly 75mph) on motorways, would not be a serious problem for classic car owners.

“People driving a classic car are not the most likely to be speeding. They have respect for the car and there’s the physical limitations as well. If you have an old Morris Minor, you’d be lucky to get up to the speed limit,” he said.

There is no requirement for car owners to have a dual or kilometres-only speedometer for tomorrow’s changeover.

More than 58,000 metric speed limit signs have been erected in advance by local authorities.

Mr Kanter said many imported cars were from countries like Canada, France and Germany and already had dual speedometers.

But he advised owners against replacing the miles-only speedometer in their classic car with a kilometres-only speedometer.

“The worst thing you could do is take it out because there’s no proof left of the car’s mileage.

"Generally, it’s not done. You keep the car as it was.”

Classic car owners only pay road tax of €44 if their vehicle is more than 30 years old. This, along with cheaper insurance premiums, is encouraging many people to use them as a low-cost second car.

“The trend is there for people to get in touch looking for an alternative second vehicle,” said Mr Kanter.