Any question answered...

Sproglet son is 17 in April and wants a classic as his first car. The questions:
Has anyone any experience of the cost and embuggerance of such a scenario?
How much did the insurance cost?
Which insurance company did you go for?
I did contact Footman James but they would only insure him as a learner in a classic if he was also insured in his own right with a modern car.
Adrian Flux annual learner policy (F.C) is £870 for a Wolseley 16/60. I assume the policy on passing will be cheaper.
I am leaving it up to him to sort it all out which means it will be a sudden rush with 24 hours to go. I just thought forewarned is forearmed if anyone knows the facts.

I doubt you will find any classic policy that will cover someone with a fresh licence, (which is why I'm currently paying for 'normal' insurance for the Merc). They usually demand 2 years experience at least. Most have a minimum age too. You might get round this by being the main driver, but if he's the one that really is then you can't get away with that sort of thing any more.
Quite a lot require a garage. Most also require it to be your second vehicle, but even a scooter or moped is enough to count as your main one.

So assuming you're stuck with normal insurance, it;s all going to be pricey, but not many teenagers have accidents in big old barges. I'd definitely steer him towards a nice solidly built saloon. The Farina saloon is a tough old tank. I'm sure the brakes and handling are marginal, but it won't go very fast. Other safe old tanks might be the Rover P5, P6 or SD1, a Jaguar XJ6 or a Mercedes W123. He might spend more time fixing the Jag or Rover than he will driving it, but he can't crash into anyone while doing that, and he can 'enjoy' classic motoring with his spanners.