[W126 Coupe] Insurance for a 1982 500 SEC (EURO)

[Andrew Sporner]

Hi

I am considering bring my 500 SEC home with me in a year (as TUV is going
to run out the expenses will be too much to do something about it--cheaper to
replace).

I have inquired about insurance and got three answers.  Geico says they will
insure it--no problem.   Allstate says not at all unless it is at
least a 1984 and
State Farm says Only if it meets all safety and emissions standards.

I regard that last one as being odd because the 84's belong to the same series
and would not meet them either (??).

The other problem is that the car must be imported in "original
condition".  Does
that mean that I have to remove the CAT that was added by Mercedes here?
I have EURO-3 emissions (the CAT was added in 1998  (Peter Wurms) installed
by Mercedes in Nuremberg)--which is cleaner than most american cars of that
period.

Is there anybody there that has a pre-1984 500?  What can you recommend about
importing and insurance?

Thanks!



Andrew Sporner