Buying your first Classic Car can be an exciting, fun adventure. BUT...If you don't know what to look for, and look out for, your "cherry" ride can quickly become a "lemon." ?Here are 10 critical points to consider before starting, and during, your Classic Car purchase.?
1. Stay In Your Budget For Your Classic Car Purchase! ?Establish a budget your paycheck can live with. ?Classic car restoration shop rates are high, and, if you buy a fixer-upper, can force you to quickly exceed your budget on outside labor. ?It makes poor financial sense to spend more on your Classic Car restoration than the vehicle is worth. ?Consider how you want to use the vehicle. There may be no need to find a "show condition" vehicle if it's going to be your everyday car. For classic car competitions, be sure to buy something with "all original parts," and a "show car" should be in pristine condition inside and out. ?Carefully consider what year, model and body style you really want to own. If you know the model you are interested in, narrow it down to a few specific years of the model's production. ?Generally, convertibles are more desirable than hard tops. ??
2. Due Diligence...Do Your Homework! ?Keep in mind that high quality does NOT necessarily mean the car is in mint condition. IE A beat up, rusted,70s Cuda convertible (see our CUDA RENOVATION here at Big Fuel Garage) can have a bad engine and still be worth $500,000! ?Know the classic you are interested in, and research what "problem areas" the vehicle may have and check if the problem has been resolved (IE. many European classics have electrical problems so check that the components are in working order). ?Just because a car is rare, doesn't mean it's desirable...or valuable. Interior and exterior color, drive train, options, and many other factors all have a large bearing on the value of a Classic Car. Thoroughly research the Internet, price guides, car shows and car clubs. ?Many cities have their own small car shows and car clubs that can be both fun and informative. Collectors and dealers who show and sell their cars there love to talk "shop" all day. *smile* Talk to these classic cars experts, as all owners LOVE to talk about their cars. They will happily tell you all the pros and cons of owning a classic. ?Lastly, don't forget the good, old Internet for great resources for classic car pricing and values...like Big Fuel Garage's website!?
3. Make Sure There Is A Clear Title to the Classic Car & It's Numbers All Match! ?If available, obtain all the original sales paperwork on any vehicle, and all the receipts for work done by the previous owner(s). Documentation is important to establish current value and to pass on to the next owner if/when you decide to sell your Classic Car. ?Is the car registered to the current seller, or is not registered at all? ?DMV fees and penalties can be very costly. ?Check to be sure all the numbers match! IE Is the engine code right for the engine currently in the car? The vehicle identification number, (VIN) is coded with engine size, transmission type, body style, etc. Is the engine and drive train original and intact or has it been modified? If supra vaider size 6 the current engine is NOT the one that came directly from the factory, it can devalue the car.?
4. Get A Used Vehicle Report From The Internet! supra vaider size 6 ?What state has this car been registered in? ?This makes a difference because, if the roads were salted when it snowed, salt causes corrosion and rust, which eats metal like cancer. ?Obviously, whenever possible, it's always best to buy cars from states with a dry climate, which will not have a rust or corrosion problem. Rust can be repaired, but it must
5. Look Before You Leap! ?Take your job as Car Inspector seriously. ?If you have a friend, have them come with you, as a second opinion is extremely valuable. Always try to view the car outdoors, in natural sunlight. Shadows can hide serious flaws in the body and paint job. Start by systematically checking the car's body for obvious flaws. When you open the car doors, check to see if they sag. ?Look carefully down each side for signs of damage. Check out the seam gaps between the doors and hood to be sure they are straight. IE ?Are you able to roll a marble down them smoothly? If you can't, the car has probably had body damage and been repaired. Pay close attention to inside the door jam area, down at the door sill plate, and the rear quarter panels for any signs of welding and other repair work, to see if the car has been "clipped." ?(Clipping is where a damaged car has an undamaged car's body panels welded in, and it's recommended to stay away from this kind of repaired car.) ?Check underneath the car for rust and look inside the wheel wells. ?Inspect inside the trunk area, looking closely below where the rear window meets the package tray, as these are the most common areas for rust. ?Expect a little rust on an older car, but complete sections of floor boards or body panels welded in is never a good thing. ?Unless repaired by a professional body man, odds are, it will probably rust again.
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