Car Pool

There are many considerations one has to take into account when buying an antique or salvaged car. Finding affordable auto insurance and understanding the actual value of the car are two that come to mind immediately, but the most important factors one must make sure they address when buying an antique car is whether or not the vehicle is safe to drive.

For starters, there is generally very little information about these vehicles in car reporting databases used to produce vehicle history reports. There are many horror stories about the kinds of fraud perpetrated by some antique car dealers in an attempt to cover up a vehicle’s history. So, without a vehicle history report what are some other ways you can make sure that the used, antique, or salvaged car you’re looking to buy has been treated well and had regular maintenance done on it over the years?

We stood on the lawn at my grandfather’s place admiring the beautiful lines of a jet black 1973 Corvette Stingray. Grandpa had been looking for this car for what seemed like forever and he had finally bought it. My Dad, ever cautious, wondered aloud about the car’s history.

“Was the paperwork all in order, Pops?”

Grandpa nodded his head and replied, “Yeah doesn’t she look great?” Dad and I exchange a momentary look of confusion – Grandpa must’ve turned his hearing aid down right before we revved the engine earlier.

“Dad!” he yelled, jabbing a finger towards the sky and tapping his ear with his free hand, “Turn up your hearing aid!”

After a few moments we managed to get an idea of how Grandpa made sure the car was in a good, safe condition prior to buying it. He explained how, since there was no information on it in the vehicle history databases, he had to get a mechanic to look at it to determine whether it was safe to drive. It’s important to make sure you hire a mechanic that you trust, but if that’s not possible I figure I can impart some of my Grandfather’s wisdom: below is a list of inspection tips for when you go to purchase an antique or salvaged vehicle.

Inspection Tip #1 – Inspect the car in daylight. If this isn’t possible, then place it under a yellow streetlamp. Deformities are a good indicator of previous damage but are hard to see if the car isn’t in a well-lit area.

Inspection Tip #2 – Arrive early. If the seller is doing something fishy like topping up fluids, or moving license plates – you’ll see it if you show up early.

Inspection Tip #3 – Be methodical. Check everything inside and out. Use everything that’s useable to make sure it works properly. Look for rust on all the metal (including under the seats), get on your back underneath the car and look for structural damage too. Have a plan of attack, and make a checklist ahead of time.

Inspection Tip #4 – Don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions. Too often a pushy car salesman can get the best of us, and not all mechanics are honest and hard-working. You’re about to spend a lot of cash. Don’t be intimidated by the others involved in the purchase.

These tips are by no means exhaustive, but can go a long way towards protecting yourself and others in the absence of a vehicle history report.

Reference: Auto Transport > Safety > Hang up for Safety

Cars are classified as antique when they are over 45 years old. Many classic cars are represented as antique cars. The restored condition of antique cars is valued and protected. However, antique cars are only suitable for leisure driving. Any car that lives beyond the age of 25 years is regarded as a great survivor. It is always important to look at the history of the antique car before settling on purchasing it. This will help you identify any flaws or alterations, which can greatly change its value.

Many people collect these cars and later sell them at a higher price in order to make a profit. The markets for these cars are constantly fluctuating. Therefore, it is necessary to act quickly once you spot an interesting car. The monetary value of these cars is unpredictable. It is vital to know the best ways to purchase the best cars available. The following are some tips that you can follow if you are planning to sell your salvage antique car.

Tips to follow:

1. Look for the car appraisal and conduct a full inspection. Fix faulty parts so that you can sell the vehicle at the highest possible price.
2. Fix all items that the appraiser suggests. Get printed copies of any documents, including the appraised value of your car.
3. Look for a mechanic who specializes in antique cars. Allow the shop to do a diagnostic test to ensure that the car is in good condition. Clean the car thoroughly to make it more appealing to potential buyers.
4. Take pictures of the car from every angle. For instance, take photos of the engine, dash area and console.

After completing these steps, you should be ready to sell the vehicle. However, if your car has been salvaged, then you must find the best strategy to determine its value. In other words, you should conduct a lot of research on it. You can earn a substantial amount of money by selling salvaged cars. You should be tactful when estimating the value of your car. Below are some tips that you may follow to get the salvage value of antique vehicles:

1. Identify the make, model and year of the salvage car. You can use the metal data plate to gather this information.
2. Enter the model and year of the salvage car into an online vintage car guide. Check the value of your car when it is restored. Jot down the prices from your high-end listings.
3. The salvage listings will give you an estimated value of the car in its current condition. Check the value of the car when it is partially restored.
4. Factor in all of this information and estimate the value of the car according to your research.
5. You can also use online auctions to determine the value of your salvage car. These online auctions give you the exact value of the antique car when it is in good condition. This estimate will guide you in estimating the value of salvaged cars.

Interested in selling your antique car?  For more information on how to enhance your potential profit, visit Classic Cars > Auctions for Antique Cars.