If you've ever
dreamed of owning a Classic Car and your ready
to buy the car of your dreams, then I need to
ask you a few serious questions
...
Do you want the Insider Secrets on Buying
Collectable Classic Cars.
From the Desk of Geoff Shootman
January 22, 2008
2:00pm
Pacific
Be Sure to check out these other pages here
on Classic Car Buyers Guide by Clicking the links
below.
Buying a
collector/hobby car should be an exciting, fun thing to
do. But,without the proper considerations,the results can be
frustrating and financially disastrous.
Always try to consider all the options you have
before going out and buying "That
Classic Car".
Or let's look at it this way...
You've got the drive to take on
the restoration,the money and the time, and even "the
vision."
But you've jumped the gun and it's come
down to one simple but horrible mistake:
You bought a pile of rusty trash with 4
wheels and it's going to take a lot more work
to restore than the thing deserves.
The truth is, starting with a loveable rolling
wreck or basket case, can be the most expensive way to
do a restoration.
It's fine if you've found a Cobra factory racer
that will be worth millions when you're done or if you want
to create a Hot Rod with all the trick one of a kind Hot
Rod stuff.
But what if you've fallen in love
with Aunt Eddna's old Plymouth Valiant?
Well, you're probabley going to be upside down
before you get the the thing off the trailer.
So with that,here are the four, clear cut go to
rules that can make your restoration project
a success.
Set
Clear Goals
Rule Number One before
starting any car restoration
is to be clear in your own head about why you're doing
it and what you want the end result to be.
For example: Are you retired and
looking for a fun project?
Do you hope to make money on your
finished restoration?
Is the goal a perfect show
car?
Is buying a fixer-upper the only
way you can afford your dream car?
Or is it just a fun ride for next
summer? Buying the right car for your situation can greatly
impact the pleasure and success you get from the project.
 
Search Patiently
Once you've targeted the type
of classic
car you want, wait for the right one. Your
relationship with this car will be a long one, and years from
now you'll be glad you waited.
This not only goes for the proper
make, model and options, but the right condition as well.
Let's say you've always wanted a
1966 Mustang K-code. Everyone knows you can fake one from a
six-cylinder with a set of fender badges,a solid-lifter V8 and
a few other details. But you will always know what it is—a
fake.
Instead, subscribe to "Hemmings,"
scour the Web, join some Mustang clubs—and wait.
In no time, You'll find just what
your after!
Know What You're
Getting
Unless you really know the car, a
basket case is the worst possible way to start.
There are tons of parts,
assemblies and fasteners that have the chance of
getting lost or damaged while apart.
Even if they're all there, guess
who is going to have to figure out where they all go?
Trust me, If you start with a
basket case,there's going to be twice as much work to do!
Once you've found the right make
and model, make sure it's not a rust bucket, or you're going to
have to figure in the cost of bringing its body and frame
back a sound, solid condition.
This will lead
into weld-in patches, custom sheet metal,new rockers or
quarter panels and maybe even a new frame.
You also need to really dig down
deep and find any crash damage.Layers of plastic filler in
the panels can be easily hidden, only to cause you grief once
your into the project.
Special-interest cars tend to
attract modifications. Consider how well the car
you're considering is in line with your end
vision.
If what you like is stock, all
the modifications the previous owner made—like the trick
17-inch wheels and tires on a Chevelle—are of no value to
you.
In fact, the seller will want a
higher price for the car because of them. And you'll
still need to find originals later.
 
Take Heed, the
Mighty Calculator
Restoring classic
cars is expensive.
The cost of specialty services
such as plating and painting, engine building, and NOS
quality replacement parts can add up to some serious
dollars.
The standard rule that you should
restore a car for your own pleasure and not for profit is still
best.
So before you decide on which
model to restore, and before you buy the one you're
pumped up about seeing next Saturday,
Sit down with your calculator, a
few magazines, an Internet connection and a sensible buddy or
spouse, and come up with a plan.
Write down the major costs
involved. How much is the basic car? What services will you out
source? Which ones can you do yourself? What parts, tools and
equipment will you have to buy?
Estimate high, and make sure you
leave room for the unexpected.
Show us a half-finished
restoration in someone's garage and we'll show you a guy who
ran out of money. Or steam. Or talent.
The good news is that buying the
right car for your vision, budget and capabilities can prevent
this scenario, and guarantee that you have many,
happy motoring miles ahead.
 
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