The Antique Automobile Club of America defines a classic car as one that is over 25 years old. Finding a classic in excellent shape gets exceedingly harder as the model you seek gets older. From the first Ford Model T, cars still in existence to the latest model year vehicles to make the classic cutoff, there is a tremendous variety out there for the taking.
Little Old Lady Driven Cars Are Real
The smart, experienced classic car collector will always look for the least-used automobile he or she can find. The old cliche "little old lady" owned car is not a myth. Actually, little old ladies, and elderly gentlemen as well, tend to hang on to their possessions long after they have stopped using them. Classic cars are no exception. Sometimes these vehicles are left outside in the elements and feature body damage or weathering, but they are still typically in better condition than most cars subject to daily use. Every now and then a collector will luck out and find an elderly owner who has kept his or her car in a garage for decades and only drives it once or twice a year.
Older owners may even place a lower price tag on their classic cars. Sales Ads or internet listings, however, may not list the age of the owner, and some might try to paint a "little old lady" scenario where it doesn't exist. A phone call to a number provided and/or a face to face meeting usually confirms who the seller really is and what the true story behind the vehicle is.
Want Ads & Ebay For Unique Finds, Dealerships For Reliability
The Want Ads and Ebay are two of the best places to find rare, affordable, and unique classic cars for sale. There are countless free advertising books featuring personal and business ads for vehicles of all types and model years. Some car magazines and specific ad books cater only to classic car buyers. Newspapers don't always show pictures with the ads, but the classifieds always have an automobile section.
Some publications and online resources will also have listings for actual auctions featuring specialty classic cars. These are great places to bid on incredibly rare finds in mint condition. Avoid sites or ads that entice you to pay a fee for auction listings. There are plenty of more legitimate outfits that allow you to just show up and bid for your dream car.
Ebay, sales books, and physical auctions typically involve private sellers, which is usually no problem for an experienced and knowledgeable buyer. However, for some green buyers new to the sales scene and unfamiliar with what to look for in a good classic car, a dealership or specialty business is a better place to start.
A dealership specializing in classic cars with a stellar reputation for quality and customer service is ideal. That way any issue you might have could potentially be solved by a phone call or a visit--or the threat of a lawyer's involvement. A dealership has more to lose if you're not happy and are determined to complain or get even. A private seller isn't likely to help you handle all aspects of regular classic car care and maintenance you might need once the purchase is complete.
Do Your Research & Inspect The Merchandise
First, find and research the ideal model of the classic car you want. Then figure out what price you can afford, and look at the goods before you commit. If you don't know a fuel pump from a tire jack, get help. Hire a specialist or ask a friend who is a classic car buff. Get a user's manual for the car through Ebay or another online site that sells them. Do plenty of online searches, and if you're not computer savvy take a trip to the library and find out as much as you can about your future antique acquisition. Go to the car inspection armed with this knowledge and/or your assistant. Whether you need one or not, the old saying "two heads are better than one" applies. You can usually play good cop/bad cop with the owner or dealer to get the price down and/or get the truth about any potential problems the vehicle might have.
Look the car over top to bottom, bumper to bumper. Test drive the car if it runs, and try to identify exactly what repair work is necessary if it's out of commission. Have your expert point out any major flaws to the seller, or do so yourself as soon as you identify them. Have your price research ready and haggle if you can. A motivated seller is always willing to knock a few bucks off to close a deal. If the vehicle is in bad condition, see if there are extra parts available or maybe even parts the car the seller could throw in for a bit extra.
Always make sure to come up with a sales contract that protects you and the seller. You can find multiple examples online, or you can go to the library and find one in a book to photocopy and bring with you to the place of purchase. Dealerships will have these on hand, but you should still read all the fine print and know what you're signing in that case.
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