| Collecting antique cars is a pleasure. But one of the | | | | thousands of antique makes and models. This can |
| most frustrating things is trying to figure out just | | | | give you a good baseline as to what others think the |
| what a particular car is worth. | | | | car is worth. |
| Every year more become classified as antique or | | | | What is the condition of the car. This is not as much |
| collector cars. With so many antique cars on the | | | | of a factor as supply and demand but it is |
| market these days, it's getting harder and harder to | | | | nevertheless an important factor. First off, you can |
| keep track of market prices. Luckily there are a | | | | ignore the odometer readings. Many antique cars, |
| number of guidelines you can follow to come up with | | | | especially those that have had significant restoration |
| a fair price for a classic automobile. | | | | work done on them, have simply had their |
| Antique car prices are determined by a number of | | | | odometers rolled back to zero. Unless you're a |
| factors, but the most important one is supply and | | | | mechanic yourself, bring one along to evaluate the |
| demand. The more popular a car is and the less of | | | | physical condition of the car. Listen to the engine, |
| them that are on the road, the greater its market | | | | check the wiring, inspect the engine mount and |
| value. Forget about how much the car sold for | | | | ignition systems, take it out for a test run. Any |
| originally. Forget about how much money has been | | | | problems will normally cause the evaluation price to |
| put into restoring a car. None of that matters. How | | | | be adjusted downwards. |
| popular is the car and how many are there? That's | | | | Has a celebrity owned the car? Celebrity ownership |
| the most important question of all to ask. | | | | raises the price of everything. That the bid price of a |
| So how can you determine supply and demand? | | | | piece of chewing gum spit out by Britney Spears |
| Where can you find a price list for antique cars? If | | | | reached $14,000, tells you what celebrity ownership |
| you want to buy a used car, you can go to the | | | | can do to the price of a classic car. If you are buying |
| Kelley Blue Book, the standard authority for used car | | | | a classic car from someone who claims it was owned |
| prices in the country. Is there something similar for | | | | by a celebrity, be sure to get some sort of |
| classic cars? | | | | document of authenticity - as there is no shortage of |
| Fortunately there is. The Gold Book has been around | | | | shysters willing to take your money. |
| for nearly 40 years, and similarly to Kelley's Blue | | | | And lastly, keep in mind that collecting antique cars |
| Book, it is the defacto standard for antique and | | | | usually turns into a lifetime hobby. You'll no doubt |
| classic car prices. They not only monitor auctions all | | | | meet fellow collectors at future auctions and events |
| over the U.S. but also monitor private transactions | | | | that can give you further advice about not only |
| between individuals - as long as they can be verified. | | | | valuating antique cars but also can help you find |
| They also have a web site where you can use there | | | | some really great deals. |
| on-line search tool to find the sold prices for | | | | |