| It is easier to spot a classic car than to | | | | failures, but has a solid exterior look, it |
| know how much it is worth. You may know that | | | | will fall in this category. |
| the Oldsmobile Cutlass hanging out in your | | | | |
| garage is a real sweet vintage ride, but you | | | | Parts car: A car that cannot be plausibly |
| might have a difficult time deciding how much | | | | restored because of heavy damage. A parts |
| to sell it. Or maybe you have spotted that | | | | car, as its name suggests, is usually bought |
| Cutlass, but do not know whether the price is | | | | only for its reusable parts. |
| worth it. | | | | |
| | | | A car in an excellent condition could be sold |
| Worry no more, as here is an easy guide on | | | | for twice or thrice its original price and |
| how to estimate classic car values. | | | | collectors will still buy it. Cars in the |
| | | | good or fair condition are the usual ones |
| 1. Research on Market Values from Dealers | | | | that you will see in the market. |
| | | | |
| Classic car values are almost always | | | | 3. Customization is a Minus |
| fluctuating, as all car values are. By | | | | |
| researching the market value of a classic car | | | | A classic car with an A/C unit, a |
| sold by professional dealers, you can have a | | | | fuel-efficient engine, and soft seats may be |
| clear marker as to how much a vehicle in a | | | | convenient, but these modifications often |
| certain condition is worth. | | | | bring down the value of a car. Customized |
| | | | paintjobs may look cool, but they still |
| However, remember that this is a dealer's | | | | decrease the possible price. The reason for |
| price, so expect that it is overpriced from | | | | this is simple: original parts are harder to |
| 10%-20%. There are many other determinants of | | | | find, and maintaining them are more difficult |
| price that are oftentimes not covered by | | | | too. Expect a car with almost all original |
| dealer-based values, such as your own | | | | parts (including the wheels) and paint color |
| preference and the demand for that car. | | | | to have a really large price tag attached to |
| Nonetheless, market values from dealers are | | | | it. |
| still a good marker. | | | | |
| | | | 4. Rarity is a Plus |
| 2. Check the Condition of the Car | | | | |
| | | | Classic Dodge Chargers may be valued highly, |
| The condition of the car is usually the | | | | but Chargers with a Hemi engine is a gold |
| biggest determinant of its value. Most | | | | mine. This is because Hemi engine-equipped |
| classic car enthusiasts use a five-point | | | | Chargers were made in very limited numbers. |
| rating system, as follows: | | | | If you have one in your old man's garage, you |
| | | | may want to reconsider that engine change. |
| Excellent: A car in perfect and near-mint | | | | |
| condition, usually drivable. | | | | 5. Original Options are a Plus |
| | | | |
| Very Good: A car with some very minor | | | | Turbo and superchargers might increase a |
| scratches or engine and mechanism faults, but | | | | muscle car's values, given that they are |
| is still almost perfect and drivable. | | | | original parts. Because the '61 Bullet T-bird |
| | | | is used as a pace car for Indianapolis 500, |
| Good: A car with some very repairable | | | | it has some original era modifications which |
| damages, but still needs little effort to | | | | increase its value. |
| restore and is still drivable. | | | | |
| | | | Remember, when buying or selling classic |
| Fair: A car that needs a lot of restoration | | | | cars, consider the condition, the |
| work, with signs of abuse such as dents, | | | | originality, rarity, and the added options. |
| scratches, and rust. If a car is not drivable | | | | Put this side by side with the market value |
| because of engine, brake, or other mechanical | | | | from dealers, and adjust as needed. |