| Over 150 automobile manufacturers have disappeared | | | | you going to do the majority of repairs yourself or |
| from North America over the past century. | | | | will you be hiring specialist help? Like most antique |
| Manufacturers such as Studebaker, Graham Paige, | | | | cars, the orphans tend to be mechanically simple. The |
| Durant, and Hupmobile have long since passed away. | | | | majority are repairable with a good set of basic hand |
| The orphaned cars they left behind are often | | | | tools. Most repairs to coachwork and interiors can be |
| regarded as unique oddities, best left alone by the | | | | tackled by the average owner. Almost everyone can |
| novice old car enthusiast. For those who prefer to | | | | learn, but not everyone wishes to learn how to repair |
| think outside the parking lot, these old orphans are an | | | | an automobile. If this is you, it will narrow your |
| opportunity. | | | | orphan search. You can disregard those fixer-uppers |
| For every orphan representing an investment far | | | | and concentrate your efforts searching out older |
| beyond the reach of the average enthusiast, there | | | | restorations or very good originals. |
| are a dozen that are affordable, unique, reliable | | | | What are the regulations in your region? These will all |
| antique transportation. While an Auburn may bust | | | | affect your buying decision if you want no hassles. |
| your budget, many orphan makes from the same | | | | No sense buying a Bond Bug if you have to fight |
| period can be had for sacks of pennies by | | | | your local motor vehicle registry to get it legally |
| comparison. A quick review of the current cars on | | | | registered. If you intend to drive your purchase, |
| offer from specialists, dealers and private individuals | | | | check the regulations in your region. |
| will quickly reveal an assortment of reasonably priced, | | | | Once you have the basics covered it is time to do |
| projects and drivers. | | | | some homework. Not all orphans are created equal. A |
| Before setting out with your chequebook to collect | | | | Singer looks like a great sports car, but you may find |
| that orphan, you should do a reality check. Look at | | | | the lack of headroom an issue if you are a tall |
| your budget and ask yourself some hard questions. | | | | individual. A Hudson can give you many miles of |
| How much money do you have to spend? Any old | | | | smooth touring, but you will not get far if you cannot |
| car budget should include two important categories. | | | | reach the pedals. |
| The first category is the purchase price. This should | | | | Some orphans are highly desirable and command |
| include not only the actual cost of buying the car | | | | higher prices. Some models and years with a marque |
| from the owner, but also transporting your orphan | | | | will be very expensive while others extremely |
| home and registering and insuring the vehicle. | | | | affordable. That 1932 Hupmobile coupe may have |
| Depending on your location, transportation and | | | | caught your eye, but the sedan may be more |
| registration costs can be considerable. While you may | | | | suitable for your budget. Buy some magazines and |
| be able to purchase the perfect orphan in California. | | | | cruise some web sites. Go to the local car meets and |
| You may not have the budget to transport it home | | | | get a feel for what fits your budget and your |
| if you live in New York. Also be aware that if you are | | | | requirements. |
| transporting a vehicle across international boundaries, | | | | Talk with orphan owners at every opportunity. They |
| taxes and duties may have to be considered. | | | | can be found at your local car meets and will be only |
| The second category is the repair budget. While you | | | | to happy to bend your ear about every nuance of |
| may be capable of purchasing a fixer-upper, you may | | | | their car. Owners are also a great way to source |
| not have the budget to safely prepare the car for | | | | parts and trouble shoot problems with cars. There is |
| the road. Thus the old adage, "Buy the best you can | | | | only one piece of advice you should be wary of, the |
| Afford." The cost of restoring any car can often | | | | value of their car. A car is only worth what someone |
| exceed the original purchase price. Hiring specialist help | | | | is willing to pay no matter what the owner or |
| to do repairs can be expensive. If you are planning to | | | | magazines says. |
| pay someone to do the work, you will find it more | | | | The old car world has a niche, group, club or specialist |
| economical in the long run to buy the best car you | | | | for every marque that manufactured. These are a |
| can. | | | | treasure trove of information for the first time |
| Once you have your budget calculated, immediately | | | | orphan buyer. These information sources will give you |
| add 10%. Chances are you didn't include sales taxes | | | | a feel for the level of club support when you need |
| in your calculations. In some jurisdictions, you will have | | | | advice, the parts commonly available and any |
| to pay sales tax on a purchase, even though you | | | | servicing pitfalls. They are also great ways to build up |
| bought it in another state, province or country. | | | | your social network. You may find your annual |
| Are you comfortable with purchasing a car that | | | | holidays are taken up cruising to your orphan car's |
| needs repair or perhaps full restoration? Or would | | | | annual club meet. |
| you prefer something you can hop in and drive? Are | | | | |