Purchasing Your First Classic Car

Purchasing a classic car can be a fun experience, but a little scary if it's your first. Car? Truck? Original? Modified? Already finished? Project? Where do you start?

Being a car person, I have a deep appreciation for all types of vehicles. When I was looking to purchase my first classic car, I looked for months before I decided on what I wanted. My first thought was to find something that was already finished, a pristine automobile that I could immediately take to local car shows. Unfortunately, I had a budget that wasn't quite enough to afford such a vehicle, so I opted for something less expensive with a little work needing to be done. I don't necessarily mind, as I enjoy working on vehicles and always like to throw in a little of my personal touch to anything I own.

I've done the homework and I'm leaving you with the results of my research. The top 10 things to consider (in my personal opinion) when purchasing your first classic car:

1. Involve your significant other in your decision! This is important and I shouldn't even need to explain why!

2. Budget - You can literally spend as little or as much as you'd like when purchasing a classic. If you've never watched the auctions on TV or done any searches online, you may be unpleasantly surprised to see vehicles go for tens of thousands of dollars. Unless you have an unlimited amount of cash on hand and don't mind putting it towards something you'll only drive a few hundred miles per year, you may want to start with a conservative budget and stick to it. If you've been saving for a while and have $10,000 to spend on a classic, look for vehicles $10,000 and under. I say this because it's easy to start looking at $10,500 with the thought that you can always offer less. The problem with that thinking is that you may get a vehicle for your $10,000 but you now have no more money for things like insurance, plates, title transfer, and service/repair that may need to be done.

3. What kind of vehicle? - This obviously depends on you, but think hard about this first. If you have a family and would like to use your new classic for evening family cruises, a truck may not be the best solution. Also, many older vehicles may only have lap belts instead of shoulder belts. That is, of course, if they have seat belts at all.

4. Original or custom? - Originals are nice, but could be tricky when trying to fix something that breaks. I'm more of a custom guy, but try to keep my modifications mild and easy to switch back. For instance, I built a custom removable console to house my CD player and gauges, rather than modifying the dash. This way, if I decide to sell, the prospective buyer won't be turned off if looking for an original vehicle. If you change to aftermarket wheels, keep the originals, too.

5. Project or already finished? - If you have no mechanical experience or have a lack of tools, you may opt for the finished option. If you decide on a project, make sure you know what you're getting into! Do some research on the vehicle you're buying to see how expensive parts are and if you can even get them. Some vehicles, like Camaros and Mustangs have specialty catalogs that you can get almost any part you need to totally rebuild. With some vehicles, however, you may be limited to junk yards and online forums to track down what you need. Certain engines are the same way. We have a Buick 350 engine that only has one aftermarket 4barrel intake available and it's pretty expensive. If it was for a Chevy 350, we'd have an unlimited supply to choose from, most for half the cost. Also think about garage space when rebuilding a project.

6. Where to look? - Once you've decided what you want, the fun begins! With the internet, possibilities are endless. I prefer buying local, as I like to see things up close and test drive before giving thousands of dollars to someone I've never met. If you purchase something across country, remember to add in costs for delivery or gas and lodging if you decide to go pick up.

7. What to look for? - If you're looking for a project, figure out what needs to be done first, and add up the cost of parts and labor to finish. Don't be surprised if you spend $2000 on a project, but need to spend another $8000 to get it road worthy. Only to find out that it's only worth $5000 even after you've invested $10,000. If you want a finished product with minimal work, make sure to look into some of the hidden things. For instance, it may look great, but the frame might be rotten, making it an unsafe vehicle. The engine could look good with some chrome, but the insides could be tired and in need of a rebuild. If you don't know much about vehicles, bring a friend with or ask about taking it to your local mechanic for a thorough check.

8. Collector plates or regular? - Laws vary by state, but check into the advantages and disadvantages for both. You may find that collector plates are inexpensive, but have limitations to use.

9. Insurance - As with collector plates, collector insurance policies have certain limitations. Check with your agent to see what's best for you. If you're using the vehicle for shows, parades, hobby, you may be able to get into a policy that's very inexpensive, has a $0 deductible, and pays you an agreed value in the event of a total loss.

10. Storage - If you don't have an extra garage or shed for winter storage (especially in areas of snowy, cold winters) you may want to figure in storage costs when budgeting. I wouldn't suggest just parking it in the yard and covering it with a tarp. You could find yourself very upset in the spring when you unveil your baby, only to see rust forming and tires sunk into the ground. Classic cars are, in my mind, an investment and should be protected if possible.

Once you have your purchase, join a local club. This will help you meet others that share your passion. This is invaluable when trying to find parts, needing help with repairs, and just having someone to share ideas with.

Patrick Cooke is an insurance agent for Farmers Insurance in Cloquet, Minnesota, specializing in classic car insurance, as well as all other types of insurance.

http://www.farmersagent.com/pcooke

http://www.cookeagency.com

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Be Cautious Where You Take Your Classic Car or Muscle Car

Classic car owners, including those with muscle cars, street rods, hot rods, antiques and vintage trucks, are facing uncertain times as car thefts are on the rise, and actions from thieves are becoming more bold and brazen.

I recently came across a story written by a man who owned a Daytona Blue 1963 Corvette Coupe with all matching numbers. The all-original classic sport car had an immaculate dark blue interior where only the carpet had ever been replaced. The 327 engine was said to produce a rhythmic loping that not only brought a smile to your face, but got you day dreaming of having this beauty parked in your own garage. Then disaster strikes and you're snapped out of your dream and into his nightmare!

The owner of this beautiful piece of American history took his prized car to what he called a small "backwoods" show that a friend and he decided to go to in the spur of the moment. As owner Jacob Morgan, of Bakersfield, CA described, "The event was an annual but rather unofficial gathering of classic car buffs and I was thrilled to bring my car down. Unfortunately, the part of Florida that the event was being held was extremely dry due to drought. About three or four hours after arriving, a man who owned a red GTO (I could not tell you the year because frankly I did not care afterward) decided to start up his ride for the spectators. It was just one backfire but it was enough to start the dry grass ablaze--and guess where my Corvette was parked?

Nearly thirty classic cars were consumed by the blaze started by that backfiring GTO and my Corvette was one of them. Of course I had the car properly insured but they just aren't making 1963 Corvettes any longer and the only one I could find that was similar cost $10,000 more than my policy's payoff. I guess if there is a moral to my sad tale, it is to avoid backwoods car shows at all costs because they are unregulated, disorganized, and very dangerous to classic cars like my beloved 1963 Corvette Coupe."

This may not be your traditional way of losing your prized classic car, muscle car, street rod, antique car, vintage truck or other collectible old vehicle, but it does drive home the point that we need to exercise care in even the most innocent surroundings like a car show! Freak accidents like Mr. Morgan experienced can and do account for many losses to enthusiasts - not just theft or vandalism.

Sadly though, theft isn't a rare thing and the methods are becoming more bizarre. Guy Algar and I have had pieces stolen off one of our own vehicles that we were towing back to our shop while we stopped for a quick bite to eat! We've had a good number of hubcaps taken over the years. And, we actually had the brake lights ripped off of our car hauler while we were in a parts store one day picking up parts for a customer! We've had one customer tell us the story where he had taken his wife out to dinner and had carefully parked his 1969 Corvette at a local restaurant, under a big bright light, and in what appeared to be a "safe" area, only to come out 45 minutes to an hour later to find all his emblems and trim taken right off the car! Thieves have been known to take the entire car hauler (with the classic sitting on top) right off the tow vehicle's hitch ball and transfer the hauler to their own tow vehicle when people are on the road, at a car show, or some other type of event. These are bold moves by people who do not fear the consequences.

Other thefts that have been reported around the country have included:

• Dr. Phil just had his '57 Chevy Belair convertible stolen from the Burbank repair shop he had brought it to for repairs.


• A 1937 Buick, valued at over $100,000 was taken from a gated community parking garage in Fort Worth, Texas.


• Tom of New Mexico reported the theft of two of his collector cars to Hemming. Tom owns about half a dozen collector cars altogether, and to store them all, he rented out a storage unit. Unfortunately, when he went to check on them recently, for the first time in about six months, he found that two were missing - a 1957 two-door Chevrolet Belair and a 1967 Mercury Cougar GT.


• There was also a report of a man from Jefferson City, Missouri, who actually recovered his own stolen car, a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro that had been stolen 16 years before, after seeing it in a Google search!


• In a Los Angeles suburb, a woman came home to a garage empty of her prized 1957 Chevy Bel-Air which had been valued at more than $150,000. The beautiful convertible had been featured in several magazines and TV shows and won dozens of awards at car shows around the country. A neighbor's surveillance camera caught the actions of the thieves and revealed that the Bel-Air was pushed down the street by a pickup truck which had pulled into her driveway just minutes after she had left. The thieves likely loaded it onto an awaiting trailer. It's thought that the thieves spotting the car at one of the car shows, followed it home afterwards, then waited for the opportunity to steal it.


• A Seattle collector was the victim of a targeted "smash-and grab" from the warehouse where he kept his cars. The thieves apparently ransacked the building and drove off with a 396/425 four-speed 1965 Corvette Stingray; and a 20,000-mile 396/four-speed 1970 Chevelle SS.


• A 1959 Chevrolet Impala was stolen during a Cruise Night. The owner got good news-bad news when the police tracked down because while they did recover the classic car, he had put in a claim for the theft with his insurance policy after the theft many months before, so the car went to the insurance company rather than being returned to him. Apparently detectives recovered the Impala from a chop shop nearly eight months after it was stolen, repainted and modified.


• Hemmings News also reported of a reader whose 1970 Ford Maverick was stolen from his home in Missouri. The car was found and returned, but the investigation apparently revealed that the thief had been watching the owner for 2 years, with the intention of stealing it and using it to race with. Chilling thing to find out.


• A 1979 Buick Electra 225 Limited Edition was stolen out of a grocery store parking lot in suburban Detroit with the thief escaping with an urn inside the trunk that contained the remains of the owner's stepfather!


• After saving for over 40 years, a man from Virginia bought the car of his dreams, a 1962 Dodge Lancer. Buying his dream car, he began his restoration project, which was about 60 percent complete when he relocated to Texas. Without a garage to keep it in after his move, he stored it in a 24-foot enclosed trailer along with a 1971 Dodge Colt he planned to turn into a race car, and kept the trailer parked at a storage lot. At the end of July, the trailer and everything in it disappeared.

The last story actually has a happy ending because it was recovered due to alert shop owners being suspicious of person wanting to unload a Lancer for only $1,500 including the many boxes of parts. After some research, the owner was reunited with his car. Guy and I have been approached on numerous occasions by people wanting to sell their vehicles. Some have hardship stories and the callers are willing to unload the car for a real bargain. We've always walked from these offers, primarily because we're not in the business of buying and selling cars (we're not dealers or re-sellers), but also because we're cautious of a "too-good-to-be-true" price. One call in particular did make us very suspicious, as the woman caller insisted that the sale had to be completed by Monday (she called our shop over the weekend) and the price was extremely low for a rather rare model Mustang. Alert shop owners can be instrumental in aiding in the recovery of stolen classic cars.

But not all stories have a happy ending like this. Classic cars, muscle cars and antiques can make their way to chop shops, end up damaged and abandoned, and even being re-sold on Internet sites such as eBay and Craigslist!

Just yesterday, I reported on a 1954 Chevy Pickup truck which was stolen from a woman's driveway in Oklahoma City. (Ironically this article was already written and scheduled for release today when the news hit. I've added her case because, unfortunately, it emphasizes how common thefts have become.) She wisely reached out to the Hemmings community of enthusiasts for help. Hemmings.com has a huge following, referred to as "Hemmings Nation", and appealing for help to a community of enthusiasts like this can be instrumental in helping to give vital information to police and authorities who can help track and recover a stolen classic car. We applaud the work that Hemmings does.

And, the methods that thieves are using, as you can see, are as varied as the types of vehicles! Even seemingly innocent little car shows and gatherings are places you need to exercise a little caution and care. As I reported in a July article, carjackings involving classic cars are even becoming more commonplace.

Surprisingly, in some cases, the Internet has been helpful in aiding in the recovery of classic cars and muscle cars. There have been numerous stories, much like the Camaro owner above, and a man who found his 1949 Ford through a listing on Craigslist (the two men responsible were arrested and charged with disassembling a vehicle after the owner positively identified it as his) where owners have been able to locate their cars in Internet searches.

For those not so fortunate, insurance is the only consolation. We highly recommend classic car or "collector" car insurance. There are a number of companies that provide this specialized insurance, and it is generally well worth the cost. Classic Car News provided an article, Purchasing Classic Car Insurance, containing a list of companies along with links to contact them. I also recommend Hagerty Insurance's publication, Deterring Collector Car Theft, which has tips on theft prevention.

In addition to the quick-strip thefts, thieves usually always alter, remove or forge VIN numbers, which make identification of the car or truck more difficult. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) are serial numbers for vehicles that are used to differentiate similar makes and models. Much like social security numbers, every vehicle has a different VIN. VIN plates are usually located on the dashboard on newer cars, but are often found in the door jams of older models. VIN plates can be switched with another vehicle for a fast coverup.

The point here is to be aware of your surroundings, including where you park your car. Don't take it for granted that just because you're at an event with fellow enthusiasts that something bad can't happen. Take preventive action by securing your old car or truck. Guy Algar suggests, "Don't forget to take precautions even at home. You may feel safe parking your ride in 'the safety' of your two car garage, but remember, even if you don't have windows where people can peer in and spot your valued car, thieves can also follow you home from work, a cruise, or even the grocery store and plan a theft after surveilling your home and learning your schedule. If you have a ride that catches people's attention, remember that it can also catch the wrong attention!"

RESOURCES:

Hagerty Insurance - Deterring Collector Car Theft

Classic Car News - Purchasing Classic Car Insurance

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

The safety of your classic car or muscle car is extremely important to most owners. Everyone wants to protect their ride with methods that work, and that won't bust the bank. We draw on the experience of experts in Classic Car News' upcoming series entitled "Keep Our Rides Safe", which appear each Wednesday. - Andrea

Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920's through 1970's. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.

Have a classic car or muscle car story or question you'd like to share? Visit her blog at http://www.motorheadsperformance.blogspot.com for contact information. Her business website can be viewed at http://www.motorheadsperformance.com.

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Enjoy Driving Using Classic Cars

There are many reasons why people would want to own classic cars, and the most important one is the car's beauty. Many people will readily admit that the vehicles are unique and good to look at. A classic car will turn heads every time it is driven down the street. The term classic is used to define a car from a different age or era. While the term is fluid, there are different definitions depending on regions. There are clubs that set boundaries that limit the automobiles that can get that label, but generally, the vehicles should be at least over 30 years old. An antique class categorizes those that are over 45 years old.

Classic ones can tend to be quite costly, depending on the era they were made. The more rare the model, the more expensive it will be. Some models are highly sought after around the world with collectors offering great sums to own the car. Naturally, the condition of the car will determine the cost. There are, however, those who buy the vehicles in any condition, just for the joy of fixing them up to their former glory. Refurbishing a classic car can be very costly because of the unavailability of spare parts.

While most of those who buy the classics keep them as show pieces, they are many who enjoy driving these vehicles. Competitions are often held in different regions that are more like beauty pageants for the ancient vehicles. Here classic enthusiasts get to show off their collections to fellow collectors and fans. The vehicles are judged on their beauty, and how well they are preserved and maintained, among other considerations.

Those who drive the old vehicles have to be especially careful on the roads. These vehicles lack most of the safety equipment found on modern vehicles. Basic features like air bags and safety belts were not in use decades ago. The vehicle handling capabilities are also not as efficient as those found on modern vehicles. Break performance and steering are not up to the current standards and, therefore, these vehicles should be driven with the utmost care. Some regions limit or even prohibit the driving of these vehicles. It is also recommended that those who own the vehicles get them fitted with seat belts and other safety mechanisms.

Most of the old vehicles have bodies that were not designed to have seatbelts. This makes installing them quite problematic. There are also those who feel that this spoils the overall appearance of the car and the modern fittings go against the nature of a classic. Other suggestions such as the fitting of modern tires face the same challenges, as do upgrading of the braking system. There are those who suggest fitting the old vehicles with parts from more modern versions of the same model to improve safety.

Most of the old cars have bodies which were not designed to have seatbelts. This makes installing them quite problematic. There are also those who feel that this spoils the overall appearance of the car and the modern fittings go against the nature of classic cars [http://www.rarecars.com/classic-cars/]. Other suggestions such as the fitting of modern tires face the same challenges, as do upgrading of the braking system. There are those who suggest fitting the old cars with parts from more modern versions of the same model to improve safety. Despite all the concerns, there have been very few reports of accidents involving classic cars [http://www.rarecars.com/classic-cars/].

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Find Cheap Classic Cars For Sale

Most cars that were produced either in the 1960s and 1970's are considered to be very powerful cars with most of them containing powerful V8s engines. The power discharged by these engines makes them have a high demand among the lovers of classic cars. Finding a cheap classic car for sale is not very hard but it all depends on where you decide to search.

The cars can be gotten at cheap reasonable prices and it is well known that those people that go for cheap cars for sale do so because they want to use them for road racing and long distance drives.

Most of the cars usually are two door and they come with features of sports cars.

Apart from the United States, other parts of the world people have started appreciating these cars with some people even holding classic rallies that bring together all those that have a passion for it.

These cars which are also known as muscle cars are considered to be the concept of taking a smaller car and fitting it will a large powerful engine.

When they were being designed, this type of vehicles was meant to race on straight roads because their chassis and suspensions were not designed for roads that have sharp bends on them.

They have been described perfectly in details by the road test magazine which states that a muscle car is exactly what the name implies.

It is evident that it is mostly the young people that are going for cheap muscle cars for sale because they have realized that they have very powerful engines that are good for racing. Some people are even looking for old muscle car bodies in order to fit them with modern sports car engine just for the fun of it.

The original muscle powered engine was developed in 1949 and it was surprising how people had interest and responded to the speed and power that was offered by this particular engine.

Cheap classic cars for sale can be readily available on the internet or on the motor vehicles magazines where you can be able to come across a classic car of your dreams with a reasonable price and in perfect condition.

It is difficult to find a classic car that is in a perfect condition unless you do a good research before committing any money on anything.

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Hiring Dehumidifiers for Classic Car Storage

Vintage and classic cars can be extremely expensive. Most owners are either wealthy individuals who buy them as investments, or car dealers who can have up to 100 cars for sale on display in a showroom, or kept in a store. It is vital, therefore, that steps are taken to protect the vehicles from rusting while they are in storage (classic car garages and stores are prone to attracting damp and condensation, leading to a poor atmosphere that can result in steel corrosion). However, below 60% Relative Humidity (RH), steel corrosion is greatly reduced, and at 50% RH, it is almost zero.

One way of controlling humidity levels in these environments is to use hired portable dehumidifiers supplied by a portable dehumidifier hire specialist.

Types of hired dehumidifiers
Simply put, dehumidifiers are able to control damp and condensation by taking moisture out of the air. They can be remarkably effective in maintaining required humidity levels in classic car garages and stores of all sizes, and are frequently used by managers.

The two most common types of dehumidifier available for hire are:

1. Powerful refrigerant dehumidifiers: these robust, economical and energy-efficient machines can handle up to 890 litres dehumidification capacity a day, delivering high levels of drying power. In a British climate this typically provides keep-dry areas up 13,600m3 and dry out areas up to 6,400m3.

And...

2. Desiccant dehumidifiers: these use moisture-absorbing materials like silica gel, and are used when very low relative humidity is needed. Desiccant materials have a high affinity for adsorbing water vapour - up to 10,000 m3/hr, in fact.

With classic car storage, the type of dehumidifier used will depend upon the size of the storage area/showroom.

About vintage and classic cars
These types of cars fall in to two categories: vintage and classic. Vintage cars were built during the "Vintage Era" - between the start of 1919 and the end of 1930. Classic cars are slightly younger, and are therefore more affordable. However most of these vehicles are purchased for enjoyment and not for every day driving due to their cost (up to hundreds of thousands of pounds) and therefore keeping them in good order is of paramount importance.

Vintage and classic car owners are usually fanatical about maintaining their vehicles to the utmost standards. They know their investments are sure to increase in value over time, and so are careful to protect them. This is something sellers (individuals and companies) realise, and why they often purchase or lease portable dehumidification units for their showrooms and stores, to ensure their cars are kept in tiptop condition.

Why dehumidification is preferable to heat

Unlike heaters, which "cover" or "disguise" the problem of excess moisture in the air, a rented portable dehumidifier from a dehumidifier hire specialist can be used to positively remove the moisture and condensation from the atmosphere in a classic car garage or store.

Rented portable dehumidifiers can:

• Prevent corrosion of vulnerable metal surfaces and body panels (of vintage and classic cars)
• Dry damp showrooms and garages at a faster rate than heat, allowing cars to be stored for indefinite periods (without moisture-related degradation)
• Consume at least four times less energy than an equivalent heating system
• Operate in unheated and uninsulated rooms without wasting energy
• Dry a vehicle if it is returned to the garage whilst wet

Contingency planning is the key
Most classic cars owners already have dehumidifiers on site, to ensure humidity and temperature levels are always correctly maintained. But these units can sometimes break down. That is why it is essential for owners and dealers to formulate a contingency plan with a dehumidifier hire specialist (preferably one who offers a 24/7 emergency call-out service, all year round).

As an initial step, the specialist will perform a site survey at the garage, showroom or store to discuss the exact humidity and temperature levels required.

With a carefully formulated contingency plan in place, the car owner or dealer can enjoy peace of mind, knowing that if their dehumidifier fails, a specialist dehumidifier hire company that operates an emergency response service are always only a phone call away.

Classic car supply is finite

Finally, car manufacturers are simply not making classic cars anymore. Dealers and owners of vintage and classic cars realise this and see hired dehumidifiers as playing a crucial role in helping them to protect their investments (assets that could actually appreciate by up to 50% over 15 to 20 years!).

Article submitted by Steve Reeve, Sales Director at Andrews Sykes. With over 25 years' experience, Andrews Sykes provides dehumidifier hire services for warehouses and classic car storage, using machinery sourced from the world's top manufacturers.

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Am I Ready To Restore My Muscle Car Or Classic Car

Am I ready to restore my classic car or muscle car, that is the question that you need to ask yourself before you get in to the project. This is truly not for everybody. If you plan to restore the car yourself then you need to be sure that you have chosen a car that you can restore.

What I mean when I say you need to choose a car that you can restore; the project needs to stay in your skill set as far as the restoration work on the car. If you're a body man, don't buy a car that has horrendous electrical and mechanical problems.

This is where people get buried in the project and just push it aside. This is the main warning that I always give people who are planning to restore a car on their own. Obviously you need to plan ahead for the things that you may need to farm out to a professional shop.

If saving money on the project is your main concern you should look to another hobby. No matter how you do classic cars take a lot of time and money to build.

I'd suggest that if you're a person who doesn't have a lot of time to work on a car restoration that you should make the time, or plan to have a shop do the work for you.

My best advice if this is your first restoration project is to buy a car that is in good condition to start with. You need to get one done to build your confidence level. If you turn one out that looks great your confidence will skyrocket.

Plan to spend some cash buying the car $2,500 muscle cars either don't exist any more, or they are such huge turds that you should not attempt to build it for a first project. You should come in to the game with about $10,000 to buy your car.

Things to look at when buying your classic car

• Make sure that the floor boards and trunk floors aren't rusted out of the car.
• Make sure that the quarter panels don't have rust in them.
• Inspect the car for bad body & paint work.
• Bubbles in the paint mean rust in most cases.
• Listen to the engine run.
• Check the electrical harnesses for burning and redneck repair work.
• Look for parts missing that may be hard to find.
• Make sure you know what you plan for the car.
• Check body panel alignment, badly aligned panels usually mean body repair work which always means a wreck happened.

You need to have your ducks in a row before you begin a classic car restoration. What I'm saying here is that you should plan the restoration of the car down to the last nut and bolt. Make sure that parts are available for the car that you plan to restore.

Make 100% sure that you have planned the budget to buy that car, and to restore the car. These are two very different things. A properly planned budget means that you get the car done, and for close to what you want to spend on it, but this means planning.

So plan that restoration project and you will have fun building your car. Buy the right car to start with, make sure that you have evaluated you skill level to restore the car, and don't buy a car that you can't finish, or plan to farm out what you can't do.

David C. Atkin

David C. Atkin is an accomplished custom car builder, and restoration technician, who also write articles to help people restore their car.

Muscle Car Restoration

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Classic Cars In Time For Summer

The Classic Car Club of America defines a CCCA Classic as: A "fine" or "distinctive" automobile, either American- or foreign-built, produced between 1925 and 1948. Other factors, including engine displacement, custom coachwork and luxury accessories, such as power brakes, power clutch, and "one-shot" or automatic lubrication systems, help determine whether a car is considered a Classic.

The above description is somewhat limiting, with the beginning of the classic car era more typically considered to be the 1930s, ending with the muscle car period in the 1970s. Many show top off the definition of classic in 1972, defining cars built in 1973 or later as modern customs, exotics or collectibles.

There are many reasons why people claim they like classic cars better than cars of today. Some opinions and reasons include the following:

· cars are technically better built

· cars have more "style" and beauty in their body lines

· are more solid, made with metal, rather than cheaper products like plastic

· were designed by car-lovers, not businessmen

Resale Value

Classic cars tend to hold their value well, especially if they have been well-maintained or restored. As with anything, if you are in the market to purchase, do your research and make sure you know about what make and model you are looking for and what price range would be acceptable and appropriate. If you are looking to sell, do the same so you know what a reasonable price to ask is. Most desirable cars tend to be one-owner low-mileage cars that have mostly stayed covered and very well-maintained.

There are dozens of websites dedicated to selling as well as countless auto dealerships that specialize. If you can't find what you are looking for locally, check out the internet, or plan to attend a Car Show in your area or beyond.

Classic Chevys

Classic cars come in too many makes and models to mention in this article. Although auto-makers such as AMC, Buick, Cadillac, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Lincoln-Mercury, Oldsmobile, Plymouth and Pontiac all have produced cars that now fall in the "classic" range, American-made Chevy has some of the most iconic models. Chevy's portfolio includes the following:

· Camaro

· Chevelle

· Corvair

· Corvette

· El Camino

· Impala

· Nova

Custom Classic Cars

Along with restoring the classics, oftentimes people like to make their cars a little fancier by adding modifications known as "customizing" their car. Customizing can range from simple to very complex paint jobs, to mechanical modifications and decorative touches.

World Record Performance

The current Guinness World Record for highest car mileage is held by a 1966 Volvo P1800, which has now covered over 2.9 million miles! Volvo is one company where consumers can order parts from their local dealers to ensure the original performance of their classic car; and the parts delivered today actually have a higher quality than when the car was in production due to evolving technologies.

Whether you're looking to purchase a classic car for an investment or just for the love of it, or if you're just an enthusiast who loves the look, people seem to enjoy restoring and showcasing their vehicles all across America. You can definitely consider the it one of America's favorite pastimes.

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