Classic Automobiles A Pro’s Assessment Guide
Once you’ve chosen the capabilities and looks of your American Dream Car, it’s time to search for the best one in the market. Patience will not only guarantee a satisfied owner but it makes certain that the chosen car is a wise and valuable investment. The first step is to ensure that it possess all the necessary documents like the title, registration, safety and emissions checked.
Do a bit of research before handing the big bucks. A good deal entails a reasonably priced classic vehicle that looks well maintained and runs smoothly. Ask someone knowledgeable to inspect the car with you. Collectors clubs have technical experts who’d be wiling to come along. Your mechanic should check the vehicle as well. Do this inside the shop on a scheduled date so that an owner won’t be on the defensive when certain parts are discovered to be needing of repairs. A “ready to show” vehicle lives up to its name. It should not have any pending repairs and it should have pristine running condition. If you’d like a vehicle to be your own project in terms of fixing it up and restoring it, then expect to buy a model that has some defects.
The exterior appearance is easier to assess on a bight sunny day. It would be easier to spot ripples, if there are any. An old car that has been in existence for decades will have some type of body work done. This is not a concern, what’s important is the quality of the work done. A good example of body work should be straight and without any ripples. Check the curves for any “fatness”. This happens to bodies with poorly applied fillers. Other giveaways or unsatisfactory body work includes paint overspray, dents or damage to the structure. Check under the hood and other parts which cannot be visible from the outside.
On a sunny day, it’s easy to spot certain ripples on the exterior of the car. This is indicative of poorly applied filler. Some body work is common for a car that’s decades old, however, it must be done properly for it not to affect the vehicle’s appearance and value. Good body work is straight and won’t leave ripples. Watch out for paint over spray, dents, and rust to structural parts. Check under the hood, the hood itself, and panels which are not visible from the outside. Emblems and exterior trims must correspond to the particular car model. When inspecting the identification plates, match the color code to the one in the owner’s manual. If the original paint has been replaced, the car has lesser value.
Original carpeting must also be used. Ask permission to lift a small portion at the back to check this. If the carpet is wet, there might be leaks. It is usually unwise to invest in a car that has it because this will result to fast corrosion. It is expensive to correct. Overspray will also be detected by doing this.
Filed under Classic Cars by on Sep 15th, 2010. 
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