Classic cars: What to consider before you buy
You will read a lot about classic car buying, with eBay and other car selling sites on the web you are just a few clicks away from having that car of your dreams (or that car from your first date) parked in your driveway again. But car fans wait, there’s more.
The investment factor: I often like to spend a quiet afternoon while doing dishes or dusting watching the car auctions on TV and wishing that I had the 67 Camero my parents sold so long ago. Watching those cars go for several thousand dollars gives my heart a little flutter each time and a sudden need to drive through town and find that hidden Hemi diamond among the coal at the local car lot, but alas I know my odds are no better than finding a Picasso at the Flea Market. So what do you want to spend? You may say I don’t want to blow $50,000 on a car but if you look at what you are buying on-line or from your neighbor once you pay for it, get it shipped to you and spend what money it takes to fix it up, you might have well sent it to college for the cost.
The weather factor: I once met a man who fixed up cars of all ages, while in his garage I saw a Model T, a 57 Chevy, and a old Ford truck I fell in love plus a photo album full of the previous cars and trucks that he had sold. His rule, he only sold to folks in California, Arizona, and Texas. Why? One of his first cars he sold to someone in Boston and after the man had the car for 3 years brought it back and asked if he could fix the underside, it had salt rot. After this experience he wanted to give the cars a better life and made sure they would be in places where people could enjoy driving them almost year-round, instead of being cooped up in a garage for the winter.
The driving factor: In my town there is a company that for advertisement places old cars with their company name on them in front of businesses. I am afraid if I bought a classic car I may be tempted to do the same thing in my yard. The traffic is horrible and where red-light runners are the rule, would I risk driving a piece of art? Could I take the repairs? What are the emission rules for classic cars in my state, will it pass? How much would it cost me to insure my precious dream? Would I be satisfied with a quick jaunt around the neighbor at four in the morning?
The Ouch factor: This time I am not speaking of the cost. I had a friend a few years ago who wanted an RX-7 like he had in high school, he dreamed, he toiled, he saved up the money and bought one from