Cars are not just a marvel of engineering, it is also a work of art. It’s one reason why many people love classic cars. There is a growing number of car enthusiasts who buy and drive these vintage vehicles. Aside from having a piece of car history, it is also a great way of catching people’s attention. For car collectors it’s a great feeling to see people turn their heads when they pass by with their nicely restored vintage cars.
Buying a vintage car is not as straightforward as some people think. There are many things that need to be considered and looked at before determining if the car is a good buy. Some people rely on expert car enthusiasts to check the cars for them. But if you want to learn how to inspect vintage cars, check out the tips below:
Determine your car preference
Before you go out and inspect classic cars, decide first what kind of car you want to get. This will help you narrow down the cars you’ll look at and inspect. When you’ve finished deciding what car you’re looking for make a list of what other things to look out for. This will serve as your checklist so you won’t forget anything. Some of the things that should be included in your checklist are: the engine condition, the body, the state of the suspension, and the interiors of the car. If you are planning on restoring the car then you should also include in the list the things that you are willing to accept as part of your restoration job. For example, if you’re planning to refurbish the interiors anyway, then ripped upholstery will be acceptable. But if you have no plans of buying a new grille then the condition of the car’s grille should be at near mint condition as possible.
Talk to the owner
It would be a good idea to talk to the owner of the car. Ask him about the car’s history and its condition. You can do this over the phone. This is a good move to make because the owner will present facts about the car that will give you an idea if you want to pursue the purchase or not. This will save you the trouble of going to the owner’s place and then deciding that the condition is not what you’re willing to pay for. Ask the owner about its history – is he the first owner? Has it been involved in an accident that required body work? If the answers are good enough for you then you can further pursue the purchase by scheduling an inspection.
Bring a mechanic
You may be developing a keen eye in inspecting a classic car but it will still be a good idea to bring a mechanic. The mechanic can make a more thorough inspection about the car especially with the engine and if it can run smoothly. He can also make an assessment about how much work needs to be done on the engine to make it run smoothly.
Test the car
There’s only one way to prove if the car runs smoothly – taking it for a test drive. Ask the owner to test drive the car. You’ll immediately get feedback on how well it runs and even the condition of the car’s suspension. Ask your mechanic to ride with you or even drive the car so he can make his own assessment as well.
Picture from Classic Car Projects