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Are all the gauges where they are supposed to be and are they in good repair? Has
modern day aftermarket equipment been added such as a radio? You'll definitely need
to decide if you want to keep that as is or try to find something more authentic.
Lastly, don't forget to check to make sure the car has all its dash knobs, door handles,
window cranks and other peripheral items that make a car complete.
Some last minute things to check on include getting an accurate odometer reading. Old
cars that have been lovingly driven over the years tend to have high mileage so it is
important to ensure that the 36,000 on the odometer doesn't actually mean 136,000
miles. Check the car's records, look for maintenance stickers that have the last
recorded mileage on it to verify what the odometer says.
Another good idea is to jack up the car so you can look underneath it. Rust has a nasty
habit of eating away at the underside of a car if it's been sitting for a long time. Also rock
the front wheels to ensure the steering linkage and suspension fittings are taut and
connected and look to make sure the CV joint boots are healthy and not leaking.
Particularly important for people who want to restore a collector car to Show Car quality
is ensuring the car has matching numbers. What this means is the cars VIN (Vehicle
Identification Number) number should also show up on the engine which indicates that
the car has its original engine. In some competitive owner circles numbers on the
exhaust and intake manifold must match the VIN as well and date codes on the part
should match when the car was made.
The numbering system gets pretty complicated and varies from car type to car type and
can greatly influence the car's value. The best way to learn about a number system for
a particular car type is to do research online or to talk to car club members.
Another area where you need to pay special attention is when it comes to aftermarket
parts and optional equipment. The problem some car restorers run into is some owners
will install additional equipment to make a basic car look like an upgraded version in
order to get more money when they finally sell it. While there is certainly nothing wrong
with maximizing your investment, sometimes these owners will tell buyers it's one type
of car when in fact it is not. One way to verify a car's identity is to decode the VIN. You
can purchase a reference book (Car & Parts magazine offers one called ID Numbers)
that will give you some information about a car based on the VIN.
Getting Your Collector Car Home
So the car passes inspection and you hand over the cash. It's now time to figure out
how you are going to get your prize home. You have several options. If the car is in
good drivable condition then the easiest way to get it to your garage is to drive it there.
But the odds of getting a fully functional and road worthy car are pretty slim therefore
here are a few other ways to get your car home.
Your second option is to make friends with someone who has either a flatbed truck, tow
truck or even a trailer hitch. I suggest offering to pay for gas and lots of free beer. If
none of your soon to be best friends own towing equipment, you may need to use your
beer money to hire a towing company. If you made your purchase a good ways away
from your home, then a good option would be to hire a long distance transport
company. There are companies that specialize in the transport of collector cars. You
can find names and numbers either in a local phone book or online.
Another option is to contract with a collector car dealer who may be picking up or
delivering cars to the area. Independent truckers may also be willing to lend a hand for
some extra cash especially if it is enroute. Worse comes to worse, you can rent a truck
yourself with a trailer hitch and enjoy a cross country adventure.
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