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There are five important areas to think about before purchasing a classic vehicle. These basic steps will help in selecting the right collectable car for you!

1. Never impulse buy – This has been a mistake with all of us when looking at cars. We see something that we think we need and it ends up becoming a regrettable purchase in the long run. Once this happens we are willing to lose money just to get rid of the vehicle. Always take your time and do not be in a rush to purchase, even if there is a lot of interest in the vehicle. Keep in mind that there will always be another one around the corner.
2. Investment – For ones that are wanting to have a return on their money, or at least break even when they sell a car, it is important to think about how well does the car hold its value and will that value rise over time. This may necessitate doing research on car values and seeing what ones are selling for.
3. Use of the vehicle – Will you be driving the car for enjoyment or will it be a trailer queen? Do you care if it gets driven in the rain? Are you looking for low miles car? Buying a car with a few more miles on it can save some money at the beginning. Also, are you planning on restoring or resto-modding the car? These are all important questions to answer to help in determining the use before purchasing.
4. Research – It good to become familiar with the car you plan to purchase. It would be good to research such items as; VIN number locations, options that were on the vehicle, original components that should be on the car, engine options, etc. Knowing these facts, and what to look for, will save you from having to hunt these items down, which can be costly if they are rare.
5. Inspect the car – Search for rust thoroughly around the vehicle. Check the mechanical and electrical systems, look for any major paint issues, etc. These items can be costly if missed!

Contact Klassic Rides today! We offer services to inspect and evaluate a vehicle that you may be interested in purchasing.

Many people today think that restoring a car is simply doing paint and interior work. While this is a form of restoration, it is important to understand that restoration can encompass many different levels. If a person were to think of a concours restoration, this is a level of perfection. With a concours restoration a car is brought back to a level that is equal, or exceeds, when the car was new. In concours vehicles, detail is essential to winning in a judged show. It may require a certain type of markings, bolts, or even in some cases a certain way the paint is oversprayed. These type of projects may require a lot of research and hunting of rare parts, depending on the vehicle, which can add to the cost. There are also mid-level or partial restorations, which may include: paint, interior, engine and drivetrain, wiring, or even a brake upgrade. This is usually a good option for individuals who have a nice project, to start with, and would like to choose what items to do, within their budget. With restoring a car there are many different options, so there is no way to lump it all together under one umbrella of just using the word, “restoration”. At Klassic Rides, we like to differentiate the difference for our customers, since the word can mean many different things and can affect the amount of money spent. The question then is, how can you determine what type of restoration services will meet your needs? First, think about your budget and the amount of money that you want to invest into a project. Second, what will the car be used for? Is this going to be a concours vehicle that will be trailered back and forth to shows? If you want to enjoy the car and drive it around, this may help to determine the level of restoration that you will need. For determining what level of restoration that is needed, Klassic Rides would enjoy speaking with you and going over your vehicle to help you in making this decision. Klassic Rides has completed many concours and partial restorations and we have the knowledge of what is involved in doing them. If we can be of assistance in your next project feel free to contact us!

Many people today watch TV shows that depict a car being restored in a matter of days and then they sell the car and make a large profit. This has jaded ones view of restoration, and has promoted a thinking that is solely motivated by profit. While it is wise to count the cost of a project and work within your budget, the realization that a car can be restored and then the customer make a huge profit upon selling it, is not always the case. Many of the cars that they show in these TV shows look pretty from the outside but little has been done below the visual aesthetics. So for ones that are true car lovers and collectors, this is an ongoing dilemma.

Is a car worth the expense of restoration? If the car is a limited production, numbers matching car, you could possibly have a profit in restoring a car. But the majority of cars today being restored are cars that have a sentimental value or a personal value. These ones are willing to spend the necessary money to restore a vehicle because it has a special value to them, such as; it was a family car or it reminds them of a time in their life. Then you have individuals that like the way a car drives, rides, and looks and they are planning to keep the car for many years to come. Under these circumstances, ones don’t look at profit, but at the true purpose of the car they love. They are not going to sell the car but they want to keep this prize in their possession, and the possession of their family for many years to come. While from a money perspective this does not make sense, and is not logical from a numbers standpoint, sentimentality and personal value win out every time. So we encourage ones to think about this subject before they decide to restore a car.