Buying a Classic Car

Buying and restoring classic cars is a popularimportant if you are going through a private seller
hobby for many car enthusiasts but is rarely aas it is extremely unlikely you will ever see them
straightforward task. Although it is veryagain if you break down on your way home. The
rewarding, it can be expensive especially if youbest time to arrange a viewing is during the day
don't know what to look for. From searching theso you can see the car properly. It will be easier
classifieds to finding cheap classic car insuranceto spot any scratches and dents in natural light
read below to find out the right way to do this.than it would be in a dark garage. If possible take
One thing is for sure which is that there is nosomeone with you who knows a lot about classic
shortage of classic cars for sale. You can findcars as they will know what to ask and what to
adverts in local newsagents, specialist magazines,look out for from rust to whether you will be able
the internet and online auction sites. You should beto find cheap classic car insurance for the vehicle.
able to find everything you need from theseA few quick and subtle tips you can try are
sources from cars and car parts to cheap classicwalking around the car to see how it sits, is there
car insurance.any sagging and do the panel gaps line up nicely?
Firstly, you will need to think about what storageCheck the body all over for rot, popular places
facilities you have. An old car is not going to takefor this are the headlamps and arches. Many
kindly to being kept outside or even under apeople make the mistake of relying on the MOT
covered area. Even worse would be to have itcertificate which is a good indication don't rely on
sat on grass or with a plastic sheet on it. Asthis alone.
damp rises it has nowhere else to go other thanTry to see the engine start up from cold - if it is
to settle on your corroding underside if you havealready warm the vendor may be trying to hide
something covering your car. If you have to keepcold - starting problems by getting it started
your car parked outside then also consider wherebefore your arrive. When the car is started listen
you can park it as your neighbours might not befor any knocks when the engine starts up or
too happy with extra cars clogging up the street.clouds of smoke from the exhaust. It sounds
The next advisable step is to decide whatobvious but don't forget to take the car for a
condition of car you wish to buy. If you're moretest drive to see how it runs.
than capable of welding, then your options areHowever, do take into consideration that the car
greatly increased as you can do a lot ofyou are looking at may be over 30 years old so
restoration work yourself. However, if youthe chances of it still being in its original state are
haven't got a clue what you are doing then it'svery slim. Service items such as brake shoes,
best to go for a car that needs little or no workbatteries, tyres and clutches are likely to have
unless you know someone who can do it for you.been replaced over replacement over the years.
When buying an old, classic car be aware thatFinding cheap classic car insurance can be a bit
body parts can be tricky to find.tricky and will go through the roof for modified
One of the most important aspects of buying acars so try to avoid this. If your car is modified
classic car is to make sure that you trust theyou are likely to have trouble selling it on later
person you are buying from. This is especiallyanyway.