eBay Motors is today one of the most important markets in the buying and
selling of classic cars. Consider the following:
• eBay Motors sells a car per minute
• Every day, more cars are sold by eBay before 9am than are sold by the average
dealership across an entire year
• In 2006 eBay Motors was the world'’ most popular automobile website
• At any given time, you can access around one million parts on eBay
or many people who dream of owning a classic car, the notion of how much money it takes to get involved is a major turn-off. If you are looking at a Rolls Royce or a Bugatti Atalante, then you may well be right. But if you are just setting out and developing your knowledge of classic cars, it is in fact possible to buy an affordable car that is still a classic. Of course rarity has a big influence both on the prestige and price of a vehicle, but if you willing to start in the mid-range, there are certainly options available to you.
n around the mid 1950s, American car manufacturers introduced the VIN, or
vehicle identification number, as a means to identify cars and parts. The VIN
continues to be the most familiar identification number on cars today, and is
found stamped onto the inside driver’s side pillar of the window shield. Today,
VINs adhere to an industry-wide standard format, but in many classic cars their
format depended on the manufacturer’s preferences.
At the same time, car parts themselves are stamped with identifying numbers
which help to indicate manufacturing sequence as well as the facts of the car to
which they belong. In some cars, you will find an identification plate that
lists the identifying numbers of its major parts
When looking to purchase a classic car, there are many things to physically
check before you even consider making an offer. Here are a few hints on what to
look for. Once you have given the car a once over, make sure you take your
observations to a mechanic whom you trust, who will be able to give you a better
idea of the value of the car.
Check the VIN number on the engine and ensure that it matches the car’s
paperwork. Ask to see pictures of the car before and after restoration work was
carried out, if applicable. Read through the service log to find out about
repairs and maintenance work.
Your engine runs best at a hot temperature, but overheating, caused by loss
of coolant or overpressure, can damage engine parts and cause you real
headaches. Older cars can be particularly prone to overheating, but this is
largely the result of inadequate maintenance rather than a production failing.
Fans, hoses, belts, the radiator and water pump all need regular attention to
ensure they are in tact and functioning well.
As soon as you notice that your temperature gauge is running a bit higher than
usual, take the time to inspect your engine and address any problems before they
cause an overheating disaster that damages other engine components.
Before you put your classic into the garage over winter or for storage, take
the time to do the following simple tasks to give your car the best storage
conditions possible.
Detailing: Carefully wash all parts of the car, including the undercarriage. Wax
the whole body but don’t buff chrome until it’s time to take the car back out of
storage. Vacuum the interior, and lubricate any rubber surfaces.
Change/drain fluids: Once parked up, drain fluids while the car is still warm.
Wear gloves to prevent burns from engine oil.
Grease the joints: Fill all universal joints with grease. Also apply clean
grease to suspension and steering fittings.
When you are taking your classic car out for a drive, you might like to park
it in a shady spot to protect the paintwork and interior. However, bear in mind
that a big tree that provides lots of shade will also provide a lovely home for
lots of birds, and these birds can be a car owner’s worst enemy.
Bird droppings have a high acid content, which means it starts corroding your
paintwork from the moment it makes contact. The longer that bird droppings sit
on your car, the more damage is done.
However, this doesn’t mean you should grab the nearest towel and wipe it right
off. This is because birds eat grit and gravel to aid their digestion, and these
tiny rough particles can cause scratches to your paint if you try to rub or wipe
off the droppings.
In a perfect world, no classic car owner – or any car owner for that matter –
would ever have to consider the possibility that their car will break down and
need to be towed.
However, all cars, and perhaps especially classics, will one day break down and
need to be helped off the road. The misery you feel when your classic conks out
will only be compounded if there is a mishap in the towing, so it pays to learn
a few things about the safest way to have your classic towed.
Whether it has been months or years, when you pull your car out of storage
there are a few things to take care of before you take it out on the road.
The first thing to do is look underneath the car. This will tell you if you have
any leakage problems, which could be a hose, a seal, your radiator or a blown
gasket.
If the car has been sitting still for years, you should drain all fluids and
flush all systems before replacing the fluids. However, if the car has just been
garaged for a few months this isn’t normally necessary.
Deciding to restore an old car is one thing; but choosing the right car for
you is another. Don’t be too hasty or you may not make the wisest of choices.
Take the time to consider a few fundamental questions that will help steer you
in the right direction. By choosing a car that you are passionate about and that
you can afford, you will increase the enjoyment you gain from the restoration
job immensely.
Your top five:
A great way to start narrowing down the field is to make a list of the five
makes and models that you would love to restore. Take your time making your
list, considering cost, part availability, and the level of difficulty you want
to tackle.
The job of disassembling a car is a big one; it will likely take you about a week to do it properly. Documenting every step is perhaps the most time-consuming part, but it is also crucially important. You need to be slow, careful, patient and methodical to avoid breaking parts or missing a piece of documentation. Make sure you have plenty of room and a storage system set up. Shelves, bags, boxes and marker pens will all be necessary. Before you even begin to disassemble the car, take pictures of all its parts, from every angle. Doors, corners, window moldings, the engine compartment and interior are among the parts that will need to be thoroughly photographed. Don’t rush this stage. Be methodical. When it comes to reassembly, which could be a long time down the track, these pictures could prove invaluable. Also photograph every step of the disassembly.
Photographing and documenting every inch of your car through its restoration
can be painstaking and boring, but it will be well worth the effort. Not only
will it document how far you have come, and how you got there, it will also
provide an excellent basis for negotiating the value of your car when you sell
it.
It is best to use a digital camera, because you can immediately check to see if
the photographs you are taking are good enough. You can also load the images
onto your computer and adjust the light and size of your images.
f your interior has a few parts where the wood veneer is past its prime, you
might like to try repairing only those parts rather than replacing the whole
lot. However, it can be really hard to match a new wood veneer perfectly to your
interior, both in color and grain.
So, before you start lifting parts of your veneer off, make sure you have the
right replacement veneer. You may also have to shop around to find a place that
sells it in small quantities. If you can’t find what you need, you will either
have to replace the lot or learn to live with the damaged sections.
There are some good quality leather restoration products on the market these
days. Shop online or get some recommendations from your local car club or
auto parts retailer. Unless the leather is worn to pieces, there is often
the prospect of a good result using quality products.
Once you have chosen the product you will be using, talk to the company
itself about the color match you require. It is often worthwhile to send
in a small sample, usually from underneath the seat, so that they can color
match perfectly. If you know the manufacturer’s color code or color name,
this can lead you to the right color as well.