With the economic downturn in the minds of almost everyone within the UK, finding a reliable and suitable investment seems a hazardous task, with interest rates slashed to record lows, and the share prices of companies slumped due to low confidence and decreasing profits. It does not just stop there, the property market has been severely hit too, with those who believed the property market was as sure as bricks for investment now coming to realise their investment may have been built on quick sand. The investment of successful and wealthy people has changed in recent years, with many deciding to invest in high quality wines, paintings and sculptures. Another investment which may be on the up is that of iconic classic cars.

Enjoying the drive of an iconic classic car is only part of the perk from investing in a classic, with established and iconic brands having much sort after heritage as the modern car market becomes more technology advanced. This strong heritage results in many classics holding onto value, a sound investment which can also be enjoyed and showed off.

Antiques, wines and classic cars may also provide great tax break opportunities. Interest in art has increased, with returns on investments often proving more profitable than property. Owning a classic car also allows for exemption from road tax, if the car was constructed before the 1st of January 1973. Visit the government web site for further information regarding this. It is clear why classics have been on the up for investment purposes, with everyone watching their outgoings; most people would welcome guarding their cash from the tax man.

According to Zurichs iconic car index, the Ferrari Enzo is the most sought after modern classic, topping the charts for brand heritage, status and performance. For those who cannot afford the high price of the modern Ferrari, there are many cheaper classic cars which may prove a wise investment for reserving capital, whilst enjoying the appeal of an iconic classic. An example of a more affordable classic car is the Triumph Stag, which can be purchased for under

]]> http://kcfl.org/2011/10/23/classic-car-investments/feed/ 0 http://kcfl.org/2011/10/18/tips-for-collecting-classic-cars/ http://kcfl.org/2011/10/18/tips-for-collecting-classic-cars/#comments Tue, 18 Oct 2011 05:25:31 +0000 admin http://zoodlehost.com/kcfl/2011/10/18/tips-for-collecting-classic-cars/ ...Read the Rest]]>

You’ve always wanted that model T Ford but been afraid to take the plunge. How does one get spares? How much does it cost to maintain a classic car? How do you know you are not getting ripped off when you buy one?

Here are a few basic tips to get you on the road to collecting classic cars. Keep in mind that they are essentially second hand cars so you don’t rush into a deal.

You may have come across advertisements in the local newspapers about sales of such cars. However, it is a good idea to steer clear of your local newspaper.

Check the classified posts for classic cars at hemmings.com or sportscarmarket.com. Interact with classic cars collectors at vintage car shows, collector meets and other high end events. You could also try looking for them at auctions organized by well-known auctioneers.

When looking at buying such a car, check its condition and then check its value against a price guide. Do some amount of background research to see that you are getting value for your money. Look up any associations that may specialize in that particular classic car model. They will be able to guide you about the value of the car as well as tell you where to get the spare parts from.

If the paint job on the car looks shabby or if any of the major parts have been replaced by a previous owner, it is not a good idea to buy it. You may get it cheap but a badly restored car does not have much of a resale value.

Hire a classic cars expert to take a look at the car. An expert will be able to advise you if a car is poorly restored as he will be able to tell if any of the original parts have been replaced.

These type of cars need to be protected from moisture so that their parts do not rust. Make sure you have a warm, dry and airy place to house your classic cars once you buy them.

You will need to insure your car at its present value. Check with insurance companies as some of them have specialized packages for these types of cars.

Classic cars are high maintenance mainly because the spare parts are expensive and hard to find. Be prepared for this at the time of buying your classic car. Restoring them is both expensive and time-consuming so think twice before venturing ahead. However, if you do have the time, collecting them can be a relaxing and enriching hobby.

By: Gabriel Stiller

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If Buick had bared its teeth in 1949, it was only a prelude to the full-frontal attack launched in 1950. Many have said they went too far with the “bucktooth Buick” which had appeared midway through the previous year in a new 1950 Special line. The public, however bought Buicks by the bucketload, pushing Buick up to third place in the sales race behind Chevrolet and Ford. Buick symbolized success both for itself and for the buyers of automobiles.

Success was also in sight for Cadillac at the unlikely venue of Le Mans, where a Caddy-powered Allard came third. Two others also placed in the race: an almost stock series 62 coupe was tenth and a special-bodied Series 62 was 11th. Surprising results considering their ever increasing size and shape.

Chevrolet had little to offer in 1950 that had not been avaialble the previous year and all their ad men could write about was the fully-automatic Powerglide transmission and a two-door hardtop called the Bel Air.

Mercury could not match Chevvy’s one and a half million sales but they did make their millionth automobile that year. What changes they made were small, but a significant addition to the range was the Monterey coupe which featured a padded canvas or vinyl top and a custom leather interior. Ford tried similar treatment on its special edition Crestliner and in so doing won the coveted Fashion Academy award for the second year.

The influences of the street trends were certainly being felt and the ’49 to ’51 Merc was, and always will be one of the customizer’s favorite cars. The Barris brothers were responsible for its impact by chopping and changing a ’51 for owner Bob Hirohita. Other features incorporated into his car included full fender skirts with 1950 Cadillac style fake air scoops, a floating single bar grille, sunken headlights, frenched ’52 Lincoln tail lights and Buick side trim. It set a trend which has been repeated on custom cars ever since and the Hirohita Merc as it has always been known, is still around today.

The idea of custom car shows was really beginning to catch on and the first Annual National Roadster Show was held in Oakland on 19 January. The event still takes place and its accolade for America’s Most Beautiful Roadster remains the most coveted. The winner that year was Bill Miekamp with his track-style roadster built on an Essex chassis with parts from four Model A Ford bodies and a 1942 Mercury engine.

Another milestone event was taking place in California, when on 19 June C.J. Hart opened the world’s first commercial drag strip at what was the Orange County airport in Santa Ana. Prior to this, Hart and his friends had raced, up to eight-abreast at Mile Square but they were eventually kicked off the US Navy property by the Marines.

To begin with the competitors at Santa Ana were mainly driving stockers but gradually the dry lakesters stopped playing in the sand, got used to a short sprint, and the sport of serious drag racing had started.

By: Vanessa Attlee

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The golden cars of the past years have always attracted the car fanatics to the time of antique, vintage as well as limited edition car models. In such an advanced time with the lots of advancements in the cars, it is really hard to find somebody that is driving a limited edition car in the current scenario. The internet medium is such a big resource to find the thousands of cheapest and the best cars of the golden time without going out of your home. And with the online auction, you can look at the designs of the cars with its detailed features without visiting the sale. There are different car communities on the internet that provides the latest updated information on the sales of antique cars, offers of the old cars, car accessories and engines.

The car community on the internet does have varied categories that include classic trucks, street rods and various other car accessories and small parts. There are lots of transactions happening to buy and sell the cars on the internet they either does not charge any transaction charge or charge minor transaction charges which is quite negligible. The websites are also available with the lots of customized searches that allows you to search for the cars and accessories of the models, makes and years which you might be looking for. You can sell or buy as many numbers of cars and trucks as you want to and there is no limitation on it.

There are number of categories available on the website according to the vehicle and accessory types. The online websites contain the different categories like antique models, street rods, classic trucks, small spare parts and different accessories. Apart from internet, there many states in the United States that offers the different types of car shows where you can display your model of car that you want to sell or you can also search for the model of your choice to buy. Let us look at the 10 top states that arrange the car sale events. The states are Illinois, Texas, Missouri, Indiana, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Washington and Michigan. In the events of all these state, millions of people visit the fairs to show case their antique car models for sale and also to check out the good old car models to purchase them.

Here are some details about the widely searched old cars on the internet. It states that the widely popular antique car model that is traded for the maximum number of times is Chevrolet Caprice model of 1966, Chrysler New Yorker model of 1966, Plymouth Fury of 1960 and Chevrolet Nova model of 1960.

The inventory provided with the detailed information on the intern can help you to look out for the best suited car for you need. There is lots of online treasure available. The only thing you need to buy or sale an antique old car is to have a right opportunity at the right time. I am sure, you would drive a limited edition car on a modern day road.

By: Greg Mitchell

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Who doesn’t love a fully restored muscle car? The way one popular site describes the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda says it all, why we have such an obsession with muscle cars: “The roar of the engine, mimicking the rumbling sound of thunder and a vibration felt deep down to your core, the sleek body styles, candy for the eyes, classic and primal.” For those of us with a love, or maybe an obsession, for these rolling pieces of Americana, there is nothing more exciting than finding new places with classic muscle cars for sale, even if we are only looking.

I myself am partial to Novas, Camaros, and GTO’s, and for those of us who love muscle cars, the Internet has opened up a whole new arena for finding classic muscle cars for sale. Before the advent of the Internet, those of us looking to find classic cars to restore devoted out time to the hunt: weeks and months searching local, and sometimes not so local, newspapers for that one special car. Of course, when you are a little obsessed with cars, part of the fun is in the hunt itself, and now with the Internet opening up the entire country right at our fingertips, the hunt is even more fun now. With an entire country full of beautiful cars for sale, it is important to follow a few guidelines. Even though you might feel like a kid in a candy store, you don’t want to act like one.

When you are on the hunt for classic muscle cars for sale on the Internet, it is important to follow a few guidelines, so that the wealth of choices doesn’t overwhelm or frustrate you. First off, it is helpful to know what make, model, and year of car you want – but be flexible also. Have some alternatives in mind; while you can find exactly the car you are looking for, you don’t want to pass up a great deal just because the car is one year older than what you had in mind. Know what condition you want your car to be in, and how far, geographically, you are willing to go for it. If you live in Florida, there is no sense in driving all the way to Montana to pick up a car, when you can probably find a comparable car closer to home. Unless of course it is worth it! It is also helpful to decide beforehand how much you want to spend.

The joy of finding, and then restoring, a beautiful muscle car tops my list of the best things in life. Following these guidelines should make your online hunt for classic muscle cars for sale faster and more enjoyable, letting you restore, and then drive your dream car sooner.

By: Mike Piston

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When it comes to defining the classic or antique car, it can get pretty confusing. It seems that everywhere you look all of the definitions are different. This is a definition that many people run into conflict regarding. A car that one person might consider to be an antique or a classic, might be considered by someone else just to be a piece of garbage. So if you have an older car, you should ultimately see a professional in this field. The age of the car is not enough to make it a classic anymore. There are many other aspects to be considered.

According to many sources, an antique car is any car that was made before the First World War or before the year 1916. That makes most actual antique cars almost impossible to find since not many were made before that war. Production on most models of car was actually stopped because of the war. So anybody with one of these vehicles in their possession has an antique that they should be taking very special care of. In fact, some of these antiques should actually be in a museum. Seeking a second opinion is always recommended when dealing with automotive professionals of any kind.

When it comes to classic cars, the Classic Car Club of America has stated that 1948 is the last year for a car to be considered a classic automobile. A classic car can be either American or foreign but it should have been produced between the years 1925 and 1948. There are many other factors that are involved of course, like make and model as well as certain components like power brakes and other luxury accessories. The Classic Car Club keeps a very tight rein on what cars are allowed to be considered classic.

The definition of a classic car can also vary by state. When it comes to registration and insurance of a classic vehicle, there are certain rules that must be followed. This is why the definition can vary. You should always talk to somebody from the state that you live in if you have a classic car. This way you will know for sure the information you obtain applies to your car because of your location. The year that your car was manufactured also plays a role. There are different tax statuses for different years, so make sure you know what applies to you.

A common mistake made by many people is to assume that cars from the 1960s and the 1970s are classic when in actuality, they are not. These cars are actually considered modern classics which is not at all the same thing as a true classic. This is why you should always speak to a professional when it comes to insuring a car that you are not sure about the classic status of. Classic and antique cars are amazing creations but it can be hard to know the proper definition. Do some research and consult those who know so that you get it right the first time.

By: Levi Quinn

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When one is thinking of buying a classic car, the first question that comes to one’s mind is whether he or she could afford to get it repaired. This is because classic car parts are not easy to find, and one might have to pay a hefty price for even a small part, for a classic car.

Most of the classic car parts which one get from the market fall in the used category. One needs a great deal of effort to locate them, then make sure they will work with one’s car, and finally to negotiate a decent price. Not all mechanics are familiar with classic car parts. There are specialized repair shops for such cars, and one should consult with them before purchasing any classic car part. Some of these parts could cost you a few thousand dollars. Remember, when you are getting your classic car repaired, all of its parts should be carefully stored. There are certain classic car parts, such as steering wheels or brakes, which were made to suit the needs of a different time period. These parts may still be functional, but might not be suitable for today’s world.

And do not forget that classic cars did not come with safety devices, so there is always a chance that someone may steal a valuable car part off of your vintage car. You must take care of that before ordering a new part for your classic car. You can secure the parts of your classic car by speaking with an expert of your make and model.

By: Jason Gluckman

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Isn’t it wonderful to see an old classic vehicle driving down the road?

Collectors of vintage cars as well as the classic cars themselves are a rare and dying breed. Today’s automobiles are just not the same, even if they are trying to make them look the same and take on a retro kind of feel, they are just not in the same as the vintage cars.. the classics.

So, what’s a person to do that wants to get into collecting vintage automobiles? First, let’s look at what makes a car a classic or vintage automobile.

What Are Considered Vintage Automobiles?

The term “vintage” comes from the wine industry, meaning “best of the period, year or age”. When it comes to vintage automobiles, there are many people that consider the period to start at the end of World War I. If you looking for cars that were manufactured between 1916 and 1925, it might be difficult to find specimens to add to your collection because they are rare and might be considered way too pricey for most people.

Classic cars are usually defined as those built after 1925, however some feel the beginning of World War II as the end of the vintage period. So, it really depends on the collector’s opinion as to what is vintage and what is not.

European vs American Automobiles:

There are many vintage and classic automobiles that were manufactured on both sides of the Ocean. For this reason, you will find that some collectors are interested in popular models from the European continent, including Bentley, Porsche or Mercedes Benz.

While there are few people that will dispute the popularity of vintage American models, including the Model T, you need to consider that some people would rather have an American classic, such as the 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Super Sport, in their collection. Personal taste and financial capabilities can determine the automobiles you decide to collect, as well.

Restoration vs Purchase

Restoring classic and vintage automobiles has become a popular past-time, resulting in profitable hobbies for some people that are skillful or able to find those capable of helping them. It isn’t unusual for some collectors to find affordable specimens sitting in old farm pastures or at estate auctions.

Keep in mind, it can be difficult and expensive to find the parts and labor you need to restore a vehicle. There are many examples of restorations that have cost more than already restored automobiles, so enter this area cautiously. The best approach to restoring automobiles is to consider it a hobby- one that can take a considerable amount of time and lots of money, to see a project through to completion.

What To Look For When Purchasing Restored Vehicles:

The vintage automobiles that are already restored should be considered an investment, but like all investments, analyze your choices carefully. Look for the restored automobiles that have original parts and those that are restored to their original state or a considerable amount of value can be lost.

There are price guides available on the most popular vintage automobiles. You can always get an independent appraisal on the vintage automobiles you are most interested in. Car clubs can be a great source of information and a resource to find the cars you are looking for. Don’t be afraid to ask for expert help when you need it.

By: Brett McFall

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There is no arguing in that the muscle cars are an important part of the automobile history in the USA and they have become an icon for the country. Many years have passed since they were firstly manufactured and although most of them have disappeared, we can still see some of the models restored and used as a primary car.

The beauty of such cars is that they look quite different from what a normal car looks nowadays. Each classic car has its own story. It may have been owned by more than ten people over the years and nobody knows how many times it has been repaired.

Some of the new owners are against replacing the old parts of the car or improving it in any way. This is actually a kind of utopia because a 40-year old car would only be a museum item if all the original parts were used. Most of them have been used constantly over the years and they got broken or the engine failed. There are other things you have to keep in mind too.

Roads are considerable more dangerous these days than back in the 70s. A city may have two or three million cars and the highways are often full of automobiles racing with more than 100 miles per hour on any type of weather. Considering this, you may want to upgrade some of the parts especially when specialized companies produce them in concordance with the original design of the car.

One simple but effective thing every muscle car owner car can do is to replace the taillights and front markers with the more effective LED taillights and front lights. These are rather inexpensive and perform much better as the intensity and response time is much better. The design of the car is even improved as these new taillights offer some amazing effects that can make a car stand out of the crowd like the Digitails taillights made by Spaghetti Engineering do.

If the technology existed back then I am sure each Camaro or Firebird would have had one of these exquisite taillights. The exterior and interior aspect remains unchanged and the performance of the car is enhanced.

By: John Frodo

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Not all classic car owners want to restore their classic into its plain original beauty. Some would want to add a little spice to their cool ride, like blazetrails as an addition to their paintjob. Some would prefer a safer ride, with fuel-efficient engines, seatbelts, and airbags.

Customization might bring your classic car’s value down, but if you will have a far more comfortable ride, then it would still be worth it. If you want to do customization on your own, here are 5 excellent tips you should follow.

1. Create a master plan for customization. In restoring a classic, you have an easy guide: the original look and specs of the car. In customizing, you need to have your own guide. Try to draw the final look of your car. If you want flames or skulls on the side, try to have a good visual rendition first, to know if you really want it or not. You won’t want to have a customized paintjob that will end up horrible.

Also, make a list of the things that you will replace. If you want a new engine, look up if other parts need to be replaced too, like the radiator, fuel injections, and others.

2. Don’t overdo the details. Flames and skulls are nice, but a whole lot of them on the car are not. It will simply make your car look like a cheap vehicle owned by a punk. Also, aside from drawing, try to match up the colors. Shocking green could give a nice retro feel, but matching it with purple is a disaster.

3. Make sure that your car remains in balance. If you want to add a supercharger, make sure that the engine can handle it. The stock engine of a first generation Mustang could probably blow up if you supercharge it. Thus, you also need to replace the engine.

And if you are planning to install a monster engine, make sure to upgrade your suspensions too. This is simply to avoid disaster. And just to make sure that your car is in perfect balance, have a mechanic inspect it afterwards.

4. Adding hydraulics is nice, but make sure that it does not ruin the car. Too much bumping and humping would wear down a sweet classic car, and you would not want that. Not only will it depreciate in value, you also need to apply repairs again.

If you are planning some drastic changes, like turning a car into a convertible, consider it thoroughly. These changes are non-reversible, and if you are planning to sell your car later, you might have a difficult time finding buyers.

5. Make sure you add the necessary stuff. If you will add a monster of an engine and a supercharger do not forget to include better seatbelts and airbags. Remember, the point of customizing a classic car is not really to make it look cool, but to make it much safer and comfortable.

The great part about customizing a classic car is that while you do put in much effort, you don’t need to treasure hunt that much for original parts. That means working on your car would be pretty convenient. Add to that the chance to make your car as you really want it. It might bring down the value of your classic car, but sometimes, fulfilling your desire is better than having money.

By: Peter Grizzly

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