Having a full blown classic car inspection done, coupled with a certified car appraisal is where you should start if you’re serious about selling your muscle car or antique car in today’s on line market. Buyers typically expect that the one’s selling their own car will reveal the car in a very favorable fashion….to be expected. This process gets worse when you add in a broker that hasn’t really seen and studied the car. Most of those deals fall apart mid flight, due to lack of confidence on the buyers part. If they do end up selling, it’s for a lower dollar than they should have sold for, because smart buyers don’t overpay for a car they are not confident in. The key to success? Earn the buyer’s confidence. Not just through salesmanship, but through honest, accurate depiction. Having the car inspected by an outside, professional 3rd party inspection company will reveal the car’s strengths and weaknesses, and help both parties get down to the truth, which leads to a truthful and favorable outcome for both parties.  Our process includes jacking up the car and test driving it when possible, along with magnet test results, and in some cases video presentations, when personally conducted by the owner. Even if you have some computer skills, the management of a successful selling campaign on line can be a arduous process. Having the time to send out 100’s of photos, over and over to different prospective buyers, teaching them how to link to and or view videos, answer dozens of questions, and continually follow up  with people is what is required. You can utilize the reports and photos that Autoappraise.com will create for you on site to sell your car, or better yet, you can let us step up and handle the whole task for you. We have sold EVERY car that has been consigned to us, through our unique process of thorough accurate depiction. Don’t just take our word for it. Auto Appraise will put you in touch with the actual sellers of the cars we’ve consigned, so you can hear the stories of our success from them….which is really their success. Put the hard work and skills of certified auto appraiser  Jason Phillips to work for you. Please call us to discuss your unique situation. We offer discounted service for car collections. Auto Appraise Inc. is well reviewed in the Classic car field, so check out what our client’s are saying! Call us to discuss your needs. 800-301-3886, or 810-694-2008. M-F, 9am-7pm, Sat 10-2pm, EST.

Technorati Tags: auto appraisal, auto appraiser, buying a used car for sale, Classic car chat, classic car for sale, consignment, muscle car for sale

This 1964 Restored Belvedere 2-dr post  is for sale in Michigan. Inspected by certified classic auto appraiser Jason Phillips,  It’s a high end, very showable car. 440/bored472 C.I. engine, mated to a stock 4 speed, 8.75 rear 3:91 posi, which have all been fully rebuilt (receipts viewed). Resto pics show car stripped down to bare metal. Very clean, all steel original survivor body hand blocked straight and flat. Impressive, right down to  the rocker bottoms and jamb surfaces. Excellent magnetic adhesion all around exterior and underneath. Fully rebuilt suspension front and rear. Collision free, rot free underbody with no patch panels. Nicely restored period interior with great glass and trim all around. Very high quality rebuild/restore on a radio delete car. 17″ American racing wheels in rear, 15″ matched fronts, are like new, mated to Mickey Thompson ET street radials in rear, show virtually no wear. Upgrades away from factory (other than wheels) include the bored 440, MSD/billet distributor, disc brakes and gages. Rest of car looks bone stock.  In today’s dollars, it would cost well over $80,000 to do one up this nice out of a solid survivor body. Car rocks down the road, tracks and brakes nice with plenty of power and aggression in throttle. See videos posted on youtube.com of test drive and walk around. $1800 rebuild on factory 4 speed completed in July 2011. Rear end rebuild done in 2010, engine approximately 2000 miles ago. This owner has spent a lot of money to build a very nice car. We’re asking $45,000.00. 800-301-3886 or 810-691-2664. email cars@autoappraise.com. Request a well written, narrative report, along with over 300 photos completely detailing this car. Feel free to come yourself and drive it, or send your own KNOWLEDGEABLE Mopar inspector.

Update: Thanks for looking, we have sold this car.

Technorati Tags: 1964, auto appraisal, auto appraiser, Belvedere, classic car, for sale, Mopar

1976 Cadillac Eldorado convertible for sale, original documented 6,300 mile survivor. Firethorn red exterior with white leather. 4 hour long comprehensive inspection conducted for the estate on each car (3 Cadillacs in all) with full written detailed report, 300+ photos, video walk around and video test drive. Email our office for links to all of these. cars@autoappraise.com. Report highlights listed below:
PAINT: Original factory applied Firethorn metallic red finish. Digital paint meter measures 2.0-4.5 mils consistent throughout fifty spots tested on vehicle. No amount of aftermarket body filler or paint located. Reflective quality is excellent for original factory applied paint. Large bold print can be read in reflection from 10-12 inches away (common for paint of this era). Small nicks, chips, blemishes or scratches documented; please see photos for area and locations. Paint is otherwise in excellent showable quality condition. Paint inside door jambs and sills is factory original throughout entire vehicle. Underbody paint still presents nicely from factory. Urethane bumper extensions are noted to have typical color fade.
BODY: showable quality, beautiful, original 6,000 mile survivor body. All factory spot welds visible. No repairs ever. Doors close with two finger effort. One small door ping. Paint isn’t broken here, so it could be removed. Stain free white top operates perfectly. Hard parade boot has likely never been used.
FRAME/FLOORS: Excellent original collision-free frame, with no rot or decay visible. Original fuel lines and brake lines installed, with original clips all along frame rails. Original bumper mounts to frame indicate no visible collision or towing damage whatsoever. Floor pans are visibly clean and stout, with original factory paint color still present where original undercoating was once installed. No level of fresh detail or clean-up work has been done underneath vehicle. Some cosmetic oxidation and surface rust buildup on some original non-factory painted parts; see photos. Clean quarter panel splashes and trunk extensions. No active leaking seen on bottom of vehicle, other than some dampness on transmission pan, but no active dripping noted on floors. See photo of floor under vehicle.
BUMPERS AND TRIM: All is very nice, no re-plating required. No missing components.
GLASS, RUBBERS, LENSES: All date coded original Saf-t-plate GM glass. Good motor speed and tight regulators function nice. All original rubbers are free of tears and still supple. No vertical roller scratches.
INTERIOR: No stains, cracks or color fade. Excellent 6000 mile well preserved everything. All options and lights work as designed, except power antenna.
ENGINE/BAY: Original 500 cubic inch starts easily, idles properly. High idle kicks down works as designed. No knocking, ticking, or smoking noted upon startup after long-term cold storage. Oil is clean and full. Engine runs very tight. Engine bay is all original with factory crayon markings on backside of hood, original stampings on alternator, exhaust manifolds, cruise control unit, wiper motor, and original paper tags on brake lines, just to name a few. Once detailed, engine will be of showable quality.
TEST DRIVE-Easy start, good acceleration with no hesitation, Suspension handles well, floats nicely. Tranny shifts well up and down, fluid is clean. Brakes apply smoothly, no pull or pulse. A/C operates, but needs recharge/service. Asking price is $35,000.00. Currently, there is one lower miles comparable car for sale in market for $60,000. This is the lowest miles car available in the market in the mid $30’s price range. An excellent investment grade car described in an honest as is fashion. Request link to report and 300 pics by emailing cars@autoappraise.com. Or, call 800-301-3886. After hours, 810-691-2664.

Update: Thanks for looking, we have sold this client’s car.

Technorati Tags: cadillac, convertible, eldorado, for sale

BODY: Rotisserie frame off- jams are done to a high standard.  Vehicle was completely de-trimmed, disassembled and painted apart.  No evidence of tape lines in jams or anywhere on vehicle.  Bottoms of door shells are visibly solid.  Lip area where skin wraps shell is very clean; see photos.  Magnetic adhesion with bubble magnet was tested around all lower surface areas, and nothing was noted other than a skim coat of filler used sparingly around exterior body to flatten panels.  Body is as straight or straighter than the period in which it was designed. Fitment of door glass to top when closing needs attention.

EXTERIOR: was completely stripped restoration process.  Car is believed to be correct “Torch Red” exterior with “Snow Shoe White” top, code RE.  Base coat/clear coat in application.  All trim was pulled prior to repaint.  Reflective quality is very nice.  Large bold print can be read in the reflection from 15-18 inches away.  Reflection in upper panels mimics reflection in lower panels.  Vehicle is well color sanded and buffed throughout all surfaces. Some visible flaws noted, very nice for driver quality car.

FRAME: was painted correct Chassis Black.  No apparent damage on either end of vehicle.  No jacking damage noted.  Triangular gussets hanging off outside of frame rails all appear solid and stable, with no issues noted (A-).  Floors appear restored and painted body color.  Floor supports, reinforcement, and inner rocker structure are all sound and stable.

GAS TANK: appears to have been removed from vehicle and restored.  All fuel lines, brake lines, etc. appear to have been replaced during restoration.  Exhaust is routed correctly through frame and up through bumper exits.  Overall, a very showable underbody, needing only cosmetic touch ups from sitting 10 years.

CHROME: is in excellent shape. Both bumpers were removed and re-plated and/or replaced with aftermarket units.  Nearly all exterior chrome and trim components were replaced during restoration process. New windshield and seal, with original side and rear lites. Left door glass is in excellent condition other than has a small crack down low in right corner, approximately 2 ½ inches long; see photo. Slight usage scratches in rear and opera lites. No visible delamination noted.

INTERIOR: has been fully restored.  Seat has been re-covered in correct red and white two-tone material.  New Thunderbird floor mats were added over new loop-style carpet. Steering wheel appears to have been restored (A-). Horn chrome and clear stems are in good survivor shape, with mild patina and age noted (B-).  Dash pad, dash face, inc.fish scale, door panels, kick panels, pedal, etc. were all restored/replaced. New 4-way power seat switch is currently hanging out of door and needs to be reattached.  Switch itself appears new.  Power window switch appears new, though window movement binds and both need attention.. Canvas cover behind seat appears new.  New Headliner has wrinkles that still need to be steamed out, but is presentable as-is. (presentation B-)

CHROME WHEELS: New reproduction Kelsey Hayes correct spoke wheels, (A-)

FRONT SUSPENSION: Was completely taken apart.  All steel components were sand blasted and repainted Chassis Black.  All new bushings installed in control arms.  New shocks, replacement springs, new tie rod ends, restored sleeves, restored spindle arms, (B+).

EXHAUST: is a full stainless replacement system.  Stock manifolds were coated, and show only minor age or cosmetic rust.

REAR END:  Housing was restored.  Gear ratio unknown.  Backing plates are dry and free of any leaks, newer springs and shocks.

TRANSMISSION: Manual 3-speed appears to have been rebuilt. Transmission appears to shift without issue.  Clutch feels good. I’d like to see more free-play at top of pedal.

Brake system appears to be fully rebuilt.  restored power brake booster unit, master cylinder, Lines beneath all appear to be replaced.  Per executor of estate, her father did rebuild both front and rear brakes. Car stops nice and straight with good pedal height.

ENGINE: Per VIN code “P”, 292 motor in place. .  Engine components appear to have been completely taken apart.  No overspray noted on intake bolts, exhaust manifold bolts, generator bolts, etc.   No oil leakage noted above or beneath motor.  Some lifter churning can be heard.  Exhaust smells of varnish when running, fuel is old. Recommend pulling valve cover, re-lashing valves and hunting down vacuum leak. More in depth mechanical analysis needed to verify all potential issues.

Engine was removed from bay when vehicle was restored.  Firewall and inner fenders have all been cleaned, sanded, and repainted, and show very nicely.  All hardware was removed, including heater box assembly.  All wiring, suspension, all bolts on firewall, clips, etc. are very clean and look new.  Original Motorcraft replacement belts and period correct clamps/hoses add to nice “showable quality” detail of engine compartment, needs minimal detail or touch up grom sitting around.

Trunk is in excellent condition; fully restored with a new mat present.  Does not appear to have a jack or spare at this time.

SUMMARY: A long term, nice driver quality level of work has occurred. Vehicle is a fully restored frame-off unit that is about 90% ready to go.  Headlights, tail lights, and brake lights all function as designed.  Turn signals operate inside and out, with exception of right front blinker light.  License plate light works.  Courtesy light is inoperable.  Horn functions.  Vacuum wipers operate (slowly).  Heater control cables slide freely, and blower operates as designed.  Radio operates, but “buzzes”; Power windows operate, but very weakly, with a two-hand effort.  Clock is inoperable.  Engine seems to operate well with no noticeable knocks, although some “lifter churning” is present and can be heard. Per executors, their father spent a long time restoring this vehicle, and suffered a stroke the year it was finished.  He passed before ever logging any real miles on it.  Per sellers, vehicle has less than 200 or 300 miles since full restoration. Several small tasks were apparently left undone. Ideally, gas tank needs to be dropped and flushed, as gas that burned smelled like old varnish.  This would likely improve the performance of the vehicle. Power window tracks should be taken apart, cleaned, and adjusted, and or repaired as power windows bind and operate very slowly.  Power seat switch is new, and power seat works in all four directions, but seat switch is not secured to door and needs to be addressed.  Car is a removable hardtop car, with no convertible top installed. Fitment of glass to top will need addressing. Spare and jack appear to be missing, but may well in fact be in garage somewhere. Lifter adjustment and vacuum leak or carb work should be addressed first. Crack in left glass is barely noticeable, but should be replaced.

This truck has an all steel body and fenders, as well as running boards. The body is clean with excellent magnetic adhesion. It’s been in a storage locker for approximately 3 years. Red exterior was professionally applied, and still looks great, minus it’s small usage wounds, chips and oxidation. All the chrome was replaced when done a few years back, but the salt air is eating away at today’s thin aftermarket plating. We have over 200 still photos and will be happy to get those to you for an up close look at what we discovered during this 3 hour long inspection. With a professional level detail and some fresh fuel, it could certainly be enjoyed as it sits.

During the frame off, a GM front sub-frame was added with independent coil overs. Welding looks professionally executed.  The front suspension was upgraded to rack and pinion with power disc brakes. It handles and steers great. The rear end was upgraded to late model GM 10 bolt with standard multi-leaf and drums. Gear ratio is unknown and it’s seems quiet. No leaks seen. All newer shocks. The frame was sandblasted and repainted chassis black, and all new fuel lines, brake lines, clips, gas tank and mounting hardware were used underneath. Hidden power brake booster on rail is accessed through removable door in floor.  New dual exhaust was installed on stock 350 manifolds. Mufflers and some brackets/components underbody are showing surface rust from salt air, see photos. The interior has been restored in a taupe grey paint on dash, seat frame and cab interior. Replacement cardboard headliner is slightly warped but in good condition. Door card inserts look nice and handle chrome looks newer. All new gages with a clean updated underdash wiring and ducts for vintage A/C which blows cool. Seat cover is excellent a seat is firm. Nice aft-mkt. wood steering wheel needs a horn cap. All replacement glass with new seals were installed. All pieces in excellent shape. The box received a new wood planking kit and trim, but boards could stand to be re-varnished, and chrome slats cleaned up with an SOS pad. Orange peel is heavier in insides of box and some scratches noted on tailgate. Underhood the firewall is stock and was repainted exterior color when truck was disassembled. Steel black inner fenders are in good shape but in need of detailing. Rebuilt small block 350 runs great, sporting finned aluminum vette valve covers. Gaskets were recently changed by the current owner.  Some of the brackets need detailing and repainting. Updated aluminum radiator with electric fan works well. The truck seems to run cool. Mild to stock cam noted with nice smooth acceleration. 350 turbo tranny was rebuilt with no performance shift kit noted. Shifts are firm and crisp both up and down. The truck seems to have very nice drivability.   810-691-2664

UPDATE: This truck has been sold, Thanks.

Technorati Tags: chevrolet, classic car

This 1963 Ford T-Bird is a wonderful survivor car. The owner, who recently passed purchased it in 07 for close to $50,000, according to the records.  It has excellent magnetic adhesion all around with visible factory spot welds present everywhere. It’s had one nice repaint in the original medium blue metallic. Paint underhood and inside trunk appears original.  All trim is still very presentable, some with varying grades of patina present, but all very acceptable on a 2-/3+ show-able driver car. The complicated top system has gone through the typical $3000.00+ rebuild of all the solenoids with a replacement canvas that is very nice. This top works flawlessly, see pics. You’ll see in the YouTube test drive linked below that the 390 c.i. engine runs very well and the tranny shifts nicely. The underbody and trunk remain very solid. No patch panels, no repairs, no rot. All is very solid underneath. It could use a good long day’s worth of steam cleaning and paint detailing to the underbody on a hoist, to really make the bottom stand out. All dye holes are clean and uniform on the frame rails, and the spot welds from the rail flanges to the pans are easily seen. It’s obviously a collision free body. Interior is a combo of mostly new vinyl components and carpet, mixed in with well survived original pieces. The whole car presents in a really nice fashion. The previous owner, spent a lot of time and money in upkeep, and it shows. Links are posted below to youtube videos of the car. Autoappraise.com conducted a 3 hour long inspection on this car. We have over 200 photos and a well written detailed narrative report that will soon be viewable on our blog, see link below. The best thing about the car….just get in and drive, it’s ready for summer without delay. We are asking $35,000. 800-301-3886 or 810-691-2664, or email cars@autoappraise.com. http://www.autoappraise.com

Technorati Tags: auto appraiser, classic car, Classic car chat, for sale

The current owner purchased this Corvette in the summer of 75, and it has remained in his garage ever since. It’s original code 74 Dark Red paint is still in very nice shape, and has had some cosmetic repaint work done to repair stone chips a few years back. The code 142 referred to by many as “Silver moon” interior still looks very nice and has survived well. This is rare interior color fior 1975, less than 1000 units of the 38,000+ came equipped this way. Mileage claim is supportable, based on how clean the date coded side glass is, firmness of window regulators, lack of substantial interior wear in driver’s compartment, as well as limited wear showing on pedal rubbers. Left seat bolster wear along with carpet wear are present, and acceptable for this level of mileage. The underbody is very solid, no frame damage or rot ever, easily seen because it has NOT been masked with undercoat.Cosmetic oxidation and surface rust are present, and could certainly clean up and detail out nicely if one so chooses.  Original bonding strips signify no past collision history.  The engine, transmission and rear end have all been verified as “number’s matching” by Jason Phillips, owner of Auto Appraise Inc. The car runs and shifts excellent, has recent tires and updated stainless calipers with newer pads. The stock A/C blows cool and all equipment is in good working order, right down to the ignition buzzer. Comes with original owner paperwork. You’re invited to come and see for yourself or send an appraiser. We have over 50 photos and a detailed narrative report that was written after a 3 hour long inspection and test drive were completed. Contact our office for a password to view report and more pics. http://www.autoappraise.com . e-mail us cars@autoappraise.com. 800-301-3886 Click on the link below to see a walk around video that’s about 2+ minutes long. We are asking $14,900.00.

UPDATE: Thanks for looking, we have sold this client’s car.

Technorati Tags: auto appraisals, auto appraiser, chevrolet, classic car, corvette, numbers matching

This 1963 340 HP Chevrolet Corvette has been meticulously frame off restored over a 3 year period by an experienced Corvette enthusiast. It’s a correct, original red on red roadster with it’s original number’s matching engine, transmission and rear end. Look closely at photos and you will see the real difference when someone spends over $125,000 doing up a rock solid original car. This car is right, down to the correct color fuel line clips. Bonding strips and fiberglass from under are clean and clearly visible.  The restoration has less than 3500 miles of road time logged. It’s truly a beautiful car….as close to a show car as you would want to drive occasionally. From date coded hoses to paint daubs, this is an amazing car. In today’s dollars, it would be difficult to even do this car again due to the lack of  NOS chrome available. Aftermarket parts are just not the same.  Another 200 photos can be studied along with a comprehensive inspection report at http://www.autoappraise.com. You’ll need to email cars@autoappraise.com and ask for a password to additional info. Here’s a shorter version of what’s in the report. Please access and read the report before you call, as I am on the road often and am not always easy to reach. 810-691-2664. We are asking $67,500.00

Casting numbers, casting dates and stampings were located and photographed. BODY TAG: k3 build date, 490m trim, 923A paint. ENGINE: 3787820 casting, F253 julian cast date, F0630RE assembly stamp, with corresponding VIN stamp 3120xxx. Brioche marks are visible on pad surface. Other engine component numbers were documented and can be accessed in report. TRANSMISSION: 3831704 main case, 3788421 scatter shield, vertical flange stamp corresponds to VIN 3120xxx. REAR END: Stamped “CE” code, dated 7 15 63. To summarize, the vin tag is correctly spot welded and the trim tag correctly riveted, and all the numbers above correspond and are correct for this car. Links to youtube.com are posted below, including cold start and test drive. If they don’t connect directly, just copy and paste them into youtube.com.

UPDATE: Thanks for looking, we have sold this client’s car.

Technorati Tags: classic car, corvette, for sale

1970 Plymouth Cuda AAR for sale 44,000 actual miles in Michigan
Stock original number’s matching J code 340 6 pack motor. Stock original A833 numbers matching 4- speed trans with pistol grip. Original Trans Am fender tags, original build sheet. High end repaint in correct code EF8 Ivy Green Metallic. Metallic flow-out is excellent panel by panel. No evidence of tape lines, run, or overspray. Excellent reflective quality where bold print can be read in reflection from 24” away. Correct style matte finish on top of hood, fenders, spoiler, and doors. OEM replacement AAR decal kit. Amazing example of an un-hit, factory survivor original body. Factory spot welds are visible all along lips of door skins where wrapping shell, all along quarter panel seams and door jams, wheel lips, pinch welds, and the like. No replacement sheet metal and no repair panels evident. Digital paint gauge readings were recorded during this report. No evidence of heavy filler content noted anywhere in vehicle. 95% of body has very good magnetic adhesion. Exterior body is super clean and straight, straighter than production period. Doors open and close nicely, with no notable sag. Hinge pins are original. Sill plates appear to be original units, and show no signs of heavy scuffing due to sagging doors. Original fiberglass hood is in excellent condition, due to its straightness and flatness. (note that most fiberglass hoods inspected have a bow in the center created by hood spring tension). This car has never had hood springs installed (although they are included with car). Impressive interior equally well survived in every way, showing practically no casual wear, well supportive of the miles showing. The exceptions are heat cracks in vinyl dash pad, which was ordered to replace, but never installed, and the hidden aftermarket CD player in the glove box, wired to the aftermarket 6×10 speakers mounted in the rear package tray. Steering wheel, dash components, seats, carpets, headliner and door panels are all in excellent condition. Excellent trunk with solid original pan. Spare, jack, mat are present. Underhood area is detailed to showable quality, solid in every way. Factory matched core support stamp, all decals, and stock ignition set up. Except for intake, underhood is bone stock original. Underbody is very solid. No torn dye holes, no crooked rails, all original ribs in floor panels are easily seen. No patches or decay. Original plugs still mounted in lower ¼ panel splashes. This is what garage kept low miles original really looks like. Recent carb work adds to how well it runs. It starts and idles as it should. The clutch feels strong and the brakes stop nice and straight. It’s a lot of fun to drive. We have a full 5 page written report that outlines every detail about the car, as well as nearly 200 pictures. A YouTube test drive video will soon be available to view the car running and driving. We are asking $78,500, and no partial trades are being considered unless you have a late model, very low miles Corvette. Reply to cars@autoappraise.com or link to our website at http://www.autoappraise.com . 810-691-2664. Thanks

UPDATE: Thanks for looking, we have sold this client’s car.

Technorati Tags: 1970 Plymouth Cuda, AAR, classic car, E body, for sale, Mopar, muscle car, numbers matching, Trans AM

In this article, auto appraiser Jason Phillips breaks down the 1-6 “condition numbers” that often get assigned to determine a vehicle’s worth, and the general weakness of this approach in a real attempt to place a proper value.
The first question one should ask would be…”is the car untouched and all original”? From my past experience, it’s very rare when a buyer runs across this situation. This is the easiest situation to assign a single number to a car with equally aged components. Seller’s often unknowingly represent their cars this way, when in fact they have been partially or fully repainted, or modified in some amount they consider not worthy of mentioning. Sometimes, they’re not even aware of previous changes, due to purchasing the car in that condition. Other times alterations are “bolt-ons”, absent the original parts accompanying in the trunk. Sometimes a beautiful exterior re-paint has left the door/trunk jambs in single stage, unattended condition. Sometimes those new base/clear repaints get reacquainted with their old; patina soaked or pitted original bright work. One thing is for certain; other than an untouched, unaltered “barn find”, it’s very difficult to describe most cars with only ONE NUMBER!
After 21 years in the hobby/ workforce, I consider myself a veteran auto appraiser. Appraising and training others to appraise is my full time career. I say this not to establish bragging rights, (though my mother is very proud) but to help establish a foundation of where my opinion comes from. I’ve had the honor of creating an education from inspecting over 6,000 vehicles. Of those, I can count on two hands (O.K., maybe three) the number of actual untouched original vehicles viewed. While a multitude of these appraised cars were close to “bone stock originals” improved upon minimally, the vast majority had at least one exterior repaint, re-covered seats, replacement carpets coupled with some interior paint freshening and re-plated bumpers. The rest fell somewhere between frame up and frame off restored, excluding the “street rods” and “resto-mods”. On cars such as these, it is virtually IMPOSSIBLE to assign just one narrow, categorized number for valuing! To further complicate matters, consider the following; of those touting “frame off” restored, the quality of workmanship varied between that “at home” amateur father and son first project look, all the way up to “House of Kolors” over-restored dialed in to the max beauty look!
If my past experience as an auto appraiser has taught me anything, it really all comes down to this: most cars have a “split personality” regarding value. That is to say varying levels of new and aged improvements made on various components, and the quality level at which said improvements were tastefully executed plays a huge role in determining value. Ill-fitting poorly made Chinese reproduction parts are no substitute for true OEM components and or nicely restored original pieces. Stop signs and home heating duct do a sufficient job of patching holes in a trunk pan, but are not equal to a replacement trunk pan that’s been properly installed. New seat covers and carpet DO NOT equal a restored interior. Neither does spray canned black control arms and coil springs with new yellow shocks installed inside them equate to a rebuilt suspension. And NO, roofing tar does not make a sufficient frame repair, regardless of how smooth you may get it to look over the rust holes!
In summary, breaking down the car by each major section and assigning a number or grade is the way I come to a logical conclusion on placing value. Having a solid basis of knowledge on restoration costs, OEM parts expertise vs. aftermarket parts and their associated value, as well as a good eye for quality workmanship are the key factors you should apply when assessing values on your own. Just for grins, Try numbering your own classic car by section and see what you discover. If you end up with mostly #1’s and #2’s, well then……ask your best car buddy to do it for you again, JUST to be sure you’re not missing the mark or showing any subjective favoritism!

Technorati Tags: auto appraisals, auto appraiser, Classic car chat