AUTO RESTORATION GUIDE. PART 1: CARS AS INVESTMENTS

A practical guide for the novice automobile investor is presented from two points of view concerning automobile collectibility: that of the collector with a genuine interest in the car who wants to make money from his hobby, and that of the dealer/investor who is in the market strictly for profit. The two-tier price system is explained. Investors and dealers tend to exact extremely high prices since the cars will be resold within a short period of time, generally for profit. Collectors, on the other hand, buy and sell at much lower prices. Five suggestions are made for the beginner car investor: purchase only automobiles that you want to own, rather than for profit; purchase a car in good drivable condition; purchase a car which can be restored with the least expenditure of time and money; buy convertibles rather than closed cars and consider coupes, rare closed bodies, "woody" wagons, or special-bodied cars; and never to buy a car just because it is a discontinued model. Cars ranked in order by current market popularity include vintage race cars, Mustangs, Corvettes, Ferraris, Bentleys, and flathead Fords. In making a purchase decision, it is recommended to read everything available on the car in question; to join at least four major old-car clubs; to attend auto shows and auctions; and to enroll in a college course on classic cars. In the past, old cars have headed the list of popular investments. The names and addresses of four recommended old-car clubs are provided, all of which have regional chapters.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00272094
• Corporate Authors:

  Petersen Publishing Company

  8490 Sunset Boulevard
  Los Angeles, CA  United States  90069
• Authors:
  • Gottlieb, R J
• Publication Date: 1980-11

Media Info

• Pagination: 6 p.
• Serial:
  • Motor Trend
  • Volume: 32
  • Issue Number: 11
  • Publisher: Petersen Publishing Company
  • ISSN: 0027-2094

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobile dealers; Automobiles; Convertibles (Automobiles); Investments; Prices; Sports cars
• Uncontrolled Terms: Clubs; Restoration
• Old TRIS Terms: Collectors; Dealers
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00371516
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-030 657
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Mar 31 1983 12:00AM