“Before You Buy or Restore a Classic Car: 5 Essential Steps Every Collector Should Know”

Thinking of Buying or Restoring a Classic Car? Do This First. 

Whether you’re eyeing a beautiful barn find or planning a full frame-off restoration, doing your research first can save you thousands — or even your entire investment.

A lot can happen to a car over 20, 50, or even 100 years. Without proper background checks, history verification, and valuation, you might end up owning a shiny, expensive piece of metal that’s neither authentic nor desirable in the collector’s market.

Here’s how to protect your time, money, and automotive dreams.

Step 1: Do Your Homework Before the Purchase

This can’t be emphasized enough — start with research.

• Verify the car is real — and actually for sale.
• Gather as much history as possible — ownership records, restoration logs, awards, documents, etc.
• Be wary of counterfeits — many modern builders are very good at making replicas that can fool even seasoned enthusiasts.
• Confirm VIN numbers, body codes, production dates, and original equipment.

🚨 Tip: If you’re investing $50,000 or more, don’t skip this next part…

Step 2: Hire a Professional Appraisal Service

Think about it: You wouldn’t buy a $500,000 house without an inspection, would you? So why gamble with a car that could cost just as much — or more?

A professional appraisal will:

• Evaluate authenticity
• Provide a current market value
• Help during negotiations
• Uncover red flags before it’s too late

 Step 3: Prepare for Negotiation

This is where things get tricky.

• The seller may believe their “rare, one-of-a-kind collector car” should command six figures.
• The buyer might’ve seen dozens of similar models online for less — with fewer paint chips.

The truth? The classic car market is volatile, influenced by everything from auctions to Instagram trends. Even professional appraisals can be impacted by these shifts.

🔑 Advice: Know your upper limit, be flexible, and stay grounded in reality.

Step 4: Restoring a Classic? Know the End Game.

Planning to restore a classic? Great! But again — start with research.

• Get an estimated post-restoration value from trusted sources.
• Understand the cost of OEM parts vs aftermarket.
• Be realistic about return on investment — restoring a car is usually a passion project, not a guaranteed profit maker.

 Step 5: Insure It — Yes, Even If It’s Just a Project

Many new buyers forget this step: get classic car insurance in place immediately, even if the vehicle is non-running.

We highly recommend Hagerty Classic Car Insurance, a leader in vintage and collector car coverage. They understand the nuances of value, rarity, and restoration projects better than anyone in the business.

🔄 In Summary: Classic Car Buying & Restoring Checklist

✅ Do thorough research

✅ Verify authenticity and ownership history

✅ Hire a professional appraisal or broker

✅ Know the market and be flexible during negotiations

✅ If restoring, estimate value upon completion

✅ Always insure your investment — even during a restoration

🚘 Ready to Buy, Restore, or Learn More?

At All About Detail, we live and breathe classic cars. Whether you’re chasing your first collector car or adding to your fleet, we’re here to guide, support, and share our expertise.

Recently on facebook I found this picture of a project car, just finished up and was out on it shake down run. No Insurance!

Before the Fire

On Fire

After the Fire

We recommend: Research, Research, Reasearch and Insurance.

   

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Do you love Classic Cars like we love Classic Cars? If you do please join us at All About Detail. 

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Here are a few of OUR TOP PICKS car care products available on 

Our Amazon Store 

View "how to" videos and our list of recommended car care products

Restore. Protect. Admire.

Your classic or exotic car deserves showroom-quality shine—from the comfort of your own garage.

******

As an Amazon Associate

It’s great to have you here at my website enjoying the insightful  articles, the stunning car photos, and the helpful car detailing tips. 

Here’s the cool part: When you shop through my blog’s Amazon links — whether it’s for my recommendations or anything else you need — Amazon sends a small commission my way at no extra cost to you. You’ll still get the same great prices, any current discounts, and all of your usual reward points. It’s truly for you just another door so to speak to go to your online Amazon account. 

Every purchase you make through my site helps cover the costs of creating and maintaining the blog — and keeps this community rolling.

So come by, enjoy the cars, explore the gear, and if you’re planning an Amazon purchase on any sort, start from my site. It’s a small click that makes a big difference.

Thanks for the support and happy driving! 

“Historic Cars, Massive Impact: How Classic Car Culture Drives a $1 Trillion Economy”

At All About Detail LLC, we’ve always known that the classic car world is more than just a hobby,  it’s a vibrant culture and a booming industry. Whether you’re restoring a ’67 Mustang or cruising in a vintage Porsche, every enthusiast contributes to a powerful economic engine. Back in 2010, the Historic Vehicle Association (HVA) conducted a groundbreaking study to put hard numbers to what many of us already felt: this passion fuels jobs, events, and billions in economic activity across the U.S. and Canada.

Now, over a decade later, new research shows that the classic car community has grown beyond all expectations in size, influence, and market value. Let’s take a look at how far we’ve come.

Posted on Monday Jan 24, 2011 - 21:15

In 2010, the Historic Vehicle Association commissioned a landmark study into the behaviors and economic impacts of the historic vehicle community in the United States and Canada.

Everybody involved in the hobby knows that historic vehicle enthusiasts contribute greatly to the economy. But until now, no one could accurately tell you just how much.

Here’s a quick look at some of the key findings.

The ability to measure the economic impact associated with buying, restoring, and maintaining historic and collector vehicles provides a powerfully tool for persuading regulators and policy makers.

HVA’s economic impact study—the first comprehensive economic study of the U.S. and Canadian historic vehicle communities—was completed by Avenue ISR, a Michigan based research consulting firm with extensive experience in the historic-vehicle movement.

Research findings are based on survey data collected from more than 13,000 historic vehicle owners, enthusiasts, and representatives of businesses who serve this vast community.

Key findings are as follows:

• There are estimated 2.75 million historic vehicle owners in the United States and Canada (2.5 million in the U.S. and 250,000 in Canada), each who own an average of 2.0 vehicles. The number of historic vehicles in Canada and the U.S. is estimated to be 5.5 million.
• The average value of a historic vehicle is $25,000.
• Average annual spending (repairs, maintenance, storage, etc.) of each historic vehicle enthusiast is $12,500. Applying this figure to the 2.75 million historic vehicle owners in Canada and the United States reveals total spending of nearly $35 billion in 2009.
• More than 80 percent of participants indicated that they attended one or more historic vehicle events in 2009.
• Enthusiasts spent an average of 18 hours per month in 2009 watching TV, reading books and magazines, and reading online content related to historic vehicles.
• The average historic vehicle was driven just 484 miles in 2009 and the majority are driven 300 miles or less.

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Today per Google AI search: 

Historic car owners in the U.S. typically own vehicles that are at least 25 years old and often participate in clubs and events celebrating automotive history, such as the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) and the Historic Vehicle Association (HVA). These organizations help promote the cultural significance of classic cars and provide resources for enthusiasts. Wikipedia aaca.org

Overview of Historic Car Ownership in the U.S.

Definition of Historic Cars

In the United States, a historic car is generally defined as a vehicle that is at least 20 to 25 years old, depending on state regulations. These vehicles often hold significant cultural or historical value and are typically preserved or restored rather than scrapped.

Organizations Supporting Historic Car Owners

Several organizations cater to historic car enthusiasts:

ORGANIZATION	FOCUS AREA	MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Historic Vehicle Association (HVA)	Promotes cultural significance and documents historic vehicles	National Historic Vehicle Register, educational programs
Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA)	Celebrates cars 25 years and older	Events, extensive automotive library, community support

Demographics of Historic Car Owners

• Average Age: 56 years
• Average Household Income: $144,000
• Enthusiast Statistics:
  • 34% are retired
  • 22% have children under 18
  • 58% enjoy driving for fun
  • 46% appreciate the visual appeal of their cars

Market Trends

The collector car market has seen significant growth, with around 43 million vehicles classified as collector cars in the U.S. This market is valued at approximately $1 trillion. Younger generations, including Millennials and Gen-Z, are increasingly driving this growth, with many acquiring their first collector vehicles in recent years.

Events and Community Engagement

Historic car owners often participate in various events, including local car shows and rallies. These gatherings provide opportunities for enthusiasts to connect, share knowledge, and celebrate their passion for vintage automobiles.

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What started as a beloved pastime for a niche group of enthusiasts has evolved into a powerhouse market — with over 43 million collector cars and an estimated value of $1 trillion in the U.S. alone. This community, once viewed as a retro hobby, now spans generations and fuels an entire ecosystem of businesses, events, and cultural preservation.

At All About Detail LLC, we’re proud to be part of this movement. We don’t just detail cars — we preserve rolling pieces of history. As highlighted in our article, posted 1/22/2011,  “An Article for Classic Car Women”, this isn’t just a boys’ club anymore — it’s a global celebration of passion, craftsmanship, and legacy.

Here’s to driving history forward — one polished fender at a time.

*****

Here are a few of OUR TOP PICKS car care products available on 

Our Amazon Store 

View "how to" videos and our list of recommended car care products

Restore. Protect. Admire.

Your classic or exotic car deserves showroom-quality shine—from the comfort of your own garage.

******

As an Amazon Associate

It’s great to have you here at my website enjoying the insightful  articles, the stunning car photos, and the helpful car detailing tips. 

Here’s the cool part: When you shop through my blog’s Amazon links — whether it’s for my recommendations or anything else you need — Amazon sends a small commission my way at no extra cost to you. You’ll still get the same great prices, any current discounts, and all of your usual reward points. It’s truly for you just another door so to speak to go to your online Amazon account. 

Every purchase you make through my site helps cover the costs of creating and maintaining the blog — and keeps this community rolling.

So come by, enjoy the cars, explore the gear, and if you’re planning an Amazon purchase on any sort, start from my site. It’s a small click that makes a big difference.

Thanks for the support and happy driving!