Antique cars are often seen as collectibles, prized possessions, but some drivers prefer to spin around town in an old vintage number. They can catch all the right attention, especially when they’ve been restored or upgraded. If you’ve restored an antique car or are simply looking to sell one you own in fair condition, you can get good money for it from those looking to be seen in it. The following are some helpful hints you can follow to get the most for your antique piece.
Keep in mind – a car only qualifies as an antique if it is over 25 years old. If you are unsure about the age, or even the condition of your vehicle, contact an appraisal professional to come give you a full assessment of your antique. They operate on a standard rating system which specifically caters to antique and vintage vehicles, and they will inspect and rate your cars condition based on this scale. Remember, an “excellent” car is one that has never been driven, but just because yours may have a couple miles on it does not mean it is a junk car. Let the professional tell you how much it is worth.
After you’ve confirmed the age and worth of your vehicle, you can start marketing it to the public. There are many different routes you can take, and different venues will have a different customer to whom you can sell. The most beneficial may be the local antique car clubs in your area. These clubs offer memberships to car owners and enthusiasts, so they will open a lot of doors for you when it comes to potential sales. The Antique Automobile Club of America and The Classic Car Club of America are two common groups, but there are also clubs that cater to specific types of vehicles. Do a little research before you decide.
Once you’re in the club – or even if you aren’t – you can start showing your vehicle at car and antique shows. Many of these clubs organize and host these types of shows all across the country, but you do not necessarily need to be an official member to participate. These shows will bring you in contact with many car enthusiasts and potential customers, so it is definitely worth checking out.
Not interested in the car show? If you want a practically guaranteed sale, hit up a car auction. If your car is in excellent working condition, you can pull in some big money for a vintage collectible. In order to participate, you will need to prove you own the title of the car. You may also have to pay an entrance fee, but that may be irrelevant to you if you know you can get some high bids. As a tip, you should register early to get a good auction time, and make sure you can answer any and all of the potential buyer’s questions. When you know what’s going on under the hood of your antique, the more trustworthy you will appear to the customers.
If an auction is too lucrative to you, you can always place the car in the classifieds. You can use the newspaper or websites, but we recommend catering to the vintage car enthusiast by placing the ad for free on one of any antique car marketplaces you can find online. These sites let you post a picture and description of your car for free, and customers contact you directly so there is no third-party interference. Classifieds are a great place to work with if you have an unfinished restoration or a classic that has seen some miles.
