Buying a classic car involves evaluating factors unique to vintage cars, such as manufacturer, rarity, and condition. Kelley, NADA, and Manheim Gold offer classic car values through print or online resources. It’s important to know market value and condition to make an informed purchase.
The classic car market can be difficult to navigate. It differs from the new car market and even the used car market, mainly due to very specific factors that are unique to vintage cars. Buying a classic car involves evaluating such things as the manufacturer, the rarity of the particular model, the condition of the vehicle, and whether or not it is a collector’s item. For example, a 1948 Volkswagen Beetle 1100 in good condition currently has a higher value, at $7,000 US Dollars (USD), than a 1948 Chrysler New Yorker four-door sedan in excellent condition that is valued at $6,000 USD. With such wide variations in price and no apparent rhyme or reason, vintage car shopping can be quite confusing.
There are three main companies that offer classic car values. Kelley, NADA, and Manheim Gold offer shoppers the purchase of resources online, in print, or both.
Kelley – Kelley’s Early Model Guide lists vintage car values according to the vehicles’ condition: fair, good, and excellent. It is available in two issues a year, one in January and the other in July. There are also regional editions so that the current classic car market is properly reflected. Kelley’s Guide to Early Models is available for print purchase only, there is no online version.
NOTHING: The NOTHING Guide doesn’t necessarily specialize in classic cars, but it does offer values on vintage cars like used vehicles. NOTHING powers an online tool that is free to use. Although the values are returned as retail low, average, and high, they are fairly consistent with other, more specific automotive blue book guides.
Manheim Gold: Manheim Gold has a super easy to use online tool that offers detailed values of classic blue car books. It is laid out similarly to other blue books. Classic car values are listed as fair, good, excellent, and demonstrative. Users can access cars by make or by year.
When buying a classic car, it is vital to know the market value before making a purchase. It is also beneficial to have the ability to view prices based on the condition of the vehicle. If a car is purchased in good condition, the buyer can see what they could possibly get for the car if they were to restore it to excellent or show it in condition. This way, they can see the possible return they could get on the vehicle before they hand over the money. In this, or any other market, it is advisable to approach as well-informed a purchase as possible.
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