How to Get Classic Car Appraisals

A classic car is an exciting investment whether you buy one fully restored or buy one you plan on fixing yourself. Whether you get a 1960s muscle car or a 1940s gangster sedan, a classic car can bring years of enjoyment to your friends and family. When you want to find out the true value of your car, you'll need to receive appraisals from experts who are familiar with classic cars.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Classic car
• Appraiser

1. Contact an experienced appraiser in your area--one who specializes in classic cars. Whether by word of mouth or by looking through the yellow pages, you can find car appraisers who can give you the approximate value of your car.

2. Take your car to a classic car show or exhibition. Major classic car shows almost always have a number of appraisers on hand ready to offer their services to guests.

3. Speak to competing appraisers. Prices for appraisals vary from appraiser to appraiser. Try to find the least expensive appraisal but never sacrifice precision for price. Check both an appraiser's experience and his cost before you make a decision.

4. Begin your search for classic car appraisals online at the NADA website (see Resources below). From the NADA (National Automobile Dealer's Association) website you can access price guides for every make and model of car available.

5. Contact the Auto Appraisal Network through their website (see Resources below). They have one of the most extensive networks of auto appraisers in the nation and a proven track record of fair, accurate appraisals of cars new and old.

Tips & Warnings

• Always get multiple appraisals, particularly for a more rare, more sought after classic car. Multiple opinions from reputable appraisers can give you a great base of value for your car.
• Get preliminary appraisals on your classic car as you restore it. If, for example, you want to use custom parts in the car, then find out what effect those parts will have on its final value.
• Be aware that appraisals, even those conducted by highly experienced professionals, are opinions. In general you can expect to receive monetary compensation for your classic car relative to its appraised value, but someone may still pay considerably more for your car if he wants it badly enough.

Resources

• Car values at NADA.com
• Auto Appraisal from the Auto Appraisal Network