How to Evaluate a Classic Car

Classic car restoration is a popular American, as well as International, hobby. Numerous people spend countless hours refurbishing their vehicles for the sake of nostalgia or to sell the car for profit. When buying one of these classics, restored or not, or buying any other used car, there are important facets to evaluate. It is generally recommended to have the classic car appraised by a licensed professional, whether you are buying or selling a vehicle; however many classic enthusiasts will not sell their cars unless the buyer evaluates the car personally. Do you know how to appraise a classic car? Do you know what aspects of the present condition of the car to pay attention to? Learn from an appraisal expert about common problem areas to evaluate, and how to verify and judge the restoration work that has been done to the car.

In this free online video series learn from professional car appraiser and enthusiast Lance Lambert as he teaches how to appraise classic cars, and used cars. Learn how to evaluate a classic car using tips and techniques such as checking the chrome work on the car; inspecting the body, windows, and interior; verifying previous work done to the car; and validating the condition rating of the classic car.

"Hi! I’m Lance Lambert hosting a Vintage Vehicle television show. Something else that I do is appraise special interest in collector automobiles. I have a lot of people ask me about what’s the value, what’s it worth, what is their car worth? Well that’s what I do I do appraisals on automobile, what is an appraisal? Well people need to know what their car is worth, a lot of people have a good idea what it’s worth but they may want to have a search party just interested party’s opinion of the value plus people require appraisals in a lot of situations, insurance, divorce, estate so they want somebody’s opinion other than the car owner that’s when people come to me. And how do I go about doing an appraisal? How do I establish what a car is worth, what a knowledgeable and willing seller will sell their car for knowing that knowledgeable buyer, what’s that number that reading of the mind? Well that’s what I’m going to share with you today, what I have here is kind of an unusual car this is a 1958 Rambler something that you don’t see very often, I’m the proud owner of this car but I’m going to use it today as our subject. First thing you do is you get a lot of information on the car, you want to find out a little of the history, you meet with the client I meet with the client, they let me know why they want the car appraised, some of the history on the car, get a little bit of information and then I start right in on doing the appraisal and what are the steps? Well there’s a lot of different steps, the actual document that you end up with depending on the car’s can be anywhere from 10 to 20 pages long, you have information specifically the car, information about the appraisal process, lots of photographs you be sure to have that with your insurance company or potential buyer in another state want to see this information, they want to have everything right here before them. So I’m going to take you step by step and we’re going to do an appraisal today on this 1958 Rambler America."