Buying an old car

[KTrain]

My wife and I are considering buying an old car. 50s or 60s. Chevy. Plymouth. We're looking for something that has already been restored and but also something I could learn to work on myself.

I'm really a novice when it comes to cars so I'm not sure what I should be looking for when I take a look at the cars. Any advice for a first time vintage car buyer?

[normtwofinger]

Not an expert, but I would certainly look for rust, especially the underside and frame. Also look for leaks, unless already restored, it's bound to have some.

[zamler]

My advice, bring along a disinterested party that is also a car expert. If you don't, you will probably be in for disappointment and end up with a sub standard vehicle. There are so many shoddy restorations out there it is unbelievable.

[Table 5]

I would scout out the internet first before you even look at cars in person....there's bound to be an internet forum for your particular car (or at least a classic car forum) where someone has gone through the same experience, or can offer pointed advice.

I remember shopping for an older car (though not quite as old as yours!) and it was crazy how much info there was. Buying guides, etc.

[Sliver]

What's the appeal, may I ask? I had an '87 and found that to be a pain to maintain and it only had 12,000 kms on it. For me cars are about driving. With any old car you'll spend a lot of time just trying to keep it on the road. IDK, I just wouldn't find that fun. Plus the antiquated safety systems are a real turn off.

They do look cool, though!

[Northendzone]

My first car was a 69 cougar that was in decent shape, I wanted to keep it and restore it. However after paying $50 (in 1984) for two marker lights, I decided that I was not rich enough, or mechanically inclined enough to partake in this hobby.

My thoughts would be, if you buy something that is somewhat restored, have it appraised and inspected by someone. At least you know what you are getting.

Search the net to get a sense of what parts are available and the cost of the parts.

Maybe scout out a show and shine and see if you can connect with someone who has a similar rig to what you are looking at.

And I would think lastly, get ready to give up your garage to this project.

[burn_this_city]

Unless you're super passionate about a specific car, I wouldn't venture down that rabbit hole. Like others have said, they are more work than it's worth. If you're not overly mechanically inclined it will be an expensive possesion. Parts can be difficult to come across and quit often they need TLC themselves before you can use them. Old vehicles tend to be tempermental and if you don't use them just right things break.

I had a 73 Jimmy with a removable top, it was a sweet looking machine but a complete money pit. It had an electrical issue I never sorted out and quite often wouldn't start for days on end and then magically would fire to life. It was also the slowest and biggest gas pig on the road.

[KTrain]

Thanks everyone for the advice. It's been something I've wanted to get into for a while. I'm going to pick one or two models and really focus my attention on them. Get some advice from someone with experience with those models.

[DownhillGoat]

What about taking a look at Barret Jackson? It may run you a bit more but at least you know what you're getting and have full documentation of the restore.

The shoddy restore jobs around here are unbelievable. I've seen way too many tinfoil and bondo jobs.

[Jacks]

You'll rarely get your money back if you restore an old car. If you are staying stock it's better to buy one that's already restored unless you want to make a custom. I've got about 20K more sunk into a project than I'll ever get our of it but it is unique. There are a few big auctions every year around here, one in Okotoks, one at the Grey Eagle (I think) and one that Frank Sisson holds. It's also useful to join a club, you don't have to have a car to join most of them, the members can probably give good advice.

[speede5]

Take advantage of the bad economy down south and find a fully done classic with lots of documentation and get at it. An all original/restored to original 60's car is as simple as it gets. They are way cheaper to maintain then modern cars with all the gadgetry and electronics. This is only goingto come out on weekends I assume so of you get a good car to start you'll probably have hardly any trouble. Try and find a car that was restored several years ago. If the paint is still good you aren't getting a bondo bucket. A poor job will usually show through in 2-5 years. A car that's been appraised is good because someone with some smarts had vetted the pedigree of the car and you know what it's value is.

My dream cars a 69 camaro and with the new camaros out it makes for an interessting decision. I could have my dream car for the same price as a loaded 12. Reliability, warranty, comfort, but that new car will be worth nothing in ten years and a 69 should be worth more. But a classic is a pain, you can't leave it just anywhere. I have a friend who has had people follow him home more than once in his 69, The emblems have been stolen right in a restaurant parking lot in the middle of the day. Anyway they aren't daily drivers for sure.

There are lots of clones of high dollar cars out there too, which is a cheap way to get a nice looking classic , and if something happens to it you aren't going to be losing something you can't replace.

Make sure you get insurance that will cover the appraised value and keep the appraisal up to date.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Sliver

What's the appeal, may I ask? I had an '87 and found that to be a pain to maintain and it only had 12,000 kms on it. For me cars are about driving. With any old car you'll spend a lot of time just trying to keep it on the road. IDK, I just wouldn't find that fun. Plus the antiquated safety systems are a real turn off.

They do look cool, though!

Oh come on. Everyone knows the best cars and women were made in the 60's.

[keratosis]

Still miss my 1960 Catalina.
God what a boat!

[normtwofinger]

I miss my 76 Valiant. Could fit 8 people comfortably(4 front, 4 back, all bench seating). The thing sat for 4 days in -40 without being plugged in and fired up on the first try.

[Sliver]

Any action on this, KTrain?

[KTrain]

I took a look at and drove a '52 Plymouth Cambridge. It was a great looking car and drove great too. Wasn't confident in my ability to maintain it as it was going to need some work in the future.

I'm going to keep looking though.

[homestand]

I recently bought

August 2010 - 1962 Acadian Beaumont Convertible
May 2011 - 1968 Chevy Corvair Monza Convertible

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...=86285&page=11

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by KTrain

I took a look at and drove a '52 Plymouth Cambridge. It was a great looking car and drove great too. Wasn't confident in my ability to maintain it as it was going to need some work in the future.

I'm going to keep looking though.

Wow I didn't even know what that was until I looked it up. Very neat.

[Derek Sutton]

My Ma and Pa have two cars for sale, both in great shape and ready show, they could use some work as well.

1) '37 Chev $25k or so

2) '42 Plymouth $20 or so

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Wow I didn't even know what that was until I looked it up. Very neat.

This is the one I took a look at if anyone else is interested. It looks cool and drives great but would be better for someone more mechanically inclined:



http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehi...AdIdZ400038599