Classic Cars

February 23rd, 2009

Just about everyone in the classic car world has heard at least one story about a guy who bought a dream car for a song after it was discovered sitting in a garage, untouched for years and years. Some of the stories are fiction, but there are some true ones out there, too.

If you’ve been lucky enough to come across a barn find and you’re ready to buy, there are few things you’ll want to check into first. Before putting your money down, make sure to:

• Have the car inspected – Unless you really are sure of what you’re looking at, it doesn’t hurt to have the vehicle inspected for authenticity or at least basic functionality. There are companies that specialize in classics.
• Check on the title – Barn finds don’t always have titles that are readily accessible. If this is the case, check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to see what’s involved in getting an untitled classic titled.
• Weigh the basic financials – Just because a car’s been parked for decades doesn’t mean it’s in decent condition. Do weigh the cost of the car versus the anticipated restoration expenses. In some cases, a barn find might seem like a steal versus buying a car in better condition. In others, the numbers might not add up.

Barn and garage finds aren’t unheard of. If you’re lucky enough to come across a real deal, step back and examine the situation carefully before diving in.