Collector Car Values

Before you buy or sell an antique, vintage, or classic vehicle, it’s a good idea to do a little research on collector car values. Collector cars can be worth anything from a few thousand dollars to a million dollars or more.

Details are important when it comes to determining collector car values.

Not every old vehicle is a collector car. Sometimes an old car is just a rusty pile of parts. Ever wonder what makes the difference between a collectible vehicle and just a plain old used car?

There are four main types of vehicles that are appealing to collectors, and there is some overlap between categories.

• Exotic cars: These cars are generally sports cars with high-end price tags and performance statistics that will impress just about anyone.
• Muscle cars: Mostly produced in the 1960s and 1970s, these cars were sold at an affordable price and usually had two doors and a V8 engine.
• Antique cars: These vehicles are at least 25 years old, but the term often refers to cars that are more than 50 years old.
• Vintage cars: Similar to antique cars, vintage cars are often highly-valuable classics. They are at least 25 years old, but many people use “vintage” to refer to automobiles on the younger end of the spectrum.

In order to be a collector item, a car needs to be more than just old or fancy. It also needs to be in reasonable condition, even if that condition is due to restoration work.

• Show condition: Cars in show condition are perfect. They haven’t been restored, and they are either brand new or have probably simply been sitting in storage someplace. These are the most valuable collector cars.
• Excellent condition: In order to be classified as excellent, a collector car needs to be fully restored. Any restoration done must be high quality and accurate, and there can be no rust or damage. This type of car is often extremely valuable.
• Good condition: A car in good condition may still need some minor restoration work. In order to be classified as "good," everything needs to work properly, and any flaws must be easily repairable. This car should require no major restoration or repair work.
• Fair condition: If a car is in fair condition, it may have some mechanical issues. The car must be operable, but it may need work to return it to optimal running condition. There may be rust or damage to the body panels of this vehicle.
• Poor condition: Cars in poor condition may not run at all. They may display significant rust or damage, and it might not be possible to restore these vehicles. They are the least valuable cars, but they do have some some value for parts.

The type of car and condition are not the only factors that influence the value of collector vehicles. In addition, a car needs to be in high demand with collectors.

While the demand for the vehicle should be high, the supply should also be fairly low. Certain exotic vehicles are made in small numbers in order to drive up demand for the car. The most valuable antique and vintage vehicles are also often the most rare.

When you get ready to buy or sell a collector car, you need to know where to look to find out more about its value. These resources can help:

• Looking at recent auction results is a great way to gauge the value of your collector vehicle. Barrett-Jackson provides a list of recent top sales, which can help you get an idea of the worth of your car.
• One of the most comprehensive sources for information about car values, NADA Guides can also help you determine how much your car is worth.
• Looking in car classified ads like those on Hemmings.com can also help your find out more information about collector car values.

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