by People often dream of owning their favorite classic car, yet few go through with the purchase. Regret and remorse have been the stories of many when that once plentiful car becomes rare and expensive. If you have ever had those ownership dreams, then now might be the right time to take that leap before your dream becomes a nightmare of regret.
1 It Can Be A Sound Investment
There is a hard decision to be made for big purchases around what you want, what you need, and the value of the buy. Thankfully with classics, many of the worries can be laid to rest. Your new weekend cruiser could also be a great investment. According to Hagerty’s most recent trend report, the values of classic and collector cars have been climbing over the last five years. The popular models are getting well into the six-figure range unless you are willing to get a less-than-perfect example. Many of the once less desirable models are growing quickly in value so wait too long and the buy-in might start to sting.
2 There Is An Abundance Of Knowledge To Make The Right Decision
Old school gearheads will remember trying for months or even years to find a secondhand copy of the factory service manual for their personal dream car. Often you would need to seek out scraps of knowledge through experts, car clubs, and swap meets. Those days are over. Accessibility to information has never been better for most classics thanks to YouTube, Facebook groups, forums, and publications like TopSpeed. Finding others just as passionate about their favorite rides has never been easier. Knowing what to look for and the common areas of concern means you can go into the buying process armed with decades of knowledge in just a few days of reading, watching, and connecting with other enthusiasts.
3 There Is A Sense Of Belonging
After the last two years, people’s connections, or lack thereof, have been brought to the forefront after so much time apart for safety. Many are finding that old groups or activities simply don’t exist anymore or that their friends are no longer interested in the same things. With so many clamoring to find new hobbies or new friend groups to relate to, the new-to-you classic car might be just the thing the doctor ordered. Drop by any of the new-generation car shows like Caffeine and Octane or Cars and Coffee, and you will find a departure from the old stand-and-shows of the past. You will meet people excited about nearly any make, model, or style of cars and trucks, even the one you already know you want. These events can be entertainment, networking, or even shopping if you see something you like. Many a friendship has started over a mutual love of a particular vehicle, and buying that classic or collector car is your ticket to join in.
4 No Dearth Of Spare Parts For Classic Cars
Where there used to be only a handful of well-known manufacturers and that was it, now shops like Level 7 Motorsports, FABot, ICT Billet, and many more are making new options available every day to make your new ride your own. Straight-to-consumer sheet metal from companies like Auto Metal Direct means that DIYers can get new body panels or parts without a trip to the scrapyard hoping to find a clean fender or patch panel to cure the rot. All of that means, projects that once were best left to the professionals might now be within the reach of the more fearless. If you have ever wanted to take that step into the unknown and dig into a bigger project, or a rougher starting point, now really is the time.
5 The Rise Of The Restomod Scene
Access to all those parts and know-how has made it easier than ever to have your classic car and drive it too. Garage builders are starting to turn out vehicles that once were only attempted by the biggest and best custom car builders. Just a few decades ago, it would have been absurd to think someone could just order adapters to mate almost any engine and transmission combination you can dream up. Having your muscle car or hotrod handle like modern sports cars, be comfortable as the nicest luxury SUV, and reliable as a Honda Civic really is achievable these days. Take the time to look around, and you will see cars and trucks that appear to be professional restorations but are driven like any showroom new car. A/C? Check. Power everything? Check. Heated seats and Bluetooth stereo? Check and check! It really is time to grab a classic and turn it into your modern daily driver.
6 Quirky Builds Are In!
The need to follow the crowd or stick with what everyone else is doing has really lost its value in the past decade. The world at large has begun to not only accept but embrace the strange. Purple hair? No big deal. Visible tattoos? Totally cool. A deep love for driving Pontiac Fieros? Why not!? The world is changing and so is the auto-enthusiast sphere. Looking to find or build that old Studebaker 4-door to be like your grandfather’s is not just viewed as okay but truly celebrated. Not only can you find love for your restored Dodge A100 truck among its fan base, but you will find car meet-up attendees and even regular folks wanting to come to talk with you about it.
7 There Are Loads Of Project Cars Available
A lot of people scooped up rollers and lesser examples during the height of the Covid-19 lockdowns, all with good intentions to restore, rebuild, or customize to their tastes. Despite all the best planning, many of those are still sitting unfinished. For the savvy buyer, it isn’t hard to find someone’s incomplete project car at rock-bottom prices. A quick search of Bring a Trailer or Facebook Marketplace will find you tens if not hundreds of them, oftentimes being sold for less than the cost of the new parts stuffed in the trunk.
8 A Lot Of Cars Will Soon Become Highly Sought-After Cars
The definition of classic and collector has aged just like you have. While you might think of it as just the stuff you saw everywhere as a kid, the not-so-classics are starting to find their stride. Vehicles like Chevy OBS trucks are just beginning to appreciate, but many can still be found at non-collector car prices that make for a great investment. Look no further than the Fox Body Mustang to see that a not-so-classic can quickly become a high-value hard-to-find gem.
9 You Don’t Have To Take The Plunge Alone
The decision to buy that first pleasure car can feel huge and alienating, but it doesn’t have to be. There are lots of great father-and-son stories about learning to wrench together. Groups of friends have bonded over each buying a car and teaming up to work on them, cruise with them, and share that experience together. Even spouses have been choosing to put their sweat equity into that new weekend cruiser. With the help and camaraderie, now is the time to go a little further out there and tackle a bigger challenge. The rewards will be that much sweeter with someone else to enjoy it.
10 Gone Are The Days When Classic Cars Meant Spending Half The Time In A Garage
It can be daunting to see so many classics needing work, leaving fluids to mark their territory, or just simply parked up in need of repairs. Worry not, all classics mean tons of work. An abundance of websites is starting to open up the pool of vehicles you can choose from. A look through sales sites like eBay or Facebook Marketplace can be a mixed bag. It is hard to find the perfect gem hidden in the sea of “I know what I got” sellers, just adding to the anxiety. Thanks to websites like Bring-a-Trailer and auction sites like Mecum, finding the right classic to take home has never been easier. Loads of choices and access to examples from all over the country really bring the cream to the top, so you can scoop up that already-sorted beauty you have always dreamed of
