KEY POINTS:
If you're shopping for classic and vintage cars, the local newspaper is not the place to look. There are several auction companies that stage regular classic-car auction events around the country, one of them is Turners Auctions.
When you do find a potential car, take care. As in buying any used car, buying an old car is a risk. Determine a fair value, check on the car's value in its present condition and double check with another source if possible.
Check for clubs that take special interest in the model. This will provide some assurance of the car's status and collectibility, and it will also give you contacts for sourcing hard-to-find replacement parts.
Check for obvious alterations or flaws. If any significant components of the car have been altered or replaced with different ones, or if body panels don't meet properly, pass the car up, even if it's extremely cheap. Shoddy body repair work or a poor paint job indicates that the last owner cut corners on a restoration.
Have the car checked. It is extremely worthwhile to have the car checked out by an experienced classic-car appraiser. Sometimes, only the experts will be able to tell a poor restoration from a good one.
Once the car has been purchased, ensure there is a place to properly store the car. Make sure you have a secure place that's warm and dry. Ordinary home garages often suffer from moisture build-up, so make sure you have adequate ventilation. Sometimes, local car clubs arrange for group car storage in dust-free, dry environments at reasonable rates.
Insure your investment. Remember that you need to arrange for full-coverage insurance, valued for what the car is worth.
Be prepared for repair bills and maintenance. Routine repairs can be costly, especially on some older European cars. Ask the experts, or your local car club, what the weak design points are on the car, and also which parts are especially hard to find.
Restoring, or just keeping, an old car can be taxing on personal time and the wallet. If you find yourself not having enough time in your schedule for family time and social obligations, don't buy it. If you have enough spare time and money, having an old car can be a relaxing and fulfilling hobby. If you don't think you're ready for a big investment but have the garage space, start with something less risky but fun, along the lines of some cars on offer at the Turners Auction this weekend, November 3, 2pm.
And one final point - don't plan to make money on the car, because you probably won't. Buy to have fun.
1996 TVR GRIFFITH 500
This car looks like it has had a complete body-off overhaul along with major suspension improvements which have improved the handling as well as subtle cosmetic upgrades. Few modern-era sports cars have gained such cult status as the Griffith, let alone started appreciating in value so quickly. This model Griffith is generally known as the 500, where as earlier models were known as the 200 and the 400. Like its forerunners, the 500 is a lightweight fibreglass-bodied, two-door, two-seater convertible powered by a substantial V8.
1968 PORSCHE 911
An iconic car in red with black trim and Racepro bucket seats. The car has been fitted with a body kit in K&N racing-series style and has had thousands spent on getting it to this condition. It has been fitted with a later-model 2.4 engine giving it power to spare. This car looks the part and would make a great club racer or a major weekend toy.
1929 WILLYS WHIPPET
Willys was the brand name used by the United States Automobile Company.
Willys-Overland Motors, the company's full name, was best known for its production of military and civilian jeeps during the 20th century. In 1926, production of the Overlander was ended and was replaced by the Whippet. This vehicle combines speed with comfortable riding. This example is a nice-looking car in two-tone blue with grey trim. A major restoration was completed in the late'70s. The last owner had the car for five years and the owner before for 30 years. The car has always been garaged and well maintained. Many spare parts.
1969 ROVER P5 B
The Rover P5 series (commonly called 3-litre and 3.5-litre due to engine displacement) was a group of large European saloon and coupe cars produced from 1958 through to 1973. Some times called the "middle-class Rolls-Royce", the P5 was extremely popular with UK government officials. Even the Queen is said to have favoured driving her P5. The example here is very tidy in maroon with tan trim. The last owner has travelled the country in the car and has always maintained and serviced the vehicle.
1972 FORD FAIRLANE
Iconic in Australia and collectable around the world, this is a great, desirable vehicle. Fitted with the 302 Windsor V8, it is the pick of the Fairlanes. Bronze with tidy brown trim, it's straight from the 1970s and becoming hard to find in this condition.
For more information: Turners auction, corner Penrose and Leonard roads, Penrose, Auckland. Phone: 09 525 1920 Fax: 09 580 9812. www.turners.co.nz
