There is something undeniably classy about owning a car that has a history. Due to the passage of time since the mass production of automobiles began, it is now not that uncommon to see vehicles on the road that first rolled off a forecourt half a century ago or more. A 1960s Chevy Impala or a 70s Jaguar XLS will turn heads wherever it goes, and the use of these classic cars in popular culture has also helped put them on a pedestal for many vehicle owners.
Perhaps due to the large amount of attention devoted to drives like these, there’s been a build-up of nostalgia and mythology around them. And you can probably think of a few things “everybody knows” about classic cars. In truth, a lot of these facts are less factual than people realize, and it is worth knowing what’s real and what’s not, especially if you are considering buying a classic, to bring it back to its former glory or simply for the joy of owning one.
MYTH: The rarer the car, the greater its value
It’s not at all uncommon to pick up an old car and potentially restore it before selling it on, or keeping it as an asset. In many people’s minds, this could best be done by picking a rare vehicle. The fewer of them there are, the more value they’ll have, surely?
Well, not so much, actually. If you’re preparing your garage for a restoration project and researching wholesale detailing supplies with no membership fee, don’t go all out for a 40s Aston Martin DB1 just because it’s rare. Some of the most appealing classic cars were mass produced in an era where car loans had made it easier for the average consumer to buy one. So you may find that a more common car actually matches or surpasses a cult classic in terms of resale price; especially as the former will be easier to find parts for.
MYTH: Miles on the clock = bad news
There’s a prevalent assumption that a car has a set number of miles after which it will simply deteriorate. And this is often reflected in prices. A vehicle that has passed 100,000 miles on the road may well be more affordable from used car sellers than one with 60,000. But the truth of the matter is that a car that has stayed on the road long enough to stack up that kind of mileage is, by definition, a reliable car that was built to last. If it’s hovering around 90,000 miles and still driving fine, there is no reason to believe that in those next 10,000 it’s suddenly going to become a clunker.
As long as it’s been well-maintained and serviced responsibly, a car with a long history may be in better condition than one half its age. Don’t let the numbers put you off.
MYTH: A classic car should not be driven in winter
Let’s get one point out of the way. A classic car may well not be as comfortable to drive in the winter months as one that is more modern – you won’t generally find heated seats and the same level of extras in an older vehicle. However, when it comes to actually driving the car, yes, you should drive it in winter. That’s a much better idea than leaving it fallow once the mercury starts to drop. The components and parts will benefit from being worked through cold weather than just sitting still all that time. You should disconnect the battery when not in use, though, and make sure that antifreeze remains topped up. But yes – have at it, drive that classic. Do you think 1970s motorists left their cars in the garage for the winter?
You really can no more generalize about a classic car than you could about the new generation of vehicles rolling off car lots today. There are reliable and unreliable vehicles, ones which look as good today as they ever did and ones that don’t pass the eyeball test. What matters is whether or not you like the car and whether it meets your needs. If it is a car you want to restore, can you find parts for it? If it’s one you want to drive, does its history indicate that you’ll be able to do that? These are the questions you need to ask, and it’s smart to be cautious of believing the received wisdom, because that’s often just plain wrong.
