Whether you've only recently taken the plunge into the classic car world or you're an old-timer searching for that one car you've always wanted, there…{"id":3916,"date":"2013-07-29T14:00:44","date_gmt":"2013-07-29T21:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/?p=3916"},"modified":"2013-07-29T14:00:44","modified_gmt":"2013-07-29T21:00:44","slug":"purchasing-a-classic-car-is-it-the-real-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pomonaswapmeet.com\/blog\/2013\/07\/29\/purchasing-a-classic-car-is-it-the-real-deal\/","title":{"rendered":"Purchasing a Classic Car: Is it the Real Deal?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Whether you’ve only recently taken the plunge into the classic car world or you’re an old-timer searching for that one car you’ve always wanted, there are thousands of gleaming beauties on show and for sale, parked under the California sun, at the Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show<\/a>.\u00a0 But how do you know if the vehicle you are purchasing is the real deal?\u00a0 Modification, customization, and restoration have been a part of the car world since the first Ford Model T rolled off the assembly line in 1908. \u00a0Over time, some classic cars\u00a0have become much more valuable than others. \u00a0Especially valuable are \u00a0the rare and elite counterparts to the common production models.<\/p>\n

But how do you tell if that 1967 GT 500 sitting in front of you is a good purchase?\u00a0 Stories abound of enthusiasts getting a great deal, only to discover that their great deal was actually a great swindle and that their car is worth less than half of what they actually paid.\u00a0 They may still have a great car that looks good and runs well, but it just wasn’t what they were looking for.<\/p>\n

Clone cars, resto-mods, and unique-engineered vehicles all have one thing in common – they simply aren’t the same as the true-blue items.\u00a0 That 1972 Camaro Z28 may be an awesome machine, but the 1974 Corvette engine the previous owner dropped into it, after he blew up the original, just doesn’t have the same charm.\u00a0 Don’t walk into a deal not knowing everything you can about the type of car you want to buy.\u00a0 It can be difficult to inspect VIN’s with others milling around, but by simply understanding the VIN<\/a>,you gain crucial information needed to know if a car is all original.\u00a0 Other hallmarks are mismatched parts or a selling price that seems too good to be true.\u00a0 Talk to the seller, ask probing questions about the car’s history and any changes that have been made to the vehicle. It’s a good idea to take someone with you, who has some knowledge of the type of vehicle you are checking out. An extra set of eyes can be invaluable when looking over a vehicle.<\/p>\n

And don’t forget that sometimes all-original just is not what you’re actually looking for.\u00a0 Often, the original equipment is not as exciting as the performance parts or added amenities that have been added to a vehicle. New interiors can be much more comfortable and convenient than the original. It’s just a good idea to know what you want and to know what you’re actually getting. Sometimes original paint still looks great, but there can be advantages in new paint technology. After all, someone is probably going to fix up that rusty Trans-Am, why can’t it be you?<\/p>\n