How the Appraiser Sets a Value to Your Classic Car

When you start to collect classic cars,the first thing that you want to know is how much is it worth, I'm going to cover the process of determining how much a classic car is worth, they look at a lot of factors when they determine how much a car is worth.

When you start to collect classic cars, the first thing that you want to know is how much is it worth, I'm going to cover the process of determining how much a classic car is worth, they look at a lot of factors when they determine how much a car is worth.

First of all the appraiser will appraise the condition of your car, and this is done by inspecting the car for damage, and then it's set to a scale of quality like this 1=Needs Restoration, 2=Medium Condition, 3=Good Condition, 4=Excellent Condition.

The next thing that the appraiser will look for the numbers to match, he'll look at the vin code, the RPO code, paint codes, transmission codes, and all the rest of the numbers on the car to determine if the car has it's original equipment that came with it from the factory.

They will look at how rare the car is, how many of them were built for that year, and all through the rest of the years, obviously is there aren't very many of them built that would raise the value of the car, like for instance a 1969 ZL1 camaro only 69 were built.

If the appraiser is good you will learn a wealth of information about your car, you'll learn things that you couldn't learn any other way, except to buy book and study that cars by the numbers, an appraiser will certify your car to be the real deal, and this is proof for most people.

Usually most people will want to know how much their car is worth at some point, even if it's just so they know if they paid to much for it, it's hard to tell because I've seen a 196 ZL1 camaro go for $880,000 and it look like any other camaro on the outside.

Let me explain the condition scale in detail for you.

1 = Needs Restoration: This is kind of self explanatory, it would mean that your car need to see a restoration shop.

2 = Medium Condition: This is just a step above needs restoration, and could mean that the car is in need of major, or minor mechanical, or body repair work.

3 = Good Condition: This would denote that the car is in good enough condition to drive every day, it needs some minor work to put it in top condition.

4 = Excellent Condition: This should also explain it's self, but I'll tell you just so in case it doesn't, this is a car that needs no work to be perfect in every area, interior; body & paint; mechanical, well you get the idea here, the car is perfect.

Like any other profession this to has it's bad apples, you want to make sure that you get references, and that you check those references before you take the car to get it appraised, if you get it certified by the wrong appraiser you never know if it's right or not.

Make sure that they have been in business as an appraiser for a lot of years, check them out through the BBB and the local chamber of commerce, this will pay huge dived end when your appraisal is complete, and the work is done.

Muscle Car Appraisal