{"id":38647,"date":"2025-12-05T11:16:54","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T16:16:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/?p=38647"},"modified":"2025-12-05T11:17:25","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T16:17:25","slug":"7-tips-buying-antique-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/7-tips-buying-antique-car\/","title":{"rendered":"7 tips to follow when buying your antique car!"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a55c2be1a6b3\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a55c2be1a6b3\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/7-tips-buying-antique-car\/#7_tips_to_follow_when_buying_your_antique_car\" >7 tips to follow when buying your antique car!<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/7-tips-buying-antique-car\/#Tip_1_Patience\" >Tip #1: Patience<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/7-tips-buying-antique-car\/#Tip_2_Be_conservative\" >Tip #2: Be conservative<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/7-tips-buying-antique-car\/#Tip_3_The_price\" >Tip #3: The price<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/7-tips-buying-antique-car\/#Tip_4_Find_your_mechanic_before_buying\" >Tip #4: Find your mechanic before buying<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/7-tips-buying-antique-car\/#Tip_5_Inspection_and_questions\" >Tip #5: Inspection and questions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/7-tips-buying-antique-car\/#Tip_6_Choose_your_model_wisely\" >Tip #6: Choose your model wisely<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/7-tips-buying-antique-car\/#Tip_7_Insurance_and_registration_for_antique_cars\" >Tip #7: Insurance and registration for antique cars<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/7-tips-buying-antique-car\/#-Cyn%E2%9C%8C%EF%B8%8F\" >-Cyn\u270c\ufe0f<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/7-tips-buying-antique-car\/#Kenny_U-Pull_the_Cadillac_of_the_%E2%80%9Cscrap_yard%E2%80%9D\" >Kenny U-Pull, the Cadillac of the \u201cscrap yard\u201d<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/7-tips-buying-antique-car\/#Bumper_to_Bumper_x_Chicks_And_Machines_%E2%80%93_multipoint_inspections\" >Bumper to Bumper x Chicks And Machines \u2013 multipoint inspections<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/7-tips-buying-antique-car\/#10_tips_for_safe_Spring_driving\" >10 tips for safe Spring driving<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_tips_to_follow_when_buying_your_antique_car\"><\/span>7 tips to follow when buying your antique car!<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div>\n<p data-start=\"84\" data-end=\"580\">I used to own a 1976 <a href=\"https:\/\/fr.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Westfalia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Westfalia<\/a>, and I want to share some of my experience to help people avoid making the same mistakes I did\u2014because that thing really put me through the wringer!<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"84\" data-end=\"580\">Now, I dream of having an old <strong>Chevrolet K5 Blazer<\/strong>, a <strong>Ford F-100<\/strong>, or a <strong>Chevrolet C-10<\/strong>. But before buying one, I\u2019m going to follow a few tips\u2014tips I <em data-start=\"442\" data-end=\"450\">didn\u2019t<\/em> follow with my orange 1976 Westfalia. And today, I\u2019m sharing those tips with you, to help you shop wisely for your \u201cvintage\u201d car.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"582\" data-end=\"837\">When I decided to take the leap and buy my little dream machine, I was on cloud nine! It\u2019s an exciting project; it was a dream I had nurtured for a long time and I wanted to make it happen quickly. I wasn\u2019t careful enough, which brings me to my first tip\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;38661&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<div>\n<h3 data-start=\"844\" data-end=\"870\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tip_1_Patience\"><\/span><strong data-start=\"848\" data-end=\"868\">Tip #1: Patience<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"871\" data-end=\"1239\">There aren\u2019t necessarily tons of old cars out there, and some models are rarer than others. You need to search thoroughly and, most importantly, go look at several of them. Don\u2019t let your heart take over like I did, and <strong>don\u2019t rush to the first one you see.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"871\" data-end=\"1239\">It can take years. You might drive hundreds of kilometers to find your gem. Keep that in mind and be patient. \u23f3<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;38659&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<div>\n<h3 data-start=\"1246\" data-end=\"1279\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tip_2_Be_conservative\"><\/span><strong data-start=\"1250\" data-end=\"1277\">Tip #2: Be conservative<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1280\" data-end=\"1796\">For your first antique car, it\u2019s best to buy one that <strong>doesn\u2019t need a ton of repairs<\/strong>. Let\u2019s be honest: when you dive into a big restoration project, it\u2019s rarely worth it financially. It takes a lot of time and money. You need a budget, and that budget often doubles quickly. Be aware of that.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1280\" data-end=\"1796\">In many cases\u2014especially if you\u2019re not doing the repairs yourself\u2014it will cost you less to buy a car that needs few or no repairs.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1280\" data-end=\"1796\">Paying more upfront for a high-quality vehicle will often save you money in the long run. \ud83d\udcb2<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;38649&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<div>\n<h3 data-start=\"1803\" data-end=\"1830\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tip_3_The_price\"><\/span><strong data-start=\"1807\" data-end=\"1828\">Tip #3: The price<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1831\" data-end=\"2407\">You have to keep a cool head\u2014which is a challenge in itself, because the world of antique cars is full of passion.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1831\" data-end=\"2407\">Don\u2019t overpay. Don\u2019t get taken advantage of. And <strong>it\u2019s tough to know what an antique car is really worth<\/strong>. It\u2019s not as simple as newer vehicles. The inspection report, the conversations you have with other enthusiasts, the model, the year, the rarity, and the vehicle\u2019s condition are all clues that will help you determine a fair price.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1831\" data-end=\"2407\">Even if some models are rare, that doesn\u2019t necessarily mean they cost more or have increased in value.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1831\" data-end=\"2407\">Do your research!<\/p>\n<p>Organizations like the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vaq.qc.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Quebec Antique Car Club<\/a> or even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.caaquebec.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CAA<\/a> can help you determine a vehicle&#8217;s value. Find a reputable appraiser specializing in this area who can answer your questions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;38663&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<div>\n<h3 data-start=\"2414\" data-end=\"2466\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tip_4_Find_your_mechanic_before_buying\"><\/span><strong data-start=\"2418\" data-end=\"2464\">Tip #4: Find your mechanic <em data-start=\"2447\" data-end=\"2455\">before<\/em> buying<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2467\" data-end=\"2750\">This obviously applies if you\u2019re not doing the repairs yourself. <strong>Not all mechanics want to take on big projects\u2014or have the knowledge to help you properly. \ud83d\udd27<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2467\" data-end=\"2750\">I had a hard time finding someone, especially since my Westfalia (as I later learned) was apparently quite a complex project!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;38657&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<div>\n<h3 data-start=\"2757\" data-end=\"2799\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tip_5_Inspection_and_questions\"><\/span><strong data-start=\"2761\" data-end=\"2797\">Tip #5: Inspection and questions<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2800\" data-end=\"3435\">If you\u2019re not a mechanic at heart, <strong>have the vehicle inspected by a professional<\/strong>. I didn\u2019t, and I regretted it! Don\u2019t judge me! It looked at me with its cute little orange face and I melted\u2026<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2800\" data-end=\"3435\">An inspection will tell you what to expect\u2014unlike me. Some repairs can be extremely expensive: frame damage, perforated body panels, severe mechanical issues.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2800\" data-end=\"3435\">A tip within a tip: stay away from rust. You\u2019re better off dealing with complicated mechanical repairs than with extensive rust.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2800\" data-end=\"3435\">Ask questions, join groups, visit antique car shows, get advice from your mechanic. <strong>Knowing what you\u2019re buying can save you <em data-start=\"3408\" data-end=\"3415\">a lot<\/em> of money.<\/strong> Trust me!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;38651&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<div>\n<h3 data-start=\"3442\" data-end=\"3484\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tip_6_Choose_your_model_wisely\"><\/span><strong data-start=\"3446\" data-end=\"3482\">Tip #6: Choose your model wisely<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3485\" data-end=\"4087\">In my case, it was obvious\u2014I wanted to live the hippie life\u2026<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3485\" data-end=\"4087\">Especially if it\u2019s your first vintage vehicle, don\u2019t go for <strong>something too rare or too old-school<\/strong>. Start with a more classic model; it\u2019s easier to find parts, mechanics, and buyers if you ever want to sell it. You\u2019ll build your knowledge of the hobby and be better prepared for your next purchase, which can then be something a bit more unique.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3485\" data-end=\"4087\">Try to avoid cars with too many modifications; they can hide issues. Also, the more original the car is, the easier it is to resell. Many purists want vehicles that are as original as possible.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;38665&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<div>\n<h3 data-start=\"4094\" data-end=\"4138\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tip_7_Insurance_and_registration_for_antique_cars\"><\/span><strong data-start=\"4098\" data-end=\"4136\">Tip #7: Insurance and registration for antique cars<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"4139\" data-end=\"4680\">Insuring an antique car can sometimes be more difficult.<strong> Take the time to find a company that knows how to handle this type of vehicle<\/strong>. If you have an accident, the damage value is much harder to assess than with a new vehicle, for example.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4139\" data-end=\"4680\">As for registration, a car over 30 years old can get an \u201cantique\u201d plate\u2014but it cannot be driven on roads with speed limits over 70 km\/h. If you don\u2019t want that restriction, you can register your beautiful toy conventionally. But in that case, it must pass a proper inspection at a certified garage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;38667&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; add_caption=&#8221;yes&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221;][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>These are my little tips based on my experience! I\u2019m excited to start shopping again while applying these lessons, so I don\u2019t end up paying more for towing than for gas in a single summer\u2014or find myself stuck in a gas station parking lot fixing my leaking coolant hoses by myself.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve lived through quite a few adventures with my Westfalia! Now I\u2019m ready to finally enjoy an antique car instead of watching it break down on the side of the road!<\/p>\n<h1 class=\"wpb_wrapper\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"-Cyn%E2%9C%8C%EF%B8%8F\"><\/span><em> -Cyn<a href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/author\/cyndi-martin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u270c\ufe0f<\/a><\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_cta h2=&#8221;These articles could also be of interest&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"penci-entry-title entry-title grid-title\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Kenny_U-Pull_the_Cadillac_of_the_%E2%80%9Cscrap_yard%E2%80%9D\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/kenny-u-pull-cadillac-of-scrap-yard\/\">Kenny U-Pull, the Cadillac of the \u201cscrap yard\u201d<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h2 class=\"penci-entry-title entry-title grid-title\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bumper_to_Bumper_x_Chicks_And_Machines_%E2%80%93_multipoint_inspections\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/bumper-bumper-multipoint-inspection\/\">Bumper to Bumper x Chicks And Machines \u2013 multipoint inspections<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h2 class=\"penci-entry-title entry-title grid-title\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_tips_for_safe_Spring_driving\"><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/10-tips-safe-driving\/\">10 tips for safe Spring driving<\/a><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_cta][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] 7 tips to follow when buying your antique car!&hellip;","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":38655,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1764,4421],"tags":[4506,4510,4507,3481,4508,4509,4511],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38647"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/31"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38647"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38647\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38655"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38647"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38647"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38647"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}