Automotive Parts

An antique car generally refers to cars that are older than 45 years old. This is a rather loose definition and can vary somewhat from state to state. For the purposes of registration, most states will recognize a car older than 20 years old as being antique. For the car enthusiast, finding and buying an antique car can be an exciting and fulfilling hobby. Before you go shopping, make sure you know what you’re looking for. There are a lot of scams out there just waiting for someone to pay top dollar for a car that may not be a great deal after all. Some things to watch out for are:

1. Check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Make sure this number on the vehicle matches the number on the car’s title. The VIN may be located at the base of the windshield, on the driver’s side door sill or in the engine compartment depending upon the model and age of the car.

1. Will you be able to buy replacement parts for the car? This is a valid question, because antique cars need to be maintained and repaired just like any type of vehicle. If you want to maintain the integrity of the word antique, you will want to make sure that parts are replaced with original parts matching the model of your car. Check into how difficult these parts will be to locate, how pricey they will be, and who can do repairs on your type of car.

1. Are full service records available for the car you want to buy? Having access to the service records for your vehicle can go a long way toward knowing the history of the vehicle. They will indicate the maintenance that has been done, what some of the problem areas might be, and what parts are new.

1. Do your research before you head out to purchase an antique auto. Some years of certain models may have experienced chronic problems which were cleared up in subsequent years. Talk to other antique car owners and find out what their experience has been with their antique car purchases. The decision of which car to buy may be determined by whether you are buying the car to drive and enjoy every day, or whether it will mostly be a showpiece.

Now that you are armed with some knowledge and have a good idea about what you want to buy, where do you go looking for a good antique car to buy? Traditionally this was done by visiting car shows, classic car dealers, looking in your local newspaper or buying from people you know. The internet has changed the way that such car buying takes place, by bringing a local antique car marketplace right to your desk top. Now, any car enthusiast can find virtually anything they could dream of buying just at their fingertips by browsing the many hundreds of antique car websites. Buying and driving your antique car is a thrilling ride, and you will feel much better knowing that you did your research before making your big purchase.

Ever watch an old movie and wonder why they do not make certain cars anymore? Like everything else in our world, things are constantly changing and just because something is loved does not mean that manufacturers will continue to produce a good. It’s one of the annoying things that happens as time progresses. But is out with the old and in with the new always a good motto? When it comes to some cars, there are some that we wish were still made in today’s world. This article will explore these cars and discuss what made them great in their time. Don’t expect to see them anytime soon though, unless you are at a classic car show.

One of the most sought after collectible cars would be the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. This car was only produced for a few short years before Chevy discontinued making it. So what makes this car so desirable? This car was ahead of its time in terms of speed. The iconic car could go from zero to 60 in 5.6 seconds which was amazing in the 60s.

Who doesn’t remember what an El Camino looks like? This car is one of a kind. Many try to place this car to certain class levels and demographic stereotypes, but everyone should enjoy this car. The notion behind this original design was to have the utility of a truck but the mindset of a car. Obviously for Chevy this did not work out for very long, but it didn’t stop them from trying to reinvent the wheel and give it a new name. The SSR was another short lived car from Chevy that could presumably be modeled with the El Camino in mind.

Though Ford still makes the Mustang, it looks nothing like the version that appeared in the 60s. Car lovers everywhere can appreciate the beauty that was put into the mustang when it came out in 1964. This car is the one on the list that I would put my vote behind revisiting. You hear that Ford? The classic design just draws people in. I dare you to look at this car and tell me that it is not a beauty. Especially when you think about driving it around town on a gorgeous day with the top down. And yes, while you are driving people are staring because they are jealous!

Another 60s iconic car would be the 1961 Lincoln Continental. Lincolns of today aren’t necessarily known for making their way onto an iconic list but this one did. One of the best features of this car was the center opening, suicide doors. How awesome would it have been to sit in this beauty?

Like we said, these are just a few of the cars that we wish were still made. By that we don’t mean the reinvented version that these cars may have become. No, we mean these cars, as they are, here on this list. The 60s were good to American car manufacturing. Car companies should think about using some of these designs in the future.