Convertible cars are not a new thing! In 1922 Ben P. Ellerbeck constructed the first convertible car. Unfortunately it never went into the production and was a DIY project. Even nowadays DIY projects are great to get a special and unique car. Please check out our instruction “How tomake a convertible car”. I definitely takes a lot of time and effort to get it ready, but it’s more than worth it when you feel the wind in your hair.

The 402 Éclipse Décapotable of 1935 was the first one which was released for public, but because of the war it didn’t got as much attention as it would have deserved.

Via: RepairLoader

If you are a regular classic car driver you have to face with the same problems like any other driver: Driving a car can be dangerous if you aren’t careful. You have to keep in mind that you can suffer on many distractions while driving. Did you know that 6.000 deaths and 500.000 injuries were caused in the US because of various distractions while driving? When you check out the following graphic you will realize the biggest problems and hopefully are able to avoid them.

Via: IFA Auto Insurance

When you are shopping for a classic car, the same rules that apply to buying new vehicles do not apply. If you are not prepared for the experience, you may end up spending too much money. There is no point in buying a classic car is you can only enjoy it in your driveway. As a first time buyer, you need to do your research so that you have an arsenal of knowledge when you are making an offer. Here are some valuable tips you must consider before buying your new collector car:

Set Your Budget Before You Start Shopping

You always need to have a budget in mind before you start browsing collector cars that are listed for sale. If you do not set a budget, you can easily spend $50,000 or more on a rare classic in excellent condition. What makes buying classic cars difficult is that more buyers are shopping on a limited budget. Write down your budget, consider how much you may have to spend to restore the vehicle, and stick with your budget.

Decide Which Classic Car You Want

Which car do you want?

If you have a passion for classic cars, you should have an idea of which make and model you want to buy. As a child, you always dreamed of owning that European classic that your father took you for a joyride in. If that is the car of your dreams, you are one step closer to finding it. If you have no clue what type of car you want, consider going to a classic car show. You can see models in person, ask the owners about potential problems, and make your search easier. This step may be difficult for indecisive car buyers but you must decide on a model before you can start test driving vehicles.

Do You Need a Fully Restored Car?

You have to consider your reason for getting a classic car before you make a purchase. If you will be competing in classic car shows, you are going to want a vehicle that can compete. Because of this, you should lean towards investing in a model that has been well-maintained and fully restored. Restoring the vehicle on your own can be very expensive if you are not mechanically inclined. If you plan on showing off the car on the weekends, full restorations are not extremely important.

Inspecting the Classic Car Before You Make an Offer

You will need to inspect a classic car before you make any type of offer. Inspecting a classic car is a bit more involved than inspecting a modern vehicle because these cars do not have computers that can easily be scanned to detect mechanical problems. If you know what to look for, inspecting the car does not have to be difficult. Use a 90-point checklist and make sure you do not let the outward appearance of the vehicle fool you. Here are some of the areas that should be inspected:

1. Ask for documentation on the vehicle.
2. Start the car and rev the engine to see if it runs hot or makes noises.
3. Take the car for a test drive. On the test drive, make sure the car shifts smoothly. Also see how responsive acceleration and brakes are.
4. Inspect the exterior of the vehicle, especially for rust.
5. Check the electrical system.
6. Inspect the interior.
7. Inspect under the hood.
8. Check the tires and rubber parts.

If you are not sure what you are doing, it is best to bring an experienced mechanic.

Now that you know what to do when you are on the mission to buy a classic car, it is time to start your search. Make sure you go to your test drive appointment with knowledge about the condition rating system in hand, and use this rating system to your advantage so that you can bargain.

Finding a good auto technician is possible, but it will take some time. Auto mechanics have an unfortunate reputation of being difficult to work with as many people have reported that they had been ripped off or mistreated. A lot of these cases are legitimate, but that does not have to be the case for you. Here is what you can do to find a good technician.

Ask for recommendations from friends and family

One of the best places to find some good recommendations to ask your friends and family members if they know of anyone. Asking them is more likely to give you honest perceptions of the shop and what to expect if you decide to work with the technician. You can consider all of the recommendations they have given you and then perhaps find some others by searching online or in the phone book.

Get multiple opinions and compare prices

Before you settle on any technician, it is key that you obtain multiple opinions and compare prices across the board. Call around to the shops that you are considering and ask them what they think the problem is. Ask them how much the labor will cost as well as how much the parts will cost. If you do not know much about cars, then you should also try to research the problem online if you can so you will sound like you know what you are talking about.

Check their credentials

Auto technicians are actually required to obtain certain credentials and certifications to perform tasks. You should check to see that the technician is certified and knows how to do complete the job.

Talk to them and look around their shop

Try to see how it feels talking to them and make sure that you feel comfortable working with them. Also, look around their shop and notice if the place is neat and clean because that is a sign of good workmanship. A shop that is crowded with old cars in a state of disrepair is a sign that you need to keep moving. If possible, you should also pay attention to what their personal car looks like because they cannot fix yours if they will not even take good care of their own.

Do a dry run

If you are thinking about getting a significant amount of work done on the car, then you may want to try doing a dry run. Some people say that you should start with small tasks like an oil change just to see how they will treat you and only let them proceed if they are pleasant to deal with.

Check online reviews

Many times you can find reviews online if do an Internet search for the shop. Every single review may not be positive, but you should take note if there are a lot of negative reviews or if people are saying the same thing. You can also check with your local Better Business Bureau and see if there are any complaints against them.

Everyone has different experiences, so just because you have heard good things about a technician does not mean that you experience will be the same. The bottom line is that you need to trust your gut and find a technician that you feel comfortable dealing with.

The term “classic car” may mean different things to different people. If one is currently a senior citizen a classic car may be a very early model such as a 1925 Ford Model T, a 1931 Chrysler CM complete with rumble seat, or a 1942 Buick 49 Special Estate Wagon. If one is a baby boomer, then cars from the 50′s, 60′s and 70′s may be referred to as classic cars. Boomers all remember the family cars from the 50′s, the station wagons from the 60′s, and the great muscle cars from the 60′s and 70′s.

1942 Buick 49 Special Estate Wagon

Movie Cars

Some of the vehicles we all remember best are from films. One of the earliest known movie cars is the 1958 Plymouth Fury that appeared in the Stephen King movie, “Christine.” This bright red, two-door-beauty, had a 3 speed manual transmission. Twenty-seven copies of this car were made for the movie and unfortunately all were destroyed.

1958 Plymouth Fury

In the movie “Thelma and Louise” a 1966 Ford Thunderbird Convertible was featured. Five were manufactured for the movie and were all in ruins by the end of filming. These vehicle were produced for general sales with three types, a 428 V8 four barrel carb with 345hp, a 390hp V8 four barrel carb with 315hp, and a 390 V8 two barrel carb with 275hp.

1966 Ford Thunderbird Convertible

A 1972 Ford Gran Torino was the vehicle showcased in the Clint Eastwood movie “Gran Torino.” The movie car featured some modifications such as laser stripes, a fastback, faux hood scoop, and magnum wheels. This car was manufactured for the general market in a non-modified version and became very popular after the movie came out.

1972 Ford Gran Torino

Undoubtedly the most popular movie-muscle car has to be the 1968 Ford Mustang 390 GT fastback driven by Steve McQueen in the movie “Bullitt.” No movie chase seen is as well known as the one featuring this car racing through the streets of San Francisco. The movie cars featured stronger springs and Koni shocks. Two were manufactured for the movie; one was trashed and the other has been sold three times. The most recent owner purchased the vehicle in 1972 and wishes to remain anonymous.

1968 Ford Mustang GT

Most Popular Classic Cars For Purchase

As amazing as it might be to own one of those famous movie cars, many find it quite special and great fun to own one of the classics from the 50′s, 60′s, or 70′s. There are plenty of classic vehicles in circulation that may be available to the general consumer.

Just a few of the vehicles one might find for sale includes: a 1957 Chevy Bel Air, considered a very good year, for about $25,000; a Chevy Impalas from the 60′s may be found ranging in price from about $18,000; a Ford Mustang, with convertibles and fastbacks being most popular, from about $15,000; or the Chevy Camaro, circa 1967-1969, starting at about $20,000. Prices asked for classic cars ranges drastically depending upon the condition the vehicle is in, how well restoration has been completed, and how original the components of the vehicle. If one is seriously considering such a purchase they must love classic cars and they must have the money for this discretionary spending.

1957 Chevy Bel Air

Almost every driver on the road today will have to get their vehicle repaired at some point or another. Vehicles are not designed to run forever, and with normal wear and tear, the mechanical components on a car will break down and need to be replaced or repaired. In addition, almost every driver will have at least one or two accidents while on roadways over the course of his or her lifetime. Whether a driver is in a minor fender bender or involved in a more extensive accident, the car will need to be repaired. This, of course, raises the question of where repair that necessary repair work should be completed.

Consider Make and Model

Many vehicle repair professionals specialize in providing repairs on certain vehicles only. For instance, some may service only domestic models like Chevy and Ford models while others specialize in import cars like Lexus and Hyundai. The first task when looking for a great repair shop should be determining which repair companies service the make and model of a driver’s car. This step alone can drastically reduce the number of repair companies available to consider for the needed work.

Read Consumer Reviews

The unfortunate truth is that some repair companies are simply not as customer service oriented as others are. Getting a vehicle repaired can be stressful on a car owner. Many want their vehicle repaired in the fastest and most affordable way possible. Vehicles are commonly used for commuting to and from work, getting kids to school, running errands like grocery shopping, and more. A slow repair company can truly interrupt the flow of daily life. By reading through consumer reviews today, a driver can learn which companies have displeased previous customers with their slow service or otherwise by overcharging them or not repairing their car properly the first time it was in the shop. These are factors that can affect a driver’s ability to use their car for days and sometimes even weeks, and these are events that most drivers want to avoid if possible.

Compare Price Quotes

After narrowing down the repair company options based on consumer reviews as well as the types of cars they service, the next step is to begin shopping for quotes. At this point, most drivers will have their repair company options narrowed down to just a few choices. Getting a quote for repair from one company, and then using that repair quote to shop around from company to company is a great way to get multiple quotes in a fast way. While some costs of repair work, such as the cost of parts, generally cannot be negotiated, many repair companies will be willing to reduce their labor costs in order to benefit from the extra work. This is particularly true if a specific shop is slower than usual at the time quotes are requested.

The fact is that where a vehicle is repaired can affect how long the repair work takes, how much the repair work costs, and how pleasant or how stressful the overall experience is. For drivers who are considering which repair shop will provide them with the fast and high quality results they want but without charging a fortune, these tips can help yield positive results. These efforts can take a bit of time to put into action, but the efforts will be well rewarded.