Detail Classic Car Parts - Every Little Detail Matters

You know every little detail classic car enthusiasts notice. From the shiny exterior paint to the posh interior, detailing your classic car makes it stand out from the competition. Discerning car owners know a true classic is defined by its condition. When you detail your classic car, you keep it in showroom shape for years to come.

Detailing your classic ride includes several different aspects of car care. Usually the car is washed by hand and the interior is shampooed. The exterior may be power polished or waxed by hand with carnuba wax. You may decide to have protection applied to the fabric or leather interior so it stays clean and fresh. Many classic car owners also have the engine cleaned for optimum appearance and performance.

Besides cleaning your classic car, ongoing maintenance is essential. If you own a classic car to bring to shows, you already know classic car parts can be difficult to find. By maintaining the car regularly, you are aware when parts needs to be replaced. Instead of scurrying for parts before a show, your car is ready to go when you need it.

Muscle car owners show off both the beauty and performance of their classic cars. It's not enough for their classic car to look gorgeous. Muscle car owners also want optimum performance so they can race their classics to victory. Keeping muscle car parts updated is key if you want to be ready to win the race in style.

Detailing keeps your classic car in excellent condition. One of the reasons you are able to own a classic vehicle is thanks to the dedicated maintenance done in the past. When you properly maintain your classic car , it keeps its resale and car show value.

Your regular maintenance routine begins with washing your car regularly. Use a car wash formulated for classic vehicles to keep the exterior in top shape. Make sure to wash your car with plenty of water so the soap doesn't dry out. After washing your ride, dry it off with a detailing cloth or chamois. Leaving water spots can cause mineral deposits to form on the paint.

When you car is washed and dry, check for any stubborn grime such as road tar, pollution or bird droppings. Lubricant and detailing clay will get rid of these potentially corrosive materials. Clean the interior windows, dashboard and seating then vacuum the floors. Make sure to use the right cleaning products for fabric, leather or vinyl interior.

After washing, polish or wax your classic car for the ultimate shine. Make sure to clean the tires, underside, boot interior and inside the engine compartment. Check your oil, fluids and tire levels every week. Have your classic car regularly maintained and updated so it always looks and runs its best. With dedicated maintenance, your classic vehicle is a timeless treasure.

Classic Cars For Sale

Building, restoring and or looking for Classic Cars for Sale, Classic Muscle Cars for Sale, and Classic Cars and Trucks for Sale has be come a tremendous hobby for the baby boomers. They seem not to be able to get enough of those big shiny and in many cases very fast cars of the 50s, 60s and early 70s. Yes American muscle cars of the 60s and the big boats of the 50s are the most popular at car shows and Classic Car Auctions. The Classic Cars for Sale at these Classic Car Auctions number in the hundreds and seem to be growing in numbers every year. These cars are no longer in production but have not lost their value or their appeal. In fact the Classic Old Cars for Sale in today's market can cost as much as 100 times what they sold for new. I think one could replace a stop sign at many intersections with the words Classic Cars for Sale and get a better response rate. If the Classic Cars for Sale, Classic Muscle Cars for Sale, is any indication the Classic Cars for Sale fever is alive and well in America. It is a major television event in the month of January every year one any Classic Car buff would not want to miss.

The amount of Classic Cars for Sale there number in the thousands and not all are expensive or over priced many are very affordable for the average person. The events and the Vender's are also very extraordinary to see, every thing from road side memorabilia such as old signs and old fashion gas pumps, to 900%2Bhp Vipers and big block V8 powered motorcycles. So if you can make it to Scottsdale Arizona next January for the fantastic Barrett Jackson Classic Car Auction you won't be disappointed. The whole week of the Barrett Jackson Classic Car Auction is a great experience for anyone that grew up in the 50s or 60s it's very nostalgic just to be there.

This year at Barrett Jackson there was a great show put on by event controllers and that was an exhibition of Drifting. In case you don't know what that is it is basically when a Driver or Drivers as in this case place their cars in a some what controlled slide. It was amazing to watch these two Ford Mustangs Gets race side by side around just a few feet apart sending up a cloud so smoke from the tires and never collide. The crowd really loved it especially the children in the stands they were on their feet the whole time trying not to miss the action. This was the first time I had seen drifting done live it was really enjoyable.

One more thing I have to mention was the side by side drag racing on a stage. This was accomplished by chaining two Ford Mustangs to portable dyno machines with huge three foot tachometers and speedometers for the crowd to watch. Then two driver's names are drawn from several hundred names of the drag racing hopefuls and the race is on. Each driver is given instructions on what he is allowed to do then the starting lights flash down and away they go. The cars hit second gear the tires chirp and the speedometers climb. The event is held every hour and is exciting to watch as the crowd cheers on their favorite driver. In all of the races that I witnessed the speeds reached well over 100mph in the Quarter mile that each car was driven on the imaginary track Barrett Jackson you really know how to throw a party.

So before you go running off to the nearest Classic Car for Sale auction to pluck your hard earned money on your favorite Classic Car, here are a few things to remember. First remember UN-restored Classic Cars are cheaper but you have to be ready to spend a lot of time and or money to restore the car to 100% original condition. Second those parts can be hard to find, thank heaven for eBay, although there a great number of company's that have started making new parts that look and work just like the original ones. You can sometimes find Classic Car Parts at some of your local junkyards but the chance for finding a rare Classic Old Car or undiscovered Muscle Car for Sale are very slim. Some of these automobile Bone yards may have few vintage cars but they will be the four door models and will have small block V8's or six cylinder motors in them and not desirable collectibles. The third thing that I highly recommend is when you go to view any Classic Car for Sale that you have available some way of checking engine numbers and VIN numbers. Because every Classic Car collector knows that the right engine numbers with the right VIN numbers are a must. If you have ever had Classic Car for Sale you know the first words out of your mouth are DO THE NUMBERS MATCH.

How to Get Cheap Antique and Classic Car Insurance

When it comes to vehicles, classic cars are absolutely at the top of the pyramid, with their amazing features setting them far apart from the rest of the crowd. Unfortunately, as is typical for anything that attracts attention, classic cars tend to attract a decent share of thieves and vandals. Additionally, because classic cars are rare and tend to be expensive, many large "major player" insurance companies and agents will not even offer insurance for them. But just because it can be mildly difficult to find the right kind of insurance for your classic car, that does not mean that you can simply drive around without any insurance. Many states require that your vehicle be insured, and you can face serious fines if you are caught driving without adequate insurance coverage.

Finding the right kind of insurance for your classic car is going to take a little bit of time, and a lot of research. Even more research will be involved if you are set out to find the cheapest available antique and classic car insurance available. There are car insurance companies out there which specialize in insurance options for antique and classic cars. Additionally, there are large automobile insurance companies which offer specialized insurance including antique and classic car insurance, but you will have to do a decent bit of searching in order to find them. A good place to start is with insurance companies like Hagerty, Leland west and Norwich Union which all specialize in antique and classic car insurance. It is important that you weigh a lot of different options, because the costs associated with antique and classic car insurance can vary wildly depending on which automobile insurance provider you go with. It is also important that you determine what each insurance company will value your classic car at, in order to make sure that you are going to be insured for the full value of your car. Traditional car insurance values the car at the cost to replace it, minus any depreciation that it has experienced. This is what sets antique and classic car insurance apart from traditional car insurance. With antique and classic car insurance, the value of your vehicle is typically an agreement made between you and the insurance provider. This way, you will not lose a serious investment in the event that your vehicle is ever totaled in an accident, or stolen and never recovered.

The absolute best option for you to pursue when it comes to automobile insurance for your classic car is called an agreed value policy. Before this type of policy is purchased, you are required to sit down with an agent with the insurance company in order to come to a concrete agreement for the value of your vehicle. If your vehicle is ever totaled or lost, this is the amount that will be paid by the insurance company. This is also the point where you will receive a quote for the monthly payment. Another thing that sets antique and classic car insurance apart from traditional car insurance is the fact that antique and classic car insurance premiums are typically significantly smaller than what you will pay for traditional car insurance. However, not just anyone can acquire antique and classic car insurance, so before applying you should make sure you qualify for all of the following criteria:

o Many antique and classic car insurance policies require that you meet a specific age limit. This is to insure that the driver(s) on the policy have adequate driving experience and are not in jeopardy of causing an accident. This makes it difficult for young and new drivers to acquire automobile insurance, even if they are driving an antique or classic vehicle.

o Many antique and classic car insurance policies have also imposed a minimum age limit for your vehicle, in order to determine whether or not it can be considered an antique car. The typical limit is fifteen years old, so if your vehicle is less than fifteen years old you may have difficulty securing antique car insurance for it.

o In order to qualify for classic car insurance, there are certain limits on how your classic car can be used. For example, you must have a garage or some other form of protective storage to park the vehicle in. Additionally, you cannot use your classic car for any business purposes. Finally, there is a limit on the number of miles that you can put on your vehicle every month or year. If you go over the mileage limit you can but your vehicle in danger of losing its protective insurance. Because of the imposed mileage limit, you must also be able to prove that you have another vehicle which is used for normal driving.

Antique and classic car insurance is by far the best option if the vehicle that you are driving can be considered a collectible. This form of insurance is designed to protect cars that appreciate in value over time rather than depreciating. Most insurance companies will allow you to insure your classic car traditionally if you cannot find adequate antique car insurance, but you should expect to pay more in monthly premiums, and to receive significantly less in a pay out settlement if your vehicle is ever totaled. What this means is that if you are driving an antique or classic car, and specialized insurance is available to you on a local level, you should absolutely take the offer in order to protect your vehicle inexpensively without losing out on the serious investment that went into your prized possession.

Unrestored Classic Car Insurance

Classic cars are greatly valued and treasured for their unique charm and are commonly used in car rallies and special events. For purposes of insurance, most insurance companies view restored and unrestored classic cars distinctly. The restored classic cars are those, which are remodeled and given a new look while the unrestored ones are retained in their original form. The latter are maintained in the original factory form and nothing is replaced or changed. When unrestored classic cars are in running condition, they can be covered by insurance. There are many insurance companies in the US that provide insurance coverage to such unrestored classic cars if the owner is in possession of the original invoice and the certificate of the title. If the owner has pictures of the unrestored classic car taken over the years, the chances of it getting insured become better. The coverage amount in such cases can be retained during renewal or increased in value. Generally the coverage amount for unrestored classic cars is increased, subject to the location of the car. This is done because the owner enjoys appreciated value on such cars.

Unrestored classic cars are considered as a good investment and therefore, the owners of such cars can end up getting more than the claim amount. The insurance policy for such cars allows the insured party the option to retain salvage. Windscreen and window cover is provided apart from the comprehensive recovery service in case of the full breakdown of the car.

The insurance policy for unrestored classic cars usually includes mileage option of 1500/3000/5000/7500.They also provide rally cover as these unrestored cars participate in rallies. Since the unrestored classic cars are sometimes used in weddings, the insurance policy also covers wedding hire by day or year.

Under the unrestored classic car insurance policy, provision is also made for different kind of discounts on the premium amount to be paid. However, these discounts are limited to experienced drivers, members of recognized classic automobile clubs or institute of advanced motorists.

Unrestored classic car insurance aims at retaining the value of old cars by keeping them protected against possible potential damage and loss.

How to Find Classic Car Parts

The Classic Car Club of America distinguishes a classic car as those between 1925 and 1948. They note that classic cars are produced in limited quantities and sold at a higher price. They further explain that a 25 year-old car will qualify as classic since the normal shelf life of a vehicle is 10 to15 years only.

Owning a classic car is a great investment for car enthusiasts. The price value appreciates as it ages. The only problem or challenge most collectors encounter is when they need to change some car parts and accessories. The classic car parts are not usually available in typical automobile shops.

Owners can still look for specialty stores that carry car parts for outdated models. Shopping for a classic car part is now easy with the use of internet. They can search the internet for dealers who are engaged in restoring and selling classic car parts. They can look at the classic car classifieds for easy access on complete lists of sellers.

Placing an order through the internet is easy. It will only take a few minutes. The buyer will have to use his credit card to pay. The product will be sent through courier service once the payment is received and confirmed. Deliveries usually only takes a couple of days depending on the courier service provider.

Join groups and organizations having the same interest in classic cars. You will be able to get a lot of tips from them regarding where to go for hard-to-find parts, what shop best restores a classic car, or maybe recommend an excellent mechanic who offers door to door service.

It is also fun to hangout with people of the same interest. You can do things together like watching car racing competitions, going to exhibits, or sharing each other's experiences on how you got your collection. You might be able to influence them positively in some way.

Some automobile shops are providing catalogs for their classic cars and parts. They could be ordered online and is to be sent through mail. Included in the catalog are photos and specifications of available parts.

Most of these shops restore and recondition old parts. A few manufacturers make new parts for classic cars. Normally however you will find parts that actually came from a dismantled classic car.

Here are a few Classic Car Part Suppliers for your reference:

Speedway Motors

This is the America's oldest speed shop. This store provides parts for street rods for over 56 years.

Select Motor Car Restoration Parts & Gifts

This shop offers parts restoration for Chevelle, Impala, Corvette, Firebird, Camaro, and Nova ChevyII.

Paragon Corvette Reproduction

It is licensed by General Motors and provides reproduction and reconditioning of Corvette parts.

Dallas Mustang

This shop is involved in classic car restoration for 28 years. It specializes in Mustang parts and accessories restoration. It also offers on-site Dynojet Chassis Dynamometer tuning.

Obsolete Classic Auto Parts

This shop specializes in antique, classic, street rod, and obsolete Ford and Chevrolet parts since 1974. Below are the lists of the car models with available parts:

1. 1909-1927 Model T

2. 1928-1931 Model A

3. 1932-1948 Pass & 32-47 Pickup

4. 1948-1979 Pickup & Bronco

5. 1949-1972 Full-size Ford & Mercury

6. 1955-1966 Thunderbird

7. 1960-1970 Falcon & 60-65 Comet

8. 1962-1972 Fairlane/Torino

9. 1964-1973 Mustang

Classic Cars on the Road

Older cars are grouped according to the year that they were made. Some of them are considered vintage cars and others are more aptly classified as veteran cars. These two were made before the 1930s. Those made after 1930 are called the post vintage cars. These are more popularly the modern cars we see around.

Vintage cars are mainly differentiated with classic, in the sense that they are not manufactured anymore. There is no replacing it once it conks out. Repairing will be rather difficult because if it is not being manufactured anymore, then there is no marketability for the parts and accessories also.

Classic cars are Jags, MGB's, Riley's and Triumphs. Today, collectors of classic models also buy Toyota and Opel Manta because of their classic look or appearance.

Vintage and classic car owners are very mindful and careful of their treasure. It is very expensive, and the parts are difficult to find if the car breaks down. They seldom use it. It is just stored for admiration. They have a second car which they use everyday.

Classic cars are very valuable because the design hardly gets outclassed. Many generations appreciate the appearance and engine. Most of these cars have a sturdy body that does not easily dent on light clashes. Owners who had their vehicle for 25 years now call their baby a classic. But then again, what really is a classic?

According to Classic Car Club of America, classic cars are fine and distinctive automobile build between 1925 and 1948. They are in the highest ranks of cars. They are vehicles with a higher price. It usually has custom coachwork, engine displacement and luxury accessories. It includes a power clutch, power brakes, and automatic lubrication systems

But the definition is not strict. It varies from one person to another. Sometimes, classic is easily interchanged with antique. This means the value increases with the passage of time. Actually though, the price shots up mainly because the parts are difficult to find, normally only in specialty stores.

Classic and vintage car collectors have big money to spare to buy such a luxury that they will hardly use anyway. It is like buying a toy, but this is a big one that takes up so much space in your garage. It is there mainly to please, not to serve any functionality.

Ford is one of the best and most sellable brands. This is the main reason the Classic Ford Car Parts is still available in the market. They carry the Mustang brand also. Most of them are available in the Scott Drake Mustang Parts. It offers the most complete line of parts and accessories although you will find several other stores also. They have parts for both classic and ordinary vehicles.

The Spray Paints & Engine Lacquers, Transmission, Rear Axle Lowering Block Kits, Fiberglass Battery Boxes, Plastic Battery Boxes and Ford Universal Parts are some of the groups of classic Ford Car Parts.

Classic Cars - Buying Guide to Your Ideal Car

Buying your Classic Car

Buying a classic car is fairly straightforward, but you do need to take care in deciding exactly what type of vehicle best fits your needs. It's no good buying a classic MGB if you want to use the vehicle for family outings (with kids and dogs) to the beach. Equally, a Ford Cortina 1600E might tick all the practicality boxes if you're a single bloke - but does it have the same effect on your street cred as a gleaming MK2 Jaguar? Key practical considerations therefore need to be: Number of seats, number of doors, hard-top of soft-top, boot space - and even image!

Where to store your classic car

How you store the car is also a major factor. Unfortunately, most 'old' cars simply don't stand up to the weather like new ones, so you'll need to keep your new classic in a garage or lock-up to maintain its appearance. If, like most people, your garage is full with anything BUT a car you'll either need to clear it out or factor in the cost of renting a lock-up in your budget.

If the car needs some work doing on it, you'll need space to move around the vehicle (especially under it). And if you're thinking of keeping it outside, covered with a tarpaulin, think again! Damp rises, putting your car at risk - and how will you fancy doing your vital maintenance work in the pouring rain or driving snow?

Car condition

The condition of your chosen classic car is a major consideration. If you have a background in engineering, welding or metalwork, a rusting old heap will hold no fear for you. Classic car magazines are full of adverts for a huge array of potential classic vehicles, and this should be your prime hunting ground. The key is to be realistic about what you can take on. A full restoration project is one thing - but it might be much more sensible to take on a project that's been part completed, and just needs a few spares to get it back on the road.

Equally, you may find a 'bargain' for just a few hundred quid, that may well be worth £15k when complete. But spending hours trying to find irreplaceable body parts, or having to outsource specialist elements of the rebuilding project to experts, will soon make you wonder whether it was all worthwhile.

A sensible option when buying your first classic car is to spend a little more, but go for something that is presentable even if it takes a little longer to find the car of your dreams.

Where to find classic cars

The internet has made it easier than ever before to track down a classic car. Previously, buyers had to scour shop windows for likely purchases or buy specialist magazines, but now simply typing 'Daimler Sovereign' or 'Austin Healey ' into Google is likely to bring up results. You'll find specialist dealer sites, individuals using auction sites like e-bay, even portals aggregating all the classic car websites in one location.

Magazines are still useful, as they often provide added information by way of features about restoration. While the internet is great for finding vehicles quickly, printed media usually go into much more depth about the joys and pitfalls of classic car ownership.

Preparation before plunging

Having found a few potential purchases, now you need to do some homework to make sure you don't end up with 'a lemon'. While you'll have some comeback if you buy from a dealer, classic cars are unlikely to be sold with a warranty and if you're buying from a private individual you'll have even less rights.

This is why you need to have a series of key questions to ask on the phone, or by email, with the seller to make sure you build up an accurate history of the car. Example questions could be - Why are you selling the car? How long have you owned it? How often is it used? Does it come with any spares? Do you have any receipts for MOT's or work that's been done? Where has the work been done? How easy is it to find spare parts and can they recommend any local suppliers? You might want to know if the car runs on unleaded fuel, or if it can be easily converted, as leaded petrol is expensive and has limited availability in the UK.

Viewing your car

If you've progressed to a viewing, choose a time to see it during daylight. Avoid seeing it in the rain too, even the worst classic car has a certain appeal when it's sat in the half light with the rain bouncing off it. And think about taking along an expert. You could enlist the paid services of an AA or RAC inspector, but by using internet forums you can usually find a classic car club member close to you who'd be delighted to give you the benefit of their experience (often for the price of a pint of real ale!).

Other MUST DO's on your viewing:

Look underneath the car.

Check for signs of sagging, which might indicate suspension or chassis problems.

See if all the tyres match.

Look for signs of bodywork repairs, especially paint retouches (black and metallic colours are very difficult to match).

Check the body all over for rust and rot, or cracking in the example of fibreglass-bodied cars, like Lotus.

Lift up the carpets if you can, checking the floor pan and joint to the inner sill.

Start the car from cold.

Go for a test drive - look and listen for knocks, grinding, and smoke which may indicate oil escaping and burning.

Look out for a soft or lazy clutch and check to see whether the car has a tendency to pull to the left or right.

Hopefully, this list of simple Do's and Don'ts will help you take the first steps to buying a classic car. Trying to cover everything would take all day, but the key things to remember are:

Take time to consider what's best for you

Don't be afraid to ask for advice

Ask plenty of questions

Be thorough with your inspection.