5 Tips for Buying a Salvage Title Classic Car

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According to the Classic Cars Club of America (CCCA), a car is classified as a “classic” if it is built between 1915 and 1948. But in recent years, cars built in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and even some of the 90s cars are considered classics. Time flies and definitions change.

There are several reasons why classic cars can be considered better than modern machines. For starters, they’re much more straightforward and not as complicated. If you’re looking to buy wrecked classic cars, AutoBidMaster.com is a great way to bring one home at an affordable price. Before you bid on and win a wrecked repairable classic car, however, here are some things you need to know that could save you a ton of money and time. To help you make an informed decision, in this blog we present five tips. Read on.

The Appeal of Classic Salvage Cars

Salvage classic cars can be appealing to many out there. There are many reasons why these cars are selling very well so let’s learn more about it in detail.

1. Affordability: The number one factor why classic car salvage is such an option is affordability.

Classic cars in mint condition can cost you an arm and a leg. They are extremely expensive and sellers know this. So, they demand a ton of money from the buyer.

Here is where the salvage auction comes into play. If the car has no reserve, you can win it for a fraction of the cost.

What is also good is the fact that buyers at auctions are not extremely interested in classic cars. So, the competition is very low.

2. Historical Value: Another great reason why you should look for salvage classic cars for sale is their historical value.

Restoring a salvage car can be a long and fulfilling journey. A journey where you can learn a ton about the history and the ways old engineers put these cars together.

These were much simpler times when cars were not computerized and when working on such a car, you feel like you are entering a time travel machine.

So, if you are one of these guys, you are on the right path because these cars are some of the best ways to relieve and experience the past.

3. Customization: Salvage classics will give you a clean canvas for you to experiment with bodywork and with the mechanicals.

For example, you can install a bigger engine, better brakes and tires, and better interior upholstery. You can customize these cars in any way you want.

Especially if it is a known classic as some of the ones that we will cover later. For some of the classics, the aftermarket is full of parts that you can use to put your own stamp.

4. Potential for Profit: Buying a vintage car is also a great way to make profits. Especially if you know what you are looking for.

For example, a numbers matching classic car can cost double or triple the amount of a car with different numbers.

For those who don’t know, numbers matching means that the number of the engine, as well as on the chassis match together.

These cars can bring you some profits in the thousands of dollars.

Popular Classic Salvage Car Models

Now let’s take a look at what are the most popular wrecked classic cars that you can get.

1. Ford Mustang (1960s): One of the most iconic models that you can purchase is the Ford Mustang. The Mustang is a timeless design that dates back to the early 60s.

What is good about the Mustang is the fact that these cars, although very old, are not rare. They were made in millions and you can find one for a really good deal.

There are also many newer generations of the Ford Mustang that you can take a look at. These might not be as iconic as the original but they are definitely worth your attention.

2. Chevrolet Camaro (1967-1969): Another American icon is the Chevy Camaro. The first generation of this model was built to be the competitor of the Ford Mustang.

And the Camaro did really well. This model is definitely the second choice for those who can’t find a Mustang in their favorite spec.

The aftermarket is full of parts for these cars and you can customize them in any way you want. And the most popular way is to LS-swap the Camaro. 

3. Dodge Charger (1968-1970): When it comes to American icons, the Dodge Charger is definitely one of these vehicles.

The Charger starred in many movies, such as Bullit, Fast & Furious, and TV shows like Dukes of Hazzard.

This popularity made the Charger one really expensive classic car that currently is out of reach for many out there. Even the rusted out ones are selling for 10s of thousands.

4. Volkswagen Beetle (1950s-1970s): One of the most repairable classic cars is definitely the VW Beetle.

The Beetle is one of the longest-produced cars in the world with production spanning across many decades.

This makes the Beetle a good choice for those who want to get a classic car on a budget.

These Beatles are abundant and you can find them for a really good price. They are extremely simple and perfect for beginners who are looking for how to buy a classic car.

5. Chevrolet Corvette (C3-C4): Another great project car is definitely the Chevy Corvette.

Here we talk about the C3 and C4 models because the C1 and C2 can be out of reach for many out there.

These are some solid vehicles that are made from fiberglass, so rust is no issue with Corvettes. What is also good is the fact that you can find them for a very low price on the used market, especially at salvage auctions, C4s tend to pop up very often.

5 Tips for Buying A Salvage Car

Now let’s share our buying tips that you can try when looking to purchase a salvage car.

Understand What You are Buying

A car is rendered salvage when the total cost of repairs exceeds its actual value. When a vehicle gets extensive damage and is purchased, repaired and brought back to the road, it gets branded with a ‘salvage title’. When these cars hit the market with their rightful titles, it automatically speaks volumes to their long histories. Typically, salvage vehicles must have had a major accident with its value dipping to as much 40% of its original worth. Note that a salvage title is permanent and may affect future resale efforts.

Run a Vehicle History Check

Most auto auctions include reports on the vehicles they sell, making it easy for you to learn about the history of a used car. Be sure to check whether the vehicle has past reports of flood damage, fire accidents, or other related issues. Don’t be too quick to trust the lender’s statements; carry out your own research using the vehicle identification number – known as its VIN.

Consider the Extent of Damage

Some, if not most of the salvage-title cars have damage that is not deemed economically viable to repair. Most damage results from accidents or other incidents that made insurers believe the cost of repairs would exceed the value of the car once the damage was fixed. It is advisable to have a trusted mechanic do a thorough assessment of a car’s damage, especially on critical components like the transmission and the engine – which often involve costly repairs.

Conduct a Pre-purchase Inspection

Before taking steps to make a purchase, you’d want to send an independent mechanic to the identified vehicle. They’re better suited to identify poorly repaired structures and detect things that aren’t operating correctly. The ideal mechanic should be able to pick out a fault by simply listening to the sound of a vehicle. Mechanics can even help you find out if parts of different cars were forged in your vehicle. The pre-inspection process should be heavily focused on understanding the vehicle’s mechanical issues rather than the outer parts of the car.

Follow up with a Post-purchase Inspection

A post-purchase inspection is equally as important as the pre-purchase inspection. Once you have completed the rebuilding or repairing process, a post-purchase review is imperative to ensure that everything is corrected before you hit the road. It is almost a guarantee that a salvage-title car that has had a major accident might have compromised its safety; therefore, be sure to check every safety feature.

Tips for Restoring Classic Salvage Cars

If you are looking to salvage antique cars for sale, you also need to learn how to restore them properly. That’s why we want to share our tips with you on how you can manage to do this, as cheaply as possible.

1. Research Thoroughly

One of the main things that you should do when buying a salvage classic car is research, you need to do thorough research in order for you to make a more informed decision.

Join a forum, there are plenty of online forums dedicated to these classic cars where owners share their knowledge. There you can learn all the positive and negative aspects of the model you want to purchase.

2. Inspect The Car Carefully 

When it comes to purchasing a salvage classic car, you need to inspect the vehicle. No matter in what condition you find the car, inspection is mandatory.

We are saying this because these cars can be too far gone for restoration. The frame can be completely rusted out and the vehicle structure is put in danger.

We advise staying away from these cars because they are almost impossible to fix. Unless you want to purchase a new frame, this project can quickly go over budget. So, if you work with a limited budget, rust is the main thing you want to avoid.

3. Source Parts Wisely

One major mistake people make is parts sourcing. There are plenty of places where you can find parts for old cars but these parts often malfunction or are poorly made.

So, choosing a reputable seller that has good feedback is a must if you want to get the best value for your budget.

Always try to source OEM components or closest to the OEM if you want to have the best fit and finish.

4. Have a Realistic Budget

A realistic budget is crucial when it comes to these builds. You need to determine how much you need to spend on a restoration.

Whether this will be a partial or a full restoration. A full restoration could easily cost you tens of thousands of dollars for many of the cars out there. This is the case because the car has to be blasted to remove the paint, then painted and assembled. Full restorations are crazy expensive.

5. Document the Process

And most importantly, document the whole process. Make a true journey out of this restoration,  and take plenty of pictures and videos.

What you can also do is create a YouTube channel dedicated to your project and upload videos. There are plenty of people who want to follow these projects. This way, you will recuperate some of the money spent on these rebuilds.

This project can make you an internet celebrity. There are plenty of YouTube channels that exploded with a simple project and if you make solid content, you might experience the same fortune and make some serious money out of this.

Wrap Up

Purchasing salvage-title classics, whether for use or resale, requires a more methodological approach compared to purchasing a salvage-title that was slightly used. Salvage-titles aren’t always diamonds in the rough; if you want to take on a car restoration project, consider getting a salvage title car from AutoBidMaster.com, a leading online classic car auction website. If you need any assistance or wish to learn more about any of the classic cars for sale listed with us, call +1 (503) 298-4300 or fill out our contact form.