Make sure to ask several very specific questions about the car’s history:

• How many owners has the car had over its lifetime?
• What state is the vehicle currently registered in?
• Are there any current liens against the vehicle?
• Has the vehicle ever been stolen?
• Has the vehicle ever been in an accident?  If so, what was the damage?  How was it repaired?  When did the accident occur?
• Has the vehicle ever experienced water or flood damage?

Next make sure you get an appraiser.  If you have found a vehicle that you have your eye on, make sure it is checked over head to toe by both the appraiser and a mechanic that specializes in classic cars.  This step can help save you thousands later on and can prevent against any “surprises” that may surface in the future.

• Consider re-tuning the engine regularly.  This will help improve the cylinder scavenging of the exhaust gases and will lead to a leaner burn.
• Convert from a 6-volt electrical system to a 12-volt.  This will help upgrade the system for better performance.
• Perform regular maintenance on your hoses.  Check for signs of “ballooning” in pressure areas and look for physical damage.  It will be easy to spot.  Studies show that most hoses fail because of internal issues.  Therefore, make sure your engine is cool and check for failure with your hands.  Look for signs of weakness in the walls of the hoses.
• Buy an ignition re-curve kit.  This will help improve your horsepower and can make a huge difference in the performance you receive from your car.
• While we are on the subject of the ignition, consider changing out the wires.  This will only cost you around $50.00 and can help increase the energy that gets to the spark plugs.

• First, determine why you are customizing it.  If you want to enter a competition there are guidelines you will need to follow.  If you are just looking to have some fun on the weekends, they you don’t have as many rules.
• Figure out if you are keeping the original engine or if you are going to switch it out for a newer model.  This will help you determine if you can do the work yourself or if you need assistance.
• Think about an overall color scheme for the car.
• Determine what accessories you want in your car.  If you are thinking of putting many modern features in the car, like LED lights, you may need help from a professional mechanic.

Remember, when you are thinking about customizing your antique car, it is important that you research and plan accordingly.  Make sure you set a budget and keep all receipts for work and dates of the work as it is performed.  Doing this will help you with insurance purposes.

This is a huge task and it will require time and effort and patience.  You need to consider this area of the car the heart of the entire vehicle; therefore, it should be handled with care.

First, start by photographing the engine bay of the car.  Never start work without making sure you know how it should look.  This will help provide you with a point of reference to work off of.

Next, once you have removed the parts from the engine, you can start cleaning the area.  Remember, this is the most time consuming piece of the entire process, especially if this is the first time it has been cleaned.  Give yourself the ability to try different cleansers.  Usually your local auto parts store will have a variety for you to choose from.

When you have cleaned the area completely, there should be a certain level of shine.  Parts that are in bad condition should be replaced.  The rest of the parts should be painted or chromed before they are reassembled.

• Work to figure out what type of classic car you are looking to buy.  Think about the make and model you may be interested in.
• Do thorough research.  Make sure you know the years of the cars that might be “iffy” in terms of maintenance.  Understand the model years of cars that received less than stellar consumer reports.  Dig deep; you will be happy you did later.
• Think about how you are going to drive this car.  Are you going to drive this car everyday or will this only be a “hobby car?”  If it is going to be driven everyday do not buy a car that is fully restored.
• Interview and research local mechanics or car experts that can help you with your purchase.
• Become a member of a car club that can help recommend resources to help you in your search.
• Search for vehicles that have their original equipment, they are more valuable than a car that has been heavily altered or changed.

Believe it or not, bird droppings can be more hazardous to paint than the sun’s rays could ever be.  The reason being is because bird droppings are acidic and the longer that this is left on the paint of a car, the more damage it will ultimately cause.  Furthermore, because birds eat a lot of dirt and gravel to aid in their digestion, you have to be careful when you remove the droppings because you could inevitably scratch the paint.

The best tip to combat this is to carry a bottle of no-salt seltzer water when you out in public with your classic car.  Before applying, shake it really well.  This will allow you to “blast” the substance off of your car without having to wipe it off and cause further damage.

On the flip side, if you only noticed the droppings after it was dry and hard, realize that you can fix the damage to the paint by applying a high-quality paint polish and wax.  Through careful application, you should be able to remove any visible damage.

• Make sure you have your classic car appraised prior to insurance shopping.  This will help you determine its actual value.
• Request “agreed value” coverage from your insurer.  This means that you are asking for your car to be insured at market value at the time the policy is written, not the market value at the time a claim is processed.
• Keep pictures of your car at the time the policy was written if you are able to get “agreed value.”  Make sure all terms are in writing.
• Depending on your classic car driving habits make sure you get a policy that suits your needs.  If you drive your car sparingly, you can probably save money by asking for a mileage limit.
• Get all restrictions to the policy in writing and stay aware of changes.  This will reduce your chance of suffering through a rejected claim.

First, make sure the insurance you are considering for your classic car applies to your car.  Your car should be considered antique, vintage, or a collector item.  It should be between 15 and 25 years old, in good or better condition, should not be used as a primary vehicle, should be stored in a private garage or area, and used only for fun or appearance, in other words this is not the car that you drive to work.

Next, this insurance will have specific information in the policy that your other car insurance will not have.  For instance, there will be usage guidelines and restrictions.  Depending on the policy, the car will only be covered if it is driven by drivers over the age of 21 or is only allowed to be driven a maximum number of miles each year.

The insurance will only go into effect if this vehicle is a secondary car; if it is driven everyday it will not be covered.  Also, it will only cover the car for the agreed upon value or the actual cash value of the classic car.  There may also be other restrictions on where the car can be driven.  For instance, it may only be permitted to be driven back and forth from car shows or other special events.

Make sure you are comfortable with all the terms on the insurance that you end up purchasing for your classic car.  There is no sense in signing a policy that doesn’t have your best interests at heart.

While both cars are likely to provide an equal amount of ownership and driving pleasure down the road, there are some pros and cons worth considering when it comes to buying a foreign classic.

The Pros

The British MG will certainly offer quite a few pros if you choose to purchase it over the Mustang. Some of the advantages of going this route include:

• The distinction –While the number of American classics on the road is dwindling, they are not out of the ordinary to see. That MG, or another foreign classic, however, won’t be quite as common.
• The challenge – Finding parts for any classic presents a challenge. For a foreign classic, the challenge level can be even higher. If you enjoy the hunt as half the fun of restoration, a foreign would likely work well for you.

The Cons

Going with a foreign car can present a few disadvantages, depending on your perspective. They include:

• Restoration costs – The actual cost for parts and even the related search can prove to be more expensive if you go with a foreign model car.
• The time involved – While that challenge might be fun, it can take up a lot of time. If you want a car that you can get on the road fast, a more common American classic might be the better option.

Picking a foreign classic car to restore does have some serious distinction attached to it. The reality is there is no bad choice here. It all depends on your willingness to put in the time and money to restore a car.

If you are considering getting into this hobby, there are some good reasons to make your first selection an American classic that is in drivable condition. Going this route will likely still provide the thrill of watching a restoration take place before your eyes, but it can also ease you into the hobby with a less intensive project.

The reasons to consider drivable American classics the first time out include:

• The availability of parts – While finding parts for any classic car can prove to be quite a challenge, it is often easier to find items for American models.
• The restoration costs – While the upfront costs for an operable classic will likely be more, the overall restoration fees should be less.
• The networking – Beginners will find one of the key factors in a successful restoration is having a network of contacts built up to help find parts, offer suggestions and even recommend pros to do some of the work. Starting out with an American classic that doesn’t require quite as much work can open up this network to an owner through classic car club memberships, auto shows and so on. Once a good network of contacts is in place, more challenging restorations can prove to be a bit easier.

Beginners who want to get into restoration as a hobby will find there are many options out there. If the desire is to jump into the hobby and enjoy all the benefits of owning and showing a car as quickly as possible, drivable American models often make more sense.