How much your car is worth varies depending on its originality, condition and the desirable options it’s equipped with

By Richard Lentinello

Like all collectibles, old cars also fluctuate in value. So, it’s only natural for owners wanting to know just how much money they are able to get for their old car should they decide to sell it. 

          Although you can get a rough idea as to your car’s value by looking at price guides, reviewing auction sales, or simply by checking out online classified ads of similar cars listed for sale, the fact remains that every car is different, thus their values will be different, too. 

          To obtain an honest assessment your best bet is to hire a professional appraiser who’s knowledgeable about your type of automobile. Via a thorough, up-close inspection they will then ascertain your car’s true condition. By seeing all the car’s flaws, as well as what’s right and what’s wrong, only then will the appraiser be able to provide an honest value. Looking at photos or taking a description over the phone just doesn’t work.

          Car appraisal is not an exact science, and that’s simply because each and every car is completely different. Cars are like humans; no two are exactly alike, each has its own DNA. They may be the same model and color and have the identical interior and engine/transmission combination, but there are so many more important and unique features that set identical looking cars apart from each other, all of which when combined can greatly affect a car’s value.

          Apart from an automobile’s visible qualities, such as the year of its production, make and model, as well as which engine and transmission it has and desirable options such as air conditioning, stereo, or all the power assist options, its condition inside and out is what really makes one particular car worth far more – or less – than a similar looking and equipped model.

          Cars that have their original, factory-installed body panels and floor and trunk pans are worth considerably more than cars that have had many of their body panels replaced. If those original panels are rusted and damaged, then that will reduce the car’s value. If those rusted metal sections have not been repaired correctly, with the same type of welds that they were originally assembled with, then that too will lower its value.

          The quality of a car’s exterior paint is another main issue that greatly affects its worth. Paint that has a deep luster and is ultra smooth without any traces of orange peel adds value to a car’s overall assessment. Conversely, thickly applied enamel with noticeable orange peel and runs reduces value. New paint that’s been applied to a body with tape-covered trim and has overspray everywhere can’t compare to a car that has had its exterior completely disassembled and stripped down to bare metal prior to refinishing.

          There’s no doubt that unrestored cars that are still covered in their factory-applied paint, especially if that paint is in very good condition, will be valued at a substantially higher amount than a similar car with perfectly applied new paint due to the rarity of cars with original paint remaining. More collectors and enthusiasts are finally starting to realize just how special original-paint old cars are, and how few have survived, thus they are willing to pay a premium to have one added to their collection. 

          Is the trim on the car in perfect shape or is it weather-worn? If the bumpers have been re-chromed, does the new plating have a perfect reflective finish or does it look like it’s been sprayed on? Quality chrome plating costs money, and stands visually apart from cheap plating, which usually has a semi-dull, almost brushed appearance.

          Has the old, cracked weatherstripping been replaced? Is the new carpet a singular molded piece as original or is it the cheaper type of multiple flat pieces sewn together? Is the headliner original or has it too been replaced, and does the replacement headliner feature the correct pattern of perforations? Same goes for the door panels and seat upholstery. Original fabric without small rips adds more value to a car than new reproduction upholstery does, but only if the seat cushions below still hold their shape and there aren’t any stains or noticeable blemishes.   

          Of course, past accident damage greatly affects car values, too. Original matching-numbers engines, as well as transmissions and even carburetors, add greatly to a car’s worth and appeal, unlike replacement engines which can reduce a car’s value by a substantial amount. And if a car is a performance model, 4- and 5-speed manual gearboxes increase a car’s value in lieu of automatic transmissions. Same goes for power brakes and power windows, air conditioning, wheels, performance accessories, upholstery type, and other options, each of which will affect the value of a car in a variety of different ways. Even exterior colors, too!        

          These are just some of the many things to consider when evaluating one car against an identical model. While price guides will get you a ballpark price, for a true assessment of your car’s value it’s best to hire a professional appraiser; not only if you’re interested in selling but also when you’re buying or insuring one. 

          In the end, the real barometer that will tell you how much your car is worth is what someone else is willing to pay for it. It really is that simple.