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We are a classic car dealer located in Marietta, Ohio.  Specializing in quality American classic cars, rust free project cars and fully restored collectable cars.

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Dick's Classic Cars.....Quality Classics Since 1969

Classic Car Buyers Guide

We are often asked questions from people interested in our cars and so we decided that a buyers guide would not only benefit our own customers, but the general classic car buying public as well. 

These buying tips are based on the knowledge we have acquired over our years in the industry and are offered as a guide only.  Many of these things we have learned through years of sometimes bitter experience and some have been shared with us by some of the great people we have been fortunate to meet and talk to at numerous swap meets, car shows and rallies that we have attended.  A big thanks to you all!

What is the difference between a ‘classic car’ and an ‘antique car’?

This is a tough one, as opinions vary depending upon whom you ask.  The state of Ohio, where we are based, claims that any car over 25 years old is to be considered antique.  However, that would include anything made before 1980 and we feel that a car from 1980 is far from an antique.  A classic maybe, but not antique. 

The Classic Car Club of America states that, “A CCCA Classic is a "fine" or "distinctive" automobile, either American or foreign built, produced between 1925 and 1948.”  They also have an approved list of cars they deem as classic.

Then of course there is the term ‘vintage’.  Where should that fit in to the grand scheme of things?  There are hundreds more websites and discussion groups online that are devoted to the topic but none can really define or answer the question once and for all.  Google offers a feature to define search terms.  By typing in the word “define:” before your search term, Google will return a definition from the Wikipedia Encyclopedia, a free online encyclopedia with many descriptions written by the general public.  For your convenience, I’ve added links to the three following search terms.  Classic Car, Antique Car, Vintage Car

So with all this in mind we are no further forwards in discovering the precise dates by which to tell if your car is antique, classic, vintage or even all three!  Therefore we have decided to class all our cars as classics as we feel this is a broader term and covers everything we have in stock.

What is a ‘Black Plate Californian’?

This one is slightly easier to answer.  The state of California, up until the year 1970, issued new cars first registered there with a black license plate.  The significance of this is that if your are looking for a true California car and the one you are looking at was first registered before 1970 then it should have been a black plate.  If it isn’t then you know that it was originally first registered outside of California (or spent at least one full year/registration away) and re-registered there sometime later.  Now, some people don’t see this as having any real value, but consider this:  You have just forked out large amounts of green for a car you believe has spent its’ life in the sun and before you know it the body is falling apart.  Had you known it had in fact grown up in the ‘rust belt’ before being taken to California to be registered and sold off you may have thought twice, or at the very least offered less for it.  For a full license plate history visit the California DMV.

How much is my classic car worth?

A question we get asked a lot and again, one that has no definitive answer.  The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) offers fairly reliable guidelines to dealers but the values are a guide only; they take the average price of several vehicles across the country to determine a valuation.  The true value is what a willing buyer will pay and a willing seller will sell for.  We have personally seen two very similar cars sell for thousands of dollars difference.  The better marketing strategies normally bring the better prices.  It is usually very difficult for an individual seller to get the full market value.  Interesting, even useful if the better half needs convincing, reading for any classic car enthusiast is an article by Richard G. Gold for the classic car club entitled The Classic Dividend.

Is a classic car an investment?

Of course; it’s an investment in time, money and enjoyment (see ‘the classic dividend’ above).  However, as most people think money when they think of investing, lets focus on that.  As long as you investigate beforehand and buy something that hopefully will stay popular, your classic car should only increase in value as the years plod on.  It may need some TLC along the way and that may mean some out of pocket expense, but if you’ve done your research & buy a car with little or no rust to start with, at least it will only be superficial items and not major structural welding and bodywork required.  Remember, you spend money on a house to increase its value, why not your car as well?  And don’t be too worried about finding a buyer when the time comes.  According to the television network NBC, classic car popularity is on the comeback, with more people than ever before buying classics.

Will my classic car run ok on unleaded gas?

Here’s another question we get asked often and I’m sure there are many different views on whether you should run your classic on unleaded.  The advice we usually give is that if you are only using your car on summer weekends and not racking up more than 2 thousand miles a year you can probably get away with unleaded.  However, as older engines are designed to run on leaded gas, if you intend to use your car regularly or as a daily driver, you should use an additive when you refuel.  Be sure to read the label, as not all products are compatible with some engines and cars.

What makes a popular classic car?

You would not believe the number of times we are asked about a specific car from a specific year!  After some friendly chitchat, we learn that the person is trying to re-buy the same car as they had when they were younger.  Either it was their first car, the car they had in college or their first ‘loved’ car.

That said, we have noticed over the years that it seems to be based largely on which age group has the most ‘spare’ money.  This tends to be people in their late forties or early fifties, whose children have only recently moved out of home.  They find themselves with fewer expenses than ever before and can afford a luxury or two.  All of a sudden they just have to have that ‘67 Chevy Malibu they had when they were younger.

We would estimate, based on the same theory, that in ten years time the popular classics will be the late 70’s and early 80’s models.  The likes of which were seen in popular TV shows and movies like Smokey & the Bandit, Knight Rider & The Dukes of Hazard, etc.