(Thanks to SeriousWheels for this sample photo)
I’ve gotten many calls over the years from automobile aficionados who need someone to look at a collector car they’re about to buy, or have put a deposit on, but haven’t been able to inspect.
Often they ask if I can drive over to Reno or Santa Barbara, or fly into Vegas or Los Angeles, to see if the restoration, repair or replacement work on the vehicle has been done properly. They might also want me to assert whether the collector car really does fall within the rating with which it has been been described, usually a 2 or 2.5.
While I’m always happy to look at a car (especially a Mercedes Gullwing such as a fellow from Indiana was considering), sometimes it’s not worth the buyer’s money to send a bonafide ASA Accredited, certified equipment appraiser on a day trip to ensure the vehicle is as specified.
In this situation, the car collector doesn’t need an actual USPAP automobile appraisal; he just needs someone who knows what to look for in a collector car. And this is where the local body shop specialist comes in.
If you are buying a car from a remote location and you need to have someone take a look at it to be sure the paint job is flawless, the chrome is spotless, the upholstery is properly rolled and tucked, there isn’t a quarter panel from China, and the windows are whole, then I’m going to recommend that you talk to the premier automotive repair guy in the neighborhood.
Lately I’ve been recommending that folks who need this kind of service use the internet to find an auto body shop in the general location of the automobile and take a moment to call and talk with the best repair technician available. Alternatively, you could contact the local chapter of a collector car club, if there is one, and ask someone in that group who they might recommend to look at the car for you. In either case, my experience has been that it’s not too hard to find someone who’s willing and qualified to drive out and make an inspection report on a collector car.
It’s not often enough, I’d imagine, that these guys get paid to go out and look at these automobiles without having to work up an estimate on repairs!
When you do talk to the restoration/repair tech, be sure to specify exactly what you want him to notice and report to you. You can start out with the general Collector Car Price Guide rating system and ask for specifics such as the chrome, paint job, tire, hubcaps, interior, etc. You could also send him any photos you’ve received of the automobile, as well as the VIN to be sure that the auto he’s inspecting matching the one you are interested in.
Now, once you’ve bought your vehicle, you may very well decide you need an qualified appraisal for insurance purposes. In that case, give me a call!
Jack Young, ASA, CPA
Collecter Car Aficionado
NorCal Valuation
