Antique Cars: Restoration for Fun or Profit Throughout
the 1800s, various men were working on designs for
different types of engines and for mechanical vehicles
that could be self-propelled. None of these were very
successful, until Karl Benz patented his first engine in
1879, in Germany. The first Benz four-wheeled vehicle
was built and sold in 1893. Karl Benz is generally
considered the inventor of the modern automobile.
Engineers in France, Britain, and America were also
working on automotive designs during this period. The
concept of the production-line automobile was introduced
in 1902 by Ransom Olds at his Oldsmobile factory. Henry
Ford greatly expanded on the concept beginning in 1914,
with his Model T cars that took only about an hour and a
half to build on the production line, from start to
finish!
Collectors of antique cars need to consider the period
that interests them. Any car over 25 years old is
considered an "antique car," while cars built from 1919
through 1930 are sub-classified as "vintage cars."
Advertisements for "classic cars" refer to automobiles
that were usually high-priced when new, and were built
between 1925 and 1948.
To be collectible, any antique car needs to have been
restored to close to its original condition, and to be
in good running condition. Restoration will require the
use of original parts, which may need to be
reconditioned to be usable. Reconditioning of such
antique car parts has become quite a thriving business.
The process of reconditioning is expensive and the
waiting time can be very long. Thus, collectors of
antique cars have to be not only rather well-to-do, but
also very patient.
There are a great many Internet websites devoted to
antique, vintage, and classic cars. Some of these sites
sell or trade the cars; others talk about them, and
about the various organizations that have been formed to
bring some order to the hobby of collecting antique
cars. The Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) and
the Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) are two of the
largest and oldest such organizations in the United
States.
Some people buy antique cars with the plan of
reconditioning and restoring them, and then selling them
at a huge profit. Depending on demand (which
fluctuates), this may be a workable plan, and then
again, it may not.
Those who begin collecting antique cars with this idea
in mind often end up with several automobiles in various
states of disrepair, overflowing their garage and
filling up their driveway. Storage for such cars is
frequently a real problem. It may be better, if antique
cars are an interest of yours, to choose just one car
and work on that one for fun, rather than expecting to
make a profit.
As the industry of restoring antique cars has grown, so
has the number and frequency of antique car shows. You
can find many websites that provide calendars of these
antique car shows in many countries. Some shows are very
formal, with judges that select the best car in several
categories, and prizes awarded to the owners. Others are
just a parade of antique cars down a few streets in a
particular town.
Antique car lovers can form a close-knit group, with
people from many areas who all share a passion for
restoring antique cars. If you think this hobby is for
you, expect to meet many folks who love these cars as
much as you do. Be warned in advance, however: this is a
costly hobby for collectors, and it is critical to be
very careful of dealers in services and parts for
antique cars.
If you take care, do your research, and expect to spend
a lot of money and a lot of time before your "new"
antique car is roadworthy and ready to meet the public
again, you may find years of enjoyment in working with
your antique car.
Enjoy the
ride!
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