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Our Hagerty Plus member phoned us to ask questions about what a "fully documented car" means? This term is mentioned on many televised auctions such as Barrett-Jackson, and he would like to know what to look for.

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How do I go about finding a 1952 or 1953 Sears Allstate car?

This will be challenging because fewer than 1,600 were built. (It's essentially a Kaiser Henry J built for Sears.) Watch Hemmings Motor News ( Continue reading >>

A Hagerty Plus member called - he has found a 34 car collection he is considering buying but the seller will only sell them en masse, so he wondered what the value might be (and any information about) a 1935 Bentley 3 1/2 litre sport salon with Freestone & Webb coachwork?

Pre-war Bentleys are rare. Coachbuilt vehicles that are very difficult to establish an average value for – the values are heavily influenced by originality, provenance, and bulletproof" Continue reading>>

I am applying for a salvage title and need the gross weight for a 1974 Triumph. The title has 000. I called the State of Michigan and they want me to contact a dealership who sells Triumph and get something on letterhead stating the gross weight. Do you have any suggestions on who to call for this?

As you probably know, Triumph pulled out of the United States in 1981, so there haven’t been any dealers in almost 30 years. However, the first place to look for the weight of your Triumph is in the Continue reading >>

A potential client (VA) is looking at purchasing a car in the Los Angeles area (Pamona) and was wondering if we have any referrals for 3rd parties that could help him facilitate this (i.e. getting cashier check, arranging transportation and making sure the vehicle is safely transported) in that area. I have not heard of such a beast and didn't know if you knew of anything/anybody.

I can provide some resources for you, but I know of no "one stop shopping" for the resources you are interested in. Generally, an attorney is used to hold both the funds and the title until both" Continue reading>>

Q: Client asks: “I’ve purchased a rust free 1967 Sunbeam Alpine recently with the intention of restoration. It doesn’t need much; paint, carpeting, and soft top. I haven’t started on it yet, but would like to determine how much time I should devote to it because of the economic times we’re in. Whom would you suggest I contact to see what the value of the vehicle might be at this point?”

A: We use Hagerty’s Cars that Matter Price Guide. I can give you an idea of what it is worth. Obviously, we hope you’ll want to insure the car with us, and our customer service number for the Continue reading >>

We just got 1967 Plymouth GTX in excellent condition. The seller won't give us all his receipts as promised, which he claims total approx. $70,000.00. When we sell car, does having the receipts/history on car have a value? Should I pursue?

The value of the purchase documents can be significant - as long as they show what a prospective buyer wants to see - no stories, matching numbers, long ownership, original equipment, etc. If it" Continue reading>>

I am thinking of purchasing a 1994 BMW 318ic with 67,000 miles. Do you have any type of extended warranty insurance to cover mechanical repairs.

Previously I'd found three possibilities for someone else:

http://www.discountwarranties.com/
http://www.autowarranties.com/
Continue reading >>

Values, 64 chevelle, ballpark prices

I don't have enough in the way of details to be able to help you. For example, is the car a 2 door hardtop, convertible, 4 door sedan or station wagon? What about condition; #6, #5, #4, #3, #2," Continue reading>>

Is there a collector car value guide for antiques, classics, sport cars?

Yes, there are multiple price guides available. For example; Hagerty’s Cars That Matter Price Guide (typically post-war vehicles to approximately 25 years old with a few exotics listed, up to Continue reading >>

I have tried to go to the web address in your latest advt in Hemmings, for Hagerty's Cars That Matter, www.htcm.com, but my search service keeps saying it cannot locate the site, is the site up and running? let me know, thanks

Thanks for your enquiry about Hagerty’s Cars That Matter Price Guides. Here is the website link:

http://www.carsthatmatter.com/

" Continue reading>>

Based on the "Cars that Matter" guide, what is the value range for a 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air Sport Coupe,3sp., with 28K original miles, all stock, in very good overall condition? Thank you.

Thanks for your question about a very good condition original low-mileage 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air sports coupe. The Hagerty’s Cars That Matter Price Guide indicates the car to be valued at $18,000 Continue reading >>

I am trying to trace a VIN# for a 1968 Impala SS built in the Southgate, Calif. plant. The car has been in storage in eastern Canada since 1992, can you help?

I’m sorry to say that the American DMV’s are no longer willing to give prior ownership information out on any cars at all under any circumstances. Perhaps you’ll have better luck with the" Continue reading>>

Looking to purchase a Hertz Shelby Mustang off of ebay from a dealer in Florida, what can you help me with. I plan to fly to FL from MN with my wife and have a roadtrip back. Any advise on these rental shelbys and also on this particular vehicle you can help with?

Thanks for writing about the Hertz Shelby Mustang. I really am no expert on these Shelby Mustangs, having only vaguely heard of them. I can say that on his website that you provided, I saw Continue reading >>

Where are the vehicle value guides on the Hagerty website?

The values guides are not free on our website. If you would like to obtain a subscription to the Hagerty’s Cars That Matter Price Guide, call 877 872 7772. Indicate that you are a Hagerty customer" Continue reading>>

Can you tell me what a 1975 Jensen Healey JH5, restored in very good condition is worth?

The Hagerty’s Cars That Matter Price Guide indicates that a 1975 Jensen Healey roadster in #2 condition is worth $11,900; in #3 condition, $6900.

Hope this helps.

I am looking into purchasing a Lotus Elise or Exige. Could you share your opinion as to which model [Elise or Exige] and trim [S 240S 260S] is likely to become a collectors item. Thanks so much for your advice.

Thanks for your question about the new Lotus cars. I was able to look at this comparison at Edmunds and thought I’d share it with you.

My husband and I are in search of a muscle car to restore and have come across several websites offering insurance salvage vehicles. Most of the sites require that you pay a fee to view the inventory and the vehicles can be purchased with a credit card or money transfer. Are these types of websites legit? Can the vehicle be insured once it has been restored? What types of things should we be on the look out for?

Well, I would have very loud alarm bells ringing in my head for any websites which are asking you to send only credit card information or do money transfers (meaning they have your bank account Continue reading >>

How can I confirm if the mileage on my 1970 SS Nova is actual. I've had the vehicle about five years, and was told 34,000 is the true mileage.

Does the title you hold for the car have a section, as they do in Michigan, relating to the mileage and whether it is considered actual by the state, according to their records? I can’t think of" Continue reading>>

Where would I look for matching engine numbers to the chassis in a 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass-S?

According to the Catalog of American Car ID Numbers 1960-69, there is no direct correlation between the VIN number and the engine in a 1968 Oldsmobile. The VIN tag is on top of the instrument Continue reading >>

I'm considering a long-distance purchase of a classic vehicle. I would have the vehicle shipped to me, and therefore would never actually meet the seller. How do I handle money transfers, the signature on the title and bill of sale?

First you should consider having the vehicle inspected and appraised before buying it sight unseen. Auto Appraisal Group works on a national level. They can be reached at (800) 848 2886." Continue reading>>

I need help locating a Ford or Mercury 3-window coupe from 1940-1948.

For starters, try www.hemmings.com or buy a Hemmings Motor News on a monthly basis and look. www.craigslist.com is Continue reading >>

I have a buyer in Sweden who wants to buy my old truck. He says he has a friend locally in the U.S. that will pay me cash for the vehicle. My concern is the title; I cannot transfer it to him if he is not here. What risks do I have just signing it over once I have the cash?

It’s always a danger, when transacting business in large amounts of cash, that you’ll be given counterfeit money. I would suggest having the transaction at a local bank where you can arrange ahead" Continue reading>>

I'm looking for a classic car that I owned as a teenager in South Carolina: a 1967 Oldsmobile. I'd love to find out if this car still exists and if so, where it may be. Anything tips?

Even with the VIN, it's virtually impossible to locate lost cars. The DMVs in 49 out of 50 states no longer allow paid searches (Idaho being the exception, apparently).

There is one Web site Continue reading >>

I'm thinking about buying a 1966 Pontiac GTO, but I want to make sure it was never involved in an accident. What can I do?

Since there are no “computerized” report such as Carfax for cars built prior to 1981, the only solution is to have the car checked over by a certified SAE body man. They can most likely tell you" Continue reading>>