[Maxell]

I have a friend who is beginning to think about a Classic Car business. I have agreed to help him do some market research on where to begin. I am looking for places to find out what is trending in today's market versus what is not being bought. Also I am looking for in depth market pricing guides for example if a radio knob on Jag XKE is originally in black but you find it in gray then it isn't original or what kind of blase clamps were used on a '54 356 Porsche. Maybe not extremely specific like that but as specific as is possible to find.
Thanks

Also does anyone know of a repository of classic restoration guides?

[wetpet]

I hope your buddy likes to lose money! When you are dealing with used cars, it's already tough. "collectibles" are worse. People generally don't trade them in and there really isn't a wholesale market for them. That leaves you either buying real low(hard to do with the internet these days) and selling high or doing consignments. If he has any over head, and car dealers usually have huge overhead, he is gonna have a tough time. Did i mention we were in a huge recession?

[champagne612]

Originally Posted by Maxell

I have a friend who is beginning to think about a Classic Car business. I have agreed to help him do some market research on where to begin. I am looking for places to find out what is trending in today's market versus what is not being bought. Also I am looking for in depth market pricing guides for example if a radio knob on Jag XKE is originally in black but you find it in gray then it isn't original or what kind of blase clamps were used on a '54 356 Porsche. Maybe not extremely specific like that but as specific as is possible to find.
Thanks

Also does anyone know of a repository of classic restoration guides?

I know a guy who built a Classic Car business in the last down turn.

He started buying every MG MGB Austin Jag etc in the 5-10k range and shipped them out of the country.

He know has cars at Pebble Beach and front row seats at every major auction.

The best time to get into something is when everyone is either scared or getting out.

Hyman Motors in St Louis

[Boxer]

Both SCM and FML have databases on car price trends over the last couple of decades.

[Maxell]

His goal isn't to lose money but it isn't to make a million either. His goal is to just make a few bucks but also enjoy himself, do small amounts of restoration and build slowly. We would definitely start small. We don't aim to jump into something not knowing a thing about the market and who is buying.

Thanks Boxer, will check those out.

[wetpet]

yes, you will find that the info you seek is scattered. Can't even think of a single restoration manual. Most of the knowledge you seek is accumulated by individuals over time and frankly, what they are selling. Gonna be hard to find a few sources to get all the info you want. The internet and the forums are a good place to start. Remember two things. Those that know usually won't tell and those that don't are more than willing to. As far as FML goes, it is a decent source of trends, but remember they only have asking prices and there valuations for many of the models are so broad they are worthless. i think the 328 was between 30k-80k once when i looked. Oh really? thanks alot!

[Maxell]

Sports Car Market looks like a great place to start. While I do love Ferraris we are not going to be starting with any of them because of well quite bluntly, not enough cash, but Ferrari Market Letter looks like somewhere we might head in the future. As far as the knowledge about restoration goes I guess I am going to have to learn about each on a per-car basis. My friend says he can tell me if their is a unoriginal bolt on an XKE which I don't doubt but I doubt there are manuals like this anywhere besides in the minds of restoration experts.

[360 Modena]

I happen to know a little old white-haired lady with a '69 GTO (GM, one owner) w/low mileage, all original, unrestored...for the right price, she *might* part with it - 400hp convertible, triple blue