Antique Cars

Antique cars bring pleasure to both their owners and other drivers. Seeing an old roadster driving down the streets is fun for many, often providing pleasant memories. Antique cars often remind people of cars they drove when they were young or of cars their parents drove when they were kids.

 

While the upkeep on an antique car might be a bit more complicated than that of a newer car, for some, the joy of driving an antique car is well worth the extra effort.

When people hear the word "antique," they often think of something that is at least 100 years old. However, when the term "antique" is used in the world of cars, it generally describes a car that is at least 25 years old.

 

Cars that survive 25 years are rare, as most cars are designed to last only 12 or 13 years. Thus, for most cars to become antiques, they must receive extra care and special upkeep during their early years.

 

Keeping antique cars in working condition is often expensive because it's difficult to find antique car parts. Additionally, once you are able to locate them, they tend to be expensive. As a result, most antique car owners drive their precious roadsters only a few times a month.

While you often won't see an antique car on your morning commute, you are likely to see them in parades or car rallies. Car shows are also good places to see a number of antique cars and antique car enthusiasts. These events allow owners to drive and display their antique cars in controlled conditions while also being able to enjoy and appreciate other antique cars.

Although any car that makes it to the 25-year mark can be called an antique, some antique cars are more popular than others. For example, antique roadsters tend to be far more popular than antique sedans. Thus, antique roadsters often demand a higher price on the market.

Popular antique car models are often cars that can be closely associated with a particular era. A Ford T-Bird from the late 50s or early 60s, for instance, conjures images of the Beach Boys, drive-in theaters and the birth of Rock and Roll.

Here's a list of some of the more popular models of antique cars (listed from oldest to newest):

Note that these are just popular American roadsters. Antique cars from across the globe are also popular with many antique car collectors.

One of the challenges to restoring and maintaining old roadsters is finding antique car parts. Production of most antique car parts ended years ago.

Finding antique car parts can be a hobby within a hobby. Antique car owners not only have to be part mechanic but also part detective. Many enthusiasts find antique car parts:

Locating hard-to-find roadster parts can also involve hunting through old garages, junkyards and second-hand parts stores. Getting involved with the online and offline antique car community can help owners track down elusive parts.

Some people view antique roadsters as an investment because the values of these cars does tend to increase with time. However, antique car values are susceptible to market demands and what's popular at any given moment.

Generally, antique cars are for hobbyists rather than for speculative investors. Antique car values are rarely high enough to cover the time and cost that it requires to restore the car.

Deciding which cars will eventually demand the highest antique car prices is also challenging. Which of today's cars will be in demand in 25 or 30 years requires some intuitive guesswork.