How To Buy A Classic Car - What To Look For And What To AVOID

I've been asked the same few questions over and over in the last couple years.
Where do I find my cars?
How much do I pay for my cars?
What to look for in a classic car

So here is a quick video that breaks down a few different project cars in all different skill and price levels. I go over everything from a complete entry level car all the way up to a absolute basket case. Be honest with yourself and skill level. Trust me it will make the process much much easier.

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DD Speed Shop
Po box 42041
1881 Portage ave
Ferry Road RPO
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3J 3X7

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[OlysGarage]

You put it to words, very well, Dan. One thing people NEED to understand.... their first few projects when just starting out, WILL be over your head, cost you 2-3 times as much as they should, and take 3-4 times longer then they should. After you tool up, screw up stuff, and essentially get educated the hard way, then things will start moving along at the pace you sorta feel they should. Its called "a learning curve", and we have ALL been through it. We've all bought roaches and taken a bath on them, we've all been that guy that had to sell off projects that went over our head or budget, we've all thrown money hand over fist into the endless pit known a "the project" in hopes of completion. Success in the hobby goes with sticking to it and never stop learning, but also knowing when to quit while you're still ahead!

[jessedenning]

Don't sell yourself short on how valuable your time is. Time is very valuable, something you can never get back. I 100% agree, buy what you have the skill set, knowledge and equipment for.

[franksgarage]

Great advice. Skill level and budget. Less skill the bigger the budget needed.

[waynegouin]

Hi Dan. Lots of people now know how to replace Floorpans, because you showed us how. Thanks. Some more old cars will be saved because of your vids.. That's AWSOME!

[johnpassmore]

I build and sell trade hot rods. I'm 63 and have always done it. I guess it is my therapy. Sometimes I trade before it's done just to start another build. Present time I'm building a 81 notchback mustang .its got a built 355 sbc in it with a built trans. Gonna drive it a little than probably get rid of it. No more after this. ( just in case my wife is reading this).

[kuhndog-]

I think the first thing you need to decide is if you are trying to do some work and flip it for a profit or to build the car/truck and keep the thing. There is a big difference in the money spent at that point.

[leedavis]

I paid 1700 us for my 57 fairlane 100% complete. I’ve done fuel system, breaking system, cooling system, got the engine going after sitting for fifty some odd years still needs a lot but like you said it was a good starting point car for sure.👍🏻

[morgansword]

I found everything said to be absolute truth as I have done these too, just older as I'm older... like 73 so there's that. When kids go shopping, they look for specific cars and to me a poor way as so many other cars have potential to be real nice once fixed and maybe tradeable for the absolute one that you wanted in first place. Some people only build one car in their lives and to me what a waste of talent if they show it in even just one car. I never finished my first rig on account of it was way way worse than I knew... the guy knew he had a rookie and still did it to me for a large portion of the savings gone, it was hard to go further. Fixing is easy but money just doesn't fall from trees. I got the next one in a will and was wondering if I could fix it right as it even drove home. So not looking at all, come out of some business and see a older rig at the front door of the place and a fellow putting the best offer in the window. Small talk turned into a well if I had that kind of money yada yada, and finally he said, I will take it over to your place and hold title till we agree on the price. Kid (me) says ok and gets home to find dad and mom screaming at me this isn't a wrecking yard (could of fooled me) but its looking like have to give it back and get folks off me ass and the guy just hands me title and says deal with it so its a hide at a friends be careful picking friends just saying as that is another tale of this ain't no shit!! I did finish all of them but that first one went to the scrap heap with a lot of wasted hours and money. I sure hope the money comes for you two kids as I can't think of more deserving

[ChrisTheBmxGuy]

Got my 79 camaro for 1k. Needed patch job on the floor but it was pretty solid. Rear quarters are solid but lots of bondo. Rust on the rockers and fenders and under the corners of the front windshield. Running on 7 cylinders but running and driving none the less. 305/th350 combo.

My 85 ram shortbed i got for 3k minty fresh interior and solid body with no rust. 318/a904 trans. That one just needed a few bulbs and a new fusable link. Its my new daily 😎

[geraldscott]

For me, it needs to be structurally intact, with minimal rust and body damage. I'm just not into body work. It can have any kind of mechanical issues, but parts must be available. That means it has to be a popular make, model, and year that reproduction parts are being made for. Give me a good solid body, and I can build a car out of it if I can get the parts. Of course, that could prove to be very expensive, depending on what parts you need, how plentiful they are, and whether you can get them used. Small block Chevy engines and parts (and I mean the real thing, not an LS) pretty much grow on trees. Trying to find body parts or glass for a 1972 Pinto wagon is impossible.

[johnnywooten]

The 57 150 would make a killer black widow 57 clone Dan its already black and white too.

[howardkoster]

$300.00 in the mid 1960's, bought you a decent 1956 Chevy all day long...But that was then....This '56 is a great builder....
Dan, you're putting some real good information for those into this

[ksokie]

Great video on your thoughts on buying the cars to rebuild. And it is just great to see all the projects that are in the wings 🙌

[glennnickerson]

Good stuff Dan, you hit all the major points! My only recommendations: Do the car you won't fall out of love in and what a lot of You Tube guys seem to do, don't have too many projects. Try to focus on getting one done (at least running an driving) before the next. It robs funds from getting it done and another car always pops up later. I have always tried to have one to drive and one to work on. If you get a good deal and plan on flipping it, good, just don't rip it apart (a whole car sells better than one taken apart).

[rkechevy]

I drove a 57 belair for years in the 80's 283 powerglide it was just a great reliable car. It had too many doors but it got me back and forth to work with very few problems, park as many as you can . kind of a tri five 4 0 1-k you can't lose if you buy them right no matter how many doors.

[dennisolsen]

I'm confused. The Gremlin was absolute garbage when it was brand new! The Pacer and the long hood Matador were the only cars (slightly) more offensive to look at.

[travisjohnson]

I helped a buddy pick up a lil project you woulda liked last weekend...55' olds 88 holiday coupe 4 dr hardtop. Extremely complete and very solid. Motor blew up in 1968 and hasn't seen the road since. The price was right ($600). Gonna be a great project for him. I'm sure I'll be helping alot. Hopefully he watched your videos and gets some pointers.

[OutBoardTink]

That 56 would fetch over $500 at the junkyard today here in NY 15 cents /lb its high I keep saying! $150 per 1000lbs with engine and trans. would get $525 + at around 3500 lbs. Many old yards are sending cars to the crusher and cashing in now especially because of the high prices. Its sad and good in away they are rusting away to nothing which is worse in my book as the owner oldtimers sadly pass on who built these yards for many years. Popularity for these old cars wanes with time too as most could care less .. thats

[timerickson]

in 1978 my cousin bought a 1936 auburn cord boatail speedster the stainless trim around the windshield in 1978 was $1000. shiny shit costs big bucks.

[TheRareCriticalThinker]

At 25, finally saved up enough to get my very own ‘67 Mustang hardtop. 8 grand with a 289 hipo V8. Replaced some easy parts- radiator, fuel pump, thermostat, and installed electric fan. Rebuilt tranny. Runs very well. Tackling rust next. Floor is destroyed and needs to be replaced. I don’t see any penetrative rust, but I’m still a little worried for the sticker shock.