Thinking about buying your first classic car? Here's how

​Survivor Car Australia magazine has had lots of feedback surrounding Survivor Cars.

One of those topics that just keeps coming up is that it’s too difficult to find a Survivor car, or that the cars that readers desire are way too expensive. But don’t give up the dream just yet.

With interest growing significantly in the Survivor car scene, the boundaries as to which cars are collectable and desirable have shifted. 

You only need to visit a local car show to see the change in what is grabbing attention.

1978 Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC. (image credit: Survivor Car Australia)

At a recent classic car show SCA watched a group of guys in their mid 30s walk straight past an Electric Blue Ford XY GT-HO Phase III to look at a plain looking Yellow Ochre Ford XY Falcon 500 – complete with a front sun-visor, hubcaps, and a bench seat.

One is worth in excess of $500,000+ and the other is valued around $30,000, though judging by the crowds that were gathered around the latter you would have never thought so. 

Owning a classic car is a dream for many Aussie car enthusiasts. Your dad may have owned a car that you have fond memories of, but sadly he sold it before you were old enough to drive it. You may have been thinking about buying a collector car lately, but are worried about all the fuss that a show car can bring.

A Survivor car is a great way to enter the world of classic cars, simply because they can be easy to live with. They can be looked after and maintained too, without the expense that a full restoration can bring.

You can drive and enjoy it, and park it just about anywhere without the fear that a single stone chip or dent will destroy the car’s look forever. You can load up the family or a bunch of your mates and share the time-machine experience that original un-restored Survivor cars provide. 

For a lucky few, their classic car is handed down through family. And for many others their old clunker is bought with their own hard earned money.

Over the years there have been quite a few trends in what is sought after. In the ‘80s European cars were the ‘must have’ item, including Jaguars, MGs, and Alfa Romeos. The ‘90s saw American cars like the Mustang, Camaro, and Charger rise in popularity. Then we saw the muscle car boom in the mid 2000s push values of Australian made cars like Falcon GTs and GTS Monaros sky high, and then there was the global financial crisis which caused high prices to bust, forcing most collectors to be more frugal with their spending.

Now - more than ever - is the right time to buy a Survivor.

Securing a car that you’ll be able to enjoy for many years to come is more affordable than you’d think. In fact, if you’re a budding car hunter or are known for chasing old cars, you might be able to find something as cheap as chips!

Old classics have their own unique characteristics that make them collectable today, and into the future. Your chance of finding a Survivor is quite high, so keep your eyes peeled and you might find a gem in a shed just waiting for you.

Identifying and buying a true Survivor car can be difficult, but with some tips from author and old car guru Ross Vasse, you’ll have the knowledge and the confidence and to splash out on the right car to suit you. 

“When buying an old car, it's your responsibility to perform the necessary checks. This is called due diligence. The final decision to buy will always be yours and yours alone to make.” says Ross. “Getting a stranger to release information depends on how well your questions are aimed. You don't just want any information - you want the right information. And watch out for words like ‘excellent’, ‘great’ and terms like ‘perfect condition’. For example, the interpretation of ‘excellent’ by two different people discussing the same car needs to be clarified.”

Ross explains “When you’re looking at an old car, you'll almost always find a surprise. The trick is to find any surprises before you buy it. Sometimes the surprises are pleasant, like finding out that a plain Jane Chrysler sedan was factory fitted with performance race-spec engine; a rare prototype. And sometimes they're nasty surprises, like a rusted out chassis section that is costly to repair.”

“If within your budget, try to buy ‘Limited Edition Special’ models in original condition with a known history and low miles, or an old Survivor in great condition for its age. A matching numbers Survivor with original service books will always be highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors.

I strongly suggest you thoroughly research any 'Limited Edition Special' model and learn how to identify it. If you're still unsure, then find a well versed expert to look at it for you. If you suspect that any of the vehicle identifiers have been tampered with or are incorrect, save yourself the heartache and walk away.” 

1969 Volkswagen Beetle. (image credit: Survivor Car Australia)

SCA recommends that you contact the relevant car club or owners group for tips on problem areas for specific vehicles, or alternatively book a pre-purchase inspection through a specialist car inspection company that will provide you everything you want to know plus more. 

From these Survivor car examples we feel you’ll find something that will be enjoyable to own, more than likely hold its value, and most importantly provide you with that ‘time machine’ experience that driving a Survivor car provides.

Whether it’s the big and luxurious Fairlane, the uniquely Aussie Holden Kingswood, or the eternally charming Beetle, you’ll be enjoying sunny Sundays on the road as often as possible.

Source: Survivor Car Australia

What car would you buy to start off your classic car collection? Let us know in the comments.