Antique furniture pieces, one-off vintage outfits, and classic cars all share an inherent character and unique style. It’s what allows them to attract droves of admirers.
Vintage car enthusiasts are known to dedicate countless hours to the collection, restoration, and maintenance of these engineering marvels.
The downside to this process is that it can prove to be highly expensive. On the other hand, adequately maintained Italian cars are a source of pleasure and are considered an exquisite investment.
Ensuring your vintage car will maintain its value means you have to care for it routinely.
Tips on How to Maintain the Value of an Antique Car
1. Routinely Check Your Fluid Levels
If there’s one maintenance tip you need to take from this article, it has to be this one! Vintage cars, regardless of their year of manufacture, are still that—automobiles.
Any responsible vehicle owner understands the importance of having fluids in their vehicle. Brake fluid, water, and oil are the fluids needed to make it drivable. They ensure it doesn’t overheat.
Check the fluid gauges every time you take it out for a drive. You don’t want to push your hot-rod too far that it ends up overheating.
2. Keep it Clean
Try to keep it clean throughout the year by not allowing dust and dirt to collect on it. Just because the car hasn’t moved for a few weeks doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be cleaned.
Dust and dirt accumulation can bring about various issues, e.g., rusting, chipping paint, and impaired performance.
Use a soft rag or chamois to dry it after every cleaning exercise. The chamois will soak up any residue soap and prevent the formation of watermarks.
Gently apply an excellent coat of wax to provide it with an extra layer of protection.
3. Take It for Regular Check-ups
A majority of vintage vehicle owners are well-versed with classical car maintenance practices. While this is a good thing, it’s recommended to have it checked by a mechanic every once in a while.
A mechanic will give it a thorough check to prevent the recurrence of significant issues down the line. They also address any simple adjustments or repairs you may have overlooked.
Working with professional mechanics is advantageous as they know where to locate the best replacement parts and at the most competitive prices.
4. Ensure All Its Parts Match
Vintage vehicles are supposed to retain or increase their value as the years go by. In this regard, an antique car is only deemed valuable if it has the original factory parts.
Collectors will quickly lose interest in a vintage with un-matching parts. Confirm that the rear axle, transmission, and engine all have the original part numbers.
When restoring an antique, confirm that the parts being replaced are swapped with those from a similar make and model.
Customization may appear cool, but you have to use the original parts to help maintain and increase its value.
5. Go Through the Owner’s Manual as Often as Possible
It doesn’t hurt going through the owner’s manual every once in a while. It doesn’t matter whether you have just bought the vehicle or have had it for a while.
Reading the manual enables you to familiarize yourself with its unique needs. It’s a chance to get a better look at what it’s made of, including the different parts used in it.
Lacking sufficient knowledge on how to care for it may cause you to do irreversible damages. It’s best to understand what it needs before you can start caring for it.
Conclusion
The five tips discussed above are but a basic guide to maintaining the value of a vintage car. Following each tip will allow you to sustain its investment value and vintage appeal for years.
