| As much as it may feel like a betrayal of sorts, there | | | | a price for the car which, although realistic, makes it |
| does come a time when some of us have to sell or | | | | worth your while to sell in the first place. There are |
| trade in a classic car. This is not something that any | | | | pricing guides which will make this part of the practice |
| classic car owner greets with equanimity. We will all | | | | a whole lot easier. Among the best and the most |
| have our reasons for doing it, but it still hurts when the | | | | popular is Hemmings Classic Car, which features a |
| time comes, because buying that car in the first place | | | | comprehensive list of what you can expect to receive |
| may well have been one of the most joyful days of | | | | for a car of a certain brand and age (allowing for the |
| our lives. If you are trading in for a "new" classic, the | | | | condition of the car, of course). Making a sale will |
| acquisition of the new one may soften the blow - but it | | | | depend on not straying too far from this price in an |
| may also add to the stab of betrayal, having let a car | | | | upward direction, but at the same time it makes sense |
| you loved go in order to bring in one you merely | | | | to keep as close to it without dropping in price, |
| coveted, and intend to grow to love. | | | | because you want the sale to be worth your while. |
| There is also the possibility that you will have had to | | | | As well as the above considerations, you can increase |
| sell your classic car due to financial difficulties or a | | | | your chances of making a sale - and realizing a good |
| change in lifestyle, which made it impractical to keep | | | | price on it - by adopting a policy of full disclosure and |
| the car however much you may have wanted to. This | | | | making the necessary preparations. Make sure the car |
| knowledge will make acceptance slightly easier, but will | | | | is as close to factory condition as possible. Collectors |
| still do very little to wash away the feelings of | | | | will pay a good price for a car that looks and drives |
| disappointment over letting something go that meant a | | | | like it did when it was produced. The policy of full |
| lot to you. However, if the time comes that you have | | | | disclosure is a more controversial one, but will serve |
| to sell a car, the only thing you can do is try to ensure | | | | you well. Classic car collectors will not buy on the basis |
| you get a good price for it and move on with your life. | | | | of salesman flannel. If you lie about the state of your |
| The practicalities of selling a classic car are something | | | | car, they will know - and they will turn on their heel and |
| that few people will want to deal with when the time | | | | walk away. Better by miles to take a potential (and |
| comes to sell, but nonetheless will have to be paid | | | | small) financial hit than be left with a car you cannot |
| some attention. Firstly, it is vital to ensure that you set | | | | use and no money. |