Hagerty's: When to walk away from a project car.

[elagache]

Dear mid-60s Buick caregivers,

There is some common sense advice from Mike Musto on the Hagerty's website about how to assess a project car before making the plunge:

https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2018/05/21/when-to-walk-away-from-a-project-car

After describing his own heartbreaking mistake, he makes 7 points that are decent common sense but probably should be repeated periodically if for no other reason to educate newcomers:

• Know what you're looking at: Upon first seeing those crappy photos in the Buy & Sell I became emotionally invested in a car that I’d yet to view in person and convinced myself I had to have it. Don’t do this.
• Observe your surroundings: The area from which I purchased the car was unsavory to say the least. That’s not always a sure-fire bad thing, but if I’d gone with my gut, I’d have bailed out immediately.
• Bring a friend: More knowledge is always better when you go to inspect a vehicle. This not only provides another set of eyes, but moreover, it’s the voice of reason that will keep your emotions in check.
• Get a PPI: Pre-purchase Inspection. If I had done this, the odds of a bad purchase would have been avoided. I’d have been out $250 instead of $6k.
• Be honest with yourself: If you don’t have the skills to fix a vehicle then understand that you’ll be paying someone else to do it for you. This is expensive.
• Pry before you buy: Ask the seller as many probing questions as you can in regards to ownership, previous maintenance and past records.
• Make sure you can afford it: If after the above questions are answered, check that bank account of yours. If there is even the slightest doubt about your funds, don’t do it, as project cars can become a money pit that can ruin what was meant to be an otherwise great automotive experience.

Definitely sage advice that more than a few have learned da' hard way . . . 
   
Cheers, Edouard

[option B9]

 Edouard, Thanks for posting the article from Hagerty insurance, i read it and any newcomers to the hobby that plan on getting an old vehicle should read it too. People see these restoration shows and say "wow i can do that " and don't really know what they are getting in to. And when they realize how much time and skill is needed to repair an older vehicle the project dies. There are cars & trucks all over the country that are sitting in garages, barns or in the worse case pushed outside to rot away. Watching those restoration shows is interesting,  but realize that those are skilled craftsman working in fully equipped garages with plenty of space and plenty of money to buy truckloads of parts. Plus they have plenty of help !!  How many of us have all of that ?   I don't ! it's me, myself & I  95% of the time in a crowded one and a half car garage crammed with whatever tool i need to do the job that i bought with my own money ( no sponsorship here) so when people say "that's easy i can do that" They need to read those 7 points and think it over before they start another failed project. 

                                                                                 Tony

[elagache]

Dear Tony and mid-60s Buick owners who are graduates of "da' school of hard knocks!" . . . . 

. . . . .
So when people say "that's easy i can do that" They need to read those 7 points and think it over before they start another failed project. 

Amen brother! . . . 

Cheers, Edouard