Hi Rob,

There are a couple of ways to "value" a car one of which is based on a points system and is called the 6 categories. Basically what you do is rate you car on a scale of 1 to 5 across a further 20 categories and add up the totals.

A #1 car would be (from memory now) something that has a total of 90+ , #2 is 80 - 89 , #3 is 70 - 79 etc.

I can't recall the categories but they can be googled of course ; they include such things as body condition , interior , engine etc.

In fact I did and found this page ; there are others out there of course 🙂

http://classiccars.about.com/od/sellingyourclassic/a/Selling.htm

As to value ; that's another story of course. There are any number of publications , sites etc. that can give you a clue. Of course the value you assign to car that you want to sell tend to be somewhat higher than that of a car you want to buy.

In other words my view always was that if I wanted a car, the price wasn't too out there and I could afford it then that is what I'd pay (subject to the usual bargaining techniques of course)

Hagerty; Kelley Blue Book, NADA, Hemmings Classic Car Pricing, etc etc--use google to find

Paul and Richard,

Thank you for the information! 🙂

Rob

The rating system is purely relative and arbitrary..

#1 generally means it's either a brand new restoration without even a scratch; or it is a factory fresh car that was locked into an airtight vault, with 2 miles on the odometer, and is now essentially brand new.

#2 Is a car that has been restored at some point and is still in almost-perfect condition

#3 encompasses most running cars. It ranges from a #2 with a scratch on it, to a barely-running car that looks good from 75 feet away.

#4 is a non-running restoration candidate. "Ran when parked".

#5 is a parts car. No sane person would consider restoring it.

Well, according to Jon's definition, my car was a 5!...k

"[i]#5 is a parts car. No sane person would consider restoring it.[/i]"

Except for me . . . unless I really am insane.

Jon,

Thank you.

I'm aware of what the overall collector car ratings/grades are, I really was wondering if the HET club had assigned special or different meanings and values to the numbers used in the roster.
I see a lot of # 2 cars in the roster and was trying to guess at the values between a #3 and #2 to see if I could afford one of that quality.
I looked at one car that was rated as a #1 but in my book would be a #4, though it was priced as a #2, hence my curiosity.
I'm guessing that because of lifetime sentimental bonds between some owners and cars, that actual value might be a bit of a gray area.
If I owned a favorite car for 50+ years, I'd probably have a real hard time pricing it too. :unsure:

Rob

Old cars weekly now lists cars in condition 1 through 6.

Thank you John,

Rob

Rob-

Those ratings are completely subjective and arbitrary. Don't put much stock into it when considering your purchase. Eyes, ears and common sense are much better tools for that.

'Common sense...

Always good advice! 🙂

Thanks Russell

Any item/car can be nit-picked to death. What is perfect to one is marginal to the next. These things are 60+ years old. under that shiny new coat of paint lies the truth. If you where not there to see it done then you will most likely always wonder? Perfection is in the eye of the beholder. Got to accept that fact and be happy with your choice. It's you who has to be pleased the most. If you get to wrapped up in it all, the full level of enjoyment will elude you. My 53 turned heads when it was weather beaten and I still enjoyed the comments. Good endeavors.

Not trying to be an a%% here but the bottom line for car values is that a car, old or new, is worth exactly what somebody is willing to pay for it. That said, however, auctions have driven a lot of old car prices into the ridiculous. Is a 1953 Hornet convertible, newly restored, worth $150k. Worth it to whomever bought it at auction not to long ago. Just like the developers who buy a house in a run down neighborhood, tear it down and build a beautiful home, then sell for $200,000. Property taxes, of course, go up not only on the new house, but every house in the 'hood. Most are worth, maybe, $100k, but they are being taxed at the rate of the highest home in the neighborhood. So people living there have to sell out and move. I've seen it happen over and over when I lived in Maine.

Hudsonly,
Alex B

Carl and Alex,

Thanks for your opinions and help! 🙂

My goal isn't to pick a car apart, or determine an exact value for a specific car based on a grading system, but to better understand the average values associated with a given model.
I questioned my understanding of the club members valuation system after looking at a car that just didn't fit the categories and pricing. I have only looked at one car thus listed, so it is probably an anomaly.

As I've not been able to find the car I really want (that is for sale) I've started looking through the club roster to find members who own the model(s) I want to buy.
As I suspect there will be some who won't appreciate me (politely) asking if they might be considering selling their car, I am trying to determine what average value is associated with the different numbers listed, so that I don't bother those owners whose cars are valued much higher than I could ever hope to afford.
Beyond trying to be considerate in my intrusion, I am trying to be very mindful of how I come across, as these same people I am E mailing, may be able to help me in the future once I find the right car.
Properly armed with the correct knowledge, I hope to be successful!
Once I find it, if it is the "perfect one" my budget will probably go out the window... 😉

Rob