Starting a collection of anything sounds simple, right? Wrong. Collecting is a meticulous hobby and there are plenty of little tricks to getting started, especially in car collecting.
If you’re a car connoisseur, car collecting might be the right hobby for you. Before you dive into the collecting world, here are from tips for starting a car collection.
Find a Focus
The first step in starting your collection is to find a focus. Your car collection should be an organized collection of cars you’re passionate about. Finding a specific focus will make getting started and continuing to grow your collection easier. Do you like muscle cars? Classics? Cars you can’t find on a dealership lot? New cars or older vehicles that require some hands-on restoration work? Pick a favorite and begin to build your collection from there.
Define a Budget and Time Allocation
Starting a car collection is going to take some time and money. Have an honest conversation with yourself about the amount of money and time you’re willing and able to put into this hobby. More time and money don’t always mean a better collection, but it can mean you can grow your collection much faster.
Define a budget that you’re comfortable with. This step can also help you set expectations and narrow your focus. If you have limited time and a smaller budget, it might be best to collect newer cars that don’t require as much attention as their older counterparts. Most older vehicles require more upkeep and care, which can really eat away at your finances and free time.
Research as Much as Possible
Before you bite the bullet on your first purchase, you’ll want to have extensive knowledge of the vehicle and car collecting in general. Spend as much time as you can reading about cars you’re interested in and tips for starting a car collection so you can make smart and informed decisions down the line.
Join local car collecting communities and online forums as well to learn the ins and outs of the car collecting market.
Storage
You won’t be very successful in car collecting if you don’t have a storage plan lined up. If you don’t have the means to store your collection at your home, look into local storage facilities, warehouses, or specialized car storing facilities nearby to make sure you have resources available to you as your collection gets bigger.
Where to Start Buying
Once you’ve become an expert in collecting knowledge, have your focus, and time and budget limitations set, it’s time to start looking for cars. To get started with your purchases, look at want ads, attend auctions and estate sales, go to car shows, and connect with other collectors to increase your buying network.
Don’t Buy Without Proof
Another key tip to starting your collection is to never buy without proof. If the car you’re interested in has no background information, it can hurt the value of the car. Every car you purchase should have information on what parts are original, what work has been done, mileage, where the car has been stored, and so on.
Van Rundell is a writer and author who specializes in transportation, travel, guidance, health & fitness. With over 10 years of experience in the industry as a driver and an entrepreneur, he has seen it all. His tone is professional but friendly with a dash of humor thrown in for good measure. In past, he has been advising, educating and writing about transport for the public and professionals alike.
A qualified fitness instructor with over 5 years’ experience as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Van brings his deep knowledge of health and exercise science to his articles on health & fitness.
