 "Vintage Volkswagen cars")
A car means different things for different people. For some, it is only a means of commute, to get from one place to another. For some, it is a status symbol. Then, there are those for whom it is a 'four-wheeled nostalgia', 'a piece of heritage' or even 'their first wife'.
This is how Srinivas Krishnan, an expert on classic and vintage cars, describes them. "These cars are evocative of a life that was there in this country. When you buy a classic car, you don't look at it as an investment. It is governed more by sentiment and emotions," he says.
Krishnan bought a 1960 Volkswagen Beetle for Rs 40,000 and its worth today is close to about Rs 5 lakh. "If you ask me the value I will say it is priceless. But when you want to sell the car, there is no guarantee that you will get back all the money you spent on it. One must not look at it as an investment. Acquire one only to indulge your automotive nostalgia, to enjoy driving a car from an analogue era," he says.
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What makes them classic? Typically, a classic car is defined as one built after World War II, that is, between 1945 to the late 1960s and early 1970s. Cars that were hugely mass produced, such as Volkswagen Beetle, Fiat 500, the Citroen 2CV and the Mini and the 'pontoon' Mercedes-Benz models are some examples. Then, there are rarer ones that include the Jaguar, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and BMW series 5 or 7. These cars were produced in limited numbers.
"But a Premier Padmini or a first-generation Maruti 800 is fast becoming a collectible," says Karl Bhote, a classic car enthusiast who works in an automobile company.
Bhote has a few collectibles from 1954 to 1996. Some of these were inherited from family members. When he started buying cars 10 years ago, he bought Indian-built cars as they were cheaper and cost between Rs 5,000 and Rs 15,000. Today, however, he says, it is difficult to put a value to these. "I have Fiats - Premier Padmini and Fiat 1100, Ambassadors and Heralds, which were largely manufactured in India. I could relate to these cars better. There were family members who had stories about such cars. Ten years back, these were not considered as collectibles because they were still common on the roads. But now they are becoming collectibles," he says.
How to buy a classic car
Acquiring a classic car is not easy, since the community of owners and enthusiasts is close-knit. Very often, a car owner will sell the car only if he is sure the buyer will take good care of it. "Most of the information comes by word-of-mouth. Nowadays there are WhatsApp groups of enthusiasts. Platforms like OLX are also a good place to look for old cars," says Bhote.
If you are looking to buy a classic car, keep in touch with car enthusiasts who know if there is a car in the market to buy, its value, etc. There are clubs or groups all over the country. Another way to get information is to attend annual exhibitions and rallies. These are held in all big cities and are widely publicised. At such rallies, car owners come together with their vehicles. It is a good place to find if their cars are available for sale.
Cost of a classic car
A running mass-produced regular classic like the Beetle or the Mini costs Rs 3-4 lakh, depending on their condition and state of restoration. American cars like Chevrolet, Ford, Chrysler, Dodge, DeSoto, Plymouths, etc, which were assembled in India, can be acquired for Rs 7-12 lakh if they are in decent condition. "Those who are starting out can do so with a Fiat, Beetle, Mini or Austin. These are small and simple cars," says Bhote.
Rarity: The rarity of the car is one factor that determines its price. A mass-produced classic car will cost less than one that is rare.
Provenance: The provenance of the car - who were the previous owners and how many times it changed hands - will also determine the value. A single-owner car is considered more valuable than one that has changed hands several times. Or a car that belonged to a celebrity or a royal family will cost more than a car that was owned by a common man.
Title and maintenance of records: A car with a very clear history, clear titles, record of the full servicing done - what parts replaced - also commands a premium. If the history of the car has been recorded and if, for instance, it has been used to drive around a famous person, it will cost more.
Condition: Whether the car is in running condition or will it cost a lot to bring it back to life will also make a difference to its price. It is best to look for a car that is complete and does not require too much work. But sometimes, if it is a rare car, it could require more work, yet cost more. It may not be possible to use your classic car regularly. But in good weather, when it is not raining, they can be taken out for long drives. Most owners use these on weekends or on special occasions.
Maintenance: Once you buy a classic car, be prepared to spend money on maintenance. This can be a considerable cost. For instance, you may have to import tyres or spare parts. Some parts may have to be made to order, if they are not available. Availability of labour is a problem these days. "It is difficult to find mechanics these days even for simple tasks like tuning a carburettor. Sometimes, not finding a mechanic is a reason for people to sell their cars. It helps if you can do basic maintenance yourself," says Bhote.
Keeping in touch with other collectors helps to find mechanics and garages that specialise in repair jobs. There are those who specialise in, say, repairing Ford cars or Beetles. Or there may be those who are good at engine tuning, or paint jobs or tin jobs. Sometimes, the car may be in a very bad shape but parts can be salvaged and transplanted in other cars.
National Green Tribunal dampener
The ban on old cars in Delhi by the National Green Tribunal has impacted classic cars. So much so that many collectors in the capital are looking to sell theirs, says Bhote.
According to Krishnan, the government should recognise the history of these cars and not look at them as polluting machines as they are few in number and not taken out frequently.
In Germany, for instance, classic cars are given a special number plate to differentiate them.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VINTAGE AND CLASSIC CARS
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A vintage car is one built before World War II; classic car is one built after that
