Classic Car News & Auto Appraisal Tips

As a follow-up to this post: https://southfloridacarappraisers.com/classic-car-news-and-tips/how-do-you-get-financing-on-your-branded-or-rebuilt-title-1657747143488.html? several have asked what effect a rebuilt title has on the value of a vehicle. As attorneys are known to respond – “it depends!” Comparing two identical vehicles, same year, make, model, options, mileage, and condition, the one with the rebuilt title can be worth anywhere from 20% to 40% less than the one with a clean, no accident history.

With just 200 miles on the odometer, this 2021 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat was stolen out of the owner’s driveway at 2:30 AM, never to be seen again! Fortunately, he had comprehensive insurance with the “Good Hands” folk! Unfortunately, they wanted to reimburse him just $83,036 for his loss! Luckily, he was familiar with, and decided to invoke, the ‘Appraisal Clause’ in his policy and hired Auto Appraisal Network of South Florida to provide a prior-to-loss fair market value appraisal.

OK, the first question to address is what is the difference between a branded, salvage and rebuilt, or reconstructed title? A ‘branded’ title is any title that is not a ‘clean’ title. Both salvage and rebuilt/reconstructed titles are branded, but there is a difference between salvage and rebuilt. Can you get a loan on a vehicle with a salvage/rebuilt/branded title?

The choices are indeed many, ranging from a 1920s 4 ½ liter “Blower Bentley”, 1950s R-Type Continental, 1980s Mulsanne Turbo, or a present-day Flying Spur. During the 103 years that Bentleys have been manufactured there have been numerous different models, and can be broken down into four distinct time periods.

Stolen car, now what? If your vehicle is stolen, you should call the police immediately and then notify your insurer, your lender and your state’s DMV. Almost 900,000 vehicles were reported stolen across the U.S. last year according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), an insurance industry association. Lots of questions! What happens when your car is stolen then found? Who will pay for the damages that happened when the car was not in your custody?

JDM refers to cars built for use on Japanese roads. It is a common misconception that JDM refers to any Japanese car, however this is not true, as it only applies to those models manufactured specifically for the Japanese domestic market. Note that all JDM vehicles are right hand drive, and left-hand gear shift, so may take some adjustment for those only ever having experienced left hand drive vehicles.

Once among the most popular cars in America, the Pinto is now an endangered species! Of the 3 million Pintos manufactured, experts estimate that fewer than 10,000 are still on the road. So, what’s your Ford Pinto worth? The current average value of a Ford Pinto is about $9,700, although a nice example sold on the popular online auction website Bring-A-Trailer in July 2021 for $17,002. Yes, somebody bid the extra $2! If you want to know the current Fair Market Value of a Pinto/Bobcat, Chevrolet Vega, AMC Gremlin, or your classic car text/call 786-853-0711.

If you are looking for a car appraisal near you, and you are in South East Florida, you've found us! Getting a car appraisal before you buy, sell, or trade a car helps you get a good idea of the vehicle’s value and puts you in a better-informed position to negotiate. Several factors can affect a car’s value, such as your location and what kind of buyer you’re selling to (if you’re selling). Where you go to get your car appraisal could also affect the estimate you receive. Online guides, lenders, car dealers and professional appraisers can all offer car appraisals.

The rusting parts from this rare British sports car have sold for $267,300. The 1963 AC Ace Roadster, a predecessor of the famed AC Shelby Cobra, was dismantled 41 years ago for a restoration project that never materialized and has been stored in a Suffolk, UK, shed ever since! Just 37 of these 2.6 liter 130 mph sports cars were produced. Fully restored, its value could could well reach $660,000. What is lurking in your shed? Whatever it is, get it appraised, and properly insured now!

You have just been in an automobile accident and now you are wondering if your vehicle is repairable or if it’s totaled. Your body shop manager says that they are certain they can repair it, but the insurance company says they want to total it! What to do? Who do you believe? What are your options?