SubscribeInspecting a Classic Car: Checking the Exterior (Part 2)
Posted by Steve White on Sep 26, 2009When you are inspecting a classic car’s exterior, you should look out for rusty spots. It is best that you do not buy a car that has rusty spots because the corrosion will show up again even if you repair the spots. Rust spots do not only ruin the appearance of the car; they are also an indication that many components underneath the bodywork, such as fuel lines, brake lines, and others, are corroded. These components may be so badly corroded that the classic car is not safe to drive.
One way to check for repaired corrosion spots on a classic car is to use a magnet. Place the magnet over areas of the car where corrosion is most likely to occur, such as the arches around the wheels, the lower parts of the door panels, and others. If the magnet does not stick, it means that there is body filler underneath the paint.
The next thing to do is to inspect the tires. Check all four tires to see if any of them is different from the rest, and take a look at the tread wear. A new tire should have a tread depth of 0.31 inch; if the tread depth is 0.06 inch, the tire needs to be replaced. Also, check for cuts, cracks, bubbles, and other damages. Irregular wear pattern on the tires indicates possible suspension or alignment problems.
1941 Chevrolet 2 dr business cpe bentonville, AR
1970 Chevrolet El Camino ontario, CA
1972 GMC C-1500 Bellingham, WA
1940 Mercury Pensacola, FL
1933 Ford Coupe Labadieville, LA