A very unusual service has proven to be in demand not only in Ukraine. This is evidenced by the fact that our specialists are contacted even from Europe. Among recent clients is an Estonian collector of rare cars.
At the request of a Soviet automotive enthusiast, an examination was conducted by an independent appraisal company Auto Market in cooperation with specialists from the retro workshop “Autoreanimation” based in Dnipro.
How the appraisal of retro and collectible cars is conducted
TopZhyr has already reported that in recent years, the number of rare and exotic cars in Ukraine has noticeably increased. Consider the Porsche collection in Dnipro! This indicates that wealthy Ukrainians are increasingly investing in rare cars. However, buying them (or selling) can sometimes be very challenging, especially when it comes to purchasing a rare car from an individual with an unconfirmed history. This is not a case where you can learn its history by VIN, and determining the originality of parts in retro cars can only be done by true professionals.
Essentially, this is what the rare car appraisal service is about. It is a kind of auto-selection (when it comes to purchase), but in this case, the procedure is not about whether the car is damaged or repainted.
The ideal old-timer is a car where all components are original and in working condition. However, unfortunately, this is rare. Therefore, the main thing to know is how many original parts the car has retained.
Recently, well-preserved or professionally restored Soviet cars from the mid-20th century have been in demand both at home and abroad; their price has already been established and has equal value both in Ukraine and abroad. Again, original rare models and cars professionally restored according to international restoration criteria are valued, with an originality score of 8-10 points.
For the Estonian client, Ukrainian professionals conducted a large-scale assessment of cars:
- GAZ 21
- GAZ 22
- GAZ 13
- ZIS 110
- GAZ M
- GAZ 20 Victory Convertible
- GAZ 12 ZIM
- RAF 977 Latvia
- RAF 2203
Authenticity check and technical expertise of the car
- In-depth study of the cars’ origins and the authenticity of all parts and assemblies
- Checking the operability of assemblies and aggregates
- Assessment of material quality and use in restoration, their durability and compliance with the original
- Authenticity of the original number and integrity of installed factory plates
- Expertise of one car often requires 5 days, followed by the preparation of a report with a detailed description of models and their equipment, condition of body parts and aggregates, presence of exterior parts, places of conduct and quality of restoration work
- Special attention is paid to the condition of the body – it may have significant corrosion but should not have disturbed geometry after an accident. Also important is the presence of “exterior” parts – emblems, rims, moldings, mirrors – that create the car’s appearance, and at the same time are expensive for collectors.
- A car in which all parts have been replaced with new ones, and only the body remains from the collectible, is also considered an old-timer. In this case, a detailed report is made, which includes a complete list of new parts with their exact names, price, cost of their replacement work, as well as the cost of the native body and everything that remains from the original car
The purpose of retro car appraisal
Most likely, after purchase, restoration work will need to be done, and its cost may be prohibitive or extend over years of searching for the needed parts. Professional expertise is needed to protect oneself from unforeseen investments and/or purchasing a specimen with “artisanal” restoration work (even if externally everything seems perfect) or non-original parts from other cars.
The same applies to selling collectible cars – sometimes the seller might undervalue (or overvalue) their car. This is especially true for completely “worn-out” specimens, which nonetheless can be very rare – in such cases, the price can be very high, even if the car turned into scrap metal. Cars of famous people may have special historical (and material) value. But without the help of professionals, one can become a victim of fraud, including cases with allegedly confirmed facts about the car’s ownership by a specific person.
Many enthusiasts refer to retro cars as only those that maintain their original configuration and have undergone almost no changes. At the same time, such rarities are becoming fewer each year, and prices for them can be astronomical, so many lovers of vintage cars see replacing parts as acceptable. It’s pleasant that in our country, with the emergence of professional restoration of retro cars, specialists have also appeared who can evaluate such exhibits, and they are even trusted by foreign collectors.
Read more about the conditions and services for retro car appraisal on the website ocenkadnepr.com.ua