Page 8 - Wayne Carini's Guide to Affordable Classics

INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the inaugural edition of Affordable Classics, the first volume of several books that will dive into the fun and fascinating world of classic cars that you can park in your garage today at prices that won’t break the bank.
My choices for this first book are perhaps a bit eclectic, but they reflect the wide range of choices on the market today – even a brief look at any online auction site will show you the variety of interesting cars available across the country and even across the world. We purposely chose the title Affordable Classics recognizing that there are different levels of affordability between a Ferrari and a Fiat. Great bargains exist at both extremes and we hope that the research and data we put into this book will help buyers make a more informed purchase.
We laid out every section in the same way, starting with a short vehicle history that explains how the car came to be, how it changed over its lifecycle and what are some of its unique characteristics. This is followed by a driving review that gives you an idea of how the vehicle performs and describes its special features, as well as its quirks. Next comes a summary of points to look out for if you’re in the market to help you become a better-informed buyer. And in the appendix, you’ll find a list of marque specialists
“Cars & Coffee” events are a great way to meet other enthusiasts, especially if you have an interesting car like this original Mini.
that can help you with parts and service. Now, clearly we can’t include every detail in a book like this, but we can help point you in the right direction to find out what you need to know to have a great experience owning and driving one of the cars in our initial selection. As you’ll see, the internet has made the entire process much easier, while, of course, adding some risks along the way.
Get Smart
If it’s the first time you are thinking about buying a classic car, education is a top priority. If there’s a specific car that you like, or even if you’re not sure what you’d like to buy, local car shows and Cars & Coffee-type events are a great place to get started. There, you’ll find true enthusiasts who enjoy talking about their cars and can go through their individual buying and ownership experience. These events can also a be a great source of information about parts and service. But beware, enthusiasm is not the same as wisdom and you’ll need to cultivate other sources of information to avoid expensive pitfalls later. Start with an online search for books and buyers’ guides – most popular classics have multiple books written about them. Then look for clubs, blogs and other online sources, like social media groups. Don’t be afraid to admit that you’re a newbie – in my experience, most people are happy to help.
Some clubs, blogs and forums have very detailed technical sections that can be enormously useful in determining the accuracy of what you’re buying – and what to watch out for. They sometimes charge a modest fee for joining, but the benefits are more than worth the cost. The technical manual at the www.sl113.org Mercedes “Pagoda” forum is an excellent example. Assembled
6Wayne CariniAffordable Classics