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OUR RATINGS SCALE:
Our rating guide for autos
uses a 10 point scale with a 10 being exemplary or "a
perfect 10".
However, we are only
suggesting values for categories S,
2, 4, 6 and 8. We have intentionally omitted values for 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 for
you as buyer or seller to use as a variable. While it may be rare that most vehicles will ever approach a "perfect 10" in value, the "10" is listed to show what potential a really exceptional example could be
worth. It will not be surprising that some vehicles could exceed a "10"; for these vehicles and their values we recommend referring to their value as a "10 +" (plus).
On occasion you may come across a model that has all 0's for each value. This often applies to exceptionally rare vehicles and should be interpreted to imply that
an actual value has yet to be determined for this model. If you can provide us with reference for an actual transaction
price for one of these vehicles please contact us and we will take it into consideration. Values for some vehicles may appear exceptionally low, this will be usually
due to rarity and no recent sale of specific model. Values are often times listed for these models as a minimum starting
point until we have more information regarding sales transactions or supported value of specific vehicle. GUIDE TO RATES:
S: SALVAGEABLE: May not be in running condition
but physically salvageable with many parts in good condition but fairly rough physically. Basically you have something
here to work with that's more valuable than scrap metal or a model that possesses some rare qualities, possibly a parts car. 2: RESTORATION PROJECT: Good solid vehicle with great potential. Either a total
cosmetic restoration or major mechanical repair maybe needed. A vehicle that requires some work to make it a driver
or show car but not a hopeless case. 4:
DRIVER: A complete auto in need of minor cosmetic or mechanical repairs. Very presentable but may still need a
fair amount of detail work to progress to show worthy condition. A "driver" is a car that's very presentable
and runs very well but may lack certain authentic original details or may possess minor flaws causing it to fall short of
being a show quality car. 6: VERY GOOD: Good original auto or restoration. Most restored show condition vehicles will fall
into this category. 8:
EXCELLENT: Show winner. A near flawless auto or a rare vehicle in great condition needing very little. Also
an exceptionally original vehicle with very low miles. Could also be an exceptional clone or recreation. 10: EXEMPLARY or EXTREMELY RARE: We expect that few autos will ever place into this category.
Extraordinary ground up restoration, flawless paint, excellent running condition, very rare, extremely rare, matching
numbers, provenance, very original auto with amazingly low miles, documented rare color or optioned, these are some
of the possible qualities that a vehicle in this category may posses.
10+:
We acknowledge that values are constantly changing and will from time to time exceed our top listed value of "10". A value
of "10+" can be used to describe a vehicle that exceeds "10". CLONES
and RE-CREATIONS are autos that originally may have been a lesser version of a certain model that was
transformed to become something more than originally conceived from the factory. For example; a car that was originally
a Pontiac Tempest that was modified to resemble a Pontiac GTO. FAUX CREATIONS are vehicles that have been
transformed to represent a trim or version of a certain model that was never officially offered by a manufacturer. For
example; an Olds Cutlass wagon decked out with 442 trim,
or a model other than a Chevrolet Chevelle converted to look like an El Camino. Most CLONES, RECREATIONS,
and FAUX CREATIONS will rate out as a 6,
7, or an 8, but on rare occasion could rate higher. DETERMINING RATING CLASSIFICATION:
BODY PAINT and FINISH: We would expect that a
category 6 or better would have excellent body and paint with
minimal or no dings, scratches or blemishes. A category 8 and above should have an exceptional body and paint finish with the exception only of very rare or extremely rare
vehicles. Vehicles rated around a category 5 should
have a decent original finish or a good refinish.
CHASSIS and SUSPENSION: Any vehicle classified as a category
4 or better should have minimal or no mechanical problems
and be easily drivable. Vehicles classified around a category 2 or 3 may have may have some chassis
problems but are repairable.
ELECTRICAL and ACCESSORIES: We would expect that a vehicle rated around a 4 would have few if any electrical problems but no electrical or mechanical problems of any kind
that would impair the safe operation of the vehicle. Any vehicle rated a category 7 or better should be virtually free of any electrical or accessory malfunctions.
ENGINE
and DRIVETRAIN: Any vehicle classified as a category 4 or better should have very minimal or no mechanical engine-related problems. Since a category 4 is considered a "DRIVER" we would expect any vehicle rated as a category 4 to be easily drivable. Vehicles with repairable engine problems
should fall into category 2 or 3.
INTERIOR and EXTERIOR TRIM, WEAR and TEAR: We would expect that any vehicle rated around an 7 or better would be a fairly complete auto with all correct trim in and
in very good condition with the exception of very rare or extremely rare vehicles. Vehicles around a category 4 should have fairly complete interior and exterior trim without much wear
and tear. Vehicles around a category 2 or 3 should have restorable trim.
MATCHING NUMBERS: Any vehicle rated as a category
6 or better should have matching numbers with the exception
of rarity.
RUST: We would expect that any vehicle of a category 4 have very minimal rust if any at all. Category 6
and better should be free of rust with exception of extreme rarity. Vehicles around a category 2 and above should have repairable rust.
VIN:
Under the VIN column we have listed when
available either the part of the vehicle identification number that specifies the model or the model code that
appears on a serial number plate.
How "RARE" is your car: Rarity can be defined by
a number of means. For some vehicles listed here in caaarguide.com
we have estimated the rarity of certain vehicles but for most vehicles produced after 1945 rarity may refer to low production
numbers, limited or special edition models, rare optioned vehicles, or specially ordered vehicles such as COPO Chevrolets.
COPO Chevrolets are specially optioned models from the Chevrolet Central Order Processing Office. Some vehicles
qualify as rare simply due to a low production documented color choice. Since production numbers can't be verified for some models, the rarity for those vehicles have been estimated. R:
"Rare": Model production volume around 3500 units or lower.
VR:
"Very Rare": Model production volume around 1500 units or lower.
ER:
"Extremely Rare" or "Exceptionally Rare":
Any model or variation of a model with a production volume around 300 units or less. ABBREVIATIONS: 2WD:
two wheel drive 4WD: four wheel drive CAN:
Canadian CFI: crossfire fuel injection Cust:
Custom ci: cubic inches bbl: barrel, as in carburator Bro: Brougham E:
European EFI: electronic fuel injection
exc: except FWD: front wheel drive hp:
horsepower HO: high output H/O: Hurst Olds L: liter Land:
Landau Ltd: Limited LWB:
long wheelbase MEX: Mexican MPFI:
multi-port fuel injection p: passenger RHD: right hand drive RWD:
rear wheel drive Std: standard SC: super charged SFI: sequential fuel injection SPFI:
sequential port fuel injection SWB: short wheelbase TPFI: tune port fuel injection WB: wheelbase XLWB: extra long wheelbase |
