Best place for a Classic car valuation

[nathanrobo]

My 1970 Fiat 500 is nearly complete after a pretty rigorous restore, which involved strip out every nut and bolt, paint strip, sandblast what was left, removing wings front panel, wheel housings and detailed fabrication to ensure correct lines were kept as well as certain body features that are often lost through over judicious use of filler. After sand blasting and after each area of fabrication the car was coated with 2k epoxy primer. After every detail on the body inside outside and underneath had been taken care of the car was primed with high build and painted clear over base with a top quality clear coat (Glasurit) The whole thing took 6 months in the workshop on a rotisserie. Practically every part and nut and bolt is new for the refit and many of these parts (even though they were new), such as suspension arms, tinware (air cowling etc), fuel tank, hand brake, peds, levers, steering column etc have been sand blasted and powder coated with zinc and colour. Then engine and gearbox were new old stock, stripped down and tuned (engine had crank balanced, warm cam, ported & gas flow drilled head, 123 electronic ignition, stainless steel exhaust and aluminium Giannini sump and rocker covers. Lots of other subtle tuning parts like, progressive rear springs (slightly lowered) sports front leaf spring, stiffer shocks, dual circuit brake system and new Borrani steel wheels. In short, I've restored this car to a vision rather than a budget.

I have a number of rare documents with the car that was owned by the same lady in Modena for 39 years (I've owned it for 3) and it was originally supplied new by a dealer to the first owner in the same area. The car had only covered 38399 by 2014 and the documentation supports this.

I'd be interested in any contacts that can be given for classic car valuers / any views

All in all the car owes me just under £20K plus over 400 hours of my time. The thing is that I'm not sure where to get a valuation, that's worth the paper it's written on.

Edited by nathanrobo on Sunday 5th November 16:33

[Lowtimer]

You need t ask your insurer who they will accept.

[nathanrobo]

That's good thinking... thanks for that

[Ardennes92]

Most decent owners clubs should have a person who can give a valuation/report although it may be that some may charge for the service

[Lowtimer]

Yes, you would normally expect to pay for an independent insurance valuation, but not every insurer will accept every valuer, hence it's wise to check that they are happy with whoever you select before you spend any money.

[sng45]

I'm just in the process of having my 1971 Fiat 500 fully restored - would love to see some photographs of yours.

I insure all of my cars with Hagerty who seem to have a greater understanding of values than any other company and produce numerous reports on classic values - I would suggest very worthwhile contacting them.

[carboy2017]

Im with Footman James for my Triumph Herald

But as others pointed out its best you get a club member to point you in the right direction for this,love to see the pics though of your car

[nathanrobo]

sng45 said:

I'm just in the process of having my 1971 Fiat 500 fully restored - would love to see some photographs of yours.

I insure all of my cars with Hagerty who seem to have a greater understanding of values than any other company and produce numerous reports on classic values - I would suggest very worthwhile contacting them.

When I've completed my 70, I have a 71 to get on with as well. What process are you using to secure the metal? I've been helping to project manage a mates project too. The car was sandblasted and powder coated with zinc and a high build powder coat primer, developed for vintage cars. I have some challenges though with figuring what to do with parts that are bare metalled in areas for welding. I've been looking at Bilt Hamber weld through primers vs. do all fabrication and have the car blasted and coated again? I'd be interested to hear your approach. The 500 that's nearly finished had 2k expoxy primer applied at every stage of fabrication and some sort of weld through sealant (can't remember what he used), but this process seemed to add a lot of time to the job.

Edited by nathanrobo on Monday 6th November 12:25

[skeeterm5]

I asked a local classic car auction firm to appraise the car for me and my insurers (A Plan) accepted this to underpin the agreed valuation.

S

[Lowtimer]

That's a good idea. I could try Anglia Car Auctions, they see a lot of stuff.

[nathanrobo]

Getting the UK club to do that is probably the best way to go...

The chairman lives only a few miles from me and although I've done the NOVA registration for the 1970 car I think it may need a certificate of provenance?? So I'll get him to do the certs on both cars and value the finished one.