It has almost been forty years, but the moment you talk about a 1965 Ford Shelby GT 500, you will hear people gasp. It was one of the best muscle cars to be built in the US and can easily be classified today, as a classic car. Perhaps the most difficult thing is to find a classic/antique car and then to be able to buy it. Some of the classic cars are priced more than their modern counterparts. One thing is for sure, that if you buy an antique car today and are able to maintain it then 10 years from now, the value of the antique car might be three times more. It is a sound investment but also time, effort and money intensive.

The first place to look for classic/antique cars is the newspaper classifieds. Most of these cars are sold at auctions. It is extremely important to test ride a classic car before you buy it. Classic cars can be 10 years old, but antique cars have to be at least 25 years old to qualify as antique, according to the Antique Automobile Club of America. Certain parameters that need to be checked before you can buy a classic/antique cars are:

The Engine: It is of primary importance. Without its engine, the classic/antique car is nothing but a heap of heavy metal. Check if the engine is still working. Of course, it will drink a lot of fuel, but it won't be used for daily transportation. You will require some extra garage space where you can park the car and take it out for a small drive once a month just to keep it going.

Body Condition: The body condition of the antique car is a price determinant. It will be priced high, if there is no rust on the underside or on any of metallic part of the body. Whatever the price check the antique cars thoroughly before you buy them. Whether you buy it at an auction or from a classic car dealer, the price varies between two conditions - Good and Bad.

Car restorers: There are some professional restorers who can do a great job to any classic or antique car like a Mustang, an Austin martin or an old Ferrari. The chances are that you will always find the restored antique in good body and engine condition but they also come for a price.

As we step into the 21st century, Classic, and antique, cars will be a significant showcase of a virtuous past.