Before buying a classic,it helps to learn more about a marque through specialist magazines and the 'Net'.

How does one honestly value a classic car? Age alone does not impart any value. What matters greatly, in no particular order, is pedigree, rarity, condition and desirability. Performance and everyday usability matter a great deal too as do previous owners. Also on how much nostalgia they evoke.

All old cars are not always good investments, they should be bought for enjoyment. Cars are also collectible because of the period's definition of style, in an age when the engineering, craftsmanship, performance or innovation were superior.

In India the more rare a car's presence, the more unique it is considered to be and that depends on how few were imported or how many have survived today. There are cars imprinted in our minds having seen them in popular movies of our youth (the MG TC in the 'Love Story') or driven by a famous personality. Cars that once belonged to the family bring back memories of days gone by. These may not always be a good investment but they could be bought for enjoyment.

It can safely be stated that sports cars generally fetch the highest price. For every exclusive thoroughbred sports racer, however there are hundreds of more humble sports cars giving 90 percent of the pleasure at 10 percent of the cost. Two-door convertibles and four-door convertibles are often as sought after as they offer a good combination of comfort and style. Next are the two-door coupes, the woody station-wagons, two-door station-wagons, two-door sedans and the regular four-door sedans - a pillar-less sedan holds more value than a regular sedan. Lastly but not the least are the limousines - quite a few of these served in Indian metros as taxis as late as the fifties.

Special-bodied cars like the fin-tailed American cars of the '60s can be desirable but make sure they are not modified. The values of some remarkable autos are severely hampered by an almost total absence of public awareness. So if you happen to come across some of these, jump at the opportunity. Some collectors thrive on collecting the rarest, most esoteric things they can find.

In general, remember that no marques or decades have a corner on great design. Either excessive elegance or an ageless quality earmarks great styling. Rarely both. Great styling is either an outstanding exemplification of its era or a shape that transcends its era. A great design, which was well acclaimed by experts, may be an economic failure for the creator/producer, but this does not make it less attractive today. In fact the reverse could be true. Great designs are great cars.

Positive increases in the price of a particular car can be due to various reasons:

:- The car's condition (regardless what it is).

:- Acceptance a car receives from experts in the field.

:- Rarity, based on original production numbers as well as number of surviving cars.

:- Performance, durability and availability of parts.

:- Design - engineering and styling.