Note: The Old Car Price Guide uses the following scale to judge vehicle condition. We use this scale as well because it better represents a broader range of vehicle condition and is useful in determining an accurate vehicle value. However, we use several different sources to determine vehicle values, including recent auction sales results.

1)  Excellent:  Restored to current maximum professional standards of quality in every area or perfect original with components operating and appearing as New. A 97.5% plus point show car that is not driven

2) Fine:  Well-restored, or a combination of superior restoration and excellent original.  Also extremely well-maintained original showing very minimal wear.   Except for the very closest inspection a No. 2 vehicle may appear as a No. 1.  The No. 2 vehicle will take the top award in many judged shows except when squared off against a No. 1 example in it’s own class.  It may also be driven 800-1,000 miles each year to shows , on tours, and simply for pleasure.

3) Very Good:  Completely operable original or “older restoration” showing wear.  Also, a good amateur restoration, all presentable and serviceable inside and out, Plus,combinations of well-done restoration and good operable components; or partially restored car with all parts necessary to complete it and/or valuable NOS(New Old Stock) parts.  This is a “20-footer,” That is, from 20 feet away it may look perfect.  But as we approach it, we begin to notice that the paint may be getting a little thin in spots from frequent washing and polishing.  Looking inside we might detect some wear on the driver’s seat, foot pedals, and carpeting.  The chrome trim, while still quite presentable, may have lost the sharp mirror-like reflective quality it had when new.  All systems and equipment on the car are in good operating order.  In general, most of the vehicles seen at car shows are No 3s.  No Rust.

4) Good:  A drivable vehicle needing no, or only minor, work to be functional  Also a deteriorated restoration or a very poor amateur restoration.  All components may need restoration to be “excellent”, but even from 20 feet away, there is no doubt that it needs a lot of help.

5) Restorable: Needs complete restoration of body, chassis and interior.  May or may not be running, but isn’t weathered, wrecked and/or stripped to the point of being useful for parts.  This car needs everything.  It may not be operable, but is essentially all there and has only minor surface rust if any rust at all.  While presenting a real challenge to the restorer, it won’t have him doing a lot of chasing for missing parts.

6) Parts Vehicle:  May or may not be running, but is weathered, wrecked, and/or stripped to the point of being useful primarily for parts.  This is an incomplete or greatly deteriorated, perhaps rusty, vehicle that has value only as a parts donor for other restoration projects.