Five Fab First Classics

Looking for a new classic? Or are you looking for your first? Here is our selection of the very best choices up to £10k

We’ve identified five first classics to suit a variety of budgets.

Winter. Cold, dark and annoyingly long. Most classics are asleep under sheets and the roads are dangerous and composed entirely of salt, or sometimes, ice. Time to snuggle up with a warm magazine then and dream of what your ride could be come spring. And you would be doing a good thing as well, because now is the time to do it. Prices are generally lower, sellers at this time of year often really need to sell and you have the time to get your purchase into perfect order before the show season starts.

So, we’ve chosen five classics in five different price sectors to tempt you. If you know someone who is on the verge of taking the plunge then this is a great opportunity to slide the mag under their nose and ‘exert influence’. Next time your mate says, ‘Yeah, I’ve always wanted a classic but I’ve never got round to looking for one properly…’ (and we’ve all got mates like that) then show them this article. WHERE SHOULD I LOOK?

The route to a first classic is paved with options… here’s our advice. CLASSIC DEALERS:

Great for first time purchase because you have a lot more clout if things go wrong. Warranties can be purchased and they want to preserve their reputation. It’s their business to sell to you so you can dig into their advice and maybe try a few cars. Negotiate hard for a good deal (they will have marked up their cars to make room for this). PRIVATE SELLER AD:

Read it carefully and phone them ‘about the car’ (if they say ‘which one’ they are a dealer) to see what they are like. Assess and test drive carefully. Be friendly, be positive about the car (but not too positive) and build rapport if possible… it helps when you negotiate. AUCTIONS:

Live or online there is an element of risk here. However, bargains (serious ones) can be had. It’s a great idea to hook up with an old hand who knows their way around an auction, as experience is everything, and enjoy the process. Auctions can be fun – actually they can be addictive.