Market Values and Appraisals

I'm getting ready to sell my street rod, and I really have no idea what it's "worth". Yeah, I know it's worth what someone will pay for it, but I'd like to know where a good starting point is. I know what I spent on the car, but that's not much to go off of.

I've been watching ebay, Hemmings, and a couple other places for months, but you can never tell what something actually sold for, just what someone asks. Plus, it's never like comparing apples to apples.

Is it worth getting an appraisal or just throwing a number out there and seeing what happens?

Also are there any certain memberships, certifications, inspections in can acquire that will increase the value?

Your insurance guy should have local appraiser contacts but make sure the appraiser is skilled in his knowledge of older cars that are hot rods. There is an appraial organization that a lot of those folks are members of....but I forget the organization name. Uncle Bob might see this and help out.

An appraisal by a late-model appraiser will be really low. Know any rod shops around nearby? Ask them if they have any contacts.

Written appraisal would be a great plan, for the serious buyers it adds credibility to your asking price, and should help keep the low-ballers and tire kickers away, too! Market is weird on cars now, the really first rate pieces fetch some big bucks, the other stuff just isn't doing as well... The more history of the car and documentation you have concerning the car and the build, the better off you'll be for resale, too! I always put together a photo album of before, during, and after the build, with email, it's really easy to fire off a copy of it to potential buyers.