Doing a classic car restoration can be a challenging but fun project. However, if you want to retain its resale value, avoid these modern upgrades.
Owning and daily driving a classic car isn’t for everyone. Sure, there are positives to buying a model from yesteryear, such as the overwhelming feel of nostalgia, and the joy of polishing chrome up on a Sunday afternoon, but these cars bring with them a number of serious drawbacks too. Constant oil leaks, snail-like pace, and questionable reliability are but a few of the common quirks of classic cars. With that being said, certain modern upgrades — like switching to electronic ignition, or even introducing electronic fuel injection – can help to counter some of the reliability concerns of classic car ownership. Such modifications may even help you to sell the car on for a better price, too.
However, not all modern modifications to classic cars are looked upon kindly, and installing them upon your treasured ride could actually result in a reduced price when it comes to selling on. As an ex-classic car dealer, and as someone who’s always got at least one (or two, or three) classic or vintage cars in their possession, I’ve seen first-hand which modifications make a classic either easier or more difficult to sell.
At this point, it’s worth emphasizing that the quality of a modification often matters more than the modification itself. For example, if you’ve painted your classic Mustang with a rattle can in the garage, this will likely damage the value massively. However, if it’s had a glass-out respray in a professional booth, expect to see the value soar accordingly. This is true for many, if not most modifications, as we’ll see below.Aftermarket lighting
This is one which is likely to ruffle feathers, as unlike some modifications — such as neon underglow lights or loud exhausts — this could easily be passed off as a safety upgrade. Nevertheless, swapping out your classic car’s original headlamps for aftermarket LED headlights is likely to damage the resale value, depending upon a few factors.
For starters, if the lights are dramatically different from standard, such as LED Halo lights, or custom units which allow for different colors and/or flashing patterns, it’s these which are more likely to affect your classic’s value. If, however, they closely resemble the original car’s aesthetic, then the chances are the value won’t be affected. While bright lights could dramatically improve visibility for both the driver and oncoming traffic in poor conditions, the simple fact of the matter is that aftermarket lights alter the look of classic cars, and this can detract from the feeling of nostalgia buyers may feel.
Many classic car buyers purchase with their heart, rather than their head, and if the car they’re looking at no longer resembles the model they have in their head, it’s less likely to pull on their heart strings.
