1. Documentation and Provenance

• Thorough Service History – Collate every receipt, invoice, and logbook entry. Organize it neatly in a binder. Don’t just leave things in the glovebox or in the boot all over the place, present the information in one place to make it easier to view and correlate.

• Ownership History – Trace and document previous owners, especially if any were notable or long-term custodians. Perhaps when the car was bought, only some of the history was known. Contact previous owners, ask questions via owners groups, and even in local social media groups, you’ll be surprised what you can find!

• Heritage Certificate or Build Sheet – Obtain factory documentation (e.g. ACCHS report for a Falcon GT, HHS report for a Holden, Jaguar Heritage Certificate, Porsche COA, Marti Report for a Mustang or Shelby, etc).

• Original Sales Brochures or Period Literature – These add a sense of completeness and authenticity. You can find originals and some reproduced brochures online, as well as period car magazines which may include road tests and reviews.

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​​If you own a genuine Falcon GT - then a MUST HAVE addition is an ACCHS report.
Visit www.acchs.com.au today and order yours!
 

2. Presentation and Detailing

• Professional Detailing – A proper paint correction and ceramic coating can make a tired car look nearly concours-ready. Modern day detailing products are incredible, and professional details are almost magicians when it comes to how they can present your car. Well worth the investment.

• Engine Bay and Undercarriage Detailing – A clean engine bay (without overdoing it with silicone or fake shine) makes a strong impression, especially if this was an area a previous owner had neglected.

• Clean Glass and Rubber – Freshly treated rubber seals and sparkling glass give the impression of careful ownership. Hot tip – make sure you roll the windows down to clean the top edge of the glass, lots of people miss this detail, and it really stands out the next time you drive with the windows down. While you are there, clean the door jams, it makes a huge difference on the aesthetics when the doors open!

• Tyres and Wheels – Period-correct tyres (like red wall tyres on muscle cars) or freshly refurbished wheels and hubcaps add real visual and cultural value. Period ‘day two’ mag wheels can suit the car, however to enhance the value you are best to go with what the car wore when it left the factory. The right wheels and tyres can make or break the look of a car, make sure you get it right!

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Whitewall and Redwall tyres can make all the difference to the period look of a car.

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3. Correctness and Authenticity

• Period-Correct Accessories – Fitting era-appropriate items like original toolkits, jack, warning triangles, or dealer plates can elevate a car’s appeal. Holden had many NASCO optional extras including wheel spats, wind deflectors, and venetian blinds. Ford had lots of Motorcraft optional extras also, plus there was aftermarket items like rear window louvres and sun visors commonly available that suit the era.

• Correct Badging or Decals – Ensuring correct placement and style adds to authenticity. But don’t overdo it! Sometimes too much is, well, too much!

• Reversing Modifications – Removing non-original parts (e.g. modern stereo, aftermarket wheels) and refitting OEM where possible. If your car has a big stereo system with subwoofer and amplifier, or perhaps it has 18-inch alloy wheels? Whilst you might like the look and sound, when it comes to value, original is best.

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4. Strategic Enhancements

• Sympathetic Interior Refresh – Replacing tired floor mats or sun-damaged dashboards and crash pads with OEM-spec items, while leaving patina in place, adds charm.

• Tasteful Extras – Classic-style luggage, picnic set and eskys, or factory-look extras like period radios with modern internals (Bluetooth etc.). If you’ve got a Holden Sandman, a surfboard is a great extra to consider.

• Paintless Dent Removal (PDR) – Subtle way to clean up panels without repainting. You might have a handful of shopping trolley style marks on the car, but with a skilled PDR expert those may be able to be repaired for a fraction of the cost of a visit to a restoration shop for paint and panel work.

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5. Storytelling and Narrative

• Create a Storybook – A well-written narrative about the car’s life, what makes it special, and its quirks makes it more memorable to buyers. It can also make a great keepsake, once the car is gone you can always look back on the storybook to revive those memories.

• Name the Car – Sounds silly, but named classics (e.g. “Black Betty, Captain Risky, etc”) stick in buyers’ minds and can signal long-term care and an emotional connection

 

Once you’ve read through this list, and applied as many as you can to your car, you’ll definitely have added value to your pride and joy, and investment. Plus, you can always refer back to this page if and when the time comes to sell, and check out our other insights pages for more advice and insider tips!