it's a guide, not the gospel

Hagerty's Cars That Matter is a guide, not the Gospel. Use your senses; consult with experts in the field before making any buying or selling decisions.

Correct classification is paramount. Many sellers overrate the condition of their car; overeager buyers tend to do the same for potential purchases. Carefully look at and drive the vehicle, and evaluate its condition before purchase.

Hagerty's Cars That Matter reports on vehicles in four condition ratings. Fair (#4), Good (#3), Excellent (#2) and Concours (#1). We do not report values on cars in poor condition or parts cars.

Hagerty's Cars That Matter prices virtually all American cars assuming that the vehicle is equipped with the entry-level V8. All pricing additions assume equipment is from the factory.

Cars will always sell for prices above and below Hagerty's Cars That Matter's price range for many reasons, including exceptional histories, extraordinarily beautiful or hideous coachwork, overheated market enthusiasm, a surfeit or dearth of buyers at the time of sale, cars being offered in incorrect venues and dozens more reasons.

It is very difficult to verify claims after multiple years and multiple owners. Many collector cars are sold with exempt or unknown miles. Use condition as a guideline, ask to see and get a copy of records. Additionally, restored cars could have had their odometer "zeroed" at restoration and cars that read in kilometers when new (or indeed all cars) could have replaced odometers.