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“A good example of this is a 1967 Corvette Stingray 427 Big Block with a stinger hood,” says ACV’s Barone. “A real original one of these rare vehicles with matching numbers sold at a

Barrett-Jackson auction for $550,000 as a fully documented vehicle. A clone of this vehicle would be around $80,000 to $100,000.”  The Plymouth Valiant, introduced in 1960, is one of the

most reliable classic cars. Shutterstock KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS … AND THE CAR’S LIMITATIONS Your nostalgic memories of a vehicle may not necessarily match the reality of the car today. For

example, the super-svelte 12-cyclinder Jaguar E-Type from the ’60s is a great looker, earning it a spot in the design collection of New York’s Museum of Modern Art. However, it is a

notoriously terrible driver, says Kendall of the E-Type. So if you want beauty, the E-Type might be for you, but if you want brawn, look elsewhere. More important, consider your own

limitations when it comes to fixing your car if something goes wrong “If you want a classic of the ’20s or ’30s, like a V12 Packard, then you’ll have to figure it out yourself,” says

Kendall. In other words, the most reliable classic car is going to be the one you know how to fix yourself. THINK OF IT AS A PET Owning a classic car is like adopting a pet. It’s your

responsibility to treat it right, otherwise the relationship will sour. For example, when pressed about how he keeps his 25-year-old Miata in tip-top shape, Motavalli says he handles it with

care. He only drives it in the summer in Connecticut — eschewing the white stuff and corrosive salt during winter. And he has kept the mileage down to a minimum, for a total of just 36,000

miles so far.   “Make sure you have the ability to keep these vehicles in the right environment to stay safe from the elements and have a mechanic that can keep them in tip-top condition,”

says Barone. But he also notes that vehicles shouldn’t be left idle for long periods of time. They need to get proper exercise every once in a while. JOIN A FAN CLUB No matter how reliable

the model you select turns out to be, eventually it will need maintenance and parts. So join a local or national club for whatever vehicle you’re passionate about, advises Kendall. “And

start going to local chapter meets,” he says, “because people will be happy to tell you what service people they’ve had success with” and offer recommendations — and warnings. If there

aren’t any car clubs dedicated to the model you’re after in your area, Kendall recommends joining a broader club, say, one that specializes in ’70s cars from Japan or Italian sports cars.

Here you’ll find like-minded enthusiasts who understand your classic car obsession, even if no one else does.