如何為具收藏價值的經典車增值？How to increase the value of your classic car ?
*Check out the English Version below
KENNETH WONG 黃恩揚- 經營優質高級汽車事業，對處理高檔車種，擁有豐富經驗。經常參與高端汽車相關活動，其文章定期於汽車傳媒刊登。在創辦Classic Insider之前，是香港首間經典車拍賣行的營運總監。
「Dr. Adolfo Orsi在早前舉行的黃金海岸車展上，已經擔任過總評審，他亦曾 在多個國際經典車選美活動中、包括圓石灘經典車展，擔任總評委的要職。他一開首就跟我們說：『一部汽車是用來駕駛的，而不只是用來觀賞！』」
今次我想跟大家解說一下，怎樣維持一部經典車的價值，甚至是為它增值。事實上，每車的價值都不一樣，大多數車款會跌價，某些會一直跌，折舊率高。但有一小部份的經典車，在跌到某個價位後，升回比當年車價更高的位置，這些就是具有收藏價值的經典車。
如果大家有一部值得收藏的經典車，我們應該怎去維持其價格和為它增值？每部車只有在新車落地的一刻，才算是「原裝」。經典車世界裡頭，原裝是最重要的一環，車內的零件要原廠，不能有冒牌貨。今次等我們了解一下，到底國際間的經典車選美（Concours d'Elegance），評判是怎去評價經典車，我們看看準則，就能得知經典車的保值方法。
現在世界各地有很多經典車選美，原來評判最想人們帶來的經典車，是原裝、有特別個性和歷史，當然狀態要好，外觀夠美。門外漢會以為這只是一個選美會，純粹漂亮就可以。事實上，車主有否花心機去保養新車、有否努力去令經典車維持原裝，也是令評判加分的位置。很多時候，勝出選美的經典車，未必是全場最靚那一部，我已見過不少完全原裝、沒有進行大型復修的經典車，還高分過新噴油，換過皮椅的。
上年度我有幸參與由International Chief Judge Advisory Group（ICJAG）舉辦的座談會，講者是瑪莎拉蒂（Maserati）的前擁有者Dr. Adolfo Orsi。其實在早前舉行的黃金海岸車展上，已經擔任過總評審，他亦曾在多個國際經典車選美活動中、包括圓石灘經典車展，擔任總評委的要職。他一開首就跟我們說：「一部汽車是用來駕駛的，而不只是用來觀賞。」
評判們會給每部車一百分滿分，他們由滿分開始，依照著五個準則去評審，在每個未能達到滿意的準則中逐個扣分。而大前提是，由於專業評審認為汽車需要被駕駛，因此看見經典車車身，有被石頭彈花痕跡等日常行駛過的歷史時，他們是不會減分的。
準則一是車身外觀。由門板是否對位、引擎蓋和尾箱蓋能否移動、軟頂或硬頂能否正確開關、去到車身顏色等是評核項目。記住千萬不要換假徽章，也不要在車身換上甚麼防銹鋁材，雖然這是方便打理，但不算原裝，會減分。
準則二是內籠車廂。好像是手絞窗功能是否正常、軟頂狀態、皮質座椅和地毯也要原裝。儀錶板、各種按掣和軚盤也需要跟當年原裝一樣。因此現在很多車主找回當年原裝收音機，不要試著因為原裝失靈就換套Alpine上經典車，這不是原裝，所以很多舊的汽車收音機現在已見天價。還有就是車內的膠邊，評判會看看狀能是否良好新淨。
準則三是引擎。要看看引擎編號是否正確，引擎外形是否清潔，還要看有沒有漏油。不少車主都會將化油器換成直噴系統，但這對價值有重大影響。各種滑輪和附屬系統都是評核項目，香港天氣較熱，在引擎加裝風扇其實是可接受和理解，但前提要是做得美觀，最好能收藏起來，不明顯。
準則四是輪圈和輪胎。世上有那麼多的車款，我們不可能全部都認識其輪胎尺碼。評判教我去看該車的備用輪胎，因為以前車款的備用輪胎多數都是原裝尺碼。坊間很多人喜歡換輪圈，但是一換就已經不是原裝，就連煞車、懸掛、底盤和尾喉都需要是原裝，所以最好就不要改喉了。
準則五是功能性。因為汽車需要被駕駛，評判會要車主發動汽車，如果未能發動，那就不會高分了。除引擎，車內外的燈
都要運作正常，也會整體去看經典車的狀況，從而評分。
上述所有項目若未能達到標準，其實每項只是減一至兩分。但有一樣東西對分數影響最大的，就是大型改裝。好像最近很流行、保時捷專屬的RWB wide body。看起來雖然型格十足，但由於沙板已被鋸掉，會分數大減。有些撞過的經典車會換過車身底盤，兩者編號不相對，分數又會大減。
在香港經典車選美來說，如果車身顏色被翻噴，那一定會減分。可是對外國評審來說，如果經典車轉了顏色，而那顏色在當年是原裝車廠顏色的話，是不會減分的。另外，某些必需改裝，例如為當年沒有指揮燈的經典加裝燈號，這是令汽車順利在街上行走的改裝，因此不會減分。
最後，如果車主擁有經典車的維修紀錄、保養歷史、用家手冊和保養證明書，都會對該車價值產生幫助。我知道保養證明書和用家手冊是能夠向原廠買回的，如果車主跟代理熟落，更可在完成各種檢修之後，請代理在保養證明書上蓋回證明印章。另外，原裝隨車的維修工具件和千斤頂也最好保留住，若遺失了，可在外國拍賣網上買回。
每一項看似細小的細節，其實也影響著經典車的價格。經典車車價的上升，其實有箇中原因！
How to preserve & increase the value of your classic?
BY KENNETH WONG - Classic Insider
Not all classic cars are created equal, most cars depreciate to some level, and many of them just go down and depreciates to zero. A few classic will eventually become a collectible. What distinguishes a collector car is that it develops a curve where it depreciates and starts making its way back up and then it goes up from there, sometimes beyond its original cost. Which car will become a collectible and which one will not, that is a topic for next issues. This time, I would like to discuss how you can preserve the value of your prized classic.
A car can only be original once, therefore originality and authenticity is key to classic car value. To fully understand why, let’s take a glimpse into International Concourse D’Elegance judging criteria to see what make a classic valuable in the eyes of the judges.
Concourse D’Elegance anywhere in the world prides themselves on attention to the originality and authenticity of the entries, as well as the elegance and special character of the cars. The car presented should not only be a beautiful display of rolling sculpture, but also one that makes a very significant contribution to the preservation of automotive history. Preservation is key, therefore a completely original and unrestored automobile will always score higher than one that is shiny and restored recently.
Last year, I attended the ICJAG (International Chief Judge Advisory Group) concourse d’elegance judging seminar hosted by Ex-Maserati owner Dr. Adolfo Orsi to learn about the judging criteria. Dr Adolfo Orsi was invited as the chief judge at Goldcoast Motor Festival in Hong Kong, he was also on the panel of judges at prestigious events around the world such as Villa D’estre, Pebble Beach, etc.
First and foremost, he mentions that cars are meant to be driven not for display only, therefore cars with signs of being driven such as minor chips and touchup do not affect the car’s scores.
The judging Criteria is split into 5 major categories and every car starts from 100 points. The judges will go through the list carefully and deduct points according to the criteria that is being judged.
1) Coachwork
A) overall appearance of body, fenders and panels.
B) Fit and Operation of doors and hoods, convertible top if applicable.
C) Finishing and appropriate colour of paint. D) Bumpers, fenders, lights, plagues, plating and rubber.
2) Interior
A) glass, operation of window, curtain, soft top cover.
B) Upholstery, interior trim, carpet, headliner, soft top well
C) Dashboard, instruments, steering wheel, shifter, switches and accessories
D) Weather stripping and running board cover
3) Engine
A) Engine type correct, overall appearance and condition of engine compartment.
B) Water, oil, fuel lines and belt.
C) Fuel supply, carburettors, injection system, pumps and linkage
D)electrical system E) cooling systems are also essential.
4) Undercarriage
A) Rims, tires, spare wheels, tools.
B) Frame, drivetrain, steering, suspension and brakes.
C)Exhaust system, manifolds, mufflers, hangers and tips.
5) Functionality.
A) Smoothness of engine run, leaks.
B) Operation of interior lights, instrument lighting, operation of instruments and horn.
C) Operation of exterior lights. D) General restoration.
Most points are deducted in 1 to 2 points intervals. But there are a few things which is a big no-no I want to point out. A modified body for example, like a bodykit, or extremes like RWB Porsche. New frame/ chassis is also a big no-no. And finally, an engine that won’t start.
I also wanted to shatter some urban myths by saying that there are some things that you can actually do to your car without affecting any points are: Colour change to period correct color. Installation of equipments that comply to regulations and law such as installation of turn signals, changing to metric instruments, modification to brakes and installation of AUX fans.
In most situation, presentation of a history file is definitely a plus. A well-documented history, with maintenance records, restoration records, ownership history. Not to mention the presence of the original set of books and warranty book full of service stamps, the tools kit and jack. If you are missing those, try to buy it aftermarket and do your best to piece together the file, with the help of your local dealer, you maybe able to retrieve some valuable history.
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