Jayen,
The problem of one of us amateurs looking at and test driving the vehicle is that we are not professional appraisers. We worry that our assessment will not meet your standards. Then you will be upset at us. See?
Look in Hemmings Motor News. There are a bunch of professional appraisers who will gladly take your money and give you their opinion. Still, some of them may not give a crap whether you're mad at them or not.
Although the best thing is for you to come over here and take a look at it yourself, there may be an alternative. Just have the owner take some pictures of the frame, underbody, trunk or rumble seat, outside sheet metal, engine, transmission and differential. Those pictures will tell you a lot. Ask about the vehicles history:
a. Was it a basket case that has had extensive sheet metal work?
b. Is it a California or Arizona or some other similarly climate car?
c. Does it have the original engine, transmission and rear end?
d. Does it overheat?
e. What is the cars history?
f. Is it the color you like or could reasonably live with.
g. How old are the tires.
h. Has it been in any shows or won any trophies.
i. Has it been judged by any VCCA event?
j. Does it have any accessories and do they work?
k. Is the seller a member in good standing with VCCA?
l. Add to the list any other pertinent questions you have.
After you get the answers to your questions and the photographs, post them on the forum and you'll get a lot of opinions and advice about the potential purchase. We will be honest. You can count on it.
Of course there is no guarantee that the seller will do all the above or be truthful about it. But at least you will cause him to have to lie or tell the truth about it. If he doesn't want to do those things mentioned above, I'd keep looking.
The above is my advice.
Charlie
I agree with Charlie, hire a pro.
