Classic Car Buying Red Flags- Evaluating Cars Via Video 

Back in the 70s there was this big legend that Van Halen used to go crazy if they found brown M&Ms in their dressing room. David Lee Roth explained in his book that it was buried deep inside their contract with every venue that there was to be no brown M&Ms in the backstage area. The reason was that he knew that if he walked in and found brown M&Ms, he instantly knew that the venue probably didn't read the contract, and probably did everything else shoddily as well, including electrical setup demands, sound, lighting, etc etc......and he would demand a complete double-check of the entire operation before taking the stage in front of thousands of people. Those spark plug wires are the brown M&Ms, man. 😂

I actually work for the company that he pulled this video from. Buyers be very thorough when buying a classic! The vast a majority of the classics I look at are just thrown together. It is so disgusting how many cars I get in and the carbs are not even adjusted properly, it is like the seller cannot be bothered to adjust their idle on their car before they sell it. Uncle Tony's Garage keep up the awesome work man, I see a lot of uneducated buyers picking up classics for all the wrong reasons without the know how on keeping them road worthy. Same for shops, I see a lot of these cars come from a "professional shop" and its just mickey moused together. Thanks Uncle Tony's Garage for educating the masses, knowledge in this sector seems to be dying out.

Uncle tony has went up over 30k subs since i subbed a couple weeks ago. And this is why great stuff as always uncle t.

Just like uncle Tony said about those flipper cars, "fuckery is afoot".

Uncle Tony is like the Grave yard cars show but for the everyday working man , I'm a fan of realistic car shows. And yours is as real as it gets

If I were 40 years younger I would hope I could apprentice in your shop, sooo much I could learn!

im 25 and im barley getting into classic cars/ muscle cars and everything that uncle tony has said in all his videos is just beyond awesome. im soaking up all the information and taking it and putting it to work. Thank you Uncle Tony!!!

goddamn. Tony it is a pleasure watching someone use their knowledge. Thank you for these videos.

Now, speaking as someone who was the lead tech at an independent used car dealer that specialized in "high end" autos... If a car is being sold at a dealership and has any amount of recent work done to it, but especially if it has a LOT of fresh work... that work was all done as cheap and fast as possible. These places are mostly buying these cars with something called a floor plan. A floor plan is a loan that lets you buy a car to resell it. The first week or two, there's no interest. After that, the interest hits. The interest is tied to you selling the car; there was a lot of "quick, it's the last day - fax the bill of sale to the floor plan before they close!" at that place. So, even aside from all the negative aspects of hanging on to inventory for longer than necessary like having good money sitting around doing nothing, effectively diminishing ROI, getting taxed on something you might not even technically own (in the US, come tax time state and/or local agencies like to tax businesses on everything on their property, including shit they don't even own - shop owners end up paying tax on MY tools - yell at your local politicians... for all the good it'll do), etc., having one of those Barracudas sitting in the shop getting spiffed up is rapidly going to eat into any potential profit from its sale. They need to get the work done fast so it can be sold fast. Hence the wiring being shit. Hence the distributor being stabbed wrong. Hence the PCV being capped and having two breathers without an oil fill. I seriously recommend that people not buy from used car lots. I'd much rather find a private sale because I'm way less likely to get bent over.

its like women, if they have fresh boltons and loads of makeup. its best to pass. You know they have a worn out undercarrage

If there’s ever a video where’s there’s not a cigarette in his hand somethings wrong

It's sad that it came to this ,were classic cars are being flipped and not even done properly. This ruins it for everybody that are doing cars properly.

The truth is the first car was slapped together with leftover parts, cheap as you can get them. If all sorts of vent and vacuum ports are blocked off, it's probably because the fuel system doesn't allow it to idle in any context without stalling. This car is slick lipstick designed to sell for a fast dollar.

Purist na ... We just like them unmolested . Nothing like a barn find original but those are rare like chicken teeth . Never buy unless in person period.

Honest car. Love that description. That's exactly what you look for. I'm lucky with my 1971 Mustang hunting, the hot rodders and chintzy types tend to slap all the spoilers and stripes. The minute I see the chrome trim along the bottom quarter of a 71 mach 1, I move on if someone has started slapping all the extra stuff on the car and the hockey stripes and that chrome trim are there - NEXT. (A 1971 Mach 1, had lower chrome trim the length of the car if WASN'T a factory stripe car. Factory stripe cars had the trim deleted). The engine is exactly where you see the real deal. My Green 71 mach 1, the engine was almost 100% original. That's what made me fall over to buy it. I could fix the wheels, take the hood stripe off - but that beefy original M-Code Cleveland was unmolested and perfect. Still hate that I sold that car. UGH. One I want back. Anyhoo, with any 71 Mustang 5 seconds and I know if it's worthy or it's a flipper's darling. I don't want a flipper's darling. I want a real car, that's been really loved and maintained. That's why I have my 1985 Mustang GT. I bought from original owner AND have all the paperwork going back to day one. THAT's what I want. Honest as they come. Cheers Tony.

I really appreciate that you're spreading good knowledge and awareness on old classics! Keep it up the good work👍

Good info Tony, that white Barra looked like it was quickly put together to flip.. Just like the red car in your viral video

I've been using your videos to look at cars where I live and I think I've settled on a nice honest example of an IROC Camaro. It's been left stock, still has all its emissions systems, the weather stripping and t tops is cracking but isnt caulked or glued into place. The car seems honest and I love that you show people how to look for honest cars

This style cuda brought back memories of my mopar buddy from high school. We we're just kids enjoying 15yr old classics at the time left over from the muscle car era and they were affordable. My friends Baracuda was I believe a 1967 blue formula S with black interior fold down rear seat 4spd and it was a fun car to be in. It was a fast car mostly factory when he bought off of a mechanic at an auto shop that he worked for and my friend eventually owned 3 Baracudas one convertible. I love my GM cars but my friend showed me the other side of classic cars mopar and being a car guy love all classic cars since American muscle is my favorite!!

Alpha, great video. Excellent analysis, plain simple, concise, total absence of nonsense, purely factual. Loved it. Keep up the great work amigo.

I love me an honest car. I often see distributors (street cars not drag cars) vacuum advance either disconnected or pointing the other way or both. I just shake my head. It’s a sign that someone hasn’t payed attention to the details. Details matter. Great video. Once again thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise with us Tony.

Wow man. I wish I could know as much as Uncle Tony

Good advise especially for most people who are either new to the old car hobby or owned one 30 years ago and forgot many things...And for myself to assure myself I am not crazy .. Again all those are fine if the car is priced cheap enough,heck rust is fine for the right price ! But not $22,000 ! $8,000 sure ! I love the stock look and hate aftermarket steering wheels and radiators ! I have mostly stock looking cars/engine bays some do have chrome valve covers but well I am a sucker for shiny things..Electrical wiring if I cant see it assume it needs to be rewired..Painted chrome and trim usually is done to save money and loaded with filler and painted..6 months from now it will crack,peel and look like hell, seen that ! Do you remember back in the mid to late 1980's guys would paint all trim flat black(on a nicely painted car),then up until the early 1990's a pastel side squiggly stripe.I have no idea how or why they thought that looked better than stock looking !! My buddy bought a 68 Sport Satellite painted like this lol..Pink,pastel blue and yellow side squiggly stripe and painted trim,flat black and pink omg !!! He bought it because it was a numbers correct rust free 383 4bbl,4 speed 3.55 car that had stock original interior that was very nice and performed and drove really like new ..Yes,I repainted the car and we found nice original re chromed bumpers and trim he still owns it today,only changes when painted back then was a hood from '68 GTX. The 2 piece rad hose is odd on a so called restored car..I can see if you're 3,830 miles from home in the middle of nowhere and 6 toothless men are checking you out,then yes radiator hose cobble job is in order just to get the hell outta there !!!

I live near Atlanta; Gateway and Streetside Classics have some good stuff and a lot of junk with new paint. If anyone is in the market for a classic car the best idea is to learn all they can about which model they desire and try to find the most well maintained original or restored condition for the price. I myself am blown away at some of the asking prices for these old cars, go see it in person! I was a detailer when I was younger and worked for a few classic dealers and at the auctions in Arkansas years ago. Someone dropped off a beautiful Blue '64 or '65 Corvette convertible and I had to drive it into the stadium. Driving at 5 mph in this rickety car was a scary experience! I was already warned the brakes were bad but so was the steering and the transmission and suspension, it felt like it had a cracked frame or a few bent rims. It looked perfect! "Now I know why this car is at an auction and someone is going to get screwed out of a lot of money!"

Love the videos Uncle Tony. Thank you for the schooling.

You remind me of my dad, I've always had a love for cars, but only recently have i started talking to him about cars

Uncle Tony, bringing knowledge to the RU-vids! Excellent examples of what to look for, not that I would expect any less.

Hi Tony... Love your honest critique in your comparisons, you & I are in the same minds in vehicles, originality is everything! Keep up the good work... 🇦🇺

Never get tired of listening to someone talk with passion and knowledge.

Catching the shape of the pumpkin at the end was awesome! Great info Unc!

As a kid, I helped build the headers for Ray Barton's and Bucky Hess' cars not even knowing who they were until I noticed Bucky's car on the cover of a magazine the next week. I just held the pipes in place while they were tacked then the genius took them over to the other building (an old Chrysler dealership) and tig'd them all up so he could make a race. I want to say that my Power Wagon is the thing I most regret selling as well. Pulled so many stuck idiots out and had a 2 lo for effortless 318 driven smoke shows. A friggin golden champion among mere contenders.

Uncle Tony, classic....the glasses make you look classic....my dad's classic, so classic no one can go in his yard, the dog doesn't even want to now

Tony, you remind me of my friend’s uncle Tom. He’s been a mechanic for a long time, and he spots things he doesn’t like right away too. He had my project small block S10 at his house doing some suspension work, and he changed a return spring on the carb because he didn’t like the one it had on it. He also re-timed the motor because he said it didn’t sound right. Lol

Damn you sure know what to look for, you have opened my eyes a bunch man Thanks!

You’re AWESOME Tony!!! Your videos are a “must watch” for the true Mopar collector!!!

Nice work Tony! It's nice to hear a professional opinion on a car because it's hard to separate your first look at the car.

Btw, that's a $850 Griffin radiator and March Performance pulleys. Not a cheap build.

To wit, "a perfumed pig.." - Uncle Tony has a quick wit that is as unpredictable as his actions!

You popped up in my recommendations a few weeks ago and you’re videos are very enjoyable and informative. I’m not as much as a car guy as you but I’ll still enjoy your content. Keep up the good work buddy.

I just fell in love with this channel! Awesome work Tony great for buyers and for sellers.

Nice video. What a sharp eye for detail. I loved the patina of the second engine, it looks like it should in my opinion. Much prettier with patina than the lipstick version. I wouldn’t mind seeing a few more of this type of video....anytime. Thanks Tony. ☮️👍

Nice tips! Your shirt made me laugh (even though I'm a ford fan 😂). Keep em comin uncle Tony! Cheers from Australia 😊

Uncle tone I love your attention to detail impeccable great video Tony have a good night my friend take care

literally this was my 15th video from this channel and i have seen nothing that would even make me think youre not just an educated man trying to help and educate other like minded individuals to not get screwed. I like this. Def sub

Hey Uncle Tony excellent video again. I really look forward to watching them. 2000 miles isn’t far when you’re shipping them to Australia, it’s around the corner! By the way I love your t shirt, very cool👌🏻 Cheers

Flippers are one aspect that's driving the prices, especially towards the bottom of the spectrum

Uncle Tony! = Internet Sensation!! Keep up the great vids Tony!

You are making great content, very informative and I have learned a great deal from you. Keep them coming

Always Honest, Always Straight.. Thanks Uncle Tony..... P.s. great Shirt Oi Oi Oi..

Right on the nail Tony. I'd rather have an unmolested honest classic than a bastardised garage queen.

Super video showing some great information. Thanks Uncle!

Theres no fooling uncle Tony! I listen and I learn from this expert! Thank you for video!

It might just be the ADHD Tony but as an old gearhead we hit it off pretty good,,,, Two thumbs up for your passion man! (y) (y)

Uncle Tony:CSI NASHVILLE!!The Man continues his dominance!!

I appreciate all your feed back...keep on keeping on!

Great to see your channel gaining traction. Joined up at 6k subs been watching ever since. Can't wait to see where it goes! You're the best!

Yes, the 2 breathers are a real head scratcher & the steering wheel really drives me nuts too, but man they did get the stance right.

When i'm looking for a classic car i don't want someone elses custom job on it. This is why searching for classic cars can be a pain in the ass because more times then not you're going to run into custom jobs than actual peroid correct ones.

I just found your chanel and subscribe today. Love muscle cars. As a teenager I had some decent cars, 65, and 68 Chevelle, 66 Coronet 2 door hardtop, and a 71 Firebird 400 4 speed. My favorite though was a 69 Cadillac Sedan Deville. That 472 was fast. I'd drag race it, usually won too. While the guys I'd race were smoking their tires at the start line, I was driving away down the track. They weren't laughing anymore when I won.

Good stuff. I grew up w/ guys like you. Hanging w/ my dad & his friends @ swap meets in the 70's & 80's. To this day, I look @ cars very differently. Thank you..

Oam a mopar man myself i look forward to ur videos man keep it up

Interesting and Informative Video! I own a 1972 chevy pickup that is 95% original, and l Love it that way...at least l know it ain't hiding nothing... I like the shirt your wearing😄

I'm going through your older videos and learning a lot. You're a feckin genius.

I know nothing about car repair, restoration or the like but I appreciate your attention to detail and knowledge of period pieces. I find your channel informative, educational and very interesting.

This man knows what he's talking about!

Love your shirt Uncle Tony lot's of people don't know that if it was not for the Dodge Brothers Henry Ford would be a nobody because they were the ones who gave him a loan to get started and built most of the chassis parts for the Model T

Tony the encyclopedia. Listen up folks, Tony is incredibly knowledgeable and is sharing it..... Lucky us. TY Tony, I've been a MOPAR guy for long time and learn a ton from every video.

Uncle Tony, I love the attention to detail and your tremendous knowledge. You bring great value to the classic car hobby. We need you around for a long, long time. Please give up the smokes, your life is too important to cut it short. Those coffin nails almost did me in. You seem like a great guy, live heathy my friend.

Uncle Tony, I just watched the whole vid, I agree, if you don't like it, I don't, and you're right, no one took the time to do it right (my dad), inside the master cylinder I bet one of the seals is a cheap Trak Auto part....way to go dad

Man ! I wish I would of seen this video before I bought my 68 mustang.

I grew up at carshows. My dad made me learn how to see bondo and non original equipment on cars. He did it so I could learn to judge, but I’ve used it buying cars. Helping friends out. This video does a great job on what to look for. I might like zip ties and bias plys for his showmanship, but the pure information here is unbeatable! It really bridges rookies with experienced buyers.

Great video and I agree with you in the first car a lot of missed details

I passed on a C6 Z06 last week. It was an 09 with 25,000km (15,000mi) for $49k ($36k USD). Then i found out it wouldnt run because it needed a new fuel tank and pump, but he would let it for for $44k (33.5usd). I had to pass because i need to hear it run/drive. If i bought it and the engine was blown i would be wayyy out. Even though it still seems like a good deal.

If the distributor was put on the wrong way, what else would we find that had been put on backwards?

Great video. Nice comparison! The first Barracuda reminded me of a Dart Sport I looked at. They had the PCV valve plumbed to the float bowl vent! The fuel filter was installed backwards and the fast idle cam was broken off the carb! I still bought it. It was a original paint California car and cheaply bought!

I grew up in my dad's shop in hell's kitchen NYC, the biggest problem I had with those cars was the driver door striker. At 16 I had to weld in a steel plate to fix it, then the door was sticking, so I had to grind and adjust for 2 hours til I had it perfect, and it looked like hell, so I had to put in another hour sanding and painting it. It feels pretty good when a customer is pleased at how clever your work is.

Look at what you're buying, and also look at who's trying to sell it. Size up your seller. Did he invite you to his house. Why is he selling the car. My favorite reason why somebody is selling a car is "My wife got a new car, and she wants space in the garage." It's always nice to buy something from people that have more money than common sense. Do you like the car and the person who is selling it? Also pink slip, registration, and the name of the person selling the car, addresses, all match. Four of a kind beat three of a kind every time. You are in like Flynn.

Capped off going to build to much pressure and leak oil out seals well at least its painted white so you can see all the leaks! Well eventually

you're the man tony. you should do a video about adjusting hot air choke springs

99% Of the population are not this detail oriented, like you and I are. This is a talent and skill that not many have.

i thought he had two cigs in his hand 😂. wouldn’t be surprised lol

I dont know why but i have a 🚬 with Tony almost every video lol...

Videos like this are why I love this guy's channel.

You being a fanatical purists and your great knowlege is the reason i subscribed and watch your channel and i thank you for it.

The market for classic cars now is like playing a game of Minefield, there's too many people trying to make a quick buck!

Mid-rise intake with a log manifold, lmao

Tony you always talk way over my head but I have to watch because I admire and respect your skill and your knowledge.

When they put the engine together it was 180 out so they turned the whole distributor around 😂

10:55 great shirt Uhnk 🤙

Thank you for this information! Looking at a Lincoln Continental Mark V in Houston from the same dealer, but can now check if it is a correctly wired car.

I agree with you about when a car just doesn't seem right. I've restored quite a few cars from bare shells and you try to get it to look as original as possible. Some mods to make them better to use today are fine but you take the time and effort to make them look like they have always belonged there. And if you see them it gives a clear idea of the standard of work in the whole car.

I always avoid white cars , their the i sucked at bodywork so i'll cover it up with white paint cars . Hell even the factory does it body not perfect paint it white it covers up all sins that and vinyl tops lol.

Some say...he was born with a cigarette in his hand... and he already smoking when he still inside the womb.. All we know is... UNCLE TONY!!

This is exactly why I’m fortunate to have you as a local and educate the shit out of me. And I’ve owned A bodies since 1995.

Some day the Dodge boys are gonna want to build an Automobile. Just caught onto your channel, as a fellow boomer...I LOVE IT

I’m really glad I found your channel. Thanks for all of the info, brother.

Great video, love my Mopar's. Also noticed your subscribers are blowing up! Congrats.

Thanks for all your great info! Definitely helps. Made me think about a lot of things watching your videos. Keep up the great vids.

Great info that we have come to expect. I grew up with these cars and dad was dodge through and through. But the stuff I’m learning is amazing. I’m almost ashamed that I didn’t know some of the stuff you explain, although I totally agree with your choice between these to cars in this video!

I love this guy, he knows and explains his shit!! Keep em coming bud!!