Collectible cars represent some of the rarest pieces from automotive history. Their owners painstakingly search them out, restore them, and preserve them because they are either limited-run, decades old and hard to find, or the personal favorite of the collector. As such, it is often important to go to great lengths to ensure the authenticity of any car before a purchase is made. Prospective owners should research the specifics of the vehicle they are interested in so that they can differentiate between an original car and a car made to look like the original–-otherwise known as a “clone car.”

A clone car is, simply put, any vehicle that has been modified or unfaithfully restored in order to mimic the appearance of a different car. There is a particular niche for these vehicles among certain types of car enthusiasts. They want a classic car that lies outside of their price range or is almost impossible to find in good condition, so they incorporate the details of their desired car (badges, paint, wheels, etc.) onto a similar model to effectively recreate the original. Ordinarily, car collectors would have no reason to look down on the clone car hobby because it’s just a different way of enjoying vehicles altogether. However, as far as collectability is concerned, a clone car can never take the place of the original.

This means that people who are interested in acquiring authentic pieces need to research them enough to recognize an authentic model. If they do not do this work beforehand, it increases their probability of accidentally buying a clone car and not being able to make a return on their investment. In the same way, casual collectors or enthusiasts looking to obtain a clone car should not accidentally spend more on a collector's item that they aren’t prepared to restore or preserve. In order that you make the decision that is right for you, here are some tips that should make differentiating a clone car and the genuine article much simpler.

Learn about the VIN Number. Some clone car owners go to great lengths to make their cars represent the original in every way imaginable. If you’ve looked at every other part of the car and haven’t seen anything out of place, you still need to have researched the car enough to know where an authentic VIN should be and what it should look like. VINs are notoriously difficult to modify as they are usually stamped or engraved directly on the metal components of classic cars. However, a VIN number may not always be able to determine whether the car is the base model or a special performance or sport version. If you’re still having trouble telling original and clone apart after this step, take a look at the following tips.

Conduct a thorough inspection. This applies to both the actual makeup of the vehicle and the seller’s online profile/information they provide about the car beforehand. Do some research about what specific features are exclusive to the real version of the car for sale. This could be anything from paint color, to interior styling, to the engine block, to the underside of the car. Don’t be afraid to take time to ensure you’re getting what you’re about to pay for; if the seller is confident in the authenticity of their piece, they should not be bothered by your desire to inspect.

As far as the information provided by the seller goes, keep your eyes peeled while looking at their listing for the car. If they include strange details or phrases such as “already inspected and certified” but don’t list any papers, or “NOT clone car–fully original” when the authenticity of the car did not seem to be in question otherwise, it’s safe to be suspicious going into the showing. Additionally, if they seem eager to rush you through the buying process or try to distract you from looking closely at key components that determine authenticity, slow them down and ask them as many questions as needed. If they have a clone car, it is their duty to represent that clearly. This is an important investment of resources and energy no matter what type of car you want, and you should by no means make any rushed decisions.

Also, get your hands on a build sheet if you can. This document will contain factory identification data for every piece of the car and will help you create a concrete checklist of authentic items. The ease of finding a build sheet depends on the car model, but widely-produced vehicles’ sheets are often available on online databases or from the manufacturer. Rare or exclusive models may have build sheets that are especially hard to come by, but obtaining one is ultimately worth the peace of mind it will provide you while conducting your inspection.

Call upon local experts. If you have a friend or colleague with a particular interest in and knowledge of classic cars, it may be a good idea to call upon their expertise before a sale. It helps especially if your advisor is a collector of your desired car themselves; they will know what to look for much more clearly due to their hands-on experience with the vehicle and you will be less likely to make the wrong decision. You can also ask them to accompany you to the sale, as they will be able to identify problems quickly and give you another opinion about the authenticity.

Ultimately, it is up to the individual consumer to decide if they want their car to be fully original or if they don’t mind a model made to look like something different. However, every consumer also has a right to make that choice, and nobody deserves to have any car that is misrepresented by a disingenuous seller. We hope consulting this article will help you think through the importance of differentiating a clone car from an authentic model and to and stay wary of any tricks. As always, good luck and happy hunting!

References:

Clone Cars And Tributes Explained: What You Should Know Before You Buy One (slashgear.com)

Muscle Car Clones: The Definitive Guide to Tributes & Recreations (musclecarsillustrated.com)

Clone Cars Versus Restored Cars: Which Classic Is Right For You? | DrivingLine