My guide to reading a classic car advertisement. The language of these ads has specific conventions that buyers should know.

Numbers-matching: the major drivetrain components — engine, transmission — carry VIN-derived codes that match the car's identification. Not all cars were numbers-matching from the factory; replacement engines were common in the service life of any car used for driving. A numbers-matching claim should be verifiable.

Frame-off: the body was removed from the frame and both were restored separately. This is a significant undertaking. Photos of the process should exist. Ask for them.

Driver quality: the car is presentable and functional but not show-quality. This is often accurate but sometimes used as an excuse for deferred maintenance and hidden problems.

Ask to see the documentation. Ask for the receipts. Ask to inspect the car on a lift. A seller with nothing to hide will say yes to all of this.