Latest Articles

Investment Angle: Why Classic Cars Remain a Safe Asset

Over the years, working around classic cars every day, one pattern keeps repeating itself. Markets go up and down. Trends come and go. New “opportunities” appear, make headlines, and sometimes disappear just as quickly. But well-chosen classic cars quietly continue doing what they have always done: holding their value and, in many cases, steadily increasing […]

What to Check Before Buying a Classic Car in Europe?

Buying a classic car in Europe can be as complex as it is exciting. Between language barriers, authenticity checks, local regulations, and the logistics of shipping, even experienced buyers can find themselves in tricky territory. Before you take the plunge, here’s what you should check when buying a classic car in Europe. 1. Verify […]

Why Restoring Classic Cars in Italy Can Save Money and Even Preserve Authenticity

Restoring a classic car is both an art and an investment. For American collectors and enthusiasts, Italy represents one of the most alluring sources of vintage automobiles — from Alfa Romeos and Fiats to Ferraris and Lancias, to Defenders, Minis and French cars. However, one strategic decision can make a major difference in cost, quality, […]

Top 5 European Classics That Are Hard to Find in the USA

Scarcity and uniqueness are the name of the game when it comes to collecting, and the world of classic vehicles is one of the best examples where rarity directly drives value. There are several reasons a car might be scarce. Some were produced in very low numbers for an exclusive clientele—think handcrafted Ferraris, Maseratis, or […]

Restoring a car: tv shows VS reality

In the last 10-15 years the popularity of TV shows that combine the love for cars with the concept of restoring one, have soared in popularity. Pimp My Ride, Wheelers Dealers, and Fast n' Loud are names that every car enthusiast with a TV knows well. The premises are different, but the base concept is […]

CoolCarMan and Fleming's Ultimate Garage bring selected classic American cars to EU

In the early 2010's I worked as a salesman at Fleming's Ultimate Garage, for 5 years. It was an great time that deepened my knowledge of cars and the inner workings of the US classic car market. I think it's fair to say that without that experience there would probably be no CoolCarMan, and over […]

Vehicle inspections in Europe, what are they and why should you want one

As the market for collectible vehicles has shifted online, it is not unheard of buying a car sight-unseen, based on the information available through photos, videos etc. Sometimes the deal is just right (i.e. project cars, where you have to assume everything needs to be redone anyway, so condition is not a factor), in all […]

For Sale: Fully documented 1980 Mercedes Benz 450 SLC 5.0 by Fangio, owned by Maradona

Between 1974 and 1981 Mercedes Benz manufactured and sold 62,888 SLC models, the coupe version of the SL model. Depending on engine size and production year it was badged 280, 350, 380, 450 and lastly 500. This particular 450 is a special one from the start: it is indeed a 450 model, but it's one […]

Buying Or Building Your Dream Car? Case Study: Land Rover Defender 200 TDi - Updated!

Chris was introduced to me by a friend, as an admirer of Land Rover Defenders. After some chatting it was a classic case of “a friend of mine had one in high school and I thought it was the coolest ride ever, I always wanted one“… However it was something he never really thought about doing […]

Who is who at CoolCarMan.com?

I’m Leo, born and raised in Italy, I am of Italian and Swedish descent and I divide my time between Europe and the US, I own and operate CoolCarMan.com with my wife Dana. Nobody knows how my interest for motors got started (considering nobody else cared in my family), but from the time I could walk […]

My First Project Car And The Lessons It Should Have Taught Me

It was 2005, and I was working for Astra Racing Team in northern Italy, a motorsport company led by a very charismatic and successful former pilot named Mauro Pregliasco (big name in the 70's and 80's rally scene). It was a wonderful experience that allowed me to meet some of the legends of motorsport and […]

Why you should ask an expert: The Learning Curve (Aka Hard Lessons And Landings)

Experts. Think of the guy that you think knows the most about cars or bikes, in the world. Wayne Carini you say? Richard from Gas Monkey Garage? I say go bigger: think of the people that engineer race cars, and the people who take them to the limit. Regardless of who you look at, at some point, […]

Classic Cars: Should You Restore Or Buy One That's Ready To Go?

So you have found yourself a cool car that needs some love, being it a barn find, someone else's abandoned project, or just a car that has been neglected for years. It's a fifth of the cost of the same car in "ready-to-go" form, and you figure that you are willing to wait to drive […]