Sizzlerking’s Sizzlers
Grading Guide:
PUTTING THIS INFORMATION TOGETHER:
When assessing a car, use the information presented above. Here is a grading scale guide:
MINT
(C-10):
If a mint Sizzlers car did exist, it would have to meet the following criteria:
Body: No paint loss or fading whatsoever. Car would have to still be sealed.
Wheels: Unscuffed tires, redlines deep and bright
Wheel Chrome: No wheel chrome loss whatsoever
Chassis: No corrosion, metal as new. No scratches on the underside of the chassis. Battery installed as new.
Insert Chrome: No chrome loss on insert whatsoever. Bluing complete. Shiny.
Motor: Running
From what I have seen in over 25 years of collecting, these criteria seem to be impossible to meet. The car would have to exist the way it did when it was produced. Perhaps there is a car out there that meets these criteria, but given the track record with battery corrosion and use, it is highly unlikely. I have yet to see one.
NEAR MINT (C
9.5-9.9):
Body: Paint 98%, bright and shiny, no scratches
Wheels: No scuffs, Redlines 100%
Wheel Chrome: 98% or better
Chassis: Minimal corrosion, all contacts present. Metal bright and shiny.
Insert Chrome: 95% or better
Motor: Shiny with no corrosion.
VERY GOOD (C
8.5-9.4):
Body: Paint 90%, shiny, no major chipping or scratches
Wheels: Some scuffing, Redlines 95% or better
Wheel Chrome: 90% or better
Chassis: Some corrosion, all contacts present
Insert Chrome: 85% or better
Motor: Some corrosion, free turning with no binding
GOOD (C
7.5-8.4):
Body: Paint 75%, some light fading, fender rubbing, some scratches, minor chipping
Wheels: scuffing, dull looking, Redlines 85%
Wheel Chrome: 80% or better
Chassis: Corrosion, 1-2 contacts missing
Insert Chrome: 70% or better
Motor: Corrosion, hard to turn
***NOTE: This is the condition most Sizzlers
cars are found in.
POOR (7.4 or
less):
Body: Paint less than 75%, major fading, deep scratches, chipping, scuffing, any breakage or missing parts, repainted
Wheels: Major scuffing, Redlines less than 85%, missing wheels
Wheel Chrome: Less than 80%, rechromed, repainted
Chassis: Massive corrosion, many contacts missing/broken.
Insert Chrome: Less than 70%, chipped insert, rechromed, reblued
Motor: Massive corrosion/rust, locked.
There are many grading factors in determining the value of the car. Sometimes, a combination of factors and conditions will make grading the vehicle more difficult.
For example, you might have a car with a body that is NM, insert that is POOR, and wheels that are GOOD. Using the grading guide listed above, it can help you determine the percentages to add or subtract to help get a more approximate value for the car.
Click below to see some examples. (Photos coming SOON!)
Near Mint Car
Very Good Car
Good Car
Poor Car
This grading scale might seem a bit harsh to some sellers and collectors. But, I have seen many people pay too much for inaccurately graded vehicles. Many times it is because they did not know how to go about grading and evaluating the car’s condition. I have also seen sellers misrepresenting cars time and time again. I also believe this is due to a lack of knowledge on how to accurately grade the car.
I have seen thousands of Sizzlers over the years, and have tried to make this grading scale as informative and accurate as possible. As subject matter experts, Sizzlers collectors need to be realistic in the grading and selling of Sizzlers by providing accurate information to the general public.
No collector’s book or website has this information available yet. I will accept any suggestions or corrections to this scale. I want it to be the most accurate Sizzlers grading scale out there.
Please e-mail me at:
Thanks for your input!
Sizzlerking
September 8, 2000