[Tommy]

Matt,
The key is to understand why the owner is unwilling to sell the car. As you've ruled out cash value and immediate plans to restore the car, what else might it be? If the car has sentimental value (e.g., that's where he lost his virginity), he may die with it. But there is another reason I am beginning to understand better as I get older. If the owner is of retirement age, he may genuinely believe he is going to get around to restoring the car some day. Having a multi-year project out in the garage is one way old guys can pretend that they are going to live and be healthy for a very long time. Selling such a project is tantamount to accepting that you are not going to be in good health long enough to finish it, and few people are willing to take that step without a strong diagnosis from some doctors. ... If this is the case with the car you want, perhaps you can get the car you want with a swap rather than a purchase. Find out what kind of project the owner would take as a swap, and then search for that project. That way you get the car you want, and the old guy gets another project he can pretend he will finish some day.