(Editor’s note: During the month of May, the ClassicCars.com Journal is publishing a series of stories about buying your first, or perhaps your next, collector vehicle. Today, Bob...

I consider my experience lucky. It was a journey but I ended up getting a car that I'm happy with overall and haven't had any major disappointments or nightmares.

So you are looking to buy your first collector car and are wondering where to start. I’m here to help, and bring along the experience of having owned more than such vehicles over the years.