If you’re a classic car lover looking to own one but can’t afford the hefty purchase prices, a classic car restoration is the next best option. While it’s challenging in terms of money and time, the experience of bringing the car back to its glory is fulfilling for any classic car enthusiast. Here are classic car restoration tips you may want to know.
1. Find the right car
Finding the best classic car that you can restore to a high-standard vehicle while minimizing costs is your first challenge. Look out for classic ads in your local newspaper and online sites like Gumtree and eBay. You may also visit websites dedicated to the sale of classic cars that require restoration. Study the history of the vehicle to determine its standard component requirements. The ideal classic car should have all its parts intact, and if not, its condition should make it easy for you to source top materials for building a car without breaking the bank.
2. Inspect the car
Before you start the restoration process, inspect the car for rust on areas such as floor panels, frame rail, cowl base, and under carpets. This is because rust damage is hard to repair and may require steel body panel replacements, which can be pretty expensive. If there are any irreplaceable parts, weld new replacements. You can also buy replacement parts from aftermarket manufacturers. Additionally, consider consulting a marque expert for any advice you may need. After the inspection, make a list of all the elements that need replacement.
3. Have your space, tools, and equipment ready
If you aren`t outsourcing the restoration, be prepared with the necessary tools and equipment such as floor jack, engine crane, engine stand, and electrical tools like voltage checker and air compressor to help you build your classic car. You may consider leasing the equipment and tools as needed to cut costs. Ensure that you have a large enough space to act as a garage.
4. Create a budget and plan your time
Now that you have a list of the parts that need replacement and the tools of the trade, conduct thorough market research to find a reliable and affordable parts supplier. Since a classic car restoration process may be costly, and you need to be sure you have enough money to see the project through. In addition, the car restoration process can be time-consuming,and there is a need to plan your time. Estimate how long you think the project may take and work towards meeting the set deadline.
5. Find the manual
If you don`t have your classic car manual, you can google and get a PDF copy for free. This will guide through the restoration procedure.
6. Arrange everything in order
When assembling the car parts, label everything and take photos of how all the pieces fit. Pay attention to the wiring and pipework that runs along with the chassis through to the engine bay. In addition, the dashboard’s wiring is complicated, and you should take photographs and label everything that you disconnect. This will ease the process of restoring everything to build a classic functioning car.
Endnote
If you`re a classic car enthusiast, bringing a classic car back to life brings unmatched fulfilment. Use these tips for your classic car restoration.
