Restoring a classic car can be one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll have in your lifetime. It’s hard to beat the feeling of bringing an automobile back to life with your own hands and hard work. If you’ve never restored anything before, though, you may not know where to start.
Part of the reason restorations are so rewarding is that they’re long, often challenging projects. You shouldn’t let the size of the task discourage you from it, but you should take it seriously. If you’re going to do this, you’re going to have to put in some work.
The good news is now might be an excellent time to get into car restoration. Many private collectors are downsizing and selling more cars and parts than before. If you’ve decided to take advantage of the opportunity and dive headfirst into restoration, here’s how to get started.
Planning for your Classic Car
You can divide the process into four stages: planning, budgeting, scheduling and the restoration itself. You may want to jump right into working on the car, but thorough preparation beforehand will save you a lot of trouble. The first step in this preparation is planning.
Define your end goal for the project. Are you trying to build a faithful recreation of the original car or make something unique? Do you want to drive it often or just show it off to people?
Depending on what your goals are, your budget and process can look wildly different. You should also plan where to work on the project and where to buy the necessary tools. Answering all these questions early will help you decide how to go through with the rest of the restoration.
Budgeting
As you’re probably aware, restoring a classic car won’t be cheap. Given the expense, it’s a good idea to calculate how much it’ll set you back before you start buying parts. That way, you can begin setting aside money as you need it and plan when to buy things.
Multiple factors play into your budget. The extent of your restoration has a significant role, but so does the model you’re restoring. For example, C1 Corvette parts are rare, so you’ll have to spend more to get originals.
On top of spare parts, you need to account for things like tools, paint, accessories and possibly labor. Write out everything in the process and research what each item will cost in your area. You’re probably going to spend more than you expected, so it’s also a good idea to add 30% to the final figure.
Scheduling
Once you know your goals and have a set budget, you can start scheduling the restoration. You might’ve imagined the process as something you’d come back to whenever you have free time. If you ever want to finish the project, though, you should create a schedule for it.
The restoration doesn’t have to be something you work on every day. You should set goals for each month, though. Scheduling will help keep you motivated and can serve as a guide for when you need to buy parts or tools.
Your schedule will also help guide you through the restoration if you’re unfamiliar with the process. The steps you take will vary depending on your needs and goals, but there’s a general order you should follow.
Classic Car Restoration
There are seven basic steps to restoring a classic car:
- Disassemble the car
- Inspect and fix the frame
- Repair the drivetrain, starting with the engine
- Repair the suspension
- Remove the paint and work on the body
- Fix the interior
- Give the car a new paint job
Depending on the extent of your restoration, some of these steps may not take you long. Regardless of how much work you have to do, though, one thing should be consistent. Take your time on each step.
Source the best materials or products for your car-restoration project, which can involve cleaning, reupholstering, and replacing the car seats. There are car seat covers for easy care and maintenance.
Classic cars are expensive, so it’s best to go slow and make sure you don’t mess up. If you’re not confident in your ability to do something, you may want to consider turning to expert help. If that’s the case, keep in mind that having a professional work on your vehicle will be costly.
Never be afraid or ashamed to ask for help during this process. Look to forums or friends who’ve restored cars previously for advice before going through with anything. You have a vast, knowledgeable community at your hands, so why not use that as a resource?
Restoration Is a Commitment
The classic car restoration community is a diverse one. There’s even a growing part of it focused on turning old vehicles into electric ones if that’s your thing. If there’s one consistent piece of advice you’ll find, though, it’s that restoration is a commitment.
You won’t get everything done in a month, and it won’t be cheap. It’s going to take a lot of planning and hard work, but that’s what makes the results so satisfying.
