how to get into restoring cars


For a too-cool late ’70s vibe and a big block V8 to play with, a later second-gen Firebird is a great way to get into classic cars. On the other hand, the interior upholstery and equipment can be damaged by paint drops and splatter.At Legendary Auto Interiors, we believe that the interior of your car should be the last step on your classic car renovation because you will spend more time in the interior of the car while using it than you will simply looking at it. You could bring us two identical classic cars, for example two 1971 VW Beetles, and the cost of restoring each one would still vary because it depends on what each individual owner wants from a restoration AND what condition the original car is in.


Let’s point you in the right direction to make sure your first project is a success.First, decide on a goal. You don’t want to get to the final details and not be able to finish your car to your standards due to budgetary issues. You need to do this so you can "read between the lines" of the many ads you'll be screening. If the rust is inside of a rim or a wheel, for the most part, then you can use acid. Don't use tags from another car, however, as some states consider that a felony.
Most newspapers have "antiques and classics" listings in weekend classified sections.Car clubs are often good sources for purchases, since their members buy and sell those types of vehicles routinely. Hemmings Motor News advertises lots of trucking companies.Of course, you always have the option of renting a trailer and towing your vehicle yourself, with total costs typically averaging $0.45 per mile. Now how do you find the "right" one to buy?There is no "right" one but there are a number of "acceptable" ones. This site is dedicated to helping buyers and sellers of classic cars connect. If left to their own devices, men will honestly believe that they will get around to restoring the abandoned car in the garage. _____ Mark Purtell is a classic car collector and founder of the site www.sharpclassics.com. Do yourself a favor before you start and set a budget for each part of your restoration, and also be sure to budget out some money for issues that you don’t foresee.Restoring a classic car can take more time and effort than you realize, so it’s crucial to take your time to plan how you’ll handle your restoration before you begin. Classic car restoration projects can quickly become obsessions. Commonly known as the "Bible of the Old Car Hobby," Hemmings has been around since the 1960s and every month lists over 20,000 vehicles for sale. Also worth buying is Old Cars Weekly, another long-established publication devoted to the hobby. Auto Technician. This is a major purchase. Line up several sellers so you can look at a number of vehicles and compare.Take your written answers (and our Vehicle Condition Guide) with you when you go to examine the vehicle. There are four different levels of classic car restoration, and … Purists recommend taking your car back to the condition she was in when she rolled off the assembly line. Ready? A partnership may mean that the shop hires you to restore items on an as-needed basis. You have always wanted a Healey 3000 and this specific example will need a restoration, but the price seems right and it doesn’t look like it would take much to make it great again.Besides, you have some extra money right now and are sure you can handle it, and you have always wanted to go thru the process of having a car restored to perfection. Take your time and look over the vehicle carefully and meticulously. The world is also full of people like yourselves, who are looking for some automotive treasure that they can restore to like-new condition.We're here to help, so sit back and read on. Our Learn To Restore Cars department gives you step-by-step guidance through the many processes of classic car restoration required to bring your classic car back to like-new condition. It will help you keep to your budget. Don’t let your hard work go by the wayside. If you're going to restore a car with the intent to sell it at an auction or other event, it had better have a top-notch exterior or it won't get noticed.

Decide what you want. Likely because after they messed around with it a little and got a few quotes from good shops, they were scared away.Let’s start with the last bad idea first. Remember, sellers of old vehicles will invariably represent their condition in the best possible light. If you plan on driving the car, you need to make sure the vehicle is sound and structurally stable first.

You’ll want to work on the mechanics before you take care of the cosmetic exterior and interior details.What type of restoration do you want to do?Are you a traditionalist who wants your car to have original factory parts or are you more of a resto-mod kind of enthusiast who wants your car to be unique to you?

You’ve spent precious time and money on restoring your classic car to its original glory. Above all, take your time and enjoy the hunt for the car. If the answers to all of these questions is yes, then you might consider this path.However, keep in mind that it will cost more in time and money than you expect. Follow these 10 tips for maintaining your classic car’s value, and you’ll be well-equipped to show…,Updated February 2020 Congratulations! Why not buy it and go for it?This is a story I hear over and over again.However, car restoration is not for the faint hearted and it is.Yes, there are a number of shops that will say you can restore your car inexpensively and will give you a quote for say $25,000. Oftentimes you may save a considerable amount on replacement parts this way.© 2020 Second Chance Garage, LLC. After that, lift up the hood and detach the battery – use a wrench to disconnect the negative cable first, followed by the positive cable. Which tasks do you want to actually perform, and which ones will you take to your mechanic? In fact, reassembly is a lot easier when you can refer to old photos that show how it looked assembled, so shoot every part of the vehicle, from several angles. That’s not to say that cosmetic features aren’t important, but you could easily mar the interior surfaces by scratching them or getting oil on them while you’re taking care of the mechanical issues.Experts disagree on what order to complete the cosmetic touches.