| In the past 20 years, many classic car restoration | | | | other restoration tips that you might not have |
| shops have left the scene. With so few of these | | | | thought of on your own. And it never hurts to build |
| restoration shops remaining, many classic car owners | | | | up your contact list. |
| have been forced to either take upon themselves | | | | The advantage of finding a restoration specialist in |
| the daunting task of restoration or simply give up | | | | this manner as opposed to finding them through a |
| their hobby. | | | | phone book or a newspaper ad is that you have |
| Happily, even though the shops themselves have | | | | seen, first hand, the results of their labor. |
| disappeared, many of the mechanics and other | | | | Another excellent way to find classic car repair |
| restoration experts who worked on those classic | | | | specialist is to join and become a member of one or |
| automobiles are still around and are more than willing | | | | more classic auto clubs. These clubs can be an |
| to help you, if you can find them. | | | | invaluable resource for finding parts, services, and |
| One of the best places to find an auto restoration | | | | other information of interest to classic car hobbyists. |
| specialist is at a classic auto show. Look for | | | | The best thing about these clubs are that they are |
| newspaper or television notices of classic auto | | | | full of enthusiasts who are always willing to go above |
| conventions and events occurring near your town | | | | and beyond to help other members. And don't think |
| and make an effort to attend. As you look at the | | | | that these clubs have to be local. If you're in New |
| cars, take special note of the ones that have | | | | York and join a club based in Chicago, for example, in |
| restoration quality work that impresses you. Then, | | | | most cases you'll still be able to actively take part in |
| simply ask questions to find out who did the | | | | the club through their bulletin boards, newsletters, |
| restoration work on the vehicle. If you do this for all | | | | ezines, and so on. Classic automobile clubs can also |
| the classic cars the impress you, you will probably | | | | help you to avoid being taken advantage of by |
| have quite a list by the time you leave the auto | | | | unscrupulous shops, restoration specialists and so on. |
| show. | | | | In addition to pointing you to the best restoration |
| Depending on where the automobiles hail from, quite | | | | resource, classic car clubs help their members by |
| a few of the restoration experts may be too far | | | | giving them information on what questions they |
| away from your home. This doesn't mean that you | | | | should ask a classic car renovation specialist. The |
| should not contact them. In fact you should contact | | | | clubs will also give them tips on how to tell if they're |
| ALL of them. Simply tell them that you were recently | | | | being gouged or overbilled, how long certain jobs |
| at an auto show and saw some of their work which | | | | should take, what to do if there's a dispute between |
| you admired. Explain that you are looking for | | | | you and the car renovation specialist and more. |
| someone they could recommend that does quality | | | | As more and more restoration shops leave the |
| work similar to them but who is closer to your town. | | | | scene, the classic car owner will increasingly find |
| You will not get referrals from all the experts that | | | | himself looking for all of the help that he can. At |
| you contact but you may be pleasantly surprised at | | | | least, for now, the help is still out there if you're |
| how many names you do get. Many will also give you | | | | willing to take the time to research and find it. |