| Classic car restoration is one of the most rewarding | | | | the numbers you ran on step 1. |
| activities a car enthusiast can perform. Transforming | | | | 6. Decide the level of car restoration: |
| a "seemingly old car" back into a classic vehicle in all | | | | * Driver restoration: is often performed to get a car |
| of its glory is nothing less than art. | | | | back to a fully functional and operational condition, |
| While this is a very exciting activity a car owner must | | | | they often include part replacement and minor |
| know how to properly evaluate the condition of a | | | | cosmetic adjustments. |
| car and then establish the level of restoration to be | | | | * Street Show: this restoration level involves getting |
| performed to such vehicle. There are 4 levels of | | | | a car into a fully working condition and repairing all |
| classic car restoration, each one should be applied | | | | major cosmetic problems (body work is required). If |
| individually depending on the kind of project, budget | | | | judged by a professional it should fall within the 80-89 |
| and purpose. These are the top 10 tips for those | | | | point range. |
| classic car aficionados who want to reverse the | | | | * Show Car: restoring a classic car back to this form |
| effects of 'the sands of time' on their vehicles: | | | | often requires professional work, if judged by a |
| 1. Sit down, grab a piece of paper, a parts catalog | | | | professional, there restorations and labor quality will |
| which would be relevant to the model you want to | | | | fall within the 90-95 point range. |
| restore and run some numbers within your budget. | | | | * Concours: this is the highest level of car restoration |
| Never deviate from it, otherwise the results will be | | | | possible. All the work should be done by |
| obvious. | | | | professionals, from part replacement to body work. |
| 2. Inspect your car very carefully, top to bottom, | | | | These type of cars are intended for auto shows or |
| inside and out; use strong flashlights to inspect the | | | | private collections and not to be driven. Obviously, |
| trunk, the engine area, etc. This will help you see the | | | | the original car to be repaired must be in quite |
| kind of repairs needed to be done to this vehicle. If | | | | optimal condition to achieve this stage, otherwise a |
| possible take it to a car shop where it could be lifted | | | | major investment is necessary. |
| to take a good look at the condition from beneath. | | | | 7. Start the restoration process, if possible follow a 2 |
| Here you will determine if a the restoration process is | | | | step procedure (part replacement and chassis |
| worth the time and money. | | | | adjustments). Visit the car shop as often as possible |
| 3. After inspecting the vehicle, it is also important to | | | | to make sure the right work is being done. If this is |
| decide whether you have a 'solid' car which can be | | | | not possible then have your mechanic send you |
| restored without replacing the entire frame, floor, | | | | periodical picture updates through email. |
| axles, etc. It would amaze you how this step can | | | | 8. After the part replacement process is done, visit |
| save you major dollars (Euros, Yens, etc.). By 'solid | | | | the shop again to re-inspect the chassis repairs |
| car' we are inferring that the car structure should be | | | | needed, if sheet metal patches are necessary then |
| strong, as well as the floor; a little rust can be | | | | remember to document the places where they are |
| repaired but a completely rusty car which has the | | | | to be applied. |
| entire frame compromised will eventually crumble. | | | | 9. When all major restorations are done run a close |
| 4. Decide whether you want to work with a "friend | | | | and detailed inspection just like it was done during |
| who knows how to repair cars" or a professional. It | | | | the second step to make sure everything is OK. |
| is often recommended not to involve friends and | | | | Take it for a ride and see if it works correctly. |
| family on such projects as the time and money | | | | 10. Remember to give proper maintenance to your |
| invested on this process may cause some trouble if | | | | newly restored classic using all the recommended |
| the right procedures are not followed. Cars restored | | | | parts and products. |
| by people other than professionals tend to run well | | | | The trick to getting newly restored cars to last for a |
| for a couple of years and in some cases start to | | | | long time lies within the last step, if the vehicle is |
| breakdown thereafter. | | | | properly maintained, in time, it will become a valuable |
| 5. Have a car restoration professional run some | | | | asset and a sure head turner. |
| numbers and make sure they match or are close to | | | | |