It’s no longer news that classic cars bring that elegance that you might not find with some of their modern counterparts today. However, finding a functional make of your dream model car might be an impossible task in some cases. Instead of having to scour endlessly for the car, another viable option would be to bring a non-functional classic car back to life.
Also, the vehicle your gramps left you that doesn’t seem too attractive can see a change in fortune if you’d take on the challenge.
Before you get excited, classic car restoration isn’t as easy as it might sound. Restoring a car could take years, depending on the level of repairs needed and the rarity of the parts involved. However, if you’re up for the task and ready to commit to this long-term project, this piece is just for you.
We’ll walk you through the various tips and tricks to help you restore your classic project car to a road beauty. Fasten your seatbelts as we take you on the ride!
Factors to Consider Before Starting a Classic Car Restoration Project
Before embarking on a classic car restoration project, you need to consider these important factors:
1. Your Budget
Unsurprisingly, classic car restoration is an expensive undertaking. First off, if you don’t already have one, you’d have to find a defunct classic car for sale. Then, you must also purchase the various equipment you’d work with if you plan to do it yourself. Also, if you’d be outsourcing to professionals (which is sometimes inevitable), you’d have to include that in the budget. Also, there has to be a space for miscellaneous expenses too. So, you have to plan out your expenses to avoid running out of funds mid-way.
2. Time
Apart from being money-intensive, classic car restoration is also time-intensive. A classic car restoration project could take as long as two years, depending on its condition. While it might be fun initially, you’ll need a lot of patience to see the project to the end. Also, you might need to make plans on how many hours you’re willing to commit to the project weekly without affecting other commitments.
3. Space
Another factor you need to make sure you’ve checked off the list is space. If you have a one-car garage, it might not be enough space for the project. This is because, apart from storing the car, you’ll need space to work and keep the various disassembled car parts. Renting a space or using a family or friend’s two-car garage would do you a great deal of good.
4. Tools and Parts
It’s all fun trying to restore a 1970 classic only to find out you can’t find spare parts for the car. That’s why enquiring about the availability of parts is vital before embarking on a project like this. This will help you determine if the project is even feasible before starting. Also, you need to get must-have tools ready after confirming the various factors above. You need tools like:
- Pliers
- Screwdrivers
- Drill and drill bits
- Sockets and wrenches
- An air Compressor and voltage checker.
You’ll also need some larger tools like:
- Grinders
- Welders
- Floor jack
You could rent the larger tools if you don’t want to buy them.
Now that you’ve gotten the preliminary needs in order, you can move to the restoration project ahead.
Tips to Bring Your Old Car Back to Life
To ensure you’re not frustrated out of finishing your classic car restoration project, here are tips to follow:
1. Find Out About and Learn the Necessary Skills
Except you’re a pro at restoring cars (which is unlikely), you’ll need additional skills to complete your project. So, you might need to pick up some new skills before starting. You can easily find YouTube tutorials or even learn from local professionals. Picking up these skills can go a long way in ensuring you do a good job on the first try.
2. Know Your Limits
No matter how much you learn, you probably won’t be able to do it all yourself. And that’s okay. Know your limits and know where to use professional help. For example, if your project car has engine issues, you might not be able to disassemble it and bring it out all by yourself. You may want to leave issues like this to the engine shop.
3. Enjoy the Process
We’ve established that classic car restoration projects can be a very long process at times. So, setting and completing small milestones could help you drag through the lengthy process. This would make the project more enjoyable and give you more reasons to look forward to the end result.
Conclusion
While the process might seem so excruciatingly long, you’ll forget all the stress when you roll out your brand-new baby on the road. Follow these tips above, and you will definitely be able to weather the storm. Until then, keep at it; we wish you all the best.