Choosing the right oldschool car to restore
Many car enthusiasts dream of buying that old, classic car and returning it to its past greatness. Whether you’re in your prime dreaming of the car you idolized when you were still in school or you’ve retired and just want to drive a sentimental piece of metal, the idea of a long-term restoration project can be romantic, exciting and difficult.
There are important factors to consider when choosing the car that you will spend a great deal of time and money restoring. Play your cards right and your restoration project will bring immense satisfaction. Get it wrong and you can easily prolong the process while burning money on the side. Here are a few essential tips before you start your project:
1. If you’re a “Know it all,” you’re not learning. Consult with an expert.
I’m sure you know friends who do auto restoration. Don’t hesitate to bring experts along to look at a potential purchase. Restorers can assess the current state of the car and it’s always best to get as much feedback as you can. Essentially, with the help of a “critical eye,” your chances of buying a difficult project are slimmer.
2. Don’t restore a “Lemon.”
Some cars aren’t worth really that much, and will never hold value no matter how meticulously restored. But the choices are almost infinite. Do some research to determine which models are “sought after” as they have more value once they’ve undergone restoration. You don’t want to end up restoring something that had a long list of factory defects.
3. If it runs, it’s a plus...
If you buy a car that starts, or better yet runs, you significantly reduce the risk of expensive and time consuming repairs. Buying a non-running car that has been sitting for a decade can be a risky proposition.
4. Rust equals cost
Old cars are notorious for serious structural rust damage. Depending on where the car you choose has spent its life, you may find the car’s chassis has been eaten away by rust. Rust damage is time consuming to repair, and requires a delicate process to repair and align structural components and body panels back to factory specs. Avoid buying “scrap metal” as it will eventually ruin your budget. Rust repair certainly isn’t for everyone, so it’s important to know what you’re getting into.
5. Check on the availability of parts
The VW Beetle is probably on the top of the list of favorite cars to restore. That’s probably because of the availability of parts. A shortage of replacement parts can stop your project dead in its tracks. To ensure the project goes smoothly and stays on budget, research on the availability of parts. Scarcity of replacement parts will be a major stumbling block. Customization and Fabrication will also ruin your budget.
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