Over the recent decades I have watched as the classic car market has expanded rapidly with a new generation of enthusiasts coming of age and the demand for collector cars skyrocketing. Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent each year restoring vintage cars. There are those that are restoring cars solely from an investment standpoint. Others are restoring a dream car or truck for their personal collection. No matter the reason for restoring a classic car or truck, doing so is no easy task. There are many car restoration points to consider and questions that need to be answered before the restoration process can even begin.
Knowing the answers to these commonly asked questions can make the entire car restoration process seem far less intimidating for the person restoring a classic vehicle. Here are some points everyone should consider before starting a classic car or truck restoration.
Can You Tell What Condition A Vehicle Is in Just by Looking at It?
Certainly not. There is really no way of knowing what issues may lurk until you begin to dismantle it.
Factors like climate, storage conditions and how the vehicle was treated mostly determine the condition of the vehicle. There are just too many internal parts to know the true condition of a car just by visually inspecting it.
There are some industry standards that you should learn to help you determine the value of a classic car. You also never want to buy a vehicle sight unseen. You need to use caution when buying a classic car via the computer sight unseen. Take your time in your search as the car you select will affect all the classic car restoration points going forward.
Does The Entire Restoration Need to Be Completed at Once?
Not at all. In fact, because of the money required to do a full restoration, many people will decide to do their restoration in phases. Many will choose to get the car drivable and then work on restoring the body and interior last. It is often best to follow the advice of the restoration shop on how to best maximize your money.
Can I Get an Exact Quote for The Restoration?
Most shops provide a price range depending on past experiences with your model of car but getting an exact quote from any shop is simply not possible. It is an educated guess. There is no way of knowing what issues could be waiting to be discovered. Is there hidden rust? Is the frame bent? These are answers we will not know until we begin dismantling the vehicle. We suggest budgeting 30-40% on top of the estimate just to be safe. (A side note on this as many people that frequently restore cars quietly budget double the estimate to give themselves a truer cost).
How Do I Choose the Right Restoration Shop?
No pressure, but the shop you choose will have a major impact on the outcome of your restoration. Finding just the right shop can be a daunting process. You certainly need to invest the time in finding the right one. An effective way to narrow it all down is by investigation shop reputations. If a shop has a ton of great referrals, then it is usually safe to say they are capable. Ask around at car shows or inquire at a local car club. Others that have been through the restoration process are often more than willing to share their experience. We have an in-depth article that offers great advice on steps to take to find a restoration shop.
Is There a Difference Between a Collision/Body Shop and A Restoration Shop?
Most collision centers make their money by repairing fender bender damage quickly and getting the car back to their customer in a timely fashion. They often work on newer model vehicles that have OEM parts readily available. Not all, but some are also known for taking shortcuts to get the job done even faster.
With a good restoration shop, they take their time to make sure everything is cleaned, repaired, or restored with precision. It is all about quality and not quantity with professional restoration experts. We highly suggest you do not choose a collision center to work on your prized possession.
What Is a Fair Amount for A Down Payment Deposit?
An initial down payment is often required to ensure you are committed to the project, but a large up-front sum of cash could be a sure sign of a fraud. A business that is in financial trouble may require a large down payment. Even worse, there are heart breaking stories of people paying enormous upfront fees only to have the business close the very next day. Well established shops should require a minimal down payment and then require fair progress payments as work is done on your classic car or truck. We have posts that discusses some of the frauds that restoration shop can pull to your detriment.
What Are the Typical Steps in A Restoration Process?
While each restoration is unique, we still have a basic plan of attack we follow with all full restorations. Here are the steps we normally take…
- Begin dismantling the vehicle and cataloging each part.
- Remove the exterior trim and strip the paint to the bare metal.
- Remove the seats and interior parts.
- Unbolt body panels and the entire body from chassis.
- Remove the motor and transmission.
- Disassemble the entire chassis.
- Repair any rust if possible. Otherwise replace or fabricate new metal.
- Assess and repair dents, creases, or other imperfections in the body.
- Sand and prep the entire body and then prime the body.
- Strip the chassis to bare metal, make any necessary repairs and then paint the chassis black.
- Reassemble the chassis.
- Repair and/or repair the motor and transmission.
- Reinstall the motor and transmission.
- Reassemble the body panels and attach all remaining parts to the body.
- Paint, wet sand, clay bar and buff vehicle.
- Restore or repair the vehicle’s interior.
- Reassemble exterior trim and install the restored interior.
- Drive and fine tune the vehicle.
How Long Does a Restoration Process Take?
Each restoration is different but be prepared to be in this for the long haul. To properly do a restoration takes time and it cannot be rushed. There may also be unexpected down time if we need to wait for replacement parts. It is quite common for a restoration to take more than a year. In some cases, it can take upwards to 3-5 years and even more.
Will I See a Return on Investment with A Restoration?
There is such a massive misconception out there! The truth of the matter is that it is almost impossible to buy a car, fully and correctly restore it, and then sell it for more than you spent. The reasoning behind a restoration should not be financially motivated. Many investors that make money in the classic car market are like any other investors, they buy low and sell high… often in as-is condition with minimal work done to the vehicle. There are also people that buy classic cars and “flip” them. This means they often perform temporary and less than desirable work just to make the car appear restored and make a quick buck.
Finally
So, if after reading all these restoration points to consider you are still contemplating restoring a vintage car then move forward; but again, go to a reputable shop and do your homework before starting down the path of classic car restoration so you can fulfill your dreams of doing a car restoration. If not; do not be glum but consider buying an already restored classic car of your dreams.
It was interesting to me when you mentioned that each classic car restoration is unique. I would imagine that it is important to make sure you get the proper parts for the unique car restoration that you are doing. Finding a reliable parts supplier seems like a good idea if you are trying to restore a vintage vehicle. https://www.partsincgb.com/services
How can I get in touch with restoration shops? Any in the Midwest?
Julian; Thank you for your inquiry. We provide a data base for service providers by state located at: https://classicautoadvisors.com/business-directory/
Locate the type of service you want and put in the state and a list of companies will be provided.
Thank you, Bob
I like how you mentioned that the classic car restoration process cannot be rushed. In addition to that, I would think that it would be important to make sure that you aren’t cutting corners when restoring a classic vehicle. It seems like it would be a good idea to make sure that you are using high-quality parts when restoring a classic vehicle.