As a beginner, the thought of restoring a rebuildable car is overwhelming and exciting at the same time. Still, if it’s something you’ve always wanted to try, we’ve got a few tips for restoring a rebuildable car to help you along. Let’s get started, so you can get driving.
Budgets are no fun to discuss. An endless supply of money is preferred. Still, most of us have other obligations in life (such as groceries, bills, and other minor details) that keep us from pouring every penny into a car restoration. Restoration is possible for everyone if they’re determined. However, the length of time it takes and the materials chosen vary according to budgets.
Make a list of everything you know you’ll need and work it into your budget. Remember, restoration is a process. You don’t have to buy everything at once. Also, leave wiggle room for surprises and unexpected things you’ll have to purchase.
Car restoration means many things. For some, it’s a new paint job, and for others, it’s a rebuilt engine. How much restoration do you want to do? Consider what’s most important to you and go from there. Here’s a list of questions to ask yourself to help you decide how big of a restoration you should do.
Answer these questions honestly for yourself and you’ll see the reality of how big of a restoration you can do.
Someone had to ask it: how much do you know about restoration? If the answer is “very little,” then maybe you should educate yourself first. Seek out restoration forums online and talk with people who you know have restored a car. It’s really one of the best tips for restoring a rebuildable car. Knowledge is everything, and the more you know, the more enjoyable the restoration is.
Even if you’ve never restored a car, you can learn how. It just takes time and patience. You may not be able to say you can do it yourself today, but patiently take it one step at a time. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
However, it’s okay to not be interested in devoting a lot of time to restoring a car. Car restoration is time-consuming, and you won’t enjoy it if you aren’t passionate about the process. In that case, seek out a professional to do it for you.
There’s also the option of doing some of the work yourself and then paying for other areas of the process. For instance, some people like to rebuild everything and then have a professional paint the car.
Once you’ve made the decision about how the restoration is to happen, it’s time to search for parts. There are two important areas to consider when it comes to searching for parts: pricing and where to search. Let’s examine both.
As you begin searching, you’ll find pricing for auto parts varies greatly. We recommend you join some enthusiasts’ groups. Restoration enthusiasts don’t compete with each other, but instead, they can help out when someone has a question or wonders where to find something. They’re passionate about what they do and jump at the chance to talk shop. After finding like-minded car people, keep the following things in mind:
Use original parts when possible. This helps maintain the value of your car and the original parts fit properly. You can also find great deals if the older part needs a little work.
Try some bartering. Your enthusiast group comes in handy for this as well. Maybe you can rebuild an engine but don’t have a knack for painting. Consider trading skills with someone so you’ll both get what you need.
New-old-stock parts also work well when original isn’t an option. There are also plenty of well-constructed reproduction parts.
Do what you can to save money, but also prepare for the fact that some rare parts are costly.
For many enthusiasts, the search is the fun of restoration. The thrill of the hunt is exciting when you finally find that old part at a great price. Technology makes the search easier today. However, it can also make it overwhelming with so many choices available. Check out the following places as you search:
When doing the restoration or some of it alone, the right tools for the job help everything go smoothly. Use our list of ten must-haves to get you started:
Restoring vehicles is a great hobby, especially if you’ve always had a passion for great cars. It’s possible to restore a car even if you never have before. Most car restorers find the process enjoyable and feel that the best part of restoration is the journey toward the restored vehicle. Hopefully, you’ll feel the same way as you begin your car restoration project.
At AE of Miami, we offer repairable vehicles for sale for all your restoration needs and hobbies. Browse our convenient online store or contact us for more information. We ship anywhere, so you don’t have to wait for the part or car you need.
