If you’re into cars, you may have thought about restoring a classic car. It’s an incredible way to get your hands on a classic car and is a fantastic project to get your teeth into – a real labour of love.
Restoring a classic car, however, isn’t something to be entered into lightly. It can take a lot of hours, a lot of patience, and a lot of money before you complete your project. Not only that, but classic cars also need a lot of maintenance to help them retain their value and run well on the road.
To help you get started, here are five great tips to take on board when restoring your classic car.
1. Be ambitious, but keep it within your capabilities
Restoring a classic car is not something to be entered into lightly. You’ll want to think carefully about the type of car you want to restore and how you’re going to go about it.
It’s good to be ambitious with your car classic car restoration project, but you should think about how much free time you have and the skills you’ll need to take on that specific project. Some people start with easier projects before working their way up to more complicated restorations.
If you feel like you could be out of your depth, you could partner with someone else or consult an expert to help you get started.
2. Start with a car that runs
A classic car that is capable of running is a great place to start. If you have to completely rework the engine and other components, you could be faced with a huge uphill battle. A car that runs will need less complex mechanical work, giving you a better starting point.
You may need to shop around to find the right car, but it’s worth it to find a car you know is already working.
3. Research the cost and availability of parts
Usually, the cheaper the car, the more work it will need, as the rest of the cost will come from sourcing parts and making repairs. A classic car restoration has the potential to cost a lot of money, so it’s important to do your research before you commit to buying a car.
In addition to the cost of parts, there’s also the issue of parts availability. Classic car enthusiasts spend their evenings and weekends searching and travelling to buy parts, with not all searches ending successfully.
The good news is you can find classic car parts at Express Parts to help you find what you need.
4. Embrace opportunities to learn new skills
Unless you’re a qualified mechanic, there are likely to be some elements of a classic car restoration that are brand new to you. Being open to learning new skills is one of the most enjoyable parts of restoring a classic car, giving you the chance to try new things and enjoy the satisfaction of making repairs yourself.
The good news is there are a lot of ways you can learn the skills you need to restore your car. Classic car clubs are a popular route for car enthusiasts, while there are textbooks and online resources like YouTube that could you where needed.
Always remember to source the manual for your chosen car, this can provide a lot of information about your vehicle and help you with some of the basics. It will also be useful when the time comes to get your car on the road!
5. Enjoy it
One of the best tips for restoring a classic car is to enjoy it. At times, it can feel frustrating, but it’s important to keep your eye on the prize so you don’t get too disheartened or give up! A classic car restoration provides a great opportunity to meet new people, connect with fellow car lovers and learn some skills. The process itself is something to enjoy, and the end result will be worth it when you see all your hard work come together.
As long as you know what you’re getting yourself into, and you’re happy to do the research, restoring a classic car can become a very rewarding way to spend your time, and become an enjoyable new hobby.
The good thing about restoring a classic car is that you don’t have to do it alone. Take advantage of the tools and resources that are out there to help you complete it. At Express Parts, we connect customers with classic car parts, helping you find exactly what you need. Search our site to start looking for parts, or contact us and we’ll be happy to help you find what you’re looking for.