Reasons Why People Collect Cars

The discovery of a classic car can be the beginning of an exciting hobby. A car from your childhood or a previous era can bring a sense of nostalgia and the satisfaction of a quality car from years gone by. A car that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, using both OEM parts and other compatible replacement parts, will have a value to the owner which far exceeds the resale price. Many who come into possession of a classic car have the talent and skills to perform the needed repairs and upgrades themselves, but most prefer to let professionals do most, if not all, of the engine repairs and re-upholstering which these cars usually require.

Getting Top Quality Workmanship For Your Car

An individual who operates a classic auto restoration shop is typically someone who works a full time job, pursuing auto body work and engine repairs on the side as an extension of his or her interest in the hobby. Evidence of the quality of this person’s work will not be difficult to find; talking to other classic car owners where you live will reveal whether his work has been met with approval. Testimonials as well as before-and-after pictures also provide a good frame of reference.

Advantage of Brand-Specific Restoration Specialists

Some restoration businesses focus on one model or cars made by only one manufacturer. This allows them to focus all their energies on learning as much as they can about a particular car or maker, serving their clientele with expert knowledge that a generic shop may not have. Any classic auto restoration shop should have extensive knowledge about OEM parts and the proper replacements needed to restore your vehicle to proper working order.

Mods and Enhancements

Details such as custom finishing can be worked out between you and the repair shop, including designs that were not a part of the original paint job that came with the vehicle, or you can rely on historic photos and documentation to achieve the original color and texture of the vehicle’s exterior. The interior can be modified as well. Updates such as air conditioning, stereo speakers, MP3 players and GPS navigation systems are not uncommon.

Maintenance Concerns

Regular maintenance and service for older vehicles that are being driven regularly may not be possible from ordinary automotive shops; you may need to make regular visits to the place which restored your vehicle in the first place, or else find a comparable auto restoration shop who knows about the types of engine components that exist in your car. Many who collect classic cars prefer to keep them as showpieces, rather than employing them as part of their daily commute. This not only saves on maintenance costs, but by keeping the mileage low, they are preserving the resale value of the car, making it more of an investment. Classic auto restoration specialists are known to charge what their services are worth, making it a pricey investment to have your car restored by a professional.

Additional Resources:

http://www.lelandwest.com/restoring-your-classic-car.cfm
http://www.carsdirect.com/classic-cars/classic-car-restoration/#b

Classic auto restoration is a hobby or activity that many individuals partake in and it can be an enjoyable and exciting activity if done correctly. The process involves restoring an older car, typically 50 years old or more, to its original glamor and glory such as the Chevrolet Impala, 210, Porsche 944, Ford Station Wagon or the Ford Mustang. It can also be highly profitable if done correctly and the intention is to sell the car when the process is complete.

Rust

Rust is an important consideration to have when deciding to restore a classic car. Sometimes rust is covered up by paint or body putty in an attempt to conceal it without fixing it completely. It’s best to avoid body putty with classic auto restoration in favor of metal or fiberglass. Common locations for rust include the rocker panels or under the hood on the firewall. Floors can also be rusted and hidden by carpets.

Cleaning

Cleaning a project car being used for classic auto restoration can involve only doing sanding and priming of the top coat of the paint. However, the job will be much smoother and a better quality if the paint is taken all the way to the metal so it’s easier to notice where the rust spots are and take care of them.

Interior

The amount of work that needs to be done to the interior depends on where the vehicle was kept prior to the restoration. Items that need to be replaced or given attention typically include the sound system, seats, switches and gauges and the door panels.

Exterior

The exterior is the first thing that outsiders see. If it isn’t in good condition, it’s not going to turn heads the way you want it to or in a good way. Each piece of the body should be repainted and items that have excessive rust may need to be replaced entirely if they are too rusty. Once the vehicle is stripped down you can either paint the vehicle the original factory color or have complete control over the look and add stripes or vinyl. Other items that should be replaced or improved include the door handles, mirrors, headlights, taillights, bumpers and the hood latch.

Engine

A car is useless for function without a working motor. The engine should be disassembled and each piece cleaned or replaced as necessary. It takes careful searching to find the correct pieces that are needed for each engine. It is the choice of the individual doing the restoring on whether to attempt to get the original motor or install a completely new one.

http://autorestoration101.com/ – Hints, tips and tricks for DIY auto restoration
http://realisticrestorations.com/ – Examples of classic auto restoration

People’s appreciation of their cars can be on several different levels. Some people see it as a simple method of getting from point A to point B while others take more pride in what they drive. The type of car a person drives can also differ, from modern to classic vehicles. Car enthusiasts enjoy the classic cars because of the beauty they can harness when they are treated with care and attention.

Restoring a Classic Car

There are some challenges that a person must face if they decide to restore a classic car. Some people are good at one aspect of working on a vehicle, like the mechanical or bodywork, but there are few that are skilled enough to do a good job on the entire vehicle. Thankfully, most people do not have to worry about this aspect because there are locations that specialize in classic auto restoration. These shops consist of a talented group of people that can bring any car to its classic luster.

Mechanical Restoration

When restoring a vehicle, it can typically be separated into two categories. The mechanical aspect involves restoring the engine and ensuring that the vehicle functions properly and safely after years of use. This part can typically be handled by mechanics because of the fact that new parts are still relatively easy to come by. However, one mishap can lead to ruining the entire engine or other part of the vehicle. In fact, no matter how nice a car looks, it will be useless if it is found broken down on the side of the road.

External Restoration

The second aspect of vehicle restoration is the appearance of the vehicle. This can be anything from the paint that is used on the car to the dashboard inside the vehicle. Even if a car runs well, no one will sit up and take notice if it looks like the car has been through a beating over the past years. It takes special care and attention to restore the appearance of a vehicle, but that is why it is crucial to use classic auto restoration when possible.

Why Use Auto Restoration

As stated before, there are several aspects to classic auto restoration that can only be handled by a team of professionals. When working on a classic car, there may only be one chance to get the job done right, and that’s why it is important to have the right people do it. Those that have been working on a wide range of vehicles may even know shortcuts or methods that will actually better the vehicle itself.

Finding the Right Location

There is no need to rush when choosing a classic auto restoration shop. It takes time and patience to learn about the strengths of each location in order to get the best treatment. For example, one location may be focused specifically on muscle cars.

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/

http://www.myclassiccar.com/forum/

Two Considerations for Your Classic Auto Restoration Project

A 1966 Corvette coupe can require up to a 1000 hours of work and $20- $25 thousand to restore. It takes a skilled combination of welding, bodywork, fabrication, mechanics, painting and upholstering for a typical classic auto restoration project. Some people have the patience and skills required to complete the project themselves.

However, not all enthusiasts have the fortitude and aptitude necessary to restore a classic automobile. They must rely on find a professional restorer to deliver the complete restoration.
Before a classic automobile owner leaves their prized possession, here are a couple of question thing to ponder and seek answers to before making your final decision.

How Much Should You Invest in the Restoration?

Any restorer who gives you a price should make it clear that it’s his or her best estimate. The complexity of a classic auto restoration project makes it foolish for anyone to tell you how much the job will cost. The best restorers understand the vehicle ultimately determines the final cost of the project and make sure the client understands this aspect of the classic auto restoration project.

Refurbishing the interior, re-plating chrome and rebuilding discontinued parts can send the original restoration estimate escalating out of control. The restorer should find methods of completing the restoration properly, but cutting costs where appropriate to bring the project in at the most efficient cost. Have the restorer explain in clear language billing and part acquisition protocol the Make sure to get everything in writing before you start the project.

In addition, ask the restorer about the portion of the work completed in-house and the parts farmed out to outside specialists. Do you really want your classic automobile transported to unfamiliar locations? This could really inflate the final cost of the restoration.

Does the shop employ the latest equipment? Some aspects of the job may require handcrafting, but do not hesitate to ask the restorer if machines can do the job faster and cheaper. Ask for a tour and an explanation of how the restorer will manage each step of your project.

What Is the Appearance of the Shop?

Take a tour of the shop where the restorer performs the restoration work. Pay particular attention to projects underway. How do workers treat the vehicles? Unorganized shops, cluttered with car parts, tools or car components on top of unprotected automobile surfaces may present a red flag.

You are not looking for a pristine mess-free shop, but an operation that tries to minimizes the possibility of inflicting tears, scratches, bruises and other damage on the interior and exterior of your car beyond those present when you deliver the vehicle. Choose a classic auto restoration shop where workers exercise the same level of respect for your vehicle as you. The condition of the shop may reveal whether you are making the right choice.

Sources:

32 Best Cars to Restore
http://www.hemmings.com/hcc/stories/2010/06/01/hmn_feature2.html

Motor Trend – Classic Car Restoration Questions
http://www.motortrend.com/auto_news/112_news060823_classic_car_restoration_questions/viewall.html

Classic Auto Restoration: A Consuming Passion for Many Car Lovers

For those of us who are major league car lovers, classic auto restoration is an enjoyment that ranks right up there with the major necessities of life itself. While the term, classic car, seems to have slightly different meanings depending upon many variables, it is a reference to the particular style and age of the vehicle.

Just What Is a Classic Car, Anyway?

Generally, a car is considered a classic when it reaches at least 20 years of age and is a standout model for that particular car maker. Examples of commonly agreed upon classics are 2-door coupe models like the Chevrolet Bel-Air or the Ford Fairlane 500. Other cars older than 45 years are referred to as antiques, and there are various other classifications between classic and antique as well.

First Steps

An initial, comprehensive analysis and evaluation is the key to every classic auto restoration. Careful, visual inspection to see just what needs to be done—and what can be left as is for the least invasive renewal–is always wise.

Where Does It Start?

The challenge of carefully dismantling these wonderful old cars of the past is the first step of the restoration process. With an eye for precision and detail, along with the right tools and equipment, restorers can make an old, unusable classic of the past look showroom new. The enjoyment of watching an old car become new again through a gradual, step-by-step process is simply unmatched among true car enthusiasts.

How Far To Go

For the purist though, the full, off-frame restoration is the only way to achieve the desired results. With these restorations, the car gets totally disassembled, interior and exterior, down to its frame; and, even the frame itself gets inspected, straightened and painted.

Rusty Bodies?

Exterior body rust is generally the first consideration. In order to give that classic back its original luster, all rust must be removed and not simply covered. Taking the surface back down to its original unpainted metal, and even piecing rust-destroyed metal with new metal panels, is all part of the job of restoring external appeal.

And The Interior?

Interiors receive the same diligent attention. Everything from the headliner to the door panels, seats, carpet, dash and gauges is either renewed or replaced with original, or nearest to original, parts which are still available.

Can These Classics Be “Modernized”?

Likewise, tires, wheels, suspension, transmission and motor are thoroughly inspected and painstakingly made new, or they are replaced with new parts and finishes which exactly match the originals as closely as possible. While there is that segment of restorers who just can not resist some “modernization” throughout the process, the classics restored closest to their original equipment, options and finish generally get the nod and command the highest prices within that diehard faction of the classic auto restoration world.

Links

http://www.guildclassiccars.com/Luxury_Cars_Restoration_articles.htm
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-restoration1.htm

What is Classic Auto Restoration? 

Classic auto restoration is, essentially, a hobby for tens of thousands of people all over the world. These people enjoy making old cars look new, that is essentially what it boils down to at the end of the day. There are car shows, conventions, websites, forums, clubs, magazines, books, and stores with varying levels of popularity within the classic auto restoration community.

This hobby can be as expensive or as cheap as you choose. You can choose to spend very little money and try to collect the needed parts through a combination of patience and creativity, or you can look for original, high-quality, parts and expect immediate gratification–which will cost you. Either way, the process of rebuilding the car is actually the part that people say is fun. Having a nice car is great, re-building a nice car is an amazing accomplishment that you can brag about and show off.

What Cars Can Be Restored?

Virtually any vehicle can go through a process of restoration. Whether some should is another matter entirely. Some people choose to only restore classic mustangs, some only want to work on Firebirds from the late 1960s, some will restore a car that just so happens to be classic because it has sentimental value–perhaps having been owned by a family member or some such thing.

While any automobile can be restored, this website doesn’t exist to promote the restoration of Dodge Caravans or Ford F150s, it exists to promote and disseminate information about classic auto restoration.

Who Should Do It

Anyone can restore a car, of course, if they have patience and are willing to learn. Practically speaking, classic automotive restoration is not for everyone. There are people, though, who possess the patience, the knowledge, the money, and the love of automobiles to engage in this hobby–sometimes taking years on a single project. People of all ages, races, creeds, and nationalities have excelled at classic auto restoration.

If you do not have the necessary knowledge to do a classic auto restoration, there are two options. One is to pass the project on to a professional classic auto restoration garage–this option assumes that you do not want the vehicle restored because you want to participate in the project, but because you want the end product. Two is to learn how to restore classic autos yourself. This is the more difficult, but arguably more personally gratifying option.

Where To Start

An individual should start off any classic auto restoration project by making sure they have the ability, money, and time to put into the vehicle that will ensure that the restoration is completed. Far too many projects drop off before being completed and before you know it, there is restoration that must be done even on the recently restored parts.

Additional Resources for Interested Readers

This is a classic car restoration website which emphasizes do-it-yourself techniques:
http://classiccarrestorationpro.com/

This is the website of Second Chance Garage, which is a website that promises “An easy way to learn about restoring cars”:
http://www.secondchancegarage.com/

Enjoyed By Many

Classic auto restoration is something that is enjoyed by many people. Old cars and equipment often carry a deep sense of nostalgia. Because of this, the restoration can be a great passion. Restoration of a car is quite different from rebuilding an old car. When it comes to rebuilding, the goal is generally to get the vehicle operating once again, regardless of the supplies and parts that are used. In restoration, the goal would be to return the vehicle to its original glory as well as having it in running condition. This means that original parts and paint are required.

Many Reasons

There are many different reasons as to why an individual is interested in classic auto restoration. For one person, the vehicle could be one that his parents owned years ago. For another, it could simply be a challenge that one wants to accomplish. Whether it is as a hobby or profession, vehicle restoration is certainly a rewarding prospect.

Two Important Things

With any classic auto restoration, two of the important things to keep in mind would be the time involved and the financial implications. Restoring a classic is something that will often take many months or even several years to compete. Because of this timeline, many projects get started only to the scrapped. There can be many stumbling blocks along the way that will further postpone the completion date. Just the task of finding original parts and equipment can be an exhausting ordeal. Before starting, a person needs to realize what the commitment will be.

Costly and Time Consuming

Bringing a classic car back to life can be quite costly. If a vehicle is quite old or is a particular model that is unique or rare, prices for parts can be extremely high. Due to the cost of such projects, having a budget is recommended. The budget should be followed as best as possible, but there will often be situations and expenses that cause the spending to go beyond what was originally projected. This is not necessarily a problem as long as the restoration does not have negative financial impacts on other areas of one’s life.

Before beginning any classic auto restoration project, one should thoroughly review all aspects of the job. It is an extremely involved task, but one that has an amazing sense of accomplishment and joy. For the person who has never done car restoration, having knowledgeable friends or associates who are able to help will make the project go that much smoother. With a lot of time, patience and dedication, one will be able to have a great ride through classic auto restoration.

Links

http://www.secondchancegarage.com/

http://www.lelandwest.com/restoring-your-classic-car.cfm

While the whole piece is relatively short, I find this article to be fascinating. I had no idea that there was a college in the United States that offered automotive restoration as a Bachelor’s degree, or even as a field of study. Classic auto restoration is a field that has acquired more and more attention in recent years, thanks in large part to magazine, car shows, and the Internet–which have all allowed people to show off their restorations, which serves to inspire others to do the same.

The McPherson, Kan., college, which bills itself as the only college in the country offering a BA in restoring classic cars, is finding that its students can use their new-found skills in school-funded entrepreneurial ventures. It offers them grants to get their businesses started:

The businesses that are listed thereafter are unique and innovative–so the degree is not just one that encourages people to become high cost mechanics. I am thoroughly impressed with the business concepts I saw listed. I am glad McPherson College has taken this step and I hope the program thrives.

Classic Cars