You’re probably the type who has a passion for classic cars. There’s a sense of pride in having a slick ride. But, you also want to be able to drive your hot rod.
To wow your neighbors and friends, it’s best to restore your classic car.
Fortunately, you don’t have to be a mechanic to successfully restore your classic car, and you can do so cheaply.
Just gather the right supplies and take some time to rev up that engine. Make sure you research the make and model of your car so you specifically know what parts you need and how to perform the repairs.
Do you need more help? Here are five car restoration tips for some of the hottest classic cars.
1. Start by Finding the Parts
Finding parts for your car sounds tedious, and depending on the make and model of your car, it can be. Fortunately, the internet has made this easier than ever.
You can search online, at retailers, through social media groups and forums, in the classifieds, and even on certain websites that specialize in selling classic car parts.
Is the internet not helping? Search the old-fashioned way.
Look at junkyards and brick-and-mortar stores. You should always research prior to looking, so you know what you need.
2. Start with the Exterior
Don’t think your classic car only needs a paint job. You should fully re-do the car’s exterior to bring it to working condition.
You’ll likely need to restore the following areas:
- Hood
- Headlights
- Door handles
- Bumpers
- Head caps
- Tires
- Body moldings
- Gas cap
- Taillights
For each part you buy, make sure there’s no rust. After you finish installing the parts, your car will need a fresh coat of paint and a new license plate.
3. Rebuild the Interior
Like the exterior, the interior of your car is also important. It’s easy to find car interior parts that are damaged.
Make sure you clean the interior before installing. Take note of all materials such as vinyl, leather, and fabric. Not all cleaning supplies work for all materials, so use ones especially designed for each surface.
4. Rebuild the Engine
When rebuilding the engine, it helps to have previous knowledge on cars and engines. When you rebuild the engine yourself, it’s a lot cheaper and you can perform all the maintenance yourself.
If you’re not comfortable rebuilding the engine solo, contact a mechanic.
You can buy the parts yourself so it’s cheaper. There are also mechanics who specialize in car restoration.
You may also consider reaching out to cheaper mechanics through car blogs, forums, or classic car enthusiasts.
5. Find Easy-to-Restore Classic Cars
There are a few classic cars that are easier to restore than others. The parts are fairly easy to find, installations and maintenance are easy, and they’re built to last.
If this is your first time restoring a car, consider purchasing one of these models:
- Ford Mustang (1964-1968)
- Chevrolet Bel Air (1955-1957)
- Buick Riviera (1963-1965)
- Pontiac GTO (1971-1972)
- Packard Pacific (1951-1954)
Time to Start Your Car Restoration Project
It’s easier now to restore a classic car than it ever was. There are so many resources available to help you with car restoration.
Find the cars and get to building!
If you need more assistance with car restoration, we offer advice on parts and auto-rebuilding, so check us out!