Things To Consider Before Restoring a Classic Car

Few things are more rewarding and satisfying than restoring an old car to its former glory with hard work and elbow grease. But before restoring a classic car, explore our guide below on things to consider for a fun and affordable project.

Level of Restoration

Before beginning the project, you’ll have to decide what level of restoration you’re aiming for. There are four levels of classic car restoration:

• Driving quality
• Street-show quality
• Show-car quality
• Concours quality

Concours is the highest level of restoration, the most expensive, and is mostly reserved for expensive auto shows and collectors. Driving quality is the primary level and more focused on the function than the car’s aesthetics. Knowing which restoration you’re aiming for will help you set a budget and timeline for the project.

Project Budget

Once you know what level your restoration will be, you can set a realistic budget for the project. Establishing a budget will help you stay on track financially and keep you from overspending.

Classic car restorations can be expensive, but you don’t want your project to turn into a money pit, so it’s best to set a limit early and hold yourself accountable. Research similar restorations to see how much they cost, and give yourself a little wiggle room; as we all know, car projects rarely cost what they should!

Parts Availability

One critical thing to consider before restoring a classic car that’s too often forgotten is the availability of parts. If you’re restoring a rare classic vehicle, especially if it’s an import, finding the needed parts for repairs or replacements can be challenging and expensive.

Parts availability will affect your project budget and whether you can even return the classic car to its former glory. You don’t want to get halfway through the restoration and realize you need to find a part that doesn’t exist anymore!

Previous Restorations or Repairs

If you’re buying a classic car to restore it, you want first to get as much documentation about the vehicle and its history as possible. Has someone tried to restore it in the past, or has the vehicle undergone any major repairs recently?

You’ll want to assess the quality of work that was done before determining if it will be an advantage or a hindrance to your project. It’s not uncommon for previous poor restorations and repairs to cause restoration budgets to balloon as owners have to undo the shoddy work of previous owners.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for custom vintage cars for sale to restore or to own and enjoy, Ideal Classic Cars is the place for you! Browse our wide selection of gorgeous vintage vehicles, or stop by our Venice, Florida, showroom today!