Classic Car Restoration Basics
Classic car restoration involves many aspects of restoring an antique or classic car. One of these is looking into the type of restoration that you want to do to your car. Some classic car restoration methods include working with original parts, assembling a restoration project from scratch, repairing a restoration project, and changing the existing components of a classic car. These are just a few of the classic restoration methods available.
A classic vehicle is commonly defined as one which is at least 15 years old and which is still being maintained and collected by its original owner. Some examples of popular classic cars include the Chevrolet Corvette, which was brought to market by legendary Chevrolet designer H.C. Winstron, or the Ford Mustang, which was redesigned by Hollywood’s top designers. Classic car restoration often refers to any type of restoration, which attempts to bring a restored vehicle back to its original state.
Many people who own classic vehicles elect to undergo classic car restoration in order to restore their vehicles to its original street show condition. These vehicles are usually restored to showroom quality standards and are almost always sold without any warranties or guarantees. Although most of these vehicles are sold as used, there are a few instances where owners choose to make some repairs to bring their vehicles back to “like-new” condition.
The majority of classic car restoration projects are not major mechanical issues. These usually consist of minor cosmetic changes and adjustments such as repainting or washing the vehicle, changing interior panels, repainting, or adding gloss to chrome. There are also some instances where mechanical issues may develop, but these cases are usually easily corrected using special tools. For example, some vehicles may have been fitted with turbo kits which requires an auto body specialist to identify the correct turbocharger for the vehicle. Another popular example is when a vehicle owner decides to replace the front bumper with a new one. Bumper replacement kits can often be purchased online or at auto body shops.
Classic car restoration projects often consist of restoring or fabricating new body panels. There are two primary methods of classic car restoration; internally constructed body panels, or fabricated body panels using fiberglass, steel, or aluminum. Fiberglass and steel are more commonly used, as they’re extremely strong and incredibly light weight. However, both of these materials can be quite costly if buying used body panels, which are becoming rarer as companies stop making new ones.
There are several options available when restoring a classic car. One option is to completely restore the vehicle from scratch, which requires very precise fabrication and welding skills. Another option is to restore the vehicle to a “basically new” appearance by replacing worn out parts, repairing and replacing rust spots, and applying stains or clear coat to bring the overall look back up to par. The third option is to perform a complete on-line classic car restoration, which involves rebuilding an engine, bodywork, interior trim, wheels, transmissions, and many other smaller items. These are the most common types of classic car restoration.
One thing you must remember when restoring a classic car, is that each individual case is different. Therefore, you should only take your car to professional restorers for custom work. If you decide to take your car to a professional restorer, be sure to get their opinion and advice on any particular project. Most professionals will be familiar with at least a few different styles of classic car restoration and will have some sort of indication as to what style you should use. This will help ensure that you get the best result possible.
The point of restoring any vehicle to its original beauty is to increase the value and marketability, so make sure you seek out help from professionals who are experienced in all different kinds of classic car restoration. By hiring someone who is knowledgeable and experienced in these repairs, you can ensure that your investment is protected from every possible kind of danger and you’ll get back years of use and enjoyment out of your restored vehicle. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, since being knowledgeable about these kinds of projects will help you determine if the person performing the work is knowledgeable about the kind of restoration you want to achieve as well as whether they’re equipped to handle all of your specific restoration needs.