Refurbish Your Vintage Car

Restoring vintage cars is one of the most popular hobbies in the world today. Unfortunately, it’s also a prohibitively expensive hobby to get into if not done properly. This is a detail that many would-be car restorers fail to consider when they make their first classic car purchase and try to do their own refurbishing. The following are the steps taken to restore your vintage car:

Engine
The first thing that has to be done, before anything else, is to get the engine running. For beginners who’ve never restored a vintage car before, it’s actually best to start off with a car that runs and drives, but perhaps could use a little polishing. Engines that are seized up typically require extensive internal work to get them running again, and in fact may be little more than what in the restoration industry is euphemistically called a “boat anchor.” Some restorers may skip the engine entirely, though, opting instead to install a crate motor into their vehicle.

Body

After determining the extent of the damage to the vehicle that has to be repaired, the next step is to get the car’s body back into shape. The difference between the engine of a vintage car and its body is the difference between math and art. While the engine is predominantly a matter of engineering, the body requires finesse to work out the dents and rust, leaving behind a clean, smooth finish. On classic cars, you’ll typically use replacement body panels. Popular cars may have some aftermarket panels available, but less popular vehicles will require fabrication of the parts or scrounging vintage junk yards for parts.

Straightening the body is typically done with body hammers, but may involve body filler if the damage cannot be worked out with hammers. In high-value classic cars, this is not desirable, but it is an inexpensive alternative to replacing the body panels of the vehicle.

 

Interior

Many enthusiasts choose to have the interior of their vintage car redone by a professional upholsterer. However, only the seats usually need upholstered. After gutting the interior, replacing the dashboard and carpet with reproduction carpet is an easy task. For budget-minded restorers, it’s possible and acceptable to use an inexpensive seat cover.

Restoring a vintage car takes time and patience. A lack thereof will certainly result in unsatisfactory results in the finished product. If you’re detail oriented and ready for a challenge, though, a vintage car could be well within your grasp.

Do you have a vintage car you want to be restored? Fill out a free estimate form here!