Working from home or switching to more flexible working hours has given many of us a considerable amount of spare time. Binging on Netflix and baking banana bread has had its moment, and we’re now seeking more meaningful and rewarding ways to spend our free time. A popular choice for plenty of Brits has been a DIY project of some kind, such as a home renovation or a revamp of the garden. However, those who have a love of classic cars might have decided to try a car restoration instead.
Restoring a classic car is a fulfilling way to spend your time and it’s extremely rewarding when you can finally down tools and admire the finished product. However, it’s not a project you should take on lightly. There are many factors to consider before you can decide if restoring a vintage vehicle is the right thing for you. Between budgeting, researching, and making time for all the necessary elbow grease, there are plenty of laborious tasks involved in a classic car restoration. Here, we explore what you need to consider.
Do your research
Restoring a classic car is a big commitment, both in terms of the time you spend on it and the financial investment you put into it. You should research the estimated time frame for completing your restoration, as well as the predicted costs. Once you have an idea of how much time and money you need to commit, draw up a budget and savings plan to help you prepare in advance.
Be sensible when estimating costs for your budget and when buying parts or equipment for your car. Cutting corners in order to save money could be something you pay dearly for later, if your car is unsafe to drive or made of poor-quality materials.
Choose good quality parts
Restoring a vintage car requires the replacement of a variety of parts. You may be able to keep some of the parts which are already in the car and the engine, however you should still expect to buy additional items.
Some vehicle salvage companies may be able to help, as long as they have a similar vehicle. This is a great way to keep costs down. You could also look online to see if any parts are for sale that suit your needs. Online car collector groups are a good place to start, as members often sell parts they don’t need to others. However you choose to source your parts, it’s essential to ensure you’re opting for good quality items, even if these come at a higher price.
Be prepared to put in a lot of time
To achieve a successful vehicle restoration, you need to be driven and dedicated enough to keep chipping away at it. Make a plan for how many hours of work you want to complete each week and stick to it. You could even block out time in your diary to carry out the work if you’re forgetting or procrastinating. It’s important to stay motivated, as once you become bored, it’s easy to forget about the project for a while or let go of your intentions.
Remember that it’s normal to consider quitting, especially when something doesn’t go as planned, but once you’ve started, you’ll already have invested a significant amount of time and effort, so don’t throw in the towel after a few bad days.
Once you’ve completed your project and have a restored vintage car to be proud of, it’s important to protect it from theft and damage. Make sure you choose the right insurance and car tax as soon as possible, so you can take it for a spin!
