Anyone had any experience restoring cars?

[Damini]

I have seen this: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1963-Chevy-Bi...ryZ18301QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

And I have some major lust going on for it. However, what I know about cars wouldn't even fill the opening paragraph in a book entitled "Cars: An Idiots Guide"

So where would you even begin on a restoration like that? Is this something I should just run away from screaming? Can I hire someone else to do it for me? I probably won't go for this one, as the auction runs out soon and I am either split second impulsive or need weeks to mull over, and I haven't bought it yet However, in my list of ambitions is an old sexy car, so it will happen eventually. And look how gorgeous it is. Though I would want it in black.

 

[Calaen]

lies I want it Actually I want the 67 off the show

 

[Raven]

for restoration, i know there is a garage down the road from me that restores and maintains US cars only

edit: http://www.northamericanmotorco.com/home.htm

lots here too

http://www.yanktanks.co.uk/carpartsales/partsUK.htm

 

[Jupitus]

This is a site showing a Canadian guy's mini restoration:

http://www.vancouverminiclub.ca/adamsprogress.html

That's doing all the work himself (well, with alot of help from father and friends) ...

There are quite a few classic car restorers around, but don't be suprised if the total cost involved is way way more than the cars value at the end of it... sounds like you are doing it for the love of the car and to keep it though, so it might be worth doing

 

[Damini]

for restoration, i know there is a garage down the road from me that restores and maintains US cars only

edit: http://www.northamericanmotorco.com/home.htm

Oh my god. This is motor heaven. Thank you!

I guess I should reign in my lust until I have an empty garage (can you even begin to contemplate parking something as luscious as that on the road I live?) but I worry that they are really hard to get hold of and if this one goes I might never ever see another one again. But I am nuerotic.

 

[Skyler]

Don't worry, there are plenty around.. take a look at the cars of that era though, there are a lot of pretty appealing ones.

I must say I like a nice Black Charger like this:

Not the best photo angle mind.. but still how menacing is that

 

[Tom]

Is this something I should just run away from screaming?

Yes. If you have no mechanical knowledge or experience that car will be a huge money pit into which all your ill-gotten gains will disappear.

If you're prepared to dig in and do things like brakes, wheels, exhaust, timing, fan belt, etc, then it'll be a lot less expensive but the important things like bodywork and rust will always cost a small fortune to sort out.

Just looking at the description:

Runs and drives but is still a project

That means that the seller can't afford to or doesn't have the time to fix all the big things that need attention.

front wheel cylinder is leaking

Not sure what that means, but could be something to do with the shocks, or could be a leaky drum brake. Not too expensive, but needs more information.

Body panels all need some work including the front screen pillars,

A-pillars are an integral part of the strength of the body shell. If these are rusting, you might be looking at big money to repair them.

Would make a great lowrider and be fairly economical to run around being a straight 6 auto.

Not a chance. It'll do nought miles per gallon.


Its what you can't see that worries me. Anybody confident in selling a car that old would include photographs of the engine bay, wings, suspension components, floor, sills, firewall, exhaust. That those photographs aren't there says a lot about the condition IMO.

Steer clear Dams. If you want a lovely old classic car, and you're doing low mileage, look at things like this:

Morris Minor:

Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite:

No introduction required:

 

[Damini]

That frogeye sprite is the happiest car I have ever seen.

 

[Tom]

hehe, they do look as though they're having a great time don't they

 

[Skyler]

Oh wow, Damini is sooo the Morris Minor type!

The kids author driving around with her long country skirts on in her Morris Minor estate, complete with wooden paneling and a flowery shirt!

Muahahaha

 

[Tilda]

I want a healey!!!

 

[Jupitus]

Oh wow, Damini is sooo the Morris Minor type!

Ooo I don't know!

 

[Ch3tan]

LOL Jup

It's like she's taking a ride in Brum.

 

[Yaka]

Deathace restored a couple of bmws and improved his last one a heck of alot before moving onto bikes. might be worth pming him when he is on irc

 

[old.Tohtori]

Don't worry, there are plenty around.. take a look at the cars of that era though, there are a lot of pretty appealing ones.

I must say I like a nice Black Charger like this:

Not the best photo angle mind.. but still how menacing is that

Bro's charger, sherwood green(original as is the whole car), leather top, smooth ride

 

[Damini]

Bro's charger, sherwood green(original as is the whole car), leather top, smooth ride

That's a schnarf worthy vehicle. Very nice.

 

[DaGaffer]

I used to work on a Classic Car magazine; my advice, unless you've got a lot of time, a fair amount of money and preferably another car you can actually rely on, forget it. Old cars are great to look at, shit to drive and costly to maintain. Old British cars are a bit better because the parts are cheap and plentiful generally, old American cars aren't so bad because the Yanks often kept the basic mechanicals the same in their cars for a long time (but you're going to pay through the nose for bodypanels etc.), especially GM stuff, but any American car from the 60s or 70s will be truly awful to drive, especially in LHD on British roads. Any old European cars except Mercs and VW Beetles, avoid like the plague, there will always be some specialist part you can't get hold of for months (I had an old Alfa, a Fiat X1/9 and a Volvo Amazon and they were all pigs to get parts for).

 

[Calaen]

I used to work on a Classic Car magazine; my advice, unless you've got a lot of time, a fair amount of money and preferably another car you can actually rely on, forget it. Old cars are great to look at, shit to drive and costly to maintain. Old British cars are a bit better because the parts are cheap and plentiful generally, old American cars aren't so bad because the Yanks often kept the basic mechanicals the same in their cars for a long time (but you're going to pay through the nose for bodypanels etc.), especially GM stuff, but any American car from the 60s or 70s will be truly awful to drive, especially in LHD on British roads. Any old European cars except Mercs and VW Beetles, avoid like the plague, there will always be some specialist part you can't get hold of for months (I had an old Alfa, a Fiat X1/9 and a Volvo Amazon and they were all pigs to get parts for).

Yeah I was looking at the 1967 Chevy Impala, you can get them now with power steering and stuff added

 

[Jiggs]

Don't, my cousin restores cars and as others have mentioned it really is a labour of love which you won't get anything out of unless you know what you're doing. It also isn't financially worthwhile unless the car is really special or unique in some way.

A suggestion: if you really love those sorts of car I'm sure there must be a few places that hire them out. I know you can rent old Astons. For a lot less than £1,500 too^^