Things You'll Need:
- Comfortable Boots
- A full tank of gas
- a Map or GPS
- Current on your TETNUS shots!
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Step 1
How to find old car bodies:
Every "DYED IN THE WOOL", "TRUE BLUE", "RED BLOODED" Car Enthusiast Itches to find that "Car in a Barn", long forgotten and preserved for all time.
Realistically, you will find MANY more old cars that are abandoned or forlorn, RIGHT OUT IN THE OPEN!
Old Car Bodies are the easiest. And the OLDER, The BETTER!
Anything before 1949 will likely be small enough to salvage just the body shell itself, making transporting it easier. -
Step 2
First try the Paper, Online message boards like Craigslist and "Trader" type magazines.
Next, place want ads. These can be extremely successful. Just a couple of lines: Wanted, old cars, Bodies, Parts, Etc. Write whatever you want.
Finally, ask around. Tell everyone that you are looking for an old Roadster Body, Truck cab or whatever you want for your next project.
If you plan to resell your stuff, play it cool. Don't run around telling everyone that you want such and such car.... then when you find one, brag about how much you made! Just keep it low key. Be honest, tell people you might sell something if something else comes along, be discreet and people will continue to tip you off to good Old Cars! -
Step 3
If you are having little luck finding something the traditional way, try driving around out in the country. There is some pretty amazing stuff out there! Just BE CAREFUL!
NEVER, EVER... trespass on some ones private property without permission. Also, NEVER remove ANYTHING without making EVERY attempt to find the owner! That is STEALING!
You can have fun scouting out old cars, and a camera is a GREAT way to share "SECRET" Car finds with others!
Yet another FANTASTIC way to find old cars is to stop off in a small town and ask the Barber, Gas station attendant or Local store owner.
Beware though, many small town folks will be leery of your intentions!
If ALL ELSE fails, you can always search online for decent old car projects and bodies or build something with a reproduction fiberglass body while continuing to search for the OLD Genuine Steel! -
Step 4
It's also ALWAYS a good idea to mix your Car hunting trips with other adventures!
If your significant other likes antiques, try a trip to some small town antique stores, while driving a few back roads in search of old cars!
Same thing with HUNTING. All that walking, keep an eye out and tell other hunters what YOU are looking for! -
Step 5
Once you find your dream car, or the body to that next project, Clean it up, strip it down and start the process of getting her back on the road. Remember, One way to trim the expense of Fixing up old cars is BARTER and selling off unneeded stuff.
For example, That body you saw and passed up? It might be worth it to drag it home, clean it up and SELL IT to offset the cost of your project!
Above all, HAVE FUN! -
Step 6
Read My other articles about Vintage cars and Pass the torch to the next generation! Without them we will be OLD FARTS watching a younger generation scrapping our beloved CARS!
