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Step 1
Ripped out Interior of 72 NovaTake note of all the worn parts that will need to be replaced. Call this your interior list. You will need to look at the carpet (if any), floor mats (if any), seats, door panels, a-pillars, dash, steering wheel, dash controls, instrument panel and anything else that may look worn. Make two columns in your notebook. One column for items that definitely need replacing and the other for items that can be repaired.
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Step 2
Make two columns again. One for replace, one for repair. Look at the tires, suspension, brakes, lights, any decorative chrome and paint. Be sure to look underneath the car at the exhaust system, emergency brake system and steering components. Check to see what parts are rusty and will need to be replaced. You can get quarter panels and other body parts from places such as Year One (see Resources below).
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Step 3
Know that part of your restoration will be taking the engine out and doing a complete rebuild. Take note of anything that needs to be replaced. If you have a stock cast alternator and you want a chrome alternator, put this in the replace column. If you want to change the intake manifold, put this in the replace column. If you are not sure what you are going to do with the engine at this point, you can skip this part. The engine is the last thing.
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Step 4
Start pricing everything. You will definitely change these lists around more than once. You will decide to replace some things that you may not have thought needed replacing and you may decide to repair some things that you thought might have needed to replace.
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Step 5
Be aware that prices vary widely on all of these items, so you will want to check a variety of sources. Sometimes you can order something from out of state and save on the shipping if the vendor will be attending a car show near you.
