How to Build Old School Cars

Everything old is new again. With the cost of new vehicles climbing every day and the cost of customizing them growing even more, lots of people are returning to old school cars and building them to the specs that people in the 1950s and 1960s would have done. It's called traditional hot-rodding, and it's gaining a lot of popularity. Of course, that's not the only type of old school car you can build.

Things You'll Need

• Ratchets, socket sets, wrenches
• MIG Welder
• Sawzall
• Jack
• Jack stands
• 40-, 80-, 120- and 200-grit sandpaper
• Sanding blocks
• Plastic body filler
• Air compressor
• Primer
• Paint
• Gravity feed spray gun
• Masking tape
• Masking paper
• Scissors
• Sheetmetal

Instructions

1. Go to swap meets and search on eBay for period-correct parts. Old school cars are built with old school parts, most of which aren't on the shelf at your local checker. You may have to go digging for those parts, but when you find them, it's worth it.

2. Start with the suspension. Most old school cars are lowered. Depending on the type of vehicle you own, you may be able to find lowering springs online or you may have to do some fabrication yourself. Part of the fun of building an older car is doing the work yourself, so get in and get dirty--it's worth it.

3. Modify the body in the manner you prefer. Some popular modifications are shaved handles, chopped roofs, Frenched headlights and shaved trim. Most body modifications require some work with a welder and sheetmetal. Take your time and weld each part slowly--the more heat in a panel, the more likely it is to warp.

4. Apply body filler to modified areas and sand it down with 80-grit sandpaper, then move up to finer grits to fine-tune the panel.

5. Mask off the windows and remove the trim. Then sand the entire body down with 200-grit sandpaper to prep it for primer. You want to scuff the body enough to take off any shine. Spray the body first with primer, then with the color of choice. Most old school cars use flat paints, particularly, flat black.

6. Mount your wheels. Most old school cars run hubcaps with wide whitewalls, while others use Kragars or American Racing Torq Thrusts. Find whatever works for you and mount them up. Once it's done, cruise it and show off your work.

Tips & Warnings

• Always be careful when working with power tools. Respect their ability to quickly cut off your hand if you're not paying attention.