Is My Old Vintage Car Worth Restoring?

My career as an automotive improvement expert began when I modified my first car. Since then, as a car enthusiast and published author, my obsession with the automobile has led me to enhance tons of vehicles both inside and out. That’s why I’m thrilled to be a part of a brand new series designed to help keep your car looking great and your engine running like new! I’m Chris Duke, and welcome to eHow’s Auto Center brought to you by Mobil1! Hey Chris, I’ve had this [pick a classic car style] sitting in the garage for a while now and am thinking of restoring it. How can I tell if it’s worth it? Thanks! -John Hey John! Who doesn’t love classic vehicles? But, there are a lot of things to consider when you’re deciding to restore that classic or not. Let’s see if we can touch on a few of the important aspects. The first thing you should do is look at what your restored classic will be worth. It is also a good idea to consider what you’d like it to look like before you start throwing money at it. Or, it may be a sentimental project and in that case you are going to have to make a decision based on personal value and the amount of time you have. Next, it’s time to make a detailed list of what the car is going to need. Best place to start would be the body and frame. Restoring an interior is one thing, but having to straighten a frame or apply huge amounts of Bondo because there is more rust than metal is another. Depending on the make and model of your car you may be able to find some aftermarket body panels instead of being sucked into body repair hell! Now let’s look at the engine, transmission and exhaust. Are they in a workable state? Do they need to be completely rebuilt or replaced? Make sure your notes list everything you may need. Even if it visibly looks OK at the moment, it’s always better to hope for the best but plan for the worst. Now let’s look at the brakes and suspension. If it is a classic car or truck that hasn’t been touched in quite some time you are most likely going to have to do a lot of work here. List out the state the components are in and what you think needs to be replaced vs. what is workable. Now go over the interior including your gauges and electrical components and wiring. How are the seat frames? Is everything still sturdy and connected, or rusted and falling apart? Do all the wires look OK, or are they barely holding on? And don’t forget the interior trim as well. Next, inspect your wheels and tires. Now that you have your detailed list, sit down and price everything you think you’ll need for the project out. Depending on how you want the project to look when you’re done you may want to make two price lists… one for “back to stock” restoration and one for “show”. Once you have all of this information laid out in front of you, it will be much easier to gauge if this is a project worth your time and effort or not. You will also have a good idea of how long it will take you since you have a fairly decent idea of what you will have to budget for. For work you can’t do yourself, don’t forget to get quotes from paint and body specialists and/or your mechanic. It’s better to over-estimate than to suddenly be hit with a large unforeseen expense because you didn’t think about a specialists labor costs. And be sure to hit the Internet and check prices at restoration retailers and auction sites. Finally, ask yourself the most important question: “Is this worth it to me personally?” It may be a huge expense but the vehicle in question has been in your family for generations. Or, it may not be a huge financial commitment but it may just be something that will take too much time when all you wanted was a simple project. The final decision always comes down to you, but arming yourself with as much information and foresight as possible well help you make a decision you can live with. Well, I hope that we’ve helped you figure out how to best tackle that classic. They can be fantastic projects, but you’ve got to be as prepared as possible! Thanks for the question John! For eHow’s Auto Center, I’m Chris Duke. Here’s to helping keep your car running like new!