Restoring a classic car can be a risky proposition. Unless you have plenty of time, money, and mechanical know-how, restoring a car can quickly become a huge money pit and time sink. Problems that can crop up range from unnoticed damage, budget shortfalls, or simple mistakes. The mistakes can be the worst part, so let’s take a look at 10 to avoid.
Starting With a Cheap Car
It might be tempting to start with a cheap fixer, but unless you have tons of time and money or a nostalgic attachment to the model, it’s very rarely a good idea to start with a car that has a ton of problems. It’s better to look for the best example you can afford.
Not Driving the Car You Want
Even if you plan to restore a car that isn’t running, you should still drive an example of the car you want before buying one. Old cars run and drive very differently from modern cars. You don’t want to waste time and money on restoring an old car only to find that you hate it.
Starting With an Engine Rebuild
If you plan to rebuild the engine, save that part until last. Engine rebuilds suck out a lot of money from your budget, and many times, the engine ends up sitting for a long time while you finish the rest. Restore the rest of the car first before moving to the engine.
Cutting Corners on Body Work
Most mechanical jobs can be redone fairly easily with time and money, but if you cut corners on body work, you’ll have to start over. It’s one of the most expensive parts of restoring an old car, and if it needs extensive bodywork, it’s important to do it right the first time.
Buying Parts Before You Need Them
Buying parts before you’re sure you’ll need them is a great way to suck money out of your budget. There are all sorts of potential problems from buying parts too soon. They might get damaged, go missing, or turn out to be the wrong ones. Buy your parts in the right bundles as you need them.
Forgetting Your Goals
It’s important to have goals for restoring a car. Hopefully, your main goal is simply to have fun and meet a challenge. You might even have plans to show the car or get awards. Don’t forget what you have planned for the car and get caught up in problems, schedules, and budgets.
Rushing Your Work
Maybe you set a timeframe to be done at the beginning of your project, and suddenly you realize you’re way off. It might be tempting to rush things, but that’s a good way to end up with a subpar final build. Unless you plan to work eight hours per day, seven days a week, it’s very unlikely that you’ll finish a restoration in a few months. Some projects take years.
Not Having the Right Tools or Space
Before you even start, it’s important to realize how much time you’ll need and how long that car will be occupying a particular space. If you can’t imagine it taking up space in your garage for several months to a year, then you may need to rent a portable garage. Similarly, you may need several specialized tools during the restoration, so make a list and get them as you need them.
Not Learning From Your Mistakes
Here’s the big one. If you reach the end of your project and realize you’ve made a mistake or two, acknowledge it, learn from it, and fix it. Don’t beat yourself up over the mistake or pretend it’s not there. Your project will be much better off if you admit and rectify any mistakes. If the damage is beyond your repair and you’re wondering how to get rid of an old car, you can always consider donating it over junking it.
Is It Really Done?
Many cars described as restored are often as many as 100 hours from being truly finished. A proper restoration includes a lot of final checks like test-driving and making lists of things that aren’t quite finished. It might even mean recognizing and fixing a huge problem like a faulty drivetrain.
