The classic lines and quirky styling of vintage luxury vehicles draw motoring enthusiasts to them. After tracking down your dream car, restoring it can be a labor of love. Finding the car is often more challenging than restoring it to its luxurious, classic glory.
Turn to auto salvage yards for your replacement part needs
While many vehicle enthusiasts love the challenge of finding their dream car, they also enjoy the treasure hunt of finding replacement parts. Some turn to new-old-stock, others turn to reproductions, but the real enthusiasts look for vintage parts at salvage yards like All Truck and Car.
Vintage vehicle restorers want to tell the story about the treasure hunt of finding the car and its replacement parts. But, unfortunately, car enthusiasts are unable to bask in the glory of a story well told that when they buy a reproduction part or rely on old stock online or in vintage shops. Although the car part treasure hunt is equal parts time and energy-intensive, digging through a salvage yard is akin to an archaeological expedition—adrenaline rush and all.
Design a vintage car workspace
Before you get started, you need to secure the right space and tools. Your vintage car workspace needs to protect your investments from the elements. You will also need the necessary hand tools and a few power tools.
Vintage car artisans will also need to tuck several spanners, ratchets and sockets, screwdrivers, grips, and drills into their toolbelts. Keep tin cutters, putty, and extra sheet metal in your shop, too.
The best workspaces also have hydraulic lifts, engine cranes, and paint rooms. Designing and outfitting the workspace can be just as fun as restoring the vehicle if you use tools from the period.
Dedicate time to your craft
Once you’ve invested in the vehicle, parts, tools, and workspace, it is worthwhile to dedicate time to working on your vintage car. If you are too busy, find a friend or nearby classic car mechanic to chip away at the project when your grease-stained are occupied.
Many experienced car restorers find that they need more time than they originally allotted. After taking apart the vehicle, these junkyard junkies usually uncover other repairs concealed beneath the hood of the car. With this in mind, you’ll need to allocate time to work on the vehicle after she’s hit the road.
Consider the rust before you buy
When shopping for your dream car, look closely at the amount of rust. The more rust, the more time you will need to dedicate to fixing the car and finding replacement parts. Vintage classic cars have significant amounts of steel, and locating rust-free parts can be challenging, especially if you live in an area of the world that sprays salt on the roads.
Old luxury cars run like they did when they were new
After you’ve completed the project and released your vintage beauty to the busy streets, remember that it will drive like it did when it was new.
Despite their show-stopping effect, vintage cars do not have the tight steering, impressive horsepower, and fuel economy of new vehicles. So unless you put new parts in the vehicle, you might be surprised by the quality of the ride – even if the car flaunts an impressive European badge.
Wrap up
Classic cars get a lot of attention, and restoring them is a lesson in love. The time it takes to find the vehicle, locate the original parts, and restore the vintage car to its original glory makes the whole process worthwhile.