If you love cars, you’ve probably dreamed of undertaking a classic car or muscle car restoration in Huntingdon Valley, Pa. Rebuilding an older car is a rewarding experience, but it is also a massive commitment of time and, yes, money. Before you begin your first restoration project, here is what you should know.
Consider Your Time and Budget
Before you begin, make sure you can devote the time and money to a classic or muscle car restoration. Do you have obligations that will keep you from spending weekends or afternoons working on the vehicle? Will your budget support spending the money on the vehicle and the parts and services you’ll need? Make sure you have room in your budget for unplanned expenses around your restoration as well.
Muscle Car Restoration in Huntingdon Valley – Set Up a Workspace for Your Restoration
It’s important to have a dedicated space for your vehicle restoration that is protected from the elements. If you’re using an enclosed garage, make sure you have enough space for the removal of parts and to safely do the work you need. If you’re using a temporary outdoor shelter, make sure that you have to drop walls to protect your car from wind and rain.
Ensure You Have the Knowledge and Skills for Your Restoration
If you’re not already a mechanic or have a lot of experience working on cars, you’ll want to build up your knowledge and skills. While some parts of a restoration can be easy, remember that some systems you’ll need to work on include safety systems, such as brakes. It’s important that you know how to do the work right. Fortunately, you can find local classes and even take tutorials online to learn about vehicle maintenance. However, if you take classes locally, be sure to include that cost in your restoration budget.
Find the Right Car
Classic Mustangs aren’t the only cars worth restoring, but not every car is equal when it comes to collections or shows. It’s important to determine your restoration goals (Are you building a collection? Do you want to participate in car shows?) and research your favorite cars to pick a good model and year for your goals.
Remember, your research doesn’t stop at finding the car. You want to ensure that you also,
- Inspect the vehicle. Ensure that the vehicle you want to restore is in a condition to be restored. If the work done is outside of the scope of your budget, time, or ability, then your project is over before it even begins.
- Make sure you can get the parts you need. Some classic car parts can be hard to obtain. While some things can be rebuilt, others must be specially ordered or replaced altogether. Ensure that you can get (or have made) the parts you need or that the parts you must replace and upgrade won’t disqualify your vehicle for classic car registrations that you may seek out later.
Find an Experienced Shop Partner
No matter your experience and skill working with vehicles, you’re likely to come across something that you can’t easily do yourself. It’s always a good idea to choose a professional restoration shop to help you with your classic or muscle car restoration. They can help you with tough repairs, find parts, and more.
Are You Looking for Custom Restoration Work in Huntingdon Valley, PA?
If you need body repairs following a collision, want to restore a classic or muscle car, or want a new paint job for your vehicle, contact us to schedule an appointment.
