If you love the look and feel of an antique car, you might be considering restoring one yourself. After all, completing such a project—either on your own or with the help of an auto body shop—can provide a unique sense of accomplishment. Beginning the process, however, can seem a bit daunting for many people. To help you get started, the following guide lists a few important tips and information for you to remember.

What You Should Remember When Restoring a Classic Car

Different Types of Restoration

There are different levels of car restoration. Consider your goals and abilities before choosing the option that will work best for you. For example, the most basic level—driver restoration—involves the process of fixing minor cosmetic issues and repairing the car, so it can safely be driven on the road. However, show car restoration is much more advanced and involves repairing all issues to ensure its authenticity for an event. For this, you will likely need the help of an auto body shop. 

Necessary Parts

When shopping around to find the perfect car, you’ll need access to the necessary parts. Determine whether you’re okay with purchasing replacements or if you will only use originals. Remember that original parts allow you to keep your car as authentic as possible, but they might be more expensive or difficult to obtain, depending on the vehicle you choose. For instance, Pontiac^® built more than 30,000 of their Grand Prix models in 1962, meaning there’s an abundance of original parts. As a result, this vehicle is much more cost-effective to restore than rare cars, such as the 1970 Plymouth^® Superbird, which only had around 2,000 models built. 

Skill Level

If you’re not a professional mechanic, your skill level might be limited in certain areas. After all, restoring an antique is nothing like changing the oil of your daily vehicle. Plus, some of the car’s systems, such as the framing, directly impact the driver’s safety, and you should turn to an auto body shop to avoid compromising this. You should also allow expert mechanics to completely inspect the vehicle before taking it on the road. 

 

As you restore an antique car, you will likely experience setbacks that require the help of an auto body shop. The car repair experts at Crazy Al’s Gypsum Auto Body in Gypsum, Co are highly knowledgeable when it comes to working with classic vehicles. In fact, they’re about to restore a 1975 Ford^® Ranchero, a 1962 Chevy^® Impala, and a 1955 Ford Thunderbird. Whether you need a little advice or body repair services, they can provide the expertise you need. To learn more about how this auto body shop can help with a car restoration, call a team member today at (970) 524-7339 or visit them online.