Classic car restoration generally only requires a few straightforward steps, although implementing these steps will be pretty time-consuming. And if you are working with a restricting budget, you will also have to carefully consider each purchase to ensure you are never overspending. In most cases, the average classic care can take over a thousand hours to restore fully. You will need to search for quite a few parts, some of which might not be all that easy to find, and purchasing parts will be the most costly aspect of the project. With that said, there are some practical and effective ways to complete the project without breaking the bank.
Finding The Right Parts
You will need a number of replacement parts to restore your classic car. It won’t be as straightforward as getting your regular car ready for a summer road trip, as finding classic car parts can sometimes be challenging. However, if you’re lucky, you might be able to salvage some parts from your classic vehicle. Even so, you will probably need to purchase quite a few parts.
It is always best to purchase authentic parts for your classic car, as this will keep the vehicle’s value intact. You have the option of buying parts from part dealers to ensure they are original, and you can stretch your budget by purchasing fewer parts each month. Alternatively, you can contact vehicle salvage centers, and you might be able to find used working parts for a fraction of the price. However, because your vehicle is classic, you might find it less frustrating to rather spread your part purchases over a few months to avoid overspending on your budget.
DIY The Bodywork
Having a vehicle resprayed can cost a fortune, regardless of how old or new the car is. So, to save quite a bit on your budget, you should consider handling the bodywork with a DIY approach. You will probably need to remove rust, sand the vehicle down to its bare metal, and find the correct paint. It will be a time-consuming project, although doing it yourself will save you a small fortune at the end of the day. Tons of step-by-step guides will help you remove rust properly and respray your car like a pro. Once you have completed the paintwork, you can find Chevy decals or suitable decals for your specific classic car easily online to complete the bodywork.
Let A Professional Handle The Mechanical Repairs
It won’t be the best idea to repair your vehicle’s engine yourself if you don’t have proper knowledge of auto mechanics, mainly because you might ultimately be endangering your own life on the road when you travel in the vehicle. Instead, you should let a professional handle the mechanical repairs and maintenance for you and provide them with suitable parts to save on the total cost. Mechanics would add their own profit to sourcing parts for your vehicle, so doing this bit yourself will save you quite a bit.
Other Cosmetic Touches You Can Handle
Respraying the vehicle is not the only safe DIY project you can take on yourself; you can also repair the vehicle’s interior. Depending on the condition of the car’s seats, dash, and door interiors, you might be able to fix up the interior with no more than a sewing kit and some leather treatments. On the other hand, if the vehicle’s interior requires a complete re-do, you can find professionals online that will handle the job for you. Reupholstering a vehicle’s interiors is quite a bit job, and certain sewing machines are required to work with leathers and other upholstery fabrics. Suppose you are hoping to shrink your budget for the interiors. In that case, you can consider finding the original seating for your vehicle and purchasing used seating in a better condition, allowing you to DIY the minor repairs needed.
Restoring a classic car will require ample funds, even if you are handling some aspects of the project on your own. With that said, the best way to avoid overspending is to set a monthly budget for the vehicle and spread your purchases over a few months. This way, the restoration may take longer, although your finances won’t be as affected. You should never attempt to save when it comes to original parts and a qualified mechanic. However, you can save when it comes to other aspects of the restoration, such as auto paint, interiors, and other cosmetic touches.
