I believe I may know some things about you and your current situation… I know you’re a car mechanic who enjoys classic car restoration. Currently, you’re focused on mechanical restoration and body restoration, right? So, let me ask you a question…
List For Restoration
Would you be ecstatic if you could make a list of exactly what needs to be fixed and what has to be replaced, and figure out where you are going to get the parts for the restoration? You may start looking around both online and in the area for vintage car parts. Thanks to the internet, you can find just about anything you need online! Set aside a budget to work with. This will most likely be an ongoing project, so you may want to establish a monthly budget towards the car restoration so things do not get too out of hand. After all, we know how dangerously fun car restoration can be!
If you could do these things, ultimately, that would mean you could restore your vehicle to its original condition and bring new life to your vintage and classic car! Which would be amazing!
Unfortunately, I also get the sense there are some roadblocks for you here, including figuring out how to:
- Begin with the interior of the car. I recommend starting by taking out the seats and pulling up the carpeting on the floor, assuming that there is carpeting to begin with.
- Do body restoration. The frame of the car is made of metal. You will need to take it apart, one piece at a time, and remove any rust. Chances are that you are going to have to strip the paint and repaint the parts; and
- Do the mechanical restoration. Begin by taking apart the engine parts and cleaning them. All of the mechanical parts and wires that are under the hood must be taken out and cleaned.
Sound familiar?
Another thing…
Hard To Find classic car Restoration Parts
Are you also really frustrated by the fact that original parts for vintage car interior restoration can be exceedingly difficult to find? Especially the upholstery? After you have looked over the car and realized everything that has to be done, you are best to begin with your classic car’s interior.. Take out the seats and pull up the carpeting on the floor, assuming that there is carpeting on the floor.
The upholstery may be salvageable. Reupholstering a vintage car seat can take quite a bit of work and should be done correctly. Even if it isn’t salvageable, you are going to need the same type of material that was used in the original upholstery, such as vinyl, leather or fabric.
Chances are that the padding under the seat will also need to be replaced. Padding and vinyl can be purchased at any fabric store where you can also get tools that can be used in the reupholstering project, body restoration is the most time consuming, yet most rewarding activity.
Body Shape
Chances are that the body of the car is not in the best of shape. The frame of the car, however, is the first thing that people are going to notice. You want to make sure that the car is restored as close to the original condition as possible. As a classic car restoration enthusiast, you need to repair or replace a whole lot of mechanical parts.
In order for your classic car to maintain its original value, it must be restored with all of the proper parts. A car that is merely replaced with lookalike parts has not been properly restored. A vintage car can be worth quite a bit of money to a collector if it has been carefully restored to its original condition. This usually means that you will have to do quite a bit of searching to find parts and paint for your car.
Final Questions
Plus, do you constantly ask yourself these questions about how to move forward?
- How do I do the best restoration job possible?
- Where can I find help and advice for my classic car restoration project?
- Where should I go for needed parts?
One last question…
Do you ever find yourself thinking “Finding proper original parts seems impossible at times”? Or “Costs for original car parts can be pricey”? And “Getting help from online parts stores is near impossible”?
I know I did!
And finally, to make matters even worse, sometimes (no matter what you do) it just plain feels like the bits or clumps of rust are actively going out of their way to sabotage your success with mechanical restoration, and body restoration.
Well let me tell you, I know exactly how you feel because I’ve been there myself… more than once!
When all is said and done, my guess is you really just want to get all the needed parts for a proper vintage car restoration in one place at a reasonable price, get the fully restored classic vehicle looking sharp and completely accurate, and do something you love and can feel proud of. Yes?
If this sounds at all like you…
Invitation
I’d like to invite you to check out our automotive performance parts store that provides performance parts for, among many things, Classic and Vintage automobiles at Uzbasic Motorsports Performance Parts. You can have access to everything that you need for you to finish your classic car restoration (without having to search all over the internet)! If we don’t have it, we will find it for you.
If you want to find the custom performance parts that you need, want to get the parts at a reasonable price, and get the help and suggestions that will assist you in your project as quickly as possible… then Uzbasic Motorsports Performance Parts is definitely for you.
Enjoy being a part of the vintage car restoration community? You might also like to read an article I wrote about Women in Motorsports.
