If you don’t already have your project car, this article will help you decide what a good car to start with. I love restoring and modifying cars because for me it is an art, it is an extension of yourself. You can do whatever you want with the car because you are the only one who has to like it. With that said, I will provide you with a suggestion on the restoration process from start to finish from my years of experience.
My first advice is to choose a brand or brand of car like Ford, Chevy, Dodge, etc. There’s a lot of brand loyalty, so I’m sure you already have something on your mind. For your first project, you should stick with the major brands because parts will be much easier to come by. Don’t set your sites too high, let’s face it, we all want a Hemicuda or Shelby, but you’re not going to find those roadside “hot ticket” cars for a cheap price. You should also have an idea of the type of build you want to do, such as a muscle car, hot rod, or 1950s cruiser because this will cut down on the year and type of car you are looking for. You don’t need to have a defined plan yet, but you have an idea.
Once you have an idea of what you are looking for, the next step is … start looking! Sounds easy enough, but where should you look? A good place to start is local car clubs, someone is always looking to get rid of something. Also try local restoration stores, their technicians always have a line on some of the best restorable cars, especially if you offer a search fee.
Don’t forget to check the classifieds in your local newspaper, car dealer, Ebay, and one of the most successful things I’ve come across, take a drive across the country! You’d be surprised how many people have old cars in their fields, especially old farmers. I went horseback riding with my wife a few years ago on a farm in New Jersey and the farmer had five or six late 60s broncos in one of his fields.
Once you find something that interests you here is what you need to do, get the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and make sure the owner has the title because if you can’t re-title there is no point wasting your time. If there is no VIN for the car, just walk away. You can find many different sites on the internet that will help you figure out the VIN number and give you good information such as the original color and size of the engine, the body type, where it was made, and what it is. I suggest that you decode this information before buying the car because many people have been scammed in this way. It’s just a good way to make sure everything is legit.
While looking at the car, it is a good idea to take pictures and make a list of what you see. Write down the options the car has (power windows, seats, air conditioning). What size engine does the car have? Look at the rust on the bodywork, how bad is it? The fenders, side panels, and deck caps are all replaceable, so you are most interested in the rocker panels (the little section of body under the doors) if the car doesn’t have a full frame underneath , the rocker arms are a structural support. Also bring a regular fridge magnet and turn the car around to see where there is enough filler.
Observe the general condition of the car, if it is sunk to the door in the ground or is resting on inflated tires. Ask the owner as many questions as you can, remember that the only stupid question is the one that is not asked. Ask if the motor runs, is it stuck? When was the last time it was driven? Why was it parked? Was it stored outside, in a barn or garage? You will find a better one because if you were parked on a hard surface like concrete instead of a dirt floor. Does the owner know any history about the car, such as where it was originally purchased or who the original owners were? Every car has a story and the more you know about it, the more you will enjoy the car.
Always get under the car and check the undercarriage, make sure the frame is not rotten, there will be rust on the surface but you don’t want to see big holes in the frame. Look at the suspension and where it is mounted on the car, make sure the brackets are still good and the suspension doesn’t break through the floor when you tow it home. Look at the floor trays from under the car and from inside the car, you will find holes, but just make sure the structural parts of the floor are solid, like the transmission tunnel and the inner rocker panels.
I don’t put too much emphasis on engines just because there are so many spare parts available on the market and ready-to-go “build” engines. So if you are not looking to keep it 100% original, there are plenty of options. The only thing left to do is buy it! If you’re not sure if you’re getting a good price, you can check the car’s blue book value or call the local car club for that make of car and they should be able to help you decide if you’re getting a good deal. .
By following this advice, you will be able to find a good, restorable car to work with.
Set … set … Go find your future hot rod, have fun and good luck. next time I will talk about how to plan your project.