Whether it’s an amazing find from Craigslist or a family vehicle that you want to preserve, classic cars can be a lot of fun to restore, drive, and show around, especially if it’s a rare model. But unless you’re a trained auto body technician or mechanic, restoring a classic car can be a real challenge. Vintage parts in good condition can be hard to come by, and cost can be a factor. Or maybe you have experience with mechanics but restoring the aesthetics of a vintage vehicle is something you’ve never done before. If you’re thinking about auto body restoration for your classic car, here are some things to consider.

Things to Consider Before Repairing or Restoring Your Classic Car

Do you plan to drive or display your classic car?

In the world of classic car repair, there are different levels of restoration that all depend on what you, the owner and driver, plan to do with your vehicle.

• Driver Restoration – If you’re just hoping to get the car back on the road and keep it operational with some minor cosmetic fixes, this is known as driver restoration and depending on your experience with car repair, you may feel comfortable DIYing.
• Street Show Restoration – If you’re hoping to display your classic car at a car show occasionally, this would need street show restoration, which typically includes fixing any aesthetic issues the car might have, like chipped paint, dented bumpers, or upholstery rips and stains, along with the mechanic issues needed to keep it running.
• Show car restoration is for cars that you don’t plan to drive often and only to show, with the goal of restoring the car’s aesthetics to near-mint condition.
• Concourse restoration is the highest level of classic car repair and its goal is to restore it for private collection, never to be driven. Concourse-restored vehicles are what you might see in museums — the engine may not run anymore, but they’re beautiful to look at.

Will your classic car need safety upgrades?

Depending on how old the vehicle is, it may not have airbags or seatbelts. Your state may or may not require you to add these items to your vintage car, but nevertheless it is possible to install them and many classic car enthusiasts, like Jay Leno, add seatbelts to all of their classic cars so that they can be driven safely.

Will you be able to source parts for your classic car?

Finding the right parts for your classic car can be a job in itself. This is one way professional help from an auto body or auto glass shop can really make a difference, especially if they specialize in classic car restoration. They’ll have experience in sourcing parts to the level of restoration you’re seeking.

Reasons to Take Your Classic Car to a Professional Auto Body Shop Near You

Auto body work can turn one person’s junk into another person’s treasure and be a great way to revive a piece of automotive history. It takes a lot of work, tools, experience and patience that you may not have. A DIY classic car restoration might initially seem simple to do, but you may find out that it is very time consuming and really not worth your time as you get into the project. If you’ve never worked on a classic car before, there may be a learning curve or you may run into unexpected hiccups while doing the repair, and you may not have the right equipment to restore the auto body, especially if it needs to be repainted or any of the interior needs repaired or replaced. A car restoration that takes an auto body shop three hours to do might take you 15 hours, especially if it is the first time working on your classic car.

Choosing a reputable auto body shop experienced in classic car repair might seem like a daunting task, but Carwise makes it easy. With details on over 21,000 auto body shops nationwide, from hours and location to real reviews from customers and photos of their recent work, Carwise.com can save you time on finding a reputable auto body shop near you. If you’re ready to get help restoring your classic car, search your zip code in the Carwise shop finder tool today:  https://www.carwise.com/auto-body-shops/.

The 1960s in America was a transformative decade punctuated by rock-and-roll, the hippie movement and Vietnam War.  It was also an era defined by the appearance on American roadways of muscle cars, with their powerful, gas-guzzling engines and break-neck speeds.  Muscle cars ruled into the early 1970s, bolstered by the popularity of NASCAR, cheap gas prices, and lack of environmental emission standards.  Since those bygone days of muscle car dominance, American car manufacturers have kept our driving palates satisfied periodically with sports car re-introductions, allowing Baby Boomers to longingly relive their pasts.  To help facilitate that memory lane experience, here are 5 American muscle car classics that every collector would love to own.

1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500

Legendary race car designer Carroll Shelby is a sacred name within classic car circles.  In the mid-1960s his Shelby American racing team collaborated with Ford Motor Co. to produce one of the most memorable collector cars of all-time, the 1967 Mustang Shelby GT 500.  In addition to its racing-inspired trim, black bucket seats and cool instrumentation, the Shelby GT 500 was just plain fast.  Here are some of its highlights:

• 428 cu in (7.0 liter) V-8 engine with dual 600 CFM Holley 4-barrel carburetors
• 355 hp
• 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds

Produced in limited quantities, this car back in 1967 was $5,000.  Today?  If you can find a Mustang Shelby GT 500 in excellent condition at a collectors’ auction, you’ll probably have to fork out over $200K.

1969 Dodge Charger Daytona

In the late 60s, if an American car company sold over 500 units of a given model they could enter race-modified versions of it in NASCAR events.  With that in mind, Dodge beefed up the ‘69 Charger with a special edition Daytona package.  Its most distinguishing physical features were its 2-foot tall rear wing, flush rear window, and long, sloped nose cone- all contributing to amazing aerodynamics.  Other features of the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona included:

• 426 cu in (7.0 liter) Hemi Torque Flite V-8 engine (3-spd automatic)
• 375 hp
• 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds

If you’d bought your Dodge Daytona hot off the assembly line, it would have set you back about 5 grand.  One today in pristine condition with low miles will run you about 30 times that amount.

1970 Oldsmobile 442

Inspired by the sales of its Cutlass model, Oldsmobile launched the 442 in 1964 as a trim package and slight engine upgrade only.  But in 1970, GM decided to infuse the 442 with an exceedingly-robust engine, 4-barrelled carburetor, 4-speed manual transmission and dual exhausts (“4-4-2”).  And if that wasn’t enough, Oldsmobile even a offered a W30 performance upgrade for drivers who truly desired dragster-like acceleration.  Soon thereafter, the ’70 442 became further ingrained in American muscle car lore.  Its features included:

• 455 cubic inch (7.5 liter) V-8 engine delivering 500 foot-pounds of torque
• 360 hp (W30 upgrade)
• 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds

Forty-eight years ago, a 442 would have cost about $3,000.  Today, the going rate for the same car in good to excellent condition is $30,000 to $65,000.

1978 Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am

With sales inflated by the appearance of a 1977 version in the popular film Smokey and the Bandit, Pontiac decided to also boost the horsepower of its 1978 Trans-Am release by 20%, add a special W6 sport-tuned suspension, handling package, wider wheels, and improved steering.  The resulting muscle car outperformed most of its competition, including the much more expensive Corvette.  The Firebird Trans-Am was also known for its stock Hurst T-tops which, when removed, nearly duplicated a convertible feel.  Most car enthusiasts today can also rattle off these facts about the ’78 Trans-Am:

• 400 cubic inch (6.6 liter) W72 V-8 engine
• 220 hp
• 0 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds

A darling at auto shows today, in 1978 the Trans-Am would have set you back roughly 5500 bucks.  Nowadays, they routinely sell for over $50,000 at collector’s auctions.

1989 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

Back in 1982, GM executives realized that the performance of the Chevy Corvette didn’t match it hefty price tag.  In fact, Chevrolet took a sabbatical from producing the Corvette the next year, as their engineers toyed with various new engine designs, including a rotary version found under the hood of Mazda’s RX-7s.  In 1984, a new-and-improved ‘Vette was introduced, and then in 1989 the genie was completely released from its bottle as the ultra-performance ZR1 version.  Boasting a racing-style body, wide tires and sub 3,000-pound curb weight, the ZR1 backed up its head-turning look with handling and braking superior to any sports car in its class.  Features of the ’89 Corvette ZR1 included:

• 350 cubic inch (5.7 liter), 32-valve LT5 V-8 engine
• 475 hp
• 0 to 60 in 4.9 seconds

In addition to its amazing acceleration and road-hugging capabilities, the ZR1 also boasted an inflated price tag of $59,000.  The good news today is that with the availability of used ’89 ZR1s, coupled with the fact the model isn’t even 30 years old yet, you can probably buy one in very good shape for less than it cost new.

Reliable Collision Repairs for Muscle Cars to Minivans    

If you own a classic American muscle car and need some body repairs, or your family minivan was just involved in a fender bender, a collision repair shop nearby has the restorative services you need.  Auto body shop technicians have the training, experience and equipment to fix your vehicle reliably, even when it’s a classic, and get you back confidently and promptly on the road again.  Most shops warranty their outcomes, and communicate directly with insurance companies so you don’t have to.  To search your zip code now for a better collision repair shop in your area, visit: www.carwise.com.

When you buy a classic car, you will almost certainly need to have some kind of auto body work done to restore the car to its former glory. Although it can be very satisfying to restore a classic car yourself, it can be hard work, and you may not be able to get the same quality as a professional repair.

Many rare or classic cars appreciate in value depending on the condition or what has been done to the vehicle. Any alterations or repairs can affect a classic car’s value, so it’s best to leave the auto body repair to the professionals to protect your investment.

Classic Car Value

According to the Historic Automobile Group Index (HAGI), the value of classic cars jumped 39% in 2013 and has outperformed other collectibles such as gold, art, wine, coins and stamps over the last 10 years.
The founder of HAGI, Dietrich Hatlapa said, “Classic cars have been a very good performer in terms of value appreciation, and the financial crisis helped classic cars and collectible markets.”

David Gooding, president and founder of auction house Gooding & Co., has sold thousands of classic cars over the years. Gooding said that classic cars are becoming more valuable and coveted by collectors from all over the world. “People are realizing [classic cars] are exciting to collect. You can drive them and take them around the world. A car can be a passport to adventure,” he said.

Classic Car Auto Body

Auto body work for your classic car can turn your automobile into a beautiful piece of art–or it can make it look like a polished piece of junk. Besides risking the investment value, a DIY classic car repair might initially seem simple to do, but you may find out that it is very time consuming and really not worth your time as you get into the project. If you’ve never worked on a classic car before, there may be a learning curve or you may run into unexpected hiccups while doing the repair. A car restoration that takes an auto body shop three hours to do might take you 15 hours, especially if it is the first time working on your classic car.

Choosing an auto body shop to do your classic car restoration might also be a daunting task. Carwise.com is an auto body repair shop review website that helps make selecting a reputable auto body shop easier. You can find an auto body shop near you, read actual customer reviews, as well as track the progress of your classic car’s repair.

Sources

Yahoo Finance

Historic Auto Group