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car restoration project
- Thread starter joeyjojoe
- Start date
Lowejackson
New member
I guess so much depends on how what type of restoration, your skills and how much is your budget
the other pc
New member
There are too many different aspects to restoration and too many ways to go about it to be specific. It really depends on how far you want to take it, how much time you have to put into it and how money much you have to spend.
Do you intend to do everything yourself? Are you willing to sub out specialized tasks? Are you going for a concours restoration or a driver? How much are you willing to spend? Are you a mostly bolt-on type mechanic or are you willing to weld? You should know the answers to questions like these before you dive in.
There are very active clubs for MG, Jag and Alfa owners. Joining them gets you access to lots of inside info.
Auto Restorer Magazine is a good publication for hobbyist restorers.
PC.
Do you intend to do everything yourself? Are you willing to sub out specialized tasks? Are you going for a concours restoration or a driver? How much are you willing to spend? Are you a mostly bolt-on type mechanic or are you willing to weld? You should know the answers to questions like these before you dive in.
There are very active clubs for MG, Jag and Alfa owners. Joining them gets you access to lots of inside info.
Auto Restorer Magazine is a good publication for hobbyist restorers.
PC.
There used to be a place outside of Boston that specialized in Alfa restoration, I canno thik of the name to save my life.
Back when i worked for Gaston Andrey we would send them parts all the time and I remeber J Geils coming in to pick up stuff for his projects.
From what i remeber these guys were awesome...kinda guys that would go to an auctiona dn by a beat up chassi and build from there.
If they are still around they may be a good source of info
Back when i worked for Gaston Andrey we would send them parts all the time and I remeber J Geils coming in to pick up stuff for his projects.
From what i remeber these guys were awesome...kinda guys that would go to an auctiona dn by a beat up chassi and build from there.
If they are still around they may be a good source of info
the other pc is right we need some more info.
Are you talking about just restoring the paint job or the whole car (off the frame).
I did the paint job on my '85 Regal and am now going to do a whole off the frame restoration on it.
Painting a car as not exactly rocket science, but not as easy as detailing either because your dealing with the sheet metal, body panels and finally the paint itself.
It is fun though but you need to think the whole thing through and see if your up to the task. It's alot of work and most of that (excluding the mechanics) is paying attention to detail.
Are you talking about just restoring the paint job or the whole car (off the frame).
I did the paint job on my '85 Regal and am now going to do a whole off the frame restoration on it.
Painting a car as not exactly rocket science, but not as easy as detailing either because your dealing with the sheet metal, body panels and finally the paint itself.
It is fun though but you need to think the whole thing through and see if your up to the task. It's alot of work and most of that (excluding the mechanics) is paying attention to detail.
My Father and I restored a 1979 MGB roadster in the late 90's, and from my experience, let me tell you a few things.
1. Look for rust, and look HARD. These things are prone to rust, and while it may appear that ther is only minor rust, the damage could be major. We had to totally redo the rocker panels, as well as the floorboards and lower fenders. Extensive bodywork.
2. Remember the dependability of the old MG's. To say they are not the most dependable vehicle on the road would be quite the understatement.
That being said, the MG is a blast to drive.
I have a '04 Corvette, and would you believe it, I get more looks in our '79 MGB than my '04 Vette -- and I get plenty of looks in the Vette.
Best of luck.
1. Look for rust, and look HARD. These things are prone to rust, and while it may appear that ther is only minor rust, the damage could be major. We had to totally redo the rocker panels, as well as the floorboards and lower fenders. Extensive bodywork.
2. Remember the dependability of the old MG's. To say they are not the most dependable vehicle on the road would be quite the understatement.
That being said, the MG is a blast to drive.
I have a '04 Corvette, and would you believe it, I get more looks in our '79 MGB than my '04 Vette -- and I get plenty of looks in the Vette.
Best of luck.
Thanks for the responses.
I think I'm more of a hobbyist and this would not be a full time thing, and I wouldn't be looking to make money on the situation. As of yet, I have limited mechanical skills, although I don't think I'd have a hard time with anything as long as I got some direction from people who did it before.
Do you think it would be useful or even possible to offer my services to another restorer for free ... just so I can build some experience. As I said, I'm doing this out of personal interest.
As to the type of restoration, I was thinking of a full detail on the exterior, and maybe an interior update (although I know a lot of classic people don't like this idea).
Any recommendations for restoration clubs or something like that? The Internet is a wealth of information, and I'm sure some sifting will bring the information I want to light.
I think I'm more of a hobbyist and this would not be a full time thing, and I wouldn't be looking to make money on the situation. As of yet, I have limited mechanical skills, although I don't think I'd have a hard time with anything as long as I got some direction from people who did it before.
Do you think it would be useful or even possible to offer my services to another restorer for free ... just so I can build some experience. As I said, I'm doing this out of personal interest.
As to the type of restoration, I was thinking of a full detail on the exterior, and maybe an interior update (although I know a lot of classic people don't like this idea).
Any recommendations for restoration clubs or something like that? The Internet is a wealth of information, and I'm sure some sifting will bring the information I want to light.
Hmmm, that's a tough one.
Alot of car "clubs" or forums on the 'net. Most of the people you will find there are one's who are doing there own project cars.
You mention "full detail on the exterior" do you mean autobody/painting?
I ask because there is a big difference between "detailing" and doing "bodywork/painting" a car.
This ought to give you and idea of what's involved with body work and painting. You might want to post your question on the forum over there as well.
http://www.autobodystore.com/outline.htm
Alot of car "clubs" or forums on the 'net. Most of the people you will find there are one's who are doing there own project cars.
You mention "full detail on the exterior" do you mean autobody/painting?
I ask because there is a big difference between "detailing" and doing "bodywork/painting" a car.
This ought to give you and idea of what's involved with body work and painting. You might want to post your question on the forum over there as well.
http://www.autobodystore.com/outline.htm