Looking for something to restore

kfci

I am embarking on a project to renovate an old banger of a car and wondered if anyone has any advice on where to start? This is my first restoration project and I'm hoping some people here can advise me on the best practises and cost cutting methods when restoring a car.

many thanks,
KFCI

motorguy

I'm not sure why you want to do this?

Normally if someone wants to restore and old car they have something in mind - usually something from their youth or what a relative has driven, ie, some type of car they can affiliate with.

For me, its usually minis that get me going. Although old fords would too.

Secondly, its expensive. Very expensive to restore an old car. So there really have to 'want' to as you're certainly not going to be doing it to make money.

Thirdly, what are you going to do with it when you restore it? Take it to shows? Drive it on sunny evenings? Use it as an everyday car?

I guess find forums associated with your chosen car and seek help and guidance on there. Also, check ebay too.

daveyjp

Search for 'unfinished project' cars. Lots get started, many don't get finished.

Joe_Horner

Some idea of what car you're thinking of would help a lot!

It can be expensive, or it can be fairly cheap depending on what the car is and how much of the work you're willing / competent to do yourself. For example, restoring a moggie minor with a sound shell, if you do all the mechanics and spray prep yourself will be an entirely different proposition to restoring a rusty Ferrari and farming all the technical work out to specialists!

cb1979

Buying an old car to restore can be a real money pit unless you are able to do most of the restoration yourself

Also where are you going to do it, I would only take a project like this on with a double garage with good lighting and heating so you can get it jacked up and work all round it with ease

jaydeeuk1

By banger, what do you mean? I'd love to restore a BMW isetta or an old porsche 928, 944 or lotus esprit. Wife said next house we get with large drive and garage I'd be allowed.

Watch wheeler dealers for inspiration

Stooby2

Also where are you going to do it, I would only take a project like this on with a double garage with good lighting and heating so you can get it jacked up and work all round it with ease

Ditto to that - I did an old Land Rover a few years ago. You'll find that it will take far longer and cost far more than you anticipated. Anything with tinworm in the bodywork is going to require some skilled panel work if you can't get hold of replacements and if it's going to look good.

How good is your welding? Lots of bits that need welding and if you can't do a neat job (I can't) then you may end up having to pay someone to do it.

Good with wiring? Again - fitting a new wiring loom, if it's needed, can be a pig if you can't read a wiring diagram (thankfully I can) and make some adjustments as necessary.

As well as a garage big enough just to get the car in, you need loads of extra room to work around it, store all the bits that come out and off it (seats take up so much room!) and so on. If you're taking the engine out to work on it, again, lots more room is needed.

You see so many unfinished projects for sale where they've taken so long and soaked up so much money that the owner just gets fed up. I'd say pick something very simple - bolt on panels, nice simple wiring loom etc.

But it is immensely satisfying when the engine you've rebuilt fires into life and the car actually drives for the first time, passes it's MOT etc. If you think you've got room, time, money and skills, then go for it!

[Deleted User]

1989 Fiat Panda

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1989-FIAT-PANDA-1000-SUPER-BLUE-/290882586249?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item43b9f40689

I was looking to buy this myself end of last year but someone else got to it. Looks like they are off loading it again..

skivenov

Depends what you fancy doing, welding/bodywork, mechanical, etc?

forgotmyname

You want to restore a car but before you even know what you want your looking for ways to cut corners and bodge it?

Oh joy.

Joe_Horner

forgotmyname wrote: »

You want to restore a car but before you even know what you want your looking for ways to cut corners and bodge it?

Oh joy.

Where did anyone say that?

"Cost cutting" doesn't have to mean cutting corners or bodging - it can be as simple as doing the basic body prep yourself before a professional respray or deciding whether to invest in the full Snap-On toolkit or buy cheaper stuff because it won't get much heavy use.