Re: Step By Steps to restore?

Posted by Fish'n Jim On 2015/1/7 11:09:58

Restore to what(level over what time)? It's a "it depends" question you have to answer first. They're only original once. Best to start with a complete original condition car, if possible. Depending on how good it is will help decide how far you go.
How many times have you seen ads for "parts cars" for a few thou $ and it says "needs full restoration"?
Most won't command the post restoration value, so what's the point? It's a losing proposition(aka labor of love) mostly. Some of these "can't" be done and some parts can't be found so that means making them or having them made. {Check the rubber mat story] It takes a lot of skill and equipment that the average person doesn't possess or have access to. To get it done by others adds a good percentage to cost. I don't rule out ingenuity, but it's a bit wishful.
Everyone has their own methods. Some disassemble, blast everything, and start back. It's a time vs cash flow and manpower exercise mostly. If you tinker like most of us, you take your time. If you want Pebble Beach winner you farm it out to those shops.
The reality TV shows are distorting reality. Foose doesn't do Packards in a week!
They call it "ground up" because that basically covers it, you have to get it down to the last nut and bolt, the frame is left, get that straight, and go up from there. But there's alot of steps in there both taking apart and cataloguing, repair/replace, researching, procuring, mechanical, electrical, interior, body work, paint, assembly, etc. You have to fit and refit a few times during all that. It's project management by systems.
Reality check; your looking at ~$15K+ and a year just to do high quality chrome on that custom. The market value is not much more for a full restored car.