In the market for restoring a classic car? When you have a car that is considered a classic, you may want to take it to a body shop to have it professionally restored. The process involves more than just a new paint job, and implies that it is being returned to its authentic state, just as it was when it was new on the showroom floor. Not all body shops are equipped to do a real restoration.
What is classic car restoration?
A classic car is defined by the Classic Car Club of America as a vehicle between 30 and 49 years old, while one between 50 and 99 years old is considered pre-old and cars 100 years or older, an antique. Not all vintage cars meet the definition of “classic car.” The crux of the classics is that they represent “fine or unusual cars” distinguished by “fine design, high engineering standards and superior workmanship.” Often expensive at the time, they often have other distinctive features, based on engine displacement, custom coach work, and luxury accessories. Other automotive organizations have different criteria, while some states consider it a classic after 20 or 25 years for licensing purposes.
Is restoration really what you want or need?
Restoration means that the body shop might need to disassemble the car to examine the condition of the components and restore it with original parts or find replica parts and install them authentically. If the car is updated or recreated to look like a fancy limited edition model, the work is not considered a restoration. Usually the reason people undertake a restoration is to create something of value for sale or to enter a car show.
Not all cars are good subjects for restoration. The fact is, many old cars are just that – old cars. You may want to renovate one and repaint it for your child, but the car may not be considered a classic. When looking for a shop to work on an old car, you need to be clear about your goals to select the right shop. As long as you pay money to do the job, you want the shop to do a great job for you. However, your standards for repainting an older car that you love are different than if you have a car that meets the definition of a classic and that you intend to use as a classic car. Owning a 1947 Chevy is not the same as owning a 1947-series Cadillac 90.
Can Your Body Shop Handle Classic Restoration?
Many auto body shops boast of doing custom work on classic cars. If you have a car that is a true classic, your standards need to be higher to ensure that you have a finished product that is worthy of display or that can command a higher price. You need to ask the store some questions. Specifically, you need to know:
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What do you consider a classic car?
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What have they restored?
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What guarantee do you offer that the parts you use are authentic?
If you’ve found a good shop with a history of making useful and attractive vintage cars, they may have a great place to take your older car that you’ll love, but unless the shop has had experience restoring your Alfa Romeo or Your 335 BMW, you may need to find a shop that specializes in the type of classic car restoration you need.
