Restoring Your Classic Car

Restoring your Classic Car

Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Assessing the Condition
3. Planning for your Restoration
4. Sourcing Parts and Supplies
5. Tear Down and Inspection
6. Repairing the Body and Paint
7. Mechanical
8. Interior Restoration
9. Final assembly
10. Have Fun
11. Conclusion

Introduction

Classic Cars have captured the hearts and minds of the motor heads and those who loves cars for decades. From the model a to the iconic 1955 Chevrolet Belair to the muscle cars of the 1960s these cars represent performance style and American engineering and ingenuity. Reviving a classic car not only keeps automotive history alive.m, but can also be Rewarding experience. In this first blog by Wilson Motorsports auto repair we will discuss some of the steps and considerations involved in fixing up these timeless cars.

Assessing the Condition

Before jumping right into any automotive restoration it’s really critical to evaluate the car current state. Make sure to check the body engine transmission, suspension, and interior. Look for any signs of rust corrosion or structural damage. Often the nemesis of any classic car restoration, rust can eat through the bodies and create a very expensive project. It is really important to understand what your restoration will entail and budget effectively..

Planning for your Restoration

Restoring an old classic can take many forms. From a cosmetic refresh to a full-blown rebuild It is important to decide what your goals are. Are you aiming for a reliable daily driver car or just something you can take out on the weekends? 

Sourcing Parts and Supplies

Finding high-quality parts is really truly crucial for successful restoration that you will be happy with. Wilson Motorsports has 30 years of experience sourcing hard to find classic car parts. Even with all that experience, sometimes parts are unobtainable and adjustments need to be made. Find parts from specialty suppliers that specialize in classic car parts or replicas of original parts. Sometimes we get lucky on those side hard to find parts and find them on websites like , Facebook marketplace or even craigslist, but don’t overlook going to classic car shows because these events can be great for networking to find some of those hard to find as well as looking at other projects that I’ve been completed to get ideas for your own project. 

Having the right tools are also important as some parts require specialized tools to be installed. Wilson Motorsports spent acquiring specialty tools for just about everything, but there still isn’t a year that goes by where we don’t have to buy new tools for a special project that we might not have already. Having the right tool is essential and much easier than trying to make your existing tools work.

Tear Down and Inspection

Before we start any restoration project, we carefully prepare the work area to disassemble the car, documenting each step in writing or with pictures to make make reassembly easier. The worst thing is finishing a job and having a few extra bolts left over. So we often go through a lot of bags and labels to drop bolts that we removed from cars into a sandwich bag and label the bag with where the bolt goes. Carefully inspect all the components and know any that may need repair or replacement paying special attention to areas such as the frame, engine and drivetrain.

Repairing the Body and Paint

Body restoration and paint often involves repairing or replacing panels, fixing rust and addressing dents. After repairs have been made it’s important to prep the surface for painting. This may involve sandblasting applying basecoat and clearcoat. If you want the finish to match restoration goals it is important to not leave out the prep work.

Mechanical

The engine and transmission are the heart of your classic car whether you’re rebuilding the original engine or swapping it in for a more modern power plant. Make sure all the parts are in top shape. Make sure to rebuild or replace the worn out parts and don’t forget to check and address the cooling system exhaust Fuel system and rear differential. Another important part of the card to not overlook is the suspension and brakes. These are critical for both safety and performance of your classic car. We do restorations on classic cars at Wilson Motorsports. We often recommend replacing the Warren bushing shocks and brakes to improve handling and driving comfort. There are many companies out there where you can upgrade to modern components if you’re looking for a restomod. A good idea if possible to upgrade your worn rubber bushings with more modern polyurethane, bushings that hold up better to weather and the environment. Consider adding power steering if you don’t have it or upgrading your braking to a brake booster or hydraulic booster, which will give you the greatest breaking performance.

Interior Restoration

The interior of any classic car is where all the comfort and the style comes together. This may involve reupholstering the seats, new carpets replacing the dashboard and fixing and updating all the electrical components. Don’t forget to pay attention to the trim and gauges. Once you sit in your nice new restored car the first thing you’re gonna notice anything that hasn’t been refinished or updated.

Final assembly

Make sure to reassemble your classic very carefully, double checking all connections, fittings, and torque specs. Once assembled thoroughly tested car to make sure everything function has expected..

Have Fun

Whether you’re doing your restoration yourself or you have an expert shop like Wilson Motorsports helping you with your restoration make sure you enjoy the process and the hard work. Regular maintenance will be To maintaining your beautiful restored classic. Make sure to do routine oil changes, inspections, and any other fluid changes you may need. Rotate your tires every 5000 miles periodically go check the torque on the bolts you’ve installed.

Conclusion

Restoring a classic as a Labor love which we have Wilson Motorsports love to do for people however it does require lots of patience in this process can take upwards of a year sometimes if not months, depending on the level of restoration desired. Enjoy the journey and embrace the process most of all get ready to cruise the streets and have everyone in admire your newly restored ride.

If you ever need help with your restoration project, Wilson Motorsports auto repair in San Jose California is the go to shop in the Bay area in northern California for your classic car and modern day car needs.

Thanks for reading our first blog and hope you enjoyed it .