by Paul Lines

Created on: January 11, 2009

Restoring an antique automobile is, by definition, a labour of love. You will want your vehicle, when the restoration is complete; to become as perfect and pristine as the day that it first left its original makers. Therefore It is essential that a correct approach is taken to this task. If not firstly you will not be satisfied with the result and, secondly, there is a chance that it will not exactly mirror its original condition, which may detract from its value thus devaluing your investment.

As with any task of this nature, the first step to automobile restoration is the planning. In addition to being a labour of love it is a project and should be treated like one. This means that you need to sit down and work out exactly what needs to be done and the best order to undertake this work.

Initially it is necessary to assess exactly what needs restoration work needs to be completed. It is important to be thorough at this point. Whilst it might seem to be apparent from a preliminary inspection what parts need to be replaced or what surface areas need to be restored to their original condition it is also essential to ensure that there are no hidden parts that either also require restoration or will be adversely affected by the restorative work you are undertaking. There is little point in replacing a part on your antique car only to find within weeks it has caused other damage because something it is attached to was weakened and also needed replacing. Better to expend a little more effort now than find yourself having to start again in a few weeks or months.

The next stage is to plan for authenticity. If you restore using modern parts the car will lose its authenticity. It will no longer be an original. What you will need to do is to locate a supplier or other person who either has access to original parts or is able to manufacture them using the same materials and processes as the original manufacturer. There many be few of these people around. However, specialist clubs and associations should be able to point you in the right direction. These organisations and their members will also assist you in ensuring that the parts you acquire are original. Similarly, the Internet offers a global marketplace for locating parts and materials for antique automobiles, especially if the car you are restoring is not native to the country where you reside.

The final part of the planning relates to timing and cost. During the course of your investigation into spare parts and materials

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