Restoring any car back to the day when it was new. Or to where some of us old guys remember a parent driving us around in them. Is a well intentioned idea and if completed a well deserved prize at the end. It is time consuming and if you are not patient it can be very costly. After over 40 years of mechanics and over 7 yrs owning a restoration shop I think the major incompletion of a restoration is cost.

The first thing I can say is buy a car that isn't in a basket. Look for a car you can afford with parts available. Get a car that you like but the body in the best condition that you can afford. You will learn that window trim, interior, paint,body work, etc. will be some of the most costly work for the project. Most mechanics are not as costly. That being you aren't putting a 500 hp motor into a car that came with a 150 hp motor.

Then you have to decide if the car you are going to restore you plan I driving back and forth to work in the good weather months. Most older cars have the best designs in the world. However going back and forth with a lot of stop and go in modern traffic it will be hard. Then you have to up grade to front disc brakes, maybe replace a king pin suspension with an A arm type for a better ride etc. Lighting, engine modifications,electronic ignition, The all important CD player etc. We do this so are old car will drive and be more user friendly like our everyday driver. So before you purchase a car remember is there enough room on the dash for the CD player. Is there enough room under the hood for the 500 hp motor. You will get your self backed into a corner if you don't pay attention to what the car is and what you want it to be.

I love British cars, I have had a lot of them over the years. Most of them being MG's. They still today are a good looking car. Easy to find for sale in fair condition and a fordable for most anyone. The parts can be obtained easily form parts dealers around the world. They are great on gas as most have from a 6 gal. tank to a 13 gal. tank. They average between 20 to 50 miles per/gal. way back when they were a popular car. There are a lot of clubs around for these cars. Most members are egger to help.

Only you an decide on the type of car you want to restore. What you are willing to put into it with time and money. My Son and I have worked on cars over the years and I feel it made us closer. Even my daughter has helped and I enjoyed every minute of it with them. I hope if you want you will restore something in your life it is very rewarding...

Learn more about this author, Matthew Ribis.
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