Restoring an old car is an undertaking that demands patience, some mechanical aptitude and a healthy bank account. If you ask around the old car dealers about what the best deal is in old cars, it is usually one that has already been restored. Someone else has spent the money and sweat to return it to as new (or better than new if it is a show car) condition. It is very rare to get the money invested in a restoration back when you sell the car.

Why would someone restore an old car, then? Restoring a car can be a wonderfully rewarding activity. If you are new to it, my advice would be to choose a car you like, and one that is relatively simple to work on. This usually means a pre-1972 car, which is when emission controls started really complicating the engine compartment. If your dream is to restore something really complex, like a V-12 Ferrari or Jaguar, the experience gained working on a simpler car will be invaluable.

I would also start with a car that was popular, like an MGB. This kind of car will have the best support in terms of parts availability and knowledgeable mechanics. It should also have an active owners club with advice and willing helpers for Saturday morning tech sessions.

Once you start taking things apart, it is really easy to get over-whelmed. Take things slowly, and try to do an hour's work each night. Stay organized, keep things labeled and try to take pictures of complex assemblies before you take them apart.

Finally, figure out what you want to use the car for. If it is to be a trailer-queen show car, then by all means make sure it is as original as possible. In my case, I wanted the car to be usable in modern traffic conditions, so I updated and modernized it in a few areas, while trying to maintain the spirit of the original.

Learn more about this author, Jonathan Buckley.
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