Classic cars have a way of turning heads when they drive by.  Whether it’s the unique designs, the sound of the loud engines or the fact that they command respect, people generally stop what they are doing and stare.  Making the decision to purchase and restore one has to come with a lot of commitment and a good deal of money.  If you or someone you know has bought a classic car or is thinking of buying one, make sure you know exactly what you are getting into and do some research beforehand.  Buying a fixer upper on impulse could mean a lot of surprises (and not the good kind).  There are several things to consider and prepare for once you are ready to start.



Budget



The key here is to settle on a budget before you start your search for the classic car with the most potential.  If you wait until you are looking at cars there is a good chance that your budget may fly out the window.  It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of your prospective project and forget about why you wanted to do it in the first place.  The actual price of a car that needs fixing up should be relatively low.  Don’t forget that you will need to put a lot more money into it during the restoration process, especially if you are looking for original parts (which add to the authenticity of the car).  Your best bet is to budget for both the car itself and the maximum you will invest to restore it.  Keep in mind that to have an accurate guess you will need to research both of these costs.



Your Skills

If you are not an auto mechanic or very knowledgeable about cars you may be getting in over your head.  A project like this requires a certain comfort level with taking cars apart as well as with your ability to put them back together.  Finding out that you have to hire someone to do something you can’t figure out will be an expense that you probably hadn’t considered.  It is not a good idea to take on a restoration project without some expertise.  There are a number of things that could go wrong and force you to do one of two things:  scrap the car or invest more money to get it done properly.  Be prepared to deal with unexpected issues that may come with buying an old car.



My boyfriend bought a 1966 GMC pickup and, with the help of a friend, was planning to restore it with all original parts.  It looked as though it was in good condition, but he understood that there was still a lot of work involved.  Only when they started to take it apart did they discover that most of the cab was rotted out and that they would need a lot more money than they originally thought.  He had no idea of the condition it was in and realized that it had been unsafe to drive at the time of purchase.  Unfortunately, his plans are on hold while he decides if he would like to continue in the wake of these unexpected expenses or give up and take it to a junkyard.



Other Difficulties

Deciding where you are going to store the car both during the restoration stage, as well as afterwards, is important to consider before your purchase, unless you live alone with no one to complain about the lack of garage space.

Also, time is an issue for many people.  Car restoration can take months, possibly years so be prepared for this to be a long-term project.  Patience will prove to be your most essential quality and will help you focus on the smaller, yet still important details that will make your car stand out once it’s completed.



Commit And Enjoy

Restoring an old car should be a relaxing, rewarding experience.  Building something unique with your own hands (as well as the hands of your friends and, at times, professionals) is a great way to feel useful.  Plus, think of how much you will enjoy driving with the extra attention and looks of admiration from people as you pass by.  Not to mention the self-satisfaction you will feel in knowing how hard you worked on this classic, timeless vehicle.  So why are you still reading this?  Calm any thoughts of failure and simply enjoy the process from start to finish.