Vehicle restoration is an art form that entails more than just repairing and refinishing. It requires a meticulous eye and dedication to authenticity. When done well, it can increase a vehicle’s value significantly.
Coachwerks in Victoria drew attention last year when its Mercedes-Benz 300SL gullwing coupe sold for more than $4 million. A peek inside the shop reveals the meticulous work that goes on behind the scenes.
Mechanical
It takes a lot of work to restore an older car to its original specifications. This can take years, and only those with a deep love for older cars can keep the project going when it gets difficult. A good restoration shop will have a team of expert technicians and tools that can perform any work needed to return the vehicle to its former glory.
The first step in an vehicle restoration is to completely disassemble the car. This allows the technician to examine each part and identify any damage or rust. It also gives them a better idea of what is needed to repair the car and how long the restoration will take.
During the restoration process, there is a delicate balance to be struck between functionality and originality. Some parts of a car can be modified to increase comfort, but others should be kept as they were originally intended.
This includes the engine, transmission, drivetrain, brakes, and suspension. Restoring these parts requires careful analysis and testing, and can be a time-consuming task. The technicians at a restoration shop should have an extensive knowledge of the make and model, as well as access to original factory documentation. This can save the customer a lot of time and money in the long run. The same level of skill is required to restore vintage cars as modern vehicles.
Body
Car restoration requires a high degree of skill and attention to detail. It is often a time-consuming process, and can last for years to complete. Moreover, it is important to have the right mindset to achieve success in this industry. A love for older automobiles is required, as well as a dedication to the project.
A restored vehicle can be worth more than its original price. It can also boost the value of the collector’s collection. However, it is essential to consult with appraisers and experts to determine the potential value of a specific vehicle.
The scope of work during a restoration depends on the owner’s goals and budget. A large budget may allow for more extensive restorations, such as engine upgrades and customizations. A small budget, on the other hand, may limit the amount of work that can be done. Regardless of the size of the budget, it is important to remember that the restoration should be completed using genuine parts.
Hargraves says he has worked on a dozen 300SLs at Coachwerks, and the shop has repaired over 100 cars in the past 20 years. The company currently has a Jaguar XK120 roadster racer, several air-cooled Porsches, and a Ferrari Daytona Spyder in the shop. Moreover, the company has also worked on many other classic cars, including one of the first Mustangs.
Interior
Classic car restoration is a labor of love that requires patience, skill, and dedication. It can take months or even years, but the result is a one-of-a-kind car that will turn heads and stir the soul. Whether you are an avid collector or want to restore your first classic car, the Academy of Art University’s Automobile Design program can help you get started.
A car’s condition will dictate the extent of work required to restore it. It’s important to consider the intended use of the vehicle, such as resale or personal enjoyment, and set a realistic budget. Having a clear plan will ensure that the project stays on track and avoids costly mistakes.
Expert technicians begin the restoration process by assessing the car’s condition and noting what needs repair or replacement. They then disassemble the car, documenting all of its parts with photos for reassembly later. When possible, original parts are used to minimize costs and delays. However, if they are unavailable or costly to repair, modern alternatives can be used to provide similar performance and durability.
Next, the body is cleaned and stripped of its old paint and rust. This step is essential to preparing the vehicle for bodywork and painting, as well as addressing any corrosion or other imperfections. Experts will carefully repair any damage, restoring the vehicle’s sleek and classic lines.
Paint
Depending on the extent of work needed, vehicle restoration can be relatively short or take several years. It can also involve a wide range of skill sets, from mechanical to interior, to painting. Generally, the more thorough a restoration is, the higher the value of the completed vehicle.
Car-restoration experts like Hargraves use a wide variety of tools to ensure that the finished product is accurate and authentic, and will not disappoint customers. For instance, when restoring 300SLs, they often use original Mercedes-Benz factory build sheets to determine the proper colours and finishes for each body part. They also compare parts from other cars to ensure that they are not reusing any incorrect or damaged components from previous restorations.
A good car restoration expert will be able to spot flaws, even on a well-made car that has been driven and maintained carefully over the years. They can spot things like a lack of proper panel gaps, dents that have been filled with too much body filler, and mismatched or incorrect paint. They may also find that a previous restoration was not as thorough as it should have been.
Getting started on a classic car restoration is a big undertaking. It requires a lot of planning, money and time to get done properly. But it is possible, and can be very rewarding if done correctly.