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Classic Car Restoration - The Dos & Dont's (2)

Classic car restoration projects are very time consuming, require a great deal of patience and can also be very expensive, so it is important to consider a few of the very basic dos and don'ts before embarking on a major project.

Firstly, we will look at what you need to do before setting off on your project of restoring your classic.

To begin with, you need to decide which type of restoration you are aiming for. Are you looking at a basic driver restoration, whereby the vehicle is made operational again for personal use and just minor damage is repaired or is it more for a street show restoration, where minor and major work to appearance will be essential?

You might be aiming for more of a show car restoration, which will almost certainly need the help of professionals. Major work and improvements will make the finished vehicle worthy of display at shows and exhibitions. However, to maintain the perfect value and condition of your newly restored vehicle, it should only really be taken out for short drives and cleaned after each journey.

Concours restoration is the ultimate level, is very expensive, and is only for vehicles that are going to be placed in exclusive private collections and exclusive classic shows. As above, driving this kind of vehicle should be kept to a minimum and ultimate care and attention should be given to the aspects of cleaning and maintenance after any such excursion.

Reading the owner's manual is an essential part of any restoration project, if you don't have one then you must certainly try to acquire one.

Where possible, always try to salvage and use existing parts rather than spending money on authentic reproduction parts. However, bear in mind that certain parts do need to be replaced and upgraded – safety equipment, electronics, radio, air-conditioning – these are all areas that should be updated where possible.

If you are looking for any specific parts then head over to the Services section of our website. Here you will find a selection of available resources listed under categories such as Parts & Tools, Tyres & Wheels, and Car Care.

So those are the essential dos, what about the don'ts?

The mock-up stage of any restoration is time-consuming but essential, so this is an area that you should never overlook. To ensure that everything is going to fit together nicely, the mock-up must be not be ignored.

Whilst not making drastic changes to the engine, it is essential that you don't stick with the entire classic technology. To ensure the restored vehicle is safer and more reliable, it is advisable to update certain engine parts such as air filters, spark plug connections, and hoses and brake lines.

Don't overlook the smaller details such as buttons, caps and the actual regular cleaning of the vehicle, all of which will enhance the finished project.

Finally, don't set a low and unrealistic budget for restoration projects. Try to get quotes for your project before getting started and always make allowances for unexpected costs that will invariably crop up further down the road of your classic restoration.

If you are embarking on the project yourself (rather than handing it over to a professional) then it might be a good idea to join a club for your particular car and also be prepared to learn new skills along the way. Make sure you have good quality tools, take photographs, label things and store parts correctly.

If you are looking for a particular service then again we suggest you take a look at the Services section on our website. We have a number of companies offering professional services in areas such as Restoration, Servicing, Car Care, and also Insurance.

So there you have it, the essentials to consider before undertaking a personal or professional restoration project. Be aware of these fundamentals, know your limits, and allow plenty of time, then you will achieve your goal of restoring that treasured classic.

If you happen to be a parts or restoration company looking to advertise your services with us then please do not hesitate to contact me.

Nick: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Heritage Insurance Brokers For Your Classic Car!

Heritage Insurance Brokers are an independent, family-run broker offering a personal service for owners of classic, vintage, modern classic, performance and supercars. Since 1965 Heritage have been arranging specialist insurance cover for these cherished vehicles, and offer some great benefits to customers, including:

  • agreed value on classic vehicles
  • 90 days’ European driving cover as standard, with the option to enhance to 180 days
  • salvage retention as standard
  • a free Skytag GPS tracker on request

For collectors, or those with both classic and modern vehicles, multi car insurance from Heritage is a highly flexible option which allows classic and daily drives on the same policy, with individual no claims bonus. Save up to 25% against insuring your vehicles individually.

Heritage also offers breakdown insurance, motor legal protection, personal accident cover and a range of other related insurances to give you peace of mind. Give us a call for your specialist vehicle insurance needs today, on 0121 248 9203, or visit our website here

 
 
 

When it comes to your classic car, getting the right insurance is extremely important. It is of course legally required for driving your vehicle any distance on the road, but beyond that, you want to protect its value and unique nature so you need to insure it properly.

It’s important to get the right kind of insurance policy for your classic car, rather than insuring it in the same way as your modern, regular use vehicle. You can get a standalone classic car policy, or a specialist multi car policy which allows both classic and modern vehicles on the same cover, but with agreed value on the classics.

The cars we use on a daily basis will depreciate in value each year, and so does any insurance payout for damage. Your classic car, if well-maintained and looked after, should hold its price and indeed, in many cases, actually increase in value. For this reason, your classic car insurance needs to be a policy that recognises this fact with agreed value

The insurance that you look for should be a special kind that will also include standard liability, collision and comprehensive coverage. Should you have an accident or a loss of any kind then the insurer will pay to cover the cost of any repairs or even replacement of your car as a prized and valuable classic.

Surprisingly, classic car insurance can usually cost less than your standard auto insurance, so why is this?

Most classic car owners drive their vehicles with the utmost care, keep them well cleaned and maintained, and don't clock up too many miles.

All of this means that you are less of an insurance risk so you should see lower premiums, up to 50% less than standard policies[i].

Of course, much depends on the value of your vehicle and its use.

Classic car insurance is only for certain vehicles though; your car must be collectable or antique, or be a limited edition – which is of particular relevance to some of the more modern vehicles. Again, you need to discuss all of this with a reputable insurance company. Many classic car insurance brokers will provide cover for ‘modern classics’, and for performance and supercars as well as traditional classics.

There will, of course, be particular criteria to meet before a classic car insurance policy can be issued. The number of miles you are allowed to drive per year will have a limit, you must own another vehicle for daily use, and your classic car must be stored safely. Your age may also be a consideration; most classic car insurers only offer cover to drivers who are over 25 years of age, although a few may insure 21-24 year-olds under very specific circumstances.

[i] According to Money Saving Expert, 2020.