mechanics.trade
Classic car restoration
Restoration runs from recommissioning a car that has been stood for years to a full strip and rebuild.
What classic restoration means
Most of the work and most of the cost is bodywork and corrosion, because that is what time does to older cars. A good restorer will survey the car and give you a staged plan rather than a single figure.
What the job covers
- Full and partial restoration
- Bodywork, welding and rust repair
- Engine and gearbox rebuilds
- Trim and interior retrim
- Recommissioning after long storage
When you might need it
- The car has been off the road for years and you want it usable again.
- Corrosion is appearing in the structural areas: sills, floors, chassis rails.
- You want the car sound and presentable rather than concours, which is a very different budget.
What it costs, and what changes the price
Typically by quotation.
- How much metal needs replacing, which is only known once the car is cleaned back.
- Parts availability. Common classics are far cheaper to restore than rare ones.
- The standard you are aiming for. Usable and concours are different projects.
How long it takes
Recommissioning can be weeks. A full restoration is measured in months or years.
Common questions
Should I get a survey first?
Yes. A survey costs a fraction of the work and tells you what you are taking on before you commit.
Do classics need an MOT?
Vehicles over 40 years old are usually exempt, provided they have not been substantially changed. Many owners still have one done voluntarily.
Can restoration be done in stages?
Most restorers prefer it. Structure and safety first, cosmetics later, spreads the cost and keeps the car usable.