Hiring The Best Vintage Car Restoration Professionals

Vintage car restoration is an activity that requires a considerable skill and knowledge. Classic automobiles that are no longer in production can be worth a respectable amount of money. With parts and components often difficult to get hold of, and the problem of inherent wear that exists on old vehicles, locating a professional and trustworthy restorer is not a task that should be taken for granted.

At the outset, you should understand that a quality car restorer would have a lot of experience. They should have developed a reputation with the owners of classic cars as someone to turn to for assistance. When checking out the possible options, ask for images of the work they have done, this will give you an understanding of whether they would be able to do the type of work that you have in mind. It may also be worth asking for references, though you may find that testimonials are available online if the restorer has a website.

The work that is carried out on vintage automobiles is very different than that which takes place on new vehicles. There may be a need for custom made parts to be built, as well as the usage of specialized tools. Do not waste your energy by contacting regular high street mechanics, they are unlikely to have the ability to do the work.

To find the right auto restorer collectors can join classic car clubs which constantly organizes car shows and tours. Members can gain access to their informative forums discussing the specifics of their models as well as useful tips for polishing earlier models or where to find professionals which are specialized in classic vehicles or part supply.

Another option to find the right staff for this job is the world wide web. With the search term for example "classic auto restoration" many specialist addresses appearing in the search results of various search engines, the only thing what to do is to make a call or mailing them.

Depending upon the age and condition of your vehicle, you may require a broad spectrum of automobile restoration services. For this reason, it is desirable to find a professional who can satisfy your every need. If the vehicle was to be worked on by a number of experts, the final result may not be exactly to your liking.

Vintage car restoration is a very satisfying activity. Choosing the right assistance as and when is necessary can ensure you get the maximum pleasure.

Restoration Tips From A Classic Car Junkie! Helps you to understand how to to restore your car and how to find automotive parts for old car restoration. Click Here

21 Classic Pontiacs!

So, you think you know your cars now, do you? Well, consider this to be a test of your knowledge of Pontiac history. 21 Pontiacs are featured here: some are current models while others are truly classic cars in every sense of the word, dating back to the early 1960s.

6000 – Full sized [or almost] front wheel drive sedan of the 1980s.

Aztec – Ugly is as ugly does. This crossover vehicle ashamed the Pontiac fleet for two years during the early 00s.

Bonneville – Full sized Pontiac sedan excitement retired in 2005 after more than 40 years of service. Part of GM’s massive restructuring and retiring of top model names.

Catalina – This model hearkens back to the mid 60s when two door hard tops ruled the day. Discontinued during the late 70s during GM’s “down sizing” shell game days.

Fiero – Mid-engine sport two-seater built for Pontiac during the go-go 80s. GM reached into their parts bin and took out Chevette and other components to create this little roadster.

Firebird – It goes without saying that this “pony” car is sorely missed. The good news is that it may be back by the time the 2009 model year rolls around.

Firefly – Twin to the Geo Metro, the Firefly was Pontiac’s 3 cylinder captive import of the late eighties to mid nineties.

G6 – Current compact model in Pontiac’s arsenal available in rakish coupe or sporty sedan.

Grand Am -- With its 1973 debut, the Grand Am quickly became the division’s mid-range performance car. Retired in 2005 with a host of other Pontiac model names.

Grand Prix – Hidden tail lights and a concave rear window marked the Grand Prix’s 1963 debut. The car has survived GM’s model name shake out and today’s car is a mid-sized, front wheel drive sports sedan.

GTO – Introduced in 1967, the GTO was a true coupe turned sports car. Eliminated in the 1970s, the GTO is back thanks to GM’s Australian division, Holden. Rear wheel drive and a big V8 too.

LeMans – Originally a Tempest model, the LeMans became its own model once the Tempest name was retired in the 1970s. Retired in the mid 1990s after a cheap Korean car was allowed to carry its name. Sheesh!

Montana -- A minivan for Pontiac, if not for the ages.

Parisienne – During the 1980s Pontiac needed a version of the Chevrolet Caprice. This full sized, rear wheel drive sedan filled the bill.

Phoenix – Part of GM’s “X cars” of compact import fighting vehicles introduced during 1979 as a 1980 model.

Sunbird – Nothing but a re-badged Chevy Cavalier.

Sunfire – Compact coupe retired in 2005 as part of, you guessed, GM’s model restructuring.

Sunrunner – Nothing but a re-badged Geo/Chevy Tracker.

Tempest – From the early sixties until the early seventies, the term “muscle car” befit this hot coupe. Especially nice as a convertible!

Trans Sport – Hideous looking minivan that debuted in the early 1990s. Mercifully replaced years later by the Montana.

Vibe – A currently produced compact five door sport wagon; cousin to the Toyota Matrix.

So, there you have it. At least another half dozen models were left out from this time period plus many models that dated back to the division’s founding as part of the Oakland Automobile Company in 1926. Pontiac excitement…have you caught it yet?

Auto Restoration To Make An Old Car Appear To Be Brand New Again

By Daren

A number of car enthusiasts who always run out and purchase the most current car items and car accessories exist, but other fans of cars are not able to find enough classic car restoration projects.

New Life.

Once they are returned to their mint condition, old beat up cars receive an entirely new life span. A few of the Not so shiny Volvo 1800 Salterations affected which help a car to appear as it did when it rolled off of the factory floor include plush interior, shiny exteriors, and a few improvements to the mechanics of the car as well as the engine.

Out with the old in with the new.

Not only about changing out everything old for a new item, restoring classic cars to their initial state involves more. It needs huge attention to the important minor details. It is useful to understand what automobile restoration is able to do to help an aging car recapture its prior status on the road as a beloved icon, since regardless of how old a car may be, a large number of individuals still love to see their commanding presence on the roads.

Learn about your car.

It is wisest to involve a well though of automotive shop in your project, to see what should be done to improve the car,Shiny Volvo 1800 S before you begin any type of restoration job. You must be capable of knowing the car both inside as well as outside, in order to be able to revive the car to its former glory.

Budget?

A person must allocate plenty of funds to such a project, more than simply understanding all of the things that should be done in the project. At times, classic car parts prove to be pretty expensive and difficult to find, as a result of automotive restoration being primarily concerned with classic cars. Where restoring old cars is concerned, these are only a few of the considerations to keep in mind.

About the Author:
E-T Carlin,a former airline Captain with a long life passion for classic cars.His swedish heritage gave him a weakness for classic Volvos . Being involved with these aged beauties it's almost inevitable not to be involved in restoration aswell,it comes with the territory he say's. Find out more => http://www.classicvolvorestoration.com/

Articles Source: Auto Restoration To Make An Old Car Appear To Be Brand New Again

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Auto Reconditioning is the Best Alternative to New Car

Author: Daivid James

Buying a new car because the present car has worn out is not an inviting proposition to many of us. Given the recent recession scenario and the steep prices of new cars, it would be better you gave a completely new look and feel to your existing car.

If you are planning to trade in your car for a new one, think again. New vehicles are more expensive than getting auto body repairs. Instead of paying for the vehicle installments for four to five years and counting when these installments would be over, if you spend some on reconditioning your car will be as good as new.

Auto Reconditioning is a way of repairing all those small problems you have been ignoring all these days. Even though these minor repairs cost some amount of cash, they are worth the expenditure as they help restore the shine to your car.

Auto Reconditioning includes car interior repair. Whether you are looking to improve the sound and comfort levels of your vehicle's interior, or restore it to like new condition, Eastwood has the products you need. From hog rings and hog ring pliers, vinyl paints and interior dyes, plastic welders and plastic repair kits, to sound deadening products like Dynamat, Lizard Skin and Hushmat. We even offer steering wheel restoration kits that allow you to repair cracked steering wheels.

If your vehicle has dents in the auto body your vehicle would benefit from paintless dent removal. The paintless dent removal process uses reflective sources, rods and special tools to massage dents out from the inside leaving a smooth service as the result. There are no fillers or paints used so the original finish of your vehicle will not be compromised.

Eastwood's Unique Paintless Dent Removal System allows a few tools to do the work of many, saving money while providing full capabilities

Many people do not realize that plastic covered bumpers can be repaired. This was not always the case but that is why they are now covered with a hard plastic. Your bumper can easily be repaired. Airless Plastic Welder Kit from Eastwood helps you make easy plastic repairs on plastic bumpers, grills, virtually any of your car's plastic parts

Scratches on car windshield and window glass look ugly no matter how shiny the auto body is. Scratches also are a safety hazard. Scratches deflect light. More scratches could mean a hindrance to visibility specially when there is direct sunlight on windshield scratches or reflection of approaching headlights on the scratches.

One of the cheapest ways to remove scratches from your car windshield is to buy a glass polish kit. Eastwood's Glass Polishing Kit For Deep Scratches includes 3 abrasive discs, buff and polishing compound is ideal for any superficial and deep scratches.

If you have any cracked or chipped paint on your vehicle you definitely want a new car in its place. On top of this if you have been exposing the metal frame to water and other elements which can cause it to rust, you definitely should think of a paint touch up. Eastwood has the latest technology to match your vehicle paint and protect your vehicle from further damage.

But if you think of giving it a make over, then It is possible to do powdercoating on your car at home using Eastwood's HotCoat Powder Coating Gun. The hotcoat powder coat is sprayed on a surface to be coated. Powder coating is cost effective, competent and Eco friendly. A very good alternative to liquid coatings, this does not have any solvents and produces negligible amounts of substances like volatile organic compounds (VOC) as opposed to their liquid counterparts that emit a substantial amount of VOC.

Article Source: http://www.sooperarticles.com/automotive-articles/cars-articles/auto-reconditioning-best-alternative-new-car-302524.html

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Your Classic Car Restoration Workbook

Car Parts Finding Vintage Treasure at Your Local Wrecking Yard

Author: ted belfour

Finding car parts for your vintage car can be difficult, making difficult the wonderful hobby of car restoration. While tracking down the missing pieces of your motor mystery might be an exciting part of the challenge of vintage car restoration, it shouldn't become a time consuming trial that takes you away from spending time with your beloved vehicle. Here are a few tips to help make hunting down those vintage car parts just a little bit easier.

When your ten-year old car breaks down, you visit your local dealership to find replacement parts, but when the car in question was last made in the fifties, replacement parts are not so readily available. The best source for vintage car parts is possibly your local junkyard, but you obviously won't have the same consumer rights there! When cars arrive at the wrecking yard, salvageable parts will be removed, but the number of cars arriving at these yards precludes the staff that works there making a catalogue or other record of these parts. Explain your situation to a member of this staff and ask to rummage through the car parts yourself. Remember that wrecking yards are not as customer oriented as a car dealership would be, and always ask before you wander off into other areas of the yard.

Before you go to the wrecking yard, be sure to make a detailed account of what you are looking for, and take photos of your car if necessary. If you are looking to replace an older part, be sure to bring that with you, as it can help you make comparisons with possible replacements, and you can also use it as a trade-in. Be sure to do your research before visiting the yard too, to ensure that you know exactly what you're looking for and that you understand when a close match will do if you can't find exactly what you're looking for.

Wrecking yards are often not the safest places to be, so be careful as you hunt through the debris of old cars looking for your valuable find. Dress appropriately and watch where you step. Remember to bring your own tools, as wrecking yard staff might not be permitted to give you theirs, and always keep your eyes peeled – you never know where your next find might be.

Dave is the owner of http://custom-car-parts.info a website providing information on car parts. Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_37452_31.html

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How To Find A Reliable Car Restoration Shop

A reliable car restoration shop protects your investment and increases a car's value
Whether an individual is seeking to restore a classic car or simply return a newer model to it's former glory, the ability to find a reliable car restoration shop that will do the job right the first time cannot be understated in it's importance. Anyone can start a car restoration business with a physical facility and some tools, but to restore a vehicle correctly is an incredible skill that very few possess in reality. The question at hand is how to determine the true professionals from the pretenders, and how to avoid being burned by poor workmanship or outrageous prices. This can be especially difficult in rural areas where there may not be very many car restoration shops available. In these instances it is well worth a few hours drive to find a reliable car restoration shop in a larger and more competitive metropolitan area.


The best way to find a reliable car restoration shop is to simply ask around your local area - news of good work at a good price travels fast and becomes common knowledge to 'car people' in a very short time. Ask your mechanic or car dealership what is the top car restoration shop in the area and check them out for yourself. Contact your local Better Business Bureau to check for customer complaints, look at their website if they have one and try to find and view samples of the cars they have restored. Check with local car clubs or antique car associations to see what type of reputation they have built, and disseminate the information you gather with an objective eye.


A reliable car restoration shop will act like one, plain and simple. A legitimate car restoration shop will gladly answer any questions a customer may have in detail, and will be both open and honest in their assessment of your vehicle and what work needs to be done. A reliable car restoration shop has no problem in giving a detailed written estimate before any work is performed, will stay within the quoted price and complete the project in a timely manner. A car restoration shop that does excellent work is proud of it, and they will be happy to provide a list of past customers and show their ability to get the job done to your satisfaction.


In short, to find a reliable car restoration shop look for ones that are honest, truthful, and established with a long list of satisfied customers and a solid reputation in the community. Try to avoid new car restoration businesses or ones that give limited information concerning prices and processes, as more often than not these are the ones that will present a problem down the road.

Content Source: Bukisa - How To Find A Reliable Car Restoration Shop

Classic Car Restoration Parts

Author: Francis Hesse

There is a love of classic cars that just cannot be stripped away from some people. It is more than just the captivation they have with the look of the car, it is also about the way they were built and the era that they came from. But as with anything classic, restoring these cars can be time consuming and expensive as parts are not always easy to find. Classic car parts can be extremely difficult to find, you may find that special part you are looking for on the other side of the country or even from the other side of the globe.

When looking for classic car restoration parts, it is always best to try and look around to see what you can find in your area. Starting here first will save you a lot of time and money by not having to pay for shipping costs. Remember, more often than not, classic car parts are heavier in weight than the parts are today and since the postal service charges for the weight, shipping expenses can be pretty high. So if you are able to avoid the mess of getting classic car restoration parts through the mail, all the better.

Buying Your Part Over The Internet

A lot of people seem to find the classic car parts that they need through the Internet on auction sites. These auctions are just regular people who are selling some of their own stuff. While most often this is a safe adventure, you must proceed with caution as there are scam artists out there just waiting to take your money. Classic car restoration parts are not cheap so make sure that you check out the seller as much as possible before sending them your money or any of your personal information.

Of course, there is only so much that you can determine about someone over the Internet. Since this is the case, your best bet when buying any classic car parts is to use a safe payment method such as paypal or your credit card because you, as the buyer, are offered a certain amount of protection through these payment methods. While it is great to get the classic car restoration parts you have been wanting, it is not worth giving away every penny in your bank account because you were too excited or impatient to take cautionary steps. Just proceed with caution when buying such items and you will be fine.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/classic-car-restoration-parts-551302.html

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Classic Car Restoration

Author: Steven Greenwood

Does your speedometer weave all over the place, or under read following a change of tyres/wheel diameter? If so, there are companies out there that can take gauges that look like they’ve spent the last millennium submerged in a peat bog, strip them down to their component parts, clean and re-work anything as required, and return it to you in tip-top condition.

As with these examples of car components, there are restorers out there who can handle the most derelict of interior trim, woodwork, engine, brake component or bodywork and breathe new life into it. It all depends how far you want to go in restoring your chosen classic – these services don’t come cheap, usually being a much specialised art, so the cost of contracting out work to these classic specialists must always be borne in mind.

How Much Restoration?

In many cases, the renovation of an old body shell will be the deciding factor in assessing how viable it really is to give the work to a professional restoration company. Despite being a fairly cheap car, the Mini for example actually has quite a complicated structure, so unless it is historically significant, or being subject to a cost-no-object restoration, tread very carefully before committing to a professional restoration. A compromise can often be reached whereby the owner does as much preparation work as possible to keep the final costs down to reasonable levels, so it’s worth having a chat with the body shop first.

Spending £3000 having a classic Mk2 Jaguar shell renovated may make some sense, as the finished article in good order could be worth anywhere between £10-20k when finished, but spending that much on a classic Mini (or any other cheaper car, say a Hillman Imp or an old Escort) may be less of a good choice.

Most restoration shops pitch at owners with more widely available cars, such as MGs, Triumphs, and Austin Healeys where the finished article may well be worth anything between £10-15k, and therefore worth spending a few quid on. The advantage with the more popular marques of classic is that body panels can often be acquired from specialist suppliers, saving money in the long run as there is no need to call upon bespoke builders of bodywork panels, with the time and cost involved that having one-off panels made will bring. However if you just want your car restoring to a solid usable condition, you’ll find many regular garages either have a guy in there handy with a Mig welder, or know someone who is.

At the bottom of the scale are the outfits, often one-man bands working from the back of a Mk3 Escort van, that will patch up your classic for the price of a cup of tea, and some beer money. The final finish will be left to you, the owner, but with repairs that are fairly workmanlike with little finesse or care; the end result will always be a compromise and should only really be called upon when money is tight.

Restoration Project Budgeting

As already mentioned, your budget is key to how far to go employing professionals to do up your car. Whereas compromises cannot really be taken with safety issues, such as the brakes and suspension, the renovation of the body shell and interior really comes down to how mad you want to go, and what you plan to do with the car once finished.

If the classic car is a family heirloom, or being restored for keeps with no view to re-sale in the near future, then throwing a good pile of money at it is probably a good way to ensure its future health (so long as it is maintained properly afterwards!). However most people do not have a bottomless pit of cash, so as always, a balance has to be found.

The more you can do yourself the better, as not only will you save money (hopefully), but you’ll learn a lot more about the vehicle than had you just sent it off to the restoration shop, without seeing it again till it rumbles into your garage, glistening and restored.

Finding a Trustworthy Company

Once you’ve decided to have work done on your classic, how do you find a trustworthy company to restore it? With tales around of old cars being left with restoration shops, only for the company to go bust and bailiffs re-possessing everything, including your car, it is well worth taking time to identify a suitable business or individual to deal with.

Recommendations can be found in classic car magazines and by word of mouth, which is probably one of the best ways to go. Get talking to people at local shows, and see which local companies get recommended by owners who have used them before. Try to find a company that is well established, and looks like it has invested in good premises and has a reputation to protect – they are far less likely to mess you about than someone who can only be contacted on a mobile, and who works out of a unit rented weekly. That’s not to say that all coachwork restorers who have a mobile number only are sharks, but it’s one of several things to bear in mind should the worst happen, and you find yourself trying to contact the owner quickly.

With the classic car in the restoration shop, keep close contact with progress and ask to be contacted should anything unforeseen come along, that will require extra funding to fix. After all you may want to reconsider the rebuild of your Ford Pop if it turns out the chassis is terminally corroded and will cost thousands of pounds to renovate (maybe it’s better to find a better chassis instead!).

Before work commences it might also be worth drawing up a schedule of the work you want doing, and getting the garage owner to agree to it and sign the papers too – this will also help if you need to reclaim anything that’s rightfully yours should something go wrong.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/classics-articles/classic-car-restoration-1342852.html

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