| Classic car restoration is one of the
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| | 5. Have a car restoration professional
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| most rewarding activities a car
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| | run some numbers and make sure they match
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| enthusiast can perform. Transforming a
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| | or are close to the numbers you ran on
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| "seemingly old car" back into a classic
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| | step 1.
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| vehicle in all of its glory is nothing
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| | 6. Decide the level of car restoration:
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| less than art.
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| | * Driver restoration: is often performed
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| While this is a very exciting activity a
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| | to get a car back to a fully functional
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| car owner must know how to properly
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| | and operational condition, they often
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| evaluate the condition of a car and then
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| | include part replacement and minor
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| establish the level of restoration to be
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| | cosmetic adjustments.
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| performed to such vehicle. There are 4
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| | * Street Show: this restoration level
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| levels of classic car restoration, each
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| | involves getting a car into a fully
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| one should be applied individually
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| | working condition and repairing all major
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| depending on the kind of project, budget
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| | cosmetic problems (body work is
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| and purpose. These are the top 10 tips
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| | required). If judged by a professional it
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| for those classic car aficionados who
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| | should fall within the 80-89 point range.
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| want to reverse the effects of 'the sands
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| | * Show Car: restoring a classic car back
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| of time' on their vehicles:
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| | to this form often requires professional
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| 1. Sit down, grab a piece of paper, a
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| | work, if judged by a professional, there
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| parts catalog which would be relevant to
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| | restorations and labor quality will fall
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| the model you want to restore and run
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| | within the 90-95 point range.
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| some numbers within your budget. Never
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| | * Concours: this is the highest level of
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| deviate from it, otherwise the results
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| | car restoration possible. All the work
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| will be obvious.
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| | should be done by professionals, from
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| 2. Inspect your car very carefully, top
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| | part replacement to body work. These type
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| to bottom, inside and out; use strong
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| | of cars are intended for auto shows or
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| flashlights to inspect the trunk, the
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| | private collections and not to be driven.
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| engine area, etc. This will help you see
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| | Obviously, the original car to be
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| the kind of repairs needed to be done to
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| | repaired must be in quite optimal
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| this vehicle. If possible take it to a
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| | condition to achieve this stage,
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| car shop where it could be lifted to take
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| | otherwise a major investment is
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| a good look at the condition from
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| | necessary.
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| beneath. Here you will determine if a the
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| | 7. Start the restoration process, if
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| restoration process is worth the time and
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| | possible follow a 2 step procedure (part
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| money.
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| | replacement and chassis adjustments).
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| 3. After inspecting the vehicle, it is
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| | Visit the car shop as often as possible
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| also important to decide whether you have
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| | to make sure the right work is being
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| a 'solid' car which can be restored
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| | done. If this is not possible then have
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| without replacing the entire frame,
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| | your mechanic send you periodical picture
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| floor, axles, etc. It would amaze you how
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| | updates through email.
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| this step can save you major dollars
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| | 8. After the part replacement process is
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| (Euros, Yens, etc.). By 'solid car' we
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| | done, visit the shop again to re-inspect
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| are inferring that the car structure
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| | the chassis repairs needed, if sheet
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| should be strong, as well as the floor; a
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| | metal patches are necessary then remember
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| little rust can be repaired but a
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| | to document the places where they are to
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| completely rusty car which has the entire
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| | be applied.
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| frame compromised will eventually
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| | 9. When all major restorations are done
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| crumble.
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| | run a close and detailed inspection just
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| 4. Decide whether you want to work with a
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| | like it was done during the second step
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| "friend who knows how to repair cars" or
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| | to make sure everything is OK. Take it
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| a professional. It is often recommended
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| | for a ride and see if it works correctly.
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| not to involve friends and family on such
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| | 10. Remember to give proper maintenance
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| projects as the time and money invested
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| | to your newly restored classic using all
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| on this process may cause some trouble if
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| | the recommended parts and products.
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| the right procedures are not followed.
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| | The trick to getting newly restored cars
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| Cars restored by people other than
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| | to last for a long time lies within the
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| professionals tend to run well for a
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| | last step, if the vehicle is properly
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| couple of years and in some cases start
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| | maintained, in time, it will become a
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| to breakdown thereafter.
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| | valuable asset and a sure head turner.
|