Do you own a vintage or classic car? Maybe you bought a vehicle back in the 1970s as an everyday vehicle and kept it around or you recently purchased an older model, drastically in need of a few improvements. Regardless of how it ended up in your garage, it needs work to run efficiently.
While you might be envisioning a new engine or thinking about a coat of paint, realize that not all classic car improvements are equal. Certain ones – especially new paint – can greatly decease its value.
The First Step
To begin the restoration process, first determine your goals for the car. Do you simply want to restore its authentic state or make it drivable for everyday use? With the former, understand that “show cars” need all original parts and functionality. With the latter, its overall framework may need updated machinery and safety features to meet the DMV’s standards.
If you’ve made routine repairs over the years, you may have increased your initial investment and could fetch a higher asking price, provided someone else plans to use it as an everyday car. In this case, leaving it sitting in the driveway with an older engine and rust developing torpedoes its value. So, as you decide which improvements to make, what should you consider?
Color & Paint
With classic cars, certain models are associated with particular colors. As a result, changing it to a completely new shade or settling for a hue that’s not quite the same as the original can decrease its value if you plan to sell. Ultimately, you could put several thousand dollars into restoring this car, only to find that you’re unable to make a profit because of the new paint job.
Even if you don’t sell the car, when you’re attempting to retain its classic appearance, a new or different color raises red flags. For instance, if you show up to a show with a rare car painted in a color not specific to its original model, judges may pick its new appearance apart.
Equipment Changes
However, appearance isn’t the only factor in determining the value of a classic car. A vehicle’s original equipment – engine, transmission, brakes and other internal parts – is just as important. Thus, when restoring a classic car for a show, it’s best to have all parts in fair condition.
Interior
Along with its parts, try to keep the interior as close to the original as possible. Similar to the paint, a car’s seats, carpets and even the pedal rubbers came with specific materials and colors. As a result, instead of opting for something more modern, keep what’s there. Rather than having it reupholstered, simply remove any dirt and clean any stains.
Whether you’ve got a car show on your mind or you’re looking to keep an older model functional enough to drive, DaSilva’s Auto Body can help. Our team offers classic car restoration and will work with your vision in mind. To learn more, give our Naugatuck location a call today.
