Is Your Classic Vehicle Worth Restoring?

Are you considering a classic car restoration but unsure if it's worth all the time and money? Our guide below will help you determine if your classic vehicle is worth restoring by breaking down the key considerations for car restorers, including the restoration goal and the project's cost.

Goal

The first thing any restorer should do before embarking on such a project is to determine the goal of their restoration. Do you want to restore the car so you can drive and enjoy it more, or do you wish to restore it and sell it for profit? Whether the restoration is for personal or financial reasons will guide many of the decisions during the project.

Cost Factors

Once you've determined the goal of your classic car restoration, you should consider the likely cost of the project to determine if it's worth the investment in time and money.

Vehicle Condition and Restoration Level

The primary factor determining how expensive the restoration project will be is the condition of the car and the level of restoration expertise needed. If the vehicle is exceptionally old and beat up, it'll cost more to revive than one that's been well looked after for years.

The level of restoration is also key in determining a cost. There are four levels of car restoration:

• Driving condition
• Street show condition
• Show car condition
• Concours condition

Driving is the lowest level and is for those who simply want to get their car running again, while concours is the most significant and expensive restoration aimed at restoring the vehicle to like-new condition.

Availability of Parts

The availability of parts is also a key consideration when considering the cost of a restoration project. If the vehicle is a rare model, replacement parts will be in short supply, which means greater expense and more time spent hunting for parts. But, if it's a mass-produced and popular model, like a Ford Mustang or Chevy Camaro, restorers should have no problem finding the needed parts.

Factors That Determine a Restored Car's Value

When deciding if your classic vehicle is worth restoring, you should also consider the car's value at the restoration's end. Again, this will depend on the level of car restoration and the rarity of your vehicle.

Popular muscle cars, for example, always have a strong market, but plenty of them are available, so a restored muscle car's value is somewhat diminished. A well-restored, rare model, however, is more of a collector's item, and while it may not have the biggest market, it'll be more valuable to high-end collectors. A restored car's value is a delicate balance between rarity and popularity.

Find Restored Classics at Ideal Classic Cars

We hope our guide has helped you determine the viability of a restoration for your classic car. If you want to skip all the time and money of a restoration, Ideal Classic Cars has a wide selection of restored and original vehicles to choose from!

At Ideal, you'll find vintage auto sales from all eras of automotive history, including rare gems of the early 20^th century to instant classics from the 21^st century. Stop by our showroom or view our selection of cars online today!