-
Hi Guest!
You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.
There are some perks with a member upgrade!**Upgrade Now**
(PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Hey - did you know if you click on the title of a thread it will take you to the first unread post since you last visited that thread?
but were afraid to ask: 
STOP!! Never post your email address in open forums. Bots can "harvest" your email! If you must share your email use a Private Message or use the 
smilie in place of the real @
Pretty Please - add it to our Events forum(s) and add to the calendar! >> 
Broad Restoration questions
- Thread starter Walhaus
- Start date
Share this page
PC
Obi Wan
Offline
But seriously folks…
Whenever you embark on a restoration the number one thing I’d recommend is to always keep perspective.
Make sure you know what you’re getting into, what it will take and what you’ll end up with. Know when to keep going and know when to cut your losses and run. For some it’s all richly rewarding. For others it’s and endless investment of blood, sweat and tears with little to show for it.
Know yourself.
PC.
(How’s that for broad?)
Whenever you embark on a restoration the number one thing I’d recommend is to always keep perspective.
Make sure you know what you’re getting into, what it will take and what you’ll end up with. Know when to keep going and know when to cut your losses and run. For some it’s all richly rewarding. For others it’s and endless investment of blood, sweat and tears with little to show for it.
Know yourself.
PC.
(How’s that for broad?)
SilentUnicorn
Yoda
Offline
Pretty Broad (yea she was)..
but its either a parts car ..or a "Project". Depends on the day ...and how much available cash i have to sink (and i MEAN sink) into her. lol.
here is a poll thought "will you ever get back the money you have put into your car?".
But i really think (at least for me) it aint about the money, it is about the time spent on
something I like to do. It can be a real pleasure
mark
but its either a parts car ..or a "Project". Depends on the day ...and how much available cash i have to sink (and i MEAN sink) into her. lol.
here is a poll thought "will you ever get back the money you have put into your car?".
But i really think (at least for me) it aint about the money, it is about the time spent on
something I like to do. It can be a real pleasure
mark
tony barnhill
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
Offline
Walhaus...Basics:
DO:
1) Expect any project to take twice the time you estimated & cost twice the $$$'s.
2) Take lots of photos & label everything as you take it off - if possible, put everything back together in a box or zip lock bag.
3) Do make sure you know where everything is located.
4) Do ask spouse & children's permission to take so much time away from them!
4) UNDERSTAND: When you can't complete the project for whatever reason, its only worth $250 max to me as a parts car!
DON'T:
1) Start a project unless you have the $$$'s & wherewithal to complete it.
2) Completely disassemble the car all at once!
3) Don't agree to have somebody else do some work on the project unless you have the $$$'s in your pocket when he starts the work. &, keep the $$$'s till you pick up the thing he's working on.
4) Get discouraged - my granddad always told me to walk away from a car when I got angry. Good advice!
DO:
1) Expect any project to take twice the time you estimated & cost twice the $$$'s.
2) Take lots of photos & label everything as you take it off - if possible, put everything back together in a box or zip lock bag.
3) Do make sure you know where everything is located.
4) Do ask spouse & children's permission to take so much time away from them!
4) UNDERSTAND: When you can't complete the project for whatever reason, its only worth $250 max to me as a parts car!
DON'T:
1) Start a project unless you have the $$$'s & wherewithal to complete it.
2) Completely disassemble the car all at once!
3) Don't agree to have somebody else do some work on the project unless you have the $$$'s in your pocket when he starts the work. &, keep the $$$'s till you pick up the thing he's working on.
4) Get discouraged - my granddad always told me to walk away from a car when I got angry. Good advice!
MGTF1250Dave
Jedi Knight
Offline
Aloha Walhaus,
Good advice from the others. As a basic consideration, buy a car in the best condition you can afford. This type of project is usually not an investment in which you make money, so let the previous owner pay for major repairs and rebuilds. Tony is very right in that it will take longer and cost more than you plan, so don't be discouraged. Sometimes it is lackadollar that slows you down, other times it that pesky job that pays you. Generally, more dollars spent on a car in good condition will cost less in restoring/repairing than a basket case. It took me about four years to get my MG TF on the road after I bought it. Good luck.
Safety Fast,
Dave
Good advice from the others. As a basic consideration, buy a car in the best condition you can afford. This type of project is usually not an investment in which you make money, so let the previous owner pay for major repairs and rebuilds. Tony is very right in that it will take longer and cost more than you plan, so don't be discouraged. Sometimes it is lackadollar that slows you down, other times it that pesky job that pays you. Generally, more dollars spent on a car in good condition will cost less in restoring/repairing than a basket case. It took me about four years to get my MG TF on the road after I bought it. Good luck.
Safety Fast,
Dave
Good pieces of advice all round, but then we're all blessed with 20/20 hindsight through rose tinted glasses, aren't we?
You will make mistakes - make no mistake about it!! but as long as you learn from them you will have progressed.
As a long term restorer and having worked on some of the worlds most desirable cars, even owners with a bucket load of money are surprised at the cost of the more specialist skills!
My advice? Pick a project that is not too big, it's a good starting point. Educate yourself!
Check out https://www.car-restoring.com
[ 09-18-2003: Message edited by: Gordon ]
[ 09-18-2003: Message edited by: Gordon ]</p>
You will make mistakes - make no mistake about it!! but as long as you learn from them you will have progressed.
As a long term restorer and having worked on some of the worlds most desirable cars, even owners with a bucket load of money are surprised at the cost of the more specialist skills!
My advice? Pick a project that is not too big, it's a good starting point. Educate yourself!
Check out https://www.car-restoring.com
[ 09-18-2003: Message edited by: Gordon ]
[ 09-18-2003: Message edited by: Gordon ]</p>