Page 1 of 20 12311 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 200

Thread: Restoring Cars

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Tangambalanga
    Posts
    7,558
    Total Downloaded
    0

    Smile Restoring Cars

    Just having a bit of a ponder over a few things recently.

    Wondering who here restores cars,, not referring to Land Rovers,,, Just cars in general.

    I want to restore a vehicle, but don't know what I want to do. Of course the usual handbrakes are there,, if one had an open cheque book it would be easy, but I haven't. I'm not looking to customise anything, basically just restore to original.

    I love big old trucks, Inter's, Dodge's, Mack's and the like, but I suspect there's too much money involved. Space could be an issue too.

    One of my next "loves" I guess you'd call it, is old English cars. Ford Prefect, Anglia, Morris Major's etc etc,,, just little old 4 cyl jobs.

    So if anyone's into restoring, how do you make your decisions on what you aim for. It'd probably be easy if I only loved one particular vehicle, but I don't,, I'm the proverbial,,,,,,,

    Would love to hear of, and see pics etc of your accomplishments.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Western Australia
    Posts
    521
    Total Downloaded
    0
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1403701347.797738.jpg

    Our family has had a looooooong line of old cars that have been restored to varying degrees of success. From 1929 Whippets to Austins and everything in between.

    Here's the latest we've finished, it's my mums car and my dad and I have done everything ourselves bar the $12k retrim in Belgium leather. 1966 Daimler 2.5 V8.

  3. #3
    VladTepes's Avatar
    VladTepes is offline Major Part of the Heart and Soul of AULRO Subscriber
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Bracken Ridge, Qld
    Posts
    16,055
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Andy I love that model jag and Daimler. Love it. But 12k just on trim? Wow. Is it a resto or a new car in old clothes thing? Some clown on ebay had one he'd put air con in and wantee $45k for it...

    Chops go for something you don't see any, or many, of. People more likely to notice then! So not an aussie car or a mustan or 50s chev.
    It's not broken. It's "Carbon Neutral".


    gone


    1993 Defender 110 ute "Doris"
    1994 Range Rover Vogue LSE "The Luxo-Barge"
    1994 Defender 130 HCPU "Rolly"
    1996 Discovery 1

    current

    1995 Defender 130 HCPU and Suzuki GSX1400


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Bunbury, WA
    Posts
    2,507
    Total Downloaded
    0
    I would say that your top priority must be that the car is one you love or have a deep interest in. You will find motivation hard to come by sometimes, but if there is a love of the vehicle there, things have more chance of being finished rather than ending up a dusty project in the corner.

    Cheers,

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Tangambalanga
    Posts
    7,558
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Nice Jag,, I was lucky enough to have owned two jags, an 84, and 86 (or was it 82/84?) too long ago now, but damn they were beautiful to drive.

    I'm a bit stuck on maybe a Morris Elite. All Aussie, and doesn't seem to be many around, fairly small, but comfy.
    Passion here is probably pretty good as I was involved in the restoration of a Ford Prefect. Fun to do, and satisfying, and oh so much fun to drive around in even as a 20 year old.

    I don't want big power, I've had two Ford XR V8's, one I rebuilt from the ground up, absolutely love them, but me and V8's aren't allowed to get on any more , hence wanting to stick to an old 4 cyl.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Western Victoria
    Posts
    14,101
    Total Downloaded
    0
    Chops, you know what to do. Sell your house and move out here. You know the place.
    Bring your bus down and park in the drive. Restore that.
    You know it makes sense.

    Other than that, practice on someone else's project. I might have one or two about.

    Hmmm..., actually, I've got a marvelous starting point for a project you can have.
    Body shell only. Free!
    Are you interested?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Posts
    368
    Total Downloaded
    0
    I would say start with something that is in not too bad a condition maybe an unfinished project. If your anything like me the projects will accumulate and befor long you will find several long term unfinished projects in the back yard and the cook on your case.

  8. #8
    redrovertdi Guest
    Quote Originally Posted by Randylandy View Post
    I would say start with something that is in not too bad a condition maybe an unfinished project. If your anything like me the projects will accumulate and befor long you will find several long term unfinished projects in the back yard and the cook on your case.

    Have all the projects you want- let the cook go

  9. #9
    redrovertdi Guest
    Ive been doing an 86 series3 xj6 for the past year, purchased from ebay for $900 unregistered for 7 years but it was a runner[poorly] otherwise i would be out of my depth chasing fuel injection computer problems, so far repainted[under the house in acrylic], refreshed engine, new bushs front and rear and rebuilt calipers all round, the leather was good but the stitching was rotten so i peeled the covers off and restitched by hand.
    Of course purchasing another project i didnt need meant pushing two project motorbikes[matchless's] out of the garage and into the rumpus room and the bmw bike now lives under the back pergola.
    Wouldnt have it any other way

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    1,563
    Total Downloaded
    0
    It depends a bit on what you want yo achieve. If it is just for you and you don't care so much about value choose something which is not too rare. There are some makes like MG and Morris etc which have large groups of enthusiasts, active clubs and lots of cars around. There are also lots of secondhand, reconditioned and replica replacement parts available that will make your job much easier.

    The other thing is join a club and get to know people, they will answer all your questions and might even come around and help out if you are stuck and lucky.

    And don't buy a basket case, if there is significant rust wood rot etc the cost can easily get out of control. If it involves cutting and welding don't do it unless you are an expert and can do it yourself. Try to get one that has nothing wrong that can't be fixed with scanners and screwdrivers. (Other than paint and trim and even then)

Page 1 of 20 12311 ... LastLast

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Search AULRO.com ONLY!
Search All the Web!