Overhaulin'

What is a good classic car to buy to get started with car restoration?

Public Comments

1. I would go with a Hudson Hornet. They look cool and you can actually get some parts for them and they are not too expensive.
2. Buy what you like but don't buy past what your billfold will allow. I have seen guys buy cars to restore and pay big money. Then the car sits for years while they get enough money together to build it. Then they have lost interest then more than likely sold it.
3. Little British Car - LBC Triumph, MG etc. There are tons of aftermarket parts produced for these cars so you don't have to go broke getting one on the road.
4. Volkswagen Carmen Ghia Nice looking little car from the 1960's, will turn heads and has good resale value - the best feature, engine drive train and a lot of the rest of the car is identical to the volkswagen beetle of the same age. You won't have trouble getting brand new spare parts.
5. A classic car that is in pretty good shape. That will take less time to restore and you will enjoy the process. My taste is mid 60s early 70s. Those cars really had "personality". Now they all look alike. Even a Lexus looks like Camry with a Daimler Benz kit and an Infiniti is just a BMW wannabe. If you catch my drift :-)
6. Depends where you live to a large degree as to what's available. For a first attempt, something with a simple 4 cylinder engine, a non-monocoque body (or one that's in good structural condition) and good parts availability is a good bet. Chrome and bumpers should be all there and in good condition as replacing these can be very expensive or even impossible. In the UK or the States, check out a Triumph. Personally, I'd go after a Spitfire rather than a Herald as the restoration costs will be similar, but the Spit will sell on easier and for a higher price when you want to move on. MG's are a good first restoration as well, but the body is a lot more complicated to fix if it has structural rust. generally a nicer engine, though.
7. The fact that you are asking this means you are not welded to any particular car on an emotional level. In that case, might I suggest an alternative to restoring an old wreck. Building a new car up from scratch. A good friend of mine recently completed (well, they are never really done but it's completely functional) a Factory Five replica of a Shelby Cobra. http://www.ffcobra.com/ You buy the body and chassis then supply your own drivetrain and suspension - which can be either junkyard parts or new aftermarket as you prever - plus of course the labor to put it all together. They also offer a version where all you have to supply is the engine and tranny. No rust or other rot to deal with and when you are done you have a slick looking supercar built exactly the way you want it for the price of a well-equipped new economy car.
8. something that you can get after market parts for easily like a chevelle, GTO, Nova, camaro, firebird, mustang.