If you have an older car and you want to restore it, you might not really care if it is truly considered a classic car or not. To you, the idea of classic car restoration can go by the “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” philosophy. On the other hand, if you are looking to build value and eventually sell the vehicle, it pays to understand the first step to classic car restoration- choosing a true classic car.
So, who gets to say what is a classic? Many go by what the Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) has to say on the subject. They maintain a strict list of models that fit their list of recognized classic cars. If the vehicle you own was built between1915 and 1948, you should check out their list to see if it qualifies as a “full classic”. Among their criteria is that the model was built in limited quantities rather than being mass produced.
The thing to remember about your choice of classic car for your classic car restoration is that not every collector goes strictly by the CCCA list. A collector may be looking for a specific car that they remember from their childhood, for example. So, while the car you choose can be important, how well the classic car restoration process is completed can be even more important. You’ll have to decide if you want it to be as true to its original manufacture as possible or if you want to do a few conversions to make it easier to drive and gain other benefits in the process. It also depends on what you plan to do with your vehicle once it is restored. For example, if you just want to head to antique car shows around the nation, your goals will be different than if you want to fetch top dollar selling it.
If you would like to discuss a classic car restoration project in depth, turn to us at Father & Son Collision and Classic Car Restoration in Rock Hill, South Carolina. We will be happy to advise you and go over the entire restoration process with you.