corsia logo

The passion for restoring classic cars

project classic car

The passion for restoring classic cars

It is not enough to be passionate about classic cars to restore them. But passion is enough to get you started and hooked for life.

The next step would be to learn about restoring classic cars. In this post, I will try to sum up a few tips I learned because I love classic cars and because I want to help my sister-in-law understand my brother. She is not complaining about the hours he spends upgrading his new car or restoring his old one, but the money he spends on his hobby.

Why restore classic cars?

Committing to classic car restoration means passion has been planted. It can be costly, depending on the types of vehicles you are interested in and the amount you are ready to spend. Only the truly passionate hearts can explain the feeling of satisfaction when they hear the engine roar (at some point, in months or years).

Some people say that restoring old cars is often born out of nostalgia for the good old times. But the more time you spend in your garage, the more it turns into a permanent hobby. That’s what happened to my brother. He started with a handful of tools, and after we knew it, he had a whole garage stocked with every imaginable tool and machinery. And that’ when the talks about the cost of restoring old cars took place.

How much does it cost to restore an old car?

Whether your car is a surprise barn find or a model you’ve been specifically hunting for some time, the amount you’ll need to invest into bringing it back to life depends on a few factors:

The make, model, and availability

The first factor affecting the cost is the make and model of the vehicle as well as its immediate availability. In many cases, the older the model, the more difficult it will be to restore it. Finding your car is the first step. But it is more important to decide how much restoration work you are willing to do, both timewise and financially. Then you can begin the search for a vehicle based on its year, make, model, and condition.

The parts you need to replace

Parts are easy to find for new cars. But for many old autos, you will have to do extensive research and then invest a good amount of money. The best way to go about this is to try to find the same vehicle in junkyards and buy the parts from there.

Today, you can simply go online and find what you need easily. If you can’t find the necessary parts, start networking with classic car enthusiasts, get in touch with classic car clubs, and join forums because this is where you will surely find answers and help.

The tools you will need

You probably already have some auto mechanic tools such as wrenches and screwdrivers. A socket set, a floor jack, and a jack stand will be very useful as well. After the main restoration, you will most likely need to paint the car, so a sanding machine and spray gun might be necessary. Don’t forget to create a color scheme for your car. And depending on your choice, you may need to find some original paint.

Condition of the interior

If most of it is damaged, you will most likely need to replace it or refit it with new fabrics or leather. Keep in mind that once you start diving deeper into the process, you may find more things that need to be replaced or repaired. That is the beauty of it, after all. Digging deeper into the car completely engulfs you. You realize how much you can do with your own hands, and it makes you fall in love with the process and the vehicle even more.

A new hobby is born?

So, there you have a few basic tips on what to expect from a classic car restoration process and what would be the associated costs.

Check out this guide by Hemmings Motor News with some of the best cars to restore, which may help you choose your next classic car project. Good luck, and remember that the most important tool in this job will be your hands driven by passion.

And if you find your classic automobile hundreds of miles away, give us a call and we will arrange the car shipping service for your classic vehicle.

barn finds

Your classic car will be most likely inoperable (if you have decided to really get your hands dirty!), which means that the cost to transport it may be higher. Shipping a car is often a part of the restoration process, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us online or call Corsia team.  We will be happy to help you get your next restoration project started!

Share our experience:
Are you ready to ship a car?
Recent posts
car shipping quote

Truckers Can Fight Sex Trafficking

If You See Something, Say Something! This is the slogan of the nonprofit group Truckers Against Trafficking, the organization’s main goal is to have more

Shipping a Rivian

Shipping a Rivian

Shipping an electric vehicle like Rivian requires several considerations. Here we will share some key aspects to keep in mind when you need to ship

Read more

Corsia Logistics team works hard every day to ensure reliable expedited car shipping service. Our customer reviews prove that.

5-Star Rated Car Shipping Company

5/5
5/5
5/5

they trusted us

and here's what they say

Simon Moore
Great company
Read More
Looking for a logistics company, to ship my car, from California to Illinois,my first search, then Corsia showed up, skeptical. Call and a very friendly secretary: Elena. She guided me through, I scheduled and as she explained, all when smooth as scheduled Very happy I did the right choice. I'll recommend this great Company to anyone that is thinking to relocate a vehicle. Thanks Corsia logistics for your honesty and professionalism!
Elizabeth Woodward
High five's all around!
Read More
Corsia was highly recommended by a friend in the automobile industry. We needed to transport a cargo van from Seattle to Florida. We contacted Corsia who quickly arranged transport within just a few days. Communication was outstanding! Just a few email confirmations and we were all set. Mike was great and arrived right on time and delivered to Florida on schedule. Tip-avoid the hornets nest of auto brokers on line and just contact Corsia for a truly great experience!
Carrol Tiffany
Amazing
Read More
Corsia has been amazing. Their prices are really competitive but more importantly their customer service has been 5-Star. Elena followed up with me every step of the way, making sure there was no miscommunication between me & the driver. We are using them to ship a 2nd vehicle & would not hesitate to use them again!
Tony Boyd
Definitely recommend
Read More
I have recently used Corsia for long time family car with sentimental value that was moved I have recently used Corsia for shipment of my vehicle from Oregon to Arizona by recommendation from other family member who also used Corsia in the past. I am very pleased on the service and the communication throughout shipment. Ken was my direct contact and kept me informed along the move The car was picked up and delivered as communicated. I did use a enclosed mover and the driver was also clean cut professional and treated car as his own. I would definitely recommend Corsia again with the experience I have had. Thank you. T
JW
Top notch
Read More
Top notch Transport - Porsche 997 Top notch! As easy and efficient as one could possibly imagine. Great customer service.. thank you Luke. Great prices. Check. Timely communications. Check. Clean transport trailer. Check. Supremely careful driver. Check. Timely arrival. Check. Don't mess around elsewhere, just call Corsica and feel confident your transports needs are going to be exceeded. My Porsche 911 rode like a Queen in her enclosed chariot. I've never needed a transport company before, and I surely will use them every time. Do yourself a favor, seriously. Call now.
Geet Mp Haryana
Reliable, efficient
Read More
Corsia rep (Elena) was very proactive. Helped ship a car from CA to GA. She checked in with me via email quote and several phone calls to find me the best possible quote for the fastest available service. After several communications, Corsia was able to schedule a vehicle pickup the next day. The driver communicated well, and the vehicle arrived in final destination faster than we expected in perfect condition. I highly recommend using Corsia's reliable, efficient service.
Cay Liptak
Clean, efficient, wonderful
Read More
Thanks, Corsia! Pickup was so clean, efficient, and wonderful -- my only recommendation is to make sure you schedule it during the day so you can fully review the car in the daylight. Drop off was equally wonderful, and the whole trip went down without a hitch (pun intended!). Seriously, Corsia delivered my Jeep from CT to California with no issues or bumps in the road!
Csaba Kovesdy
Truly positive experience
Read More
Corsia Memphis to LA, mid-size SUV. I looked at 4 different companies amd Corsia was the most responsive of them. While being responsive, they were not unduly aggressive: when I indicated that I need to wait a month before making a decision they stopped contacting me and only came back with a reminder when I really needed it. Once I decided to engage Corsia they found me a transport within two days and the car was delivered (from Memphis to LA) in another two days. I had a truly positive experience.
Kelly Torres
Highly recommend
Read More
Working with Corsia Logistics was a great experience. Working with Corsia Logistics was wonderful. They were able to find a driver right away to transport our car. They were in constant communication as to when the car was getting picked up and dropped off. The driver also communicated with me as to when he would arrive. I would highly recommend Corsia Logistics.
Amy Nelson
Excellent Organization
Read More
Corsia was an excellent company to work with while I transferred my car across the US. A friend of mine suggested I use them as they had been very organized and trustworthy with her own car. I researched a few different place but decided to go with Corsia and I'm so glad I did! Any questions I had throughout the process they answered quickly and clearly. I would definitely use them again in the future and recommend them for others to use.
Previous
Next