Classic Cars Guides

What Are the Levels of Classic Car Restoration?

Having a Classic Car is a dream for many people.  However, when price comes in to play, many people are forced to compromise quality for cost.  Does this mean that the individual should not invest in a classic car at all?  Well, that is an option.  But it is also possible for the individual to look into some restoration procedures.  There are a number of do it yourself classic car restoration projects that are simple enough even for novice classic car restoration enthusiasts to get involved with and accomplish in a successful manner.  However, not all of them are.  By understanding the level of work that goes into particular classic car restoration projects, an individual can easily judge whether or not they would be willing or able to invest the time, money and energy that would be required in order to properly complete the classic car restoration project that needs to take place on a specific car.

There are four basic levels when it comes to classic car restoration projects.  The specifics of cost when it comes to the classic car restoration issue will be dependent upon the individual.  It will depend on how close they intent to get the car back to its original, brand new form and also on how much money the individual will be able to invest into this project.  The first level of classic car restoration is concours.  This is considered to be the very highest level when it comes to classic car restoration.  Concours cars can score near 100 when they are being judged in classic car shows, which helps to show their quality in an understandable way.  For the most part, they are in very good condition, do not need any classic car restoration work and they are not driven at all.

The next level of classic car restoration is a show car.  With show cars, there are no major problems, and if there were they have been fixed.  Classic car restoration would be limited to the owner at this point in time.  On the third level of classic car restoration, we have a vehicle that may have a few slight problems that need to be corrected, but for the most part the car is in good condition with a couple signs of use.  Still, they are very capable of generating a buzz at a classic car show.  Lastly, these cars are owned to be enjoyed and used.  These types of classic car restoration projects are typically limited to functional matters, and this is for the last level of classic car restoration, the driver restoration level.