Classic Car Restoration

A few general tips to start with.

First, we have a few general tips before we really get started on the article.

• Take a good look beforehand at exactly what needs to be done on the car, and make sure you clearly understand the ultimate goal of the project. This will make a difference when it comes to planning your approach.
• Don’t be afraid to spend a little more. It’s better—and often simply wiser—to spend just a little extra on a car that’s currently in better condition. You can address any issues during the restoration process. As a result, you’ll likely incur fewer costs later on because there won’t be parts in poor condition.
  If, on the other hand, you’re doing this precisely because you want to work on a car that still needs a lot of work, then don’t worry about this at all.
• Do everything step by step, one part at a time. Don't try to do everything at once; finish one part before starting on the next. Check off the checklist item by item. This is really important for finishing the restoration faster.
• We just touched on this briefly, but it’s definitely important to stay realistic. Keep this firmly in mind. Even the most experienced expert has a lot to learn with every new project. If you get stuck, first figure out how things are supposed to work, and proceed carefully—don’t rush. Learning as you go is often the most enjoyable part of the project.
• Finally, here’s a tip for those who also want to be able to drive while working on their car. Make sure you can keep driving the car as much as possible. That way, you can continue to enjoy your car while you work on it. And you’ll feel a growing sense of satisfaction as you see, bit by bit, that the car is getting closer and closer to the final result—and thus becoming more advanced.

Be focused.

It’s important to know what you’re going to do before you start a project. Of course, you want to know what to expect, how much time and effort the project will take, and, of course, what you’ll need to complete it. This not only makes completing the project more enjoyable, but it also makes the end result more satisfying.

So do some thorough research online and read through a few books. You might have some contacts who can offer sound advice, and you can also ask around on social media to get input from fellow car enthusiasts.

Setbacks are just around the corner.

There’s always a chance of a major setback, but you don’t necessarily need to prepare for it. After all, the goal is, of course, for the project to go as smoothly as possible and for setbacks to be avoided. But you do need to take into account the fact that there is a chance it could happen. If you derive satisfaction from the process of the project itself, then you’ll likely find the possibility of a setback less troubling. When the end result is finally achieved, it only adds to your sense of satisfaction. Then you can think to yourself, “I managed to pull that off nicely once again.”

Be prepared.

Be sure to do your research thoroughly and try to find a workshop that meets the necessary requirements for your project. Don’t forget about the sequence of steps, either. And fundamentally, you need to consider whether the original design should be preserved or whether the car should emerge from the restoration in a more modern form.

Long-term project? Suspend your license plate!

Are you planning to take on a long-term project? If so, there’s a good chance it will be a while before the car is actually ready to hit the road. In that case, you might want to consider suspending the license plate. This waives the road tax that would normally be due. Some classic cars that are 40 years old or older are also exempt from road tax. In this case, the car no longer needs to undergo an APK inspection. You can then cancel your auto insurance or, if necessary, suspend it. This is a very good option to consider, as it can help you avoid unnecessary costs.

How do you handle the parts?

Many people start collecting parts during the overall restoration process. It’s wise for everyone not to buy everything all at once. This makes a huge difference in cost. You’ll have more time to look for better deals, and some parts may ultimately turn out to be useless for your car. You might think it’s very rare for that to happen if you’ve planned everything out carefully in advance. But trust us when we tell you that this happens much more often than you think.

It also saves a tremendous amount of space in the workshop. Once you've finished working on a particular part, it's mounted on the car, freeing up space for other parts.

Even one month makes a world of difference.

The model year and month are also very important to consider. Many people make mistakes here or take it too lightly. Parts for a particular car model can vary by model year and even by month. Some parts may not function properly—or may not work at all—in a specific car if they come from a different production month. So don’t just focus on the part number; go a step further.

Also, a checklist for the parts.

Just as you should create a checklist of the steps involved in the project, you should also make a list of the parts you’ll need. Parts are available everywhere. There are specialty online stores for this, but you’ll often be surprised by the great parts you can find on eBay and Marktplaats as well.

What do you really need? Are you going with used parts, or are you perhaps going with new ones? A car has so many parts, and everything has to be compatible with each other.

Why not visit a specialty store?

It’s definitely worth paying a visit to a specialty store. They can often provide good advice for your project. Many bolts and nuts on a classic car tend to rust quickly. If the tools aren’t up to the task, the job won’t go as smoothly. This leads to frustration—and often, even worse, damage to the car that also costs money. So opt for quality materials. Perhaps you still have connections where you can borrow tools,

What exactly do I need?

The tools you need depend entirely on the job you’re doing. It’s entirely up to you which equipment and tools you purchase right away. You can also choose not only to buy parts one by one, but also to purchase the tools you need specifically for certain parts one by one.

What you need depends entirely on the jobs you’re doing, so do some more research online for your specific project, and if necessary, ask for advice from people who are even more specialized in this area than you are. Advice from specialists often goes a long way. Certain items—such as a standard toolbox, a tire pump, the right bolts and nuts, a jack set, and an angle grinder—always come in handy. And specialized tools for other parts can always be purchased later if you don’t have the money for them right away.

A property appraisal is always useful.

After all this time, have you finally finished fixing up the car? Is it finally time to take out car insurance again and reactivate the license plate?

Or are you planning to resell the car and simply want to know how much it's worth right now, or is this a request from the buyer?

In any case, it’s always a good idea to have your classic car appraised after each project is completed. After the appraisal, you’ll receive an appraisal report. Some insurers even require that you have an appraisal report prepared by a certified appraiser.

Always have a report prepared when undertaking a major transformation!

When significant modifications are made to a classic car, there is a good chance that a valuation report will need to be submitted to the insurer. This may be because the value of the classic car has increased significantly, and in the event of damage, the insurer would then have to pay a higher claim. Valuation is therefore also important. As the policyholder of a limited comprehensive, all-risk, or liability-plus insurance policy, you are often required to submit a valuation report.

This allows for the calculation of a realistic premium based on the car’s replacement value. Often, a new appraisal report must be prepared every 3 years anyway. This is because the value of a car—especially a classic car—can always change. If you do not meet these requirements—and therefore have not submitted a valuation report—you will be paid the current market value instead of the new value of the classic car.

A valuation report is not required if you only have liability insurance. This type of insurance only covers damage you cause to others.