Three Reasons to Buy an Operable Classic to Restore
February 11th, 2010
While it is incredibly rewarding to buy a classic that arrives essentially in a box and lovingly restore it to working order, this might not be a good project for a beginner. There are some compelling reasons why first-time classic buyers might want to stick with operable purchases.
This doesn’t mean insisting on a car that is in mint condition. It simply means finding one that runs.
The three top reasons why beginners might want to leave complete restoration jobs to second, third or fourth purchases are:
The lack of know-how – Restoring a classic takes know-how that goes beyond the mechanical. Not only will you have to know how to put a vehicle back together again, but you will also need to know where to find the parts. While it is generally pretty easy for beginners to find a few stray parts, it does take time to develop connections. If you need parts to replace an entire engine, the time involved might be more than you are willing to put in.
The costs – Trying to restore a car that does not function will cost a great deal more in time and money than many beginners realize. This is especially so if authentic parts are desired. While a functional car may cost more on the front end, it can end up saving money down the road.
The instant gratification – It is a whole lot more fun to buy a classic that at least runs than to start out with one that doesn’t crank. At the very least, an operable buy can be driven around once in a while as the restoration is ongoing on the body.
Restoring a classic is a blast. Starting out from scratch, however, can prove daunting for beginners. It is often better to ease into this hobby. Buying an operable car will provide a head start on the project without taking away too much of the challenge or any of the rewards.
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