![\"\"](\"http:\/\/giuliettas.files.wordpress.com\/2012\/02\/alfagiuliettasprint19621.jpg\" "\\"AlfaGiuliettaSprint1962[1]\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nHenrik sent me this picture with the note: “Check out the fog lights”.\u00a0 I also noted the ‘eyelids’ on the headlights. This is a car that, if it turned up in project form to be restored, requires some particular skills, including appreciation for the history of the car.\u00a0 Restoration would likely be defined as returning it to the historically significant form seen above rather than it’s as-new form.<\/strong><\/p>\n The first question you should ask is: why buy a car to restore rather than buy one that’s already done?\u00a0 Answers to this will vary from person to person but boil down to: the enjoyment of the tasks and challenge; to have one that’s ‘done right’; to spread out the cost of the car (the expense of improvement activities becomes the ‘payment’); to make money or because there is only one and it’s not restored and you want to show it at Pebble.\u00a0 There are other reasons -feel free to comment below and tell why you have undertaken restorations.<\/p>\n Anyone who has shopped for a classic sports car knows the scope and result of restorations varies widely -even\u00a0wildly.\u00a0 There are failed restorations, where you get a partially (or fully) dis- or re- assembled car and some boxes of parts. \u00a0 Rolling restorations, where the car is improved while driven, as a way to rationalize the undertaking or expense, and probably to keep from getting off the path and lost in the trees.\u00a0 There are cosmetic restorations that are like rolling restorations done all at once -new tires, a coat of paint, a carpet kit, new drivers seat upholstery and maybe a clutch, rings and some new brake hoses.\u00a0 There are mechanical restorations that become rolling restorations -where some initial push is needed to get the car rolling -usually an engine rebuild and some brake work.<\/p>\n So many factors come in to play during the undertaking of a restoration, and so many small decisions are made\u00a0whose sum\u00a0directly influences the quality of the result, that in most cases comparison is meaningless and the cars have to be viewed as individuals, which makes aggregate valuation complicated.<\/p>\n A car you might consider restoring.\u00a0 Lots of parts present -lots of, um, work to do.\u00a0 What are you good at?\u00a0 I’m good with soap and water, and it would probably improve this car.<\/strong><\/p>\n The factors that come into play are mainly the resources of the restorer and the attributes of the car itself.\u00a0 Resources include budget, skills, time, space, endurance\u00a0and vision.\u00a0 The important attributes of the car include pre and post restoration value,\u00a0parts availability, overall complexity and starting point condition.\u00a0 Each restorer is going to come to the table with a set of resources and these\u00a0need to be matched to the attributes of the car in order\u00a0for the restoration to be successful.<\/p>\n If this is the beginning -you need to be able to see the end.\u00a0 Lots to do under this car.<\/strong><\/p>\n There are three basic types of restorers: those who write checks to professionals with an agreement detailing the deliverables and schedule; those who use their own time and skills; and those who fall between the two -with some skills and some check writing abilities.\u00a0 Checkbook\u00a0restorers\u00a0are more likely to approach the process as a business transaction and view the undertaking scientifically, though the car they choose to restore dictates many of the terms.\u00a0 When choosing the car to restore they will likely balance their desire against market forces because they know that two cars in the same condition, with the same parts availability are likely to cost roughly the same amount to restore but be worth quite different amounts when completed.\u00a0\u00a0The value of a\u00a0restored Porsche 356 versus a restored Triumph Spitfire illustrates this.\u00a0 There is\u00a0the occasional checkbook restorer who is doing a car for sentimental reasons (Grandpa’s gold 1974 Mustang II automatic), but even they usually know their ‘investment’ will never be realized if they decide to sell. Skills taking the car apart are under rated.\u00a0 Details like what this fastener and washer is, where it goes and how it hold on what it holds on need to be documented.\u00a0 It’ll be months before this part or its replacement goes back on.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n