There are many things involved in restoring a car, so pull-up your socks and make up your mind, as it will take a lot of time, efforts, and money. Please remember that you need a higher level of understanding of car mechanics to pull a restoration on your own.

Here are the steps you can follow:

Get all the necessary tools

Start with basics. Clear an area in the garage/parking lot where you can keep your car safely and for a long time. Get a car tool kit and other instruments required for your car restoration. Clean the car and make sure that the fuel tank is empty.

Disassemble all parts one by one

The next step is to take out one part at a time. Remember to take loads of picture when the part is inside and outside, so that there’s no confusion when you put it back. Remove the battery first and then bumpers, chrome and stainless trim pieces, windshield and window moldings, glass, seats, door trim, interior trim, headliner, and carpet in the same order mentioned here. Next, remove the dashboard, trunk lid, hood and doors. Drain the fluids and remove engine and transmission. Finally remove the suspensions. Keep all the pieces carefully and check for any damage and need for replacement.

Restoring the car

Get the old parts chromed again. If you do not have the expertise to rebuild the engine on your own, send it to a machine shop. Clean, mend, and repaint the frame and then the entire body. Next, put the front and rear suspension on the frame. Fit the engine, transmission and axle. Change seat cushioning and covers. Replace/mend old instruments in the car.

Reassembling the car

When everything is in order – clean and ready to go, start fixing the mechanical parts first. Test everything twice before you put in the hood of the car. You can start with installing wiring harness and then re-fixing the dashboard and its instruments. Next, fix all the trimmings, carpets, headliner, etc. The seats, windshield, and the doors can be fixed next. Finally fix the bumper and trunk hood and put the outer trims. Polish the car in the end.

Run your car regularly

Get used to all the attention, but at the same time practice regular maintenance of your old car too. Most old cars need much more maintenance than the modern ones. Taking your old car out for a spin once in a while to make its fluids flow is very important.

All the best!