Thinking of renovating a classic? Don’t!

July 27th, 2010 posted by admin
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If you are thinking about buying a classic to restore and enjoy, taking in the scent of industrial lubricants while you work on her under the hood, mulling over the pleasures that would be had with the hood down and the admiring glances from the poor saps driving the latest gray sedan, then think again.
I myself have a classic car of sorts. It is a 1981 Mercedes SL, the covertible, and it is white just like you would have seen if you watched the 80’s classic TV show Dallas. Do people stop and stare as I cruise by with the V8 burbling away? Yes of course they do; the car is gorgeous. As a mid 40’s gentleman do I love it when young ladies stop and tell me my car is ’wow awesome’? Oh yes I have a big smile on my face after that.
So why would I be recommending you do not join me in automotive nirvana? Am I hogging the limelight to myself? Am I trying to keep the prices low for when I next make a classic purchase? Do I want the young ladies affections all to myself? Well yes, however they are not the reasons for suggesting you think again.
If you are thinking over it and have yet to make a decision the chances are you are not ready to take on board the huge physical, emotional and financial task involved with owning and running this type of vehicle.
You will not be aware of the ’double it’rule of automobile restoration and how much that hurts. The ’double it’rule is quite simply the factor by which the real cost of owning and restoring a classic car differs from the expected cost. It also works for the man hours involved in the restoration and the emotional toll placed upon your shoulders. And that is all before you have to actually protect it once it is complete.
Seriously if you are thinking about it just go away and save yourself whilst you still can.
Right I need to go out and replace the hood seal having luckily sourced a new one on the other side of the world. If my bank manager calls tell him I am in a meeting!