Harper Collision Center

The Pros and Cons of Restoring a Classic Car

You found an old beater in someone's garage or back yard and now you're psyched about restoring it. But, before you jump in and spend a lot of money and time on this classic vehicle, maybe you should weigh all of the pros and cons.

At Harper Collision Center, we're happy to provide this list so that you can make a wise and well-researched decision before embarking on a classic car restoration.

PROS 

• Your classic car will be better than when it came out of the factory if you contract a good company to restore it.
• Your car might be one of those of types of classic cars that will be worth more than the restoration itself, but that only happens about 1/4th of the time.
• By having your restoration done professionally and returning the car back to its original condition, you can likely recoup your money when you sell the car.
• Some classic cars will increase in value after a period of time, depending on the type of vehicle. So, your restored classic car may not be worth a lot now, but in 10-20 years it could become popular again and that's when you might want to sell it.
• Many car restorations become more and more expensive during the restoration process. So, you need to stay in the loop with your restorer during every stage, so you can be sure that the restoration project stays within its budget and its timeline.
• Another financial bonus is that classic cars don’t depreciate in value in the same way that new cars do.  Classic cars tend to hold their value, especially if they are well-maintained.

CONS 

• Restorations can be an expensive projects.  
• Your significant other may not be pleased with the amount of attention your classic car is receiving.
• It is hard to determine what is underneath the paint of your classic car, so be prepared if it requires additional TLC and money as the project progresses. 
• Classic car parts can be harder to locate, depending on what kind of vehicle you have, so keep that in mind when you embark on your restoration. 
• Although all cars are prone to rust, older cars are far more likely to have serious rust problems. Older cars are predominantly made with more steel than today's cars and steel is more prone to rust. If you have a lot of rust, it may cost you too much to do a complete restoration.
• If you want to drive your restored vehicle on a regular basis, be cognizant of the fact that older cars do not have any of the modern conveniences and high-tech enhancements of today's vehicles. No navigation, smart phone connectivity, airbags, etc.

We see quite a few classic restored cars here in Knoxville and all over the state of TN. So, if you're thinking about restoring a car any time soon, hopefully these pros and cons will help you to make a more educated decision before you pursue your automotive dream!