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| Autos |
Restoration Drama
Robert Farago
05/03/2004
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“Until you pull the panels off an old car and take the engine apart, there’s
no way you can know what to make right,” Rossiter says. “The more you look for
problems, the more you’ll find, and the more money you’ll have to spend.” He
recommends finding a restorer with a proven track record and carefully checking
references. Finding a trustworthy shop is particularly important because
restorers know that most owners will not halt a project while the car’s bolts,
engine, frame and hinges lie strewn across a workshop floor.
For those of us
who, like Konkle, plan to purchase a restored vehicle, Craig Jackson, president
of Barrett-Jackson Auction, says it is vital to determine the quality of the
work done. “There are restorations and there are restorations,” Jackson says.
“You need to know as much as possible about the work that’s been carried out on
the car.”
Jackson says we need to know whether the repairs were only
cosmetic, whether the restorer used original parts or reproductions, and whether
it was a professional project, or the handiwork of an enthusiast who did it
piecemeal. Most sellers provide meticulous records (including photographs) of
the restoration work. As buyers, we also should obtain information such as
original spec sheets, workshop manuals and restoration and price guides prior to
our investment.
Jackson also urges us to hire an independent expert to
scrutinize the object of our desire. We can hire a professional restorer or
vintage car dealer to accompany us to car shows, auctions, showrooms or private
garages. These sorts of experts can prepare us for the logistical and financial
risks of restoring a faded beauty. Restoration experts will flag problem areas
such as hidden rust, inappropriate or counterfeit parts and quick-fix mechanical
repairs.
We should also give thought to why we are pursuing a particular car.
Clearly understanding our motives will help us judge how much we are willing to
invest. “If you’re buying a car as an investment, you’ve got to know both your
financial and emotional limitations,” cautions Steve Babinsky, owner of
Automotive Restorations in Bernardsville, N.J.
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