A common question among classic car buyers is what to do after purchasing that vintage gem: restore it or customize it? Both options have their own advantages and disadvantages. Here we’ll cover the different aspects of restoration and customization to help you decide which route to take for your car.
Restoration: what is authentic is beautiful
Restoring a classic car means finding the original parts and options for a particular model. This means that if you have a Cuda with a broken Hemi engine, you need to find an original Hemi to restore it. The painting is something else. While authentic paint for a certain brand may not exist today, there are several car services that offer that brand’s color, making it look original.
The advantages of restoring a classic
1. Restoration poses more of a challenge, so there’s a lot more love between you and your car. It can be a bit easy to find a standard motor, but looking for the small parts like the starter motor will be an adventure. After you finish restoring, you will surely find more attachment between you and your car.
2. Fully restored classic cars increase in value. Because so much more effort and money goes into restoration, you can easily increase the price of the car once you decide to sell it. A perfectly restored vintage car can fetch over $100,000 at professional auctions.
3. You have the opportunity to have an authentic car. There is nothing more advantageous than that.
The disadvantages of restoring a classic
1. Parts are hard to find and therefore expensive. Unless you’re on a scavenger hunt and looking for auto parts at junkyards and auctions, replacement parts can be a bit pricey. The reason for this is simple: car companies no longer produce such parts, so most people would consider it rare, like a classic car.
2. Safety, efficiency and comfort are sometimes compromised. A 1950s-era car may not yet have the proper airbags and seat belts. The engine is probably not fuel efficient and the suspension may be a bit wonky. And if you decide to go cheap and recycle a used engine from a spare car, expect it to break down at least once due to stress.
Personalization: convenience together with originality
Customizing a classic car means adding or changing some parts and details that are not originally included in that brand. This could include a better engine, suspension and more comfortable seats. The painting can also be customized. You may have seen a Mustang with blazetrails on the side. That is customization.
The advantages of customizing a classic
1. Security and convenience are the main advantages of customization. Upgrading your car with more fuel efficient engines and better seat belts and airbags will make your ride much smoother and safer.
2. Parts are easier to find and sometimes much cheaper. Engines are much easier to find, but still present a challenge. You will have to find a reciprocating engine that fits your classic car. Still, you can find smaller parts in an easier way.
3. You have cool additions to your taste. Hydraulics, superchargers and stock lights are among the many options you can add if you customize. Cool blaze trails too.
The disadvantages of customizing a classic
1. The value of your classic car will go down. A heavily modified car will have its value lower than those that have simply been restored. If you plan to sell your car in a few years, the best option would be to restore it.
2. If you plan to sell the car, it may be difficult to find a buyer. Most classic car buyers are looking for one that can be easily restored. Therefore, a dusty and rusty vehicle is much more preferable, as some original parts included in the car may still be used.
The best indicator for determining whether to customize or restore a classic car is knowing what your dream car looks like. The good thing about this is that you can easily combine customization and restoration. Restore everything under the hood and get cool flames on the hood itself. Your preference is king.