Classic Car Restoration Advice

Anyone have any advice on where to start on restoring a classic vehicle? I know I'm going to need to get the engine and trans rebuilt. The interior needs pretty much everything done (dash, headliner, carpet and re-cover seat), and there's a few places where I'll need to cut out and weld in a couple body panels. What do I start with first? In what order is prudent? I'm not going for rebuilding it to numbers necessarily, but I want it done well, and it's going to take time as I'm on a budget and will have to save up for each phase. And I like working on cars, just don't know where to start, it's just a bit overwhelming looking at the big picture. Oh, it's a "73 El Camino. Thanks!

Depends how nice you want to make it, how much money you have to sink in it, and how much time you are willing to spend before you start enjoying driving it.

Without knowing it's current state of condition or what your ultimate goal is for the car it will be pretty difficult to give you good advice.

Do your mechanicals first, imagine sinking $6k in a paint job only to gouge the paint stabbing an engine/tranny combo.
YearOne for pieces parts.

Don't expect to make money if you are planning on restoring it to sell.

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Originally Posted by BPTactical

Do your mechanicals first, imagine sinking $6k in a paint job only to gouge the paint stabbing an engine/tranny combo.

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I'm going to politely disagree with this statement. If you're going all out on the build you might as well pull the body off the frame and blast and refinish the frame. While you're there you can rebuild all of the suspension. Then you can put the drivetrain in with the body off and the last part would be put the freshly painted body back onto the frame.

Something like that anyways. Makes more sense in my head than me trying to explain it.

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Originally Posted by ray1970

I'm going to politely disagree with this statement. If you're going all out on the build you might as well pull the body off the frame and blast and refinish the frame. While you're there you can rebuild all of the suspension. Then you can put the drivetrain in with the body off and the last part would be put the freshly painted body back onto the frame.

Something like that anyways. Makes more sense in my head than me trying to explain it.

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Frame off is the way to go. Better have $5-10 set aside, or plan on it taking up space for 5-10 years.
You plan on keeping it matching numbers? if not buy a crate motor and trans. That much less to dick around with. Not to mention come spring of 2015, trying to figure out where the misc stuff went.

What kind of resto? Classic? Street rod?

I would start with mechanicals and drive-train. '73 axles are bound to need a rebuild. What condition is the electrical in? Make it reliable and safe.

Every build is unique but the one thing I can tell you is to add everything up you can think of. Then triple it. Since this is not going to be a concourse type resto you are not going to have to research the exact gloss level and where and what color the paint stripe was on the steering box.

All that said it is still a 73 and not a 72. Parts for the 2nd gen "A" bodies are hit or miss. The best suggestion to building a 73-77 GM is to start with the best condition car you can afford. Just some thoughts from someone that has been there. [Flower]

Of course in my case give me a 73 El Camino and I am going to put a 73 Grand Am front end and dash in it. Learn what parts interchange from all the series as there are many mix and match parts from all the BOP cars 73-77.

Always have an exit strategy.

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Originally Posted by ray1970

I'm going to politely disagree with this statement. If you're going all out on the build you might as well pull the body off the frame and blast and refinish the frame. While you're there you can rebuild all of the suspension. Then you can put the drivetrain in with the body off and the last part would be put the freshly painted body back onto the frame.

Something like that anyways. Makes more sense in my head than me trying to explain it.

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Fair statement.
I guess it depends on the degree of restoration.

Sounds like you're wanting more of a rebuild rather than a restoration. Resale value of that model year isn't very positive considering the cost of a restoration. Is it an SS with a 454? I'd start with the drivetrain , then body and paint, and finally interior. This way you can still drive and enjoy the car while still working on it. Build it how you want with whatever parts you like. Not worth the time and money for a Resto.

Buy the nicest car you can afford to start with. Here's one off my companies bulletin board. Not mine, don't know the seller.
$5,250 -- 60,000 miles on rebuilt 350 engine -- Call 303-949-9374 -- Located in Westminster, CO

El camino? You trying to pick up my sister at the trailer park or what? On a serious note economically it makes more sense to buy one complete or near completion. I'm > < this close to finalizing my purchase on a 72 shortbed c10, complete minus a couple small details.

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Originally Posted by hghclsswhitetrsh

El camino? You trying to pick up my sister at the trailer park or what? On a serious note economically it makes more sense to buy one complete or near completion. I'm > < this close to finalizing my purchase on a 72 shortbed c10, complete minus a couple small details.

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Drivetrain and title?

[QUOTE=jerrymrc
Of course in my case give me a 73 El Camino and I am going to put a 73 Grand Am front end and dash in it. Learn what parts interchange from all the series as there are many mix and match parts from all the BOP cars 73-77.[/QUOTE]

This is an incredible idea. I'd do mechanical first, then you could drive it while saving money for cosmetics.

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Originally Posted by blackford76

This is an incredible idea. I'd do mechanical first, then you could drive it while saving money for cosmetics.

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Just a tease. And Pontiac did just this with a 1980 Grand am. [Flower]

Attachment 46105

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Originally Posted by jerrymrc

Just a tease. And Pontiac did just this with a 1980 Grand am. [Flower]

Attachment 46105

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What was once a joke in the auto world, has now become a fairly collectable car, The Grand Am

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Originally Posted by Great-Kazoo

Drivetrain and title?

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Sent you an email.

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Originally Posted by Great-Kazoo

What was once a joke in the auto world, has now become a fairly collectable car, The Grand Am

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You loved them or hated them. Owned a 73, 74, 79 and 2 1980's. Back in the day no other GM midsize handled like a Grand Am.

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Originally Posted by jerrymrc

You loved them or hated them. Owned a 73, 74, 79 and 2 1980's. Back in the day no other GM midsize handled like a Grand Am.

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http://www.tachrev.com/GrandAm1973-75.htm

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Originally Posted by hghclsswhitetrsh

Sent you an email.

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Ok kazoo I see how it is, I send you and email of inquired info but you don't respond because you can't boost your post count. Mmmmk.

First thing in my mind was - do you have a large place to work on it cleanly, safely, and efficiently, that you can tie up for several years? Ya take parts and things off, then ya gotta have a place to put them! And work on them, and store them, and etc.

I've been trying to restore a '56 Willys Jeep for 10 years in a 2-car garage, and it's a bitch. Especially when the wife howls about parking outside in the snow and I have to shuffle stuff around so she can park inside. Oh yeah, there's the Harley project in there too. Next place we live MUST have a separate shop building for ME and my crap!

Happy to help you with any questions you may have. This is my lively hood.
I can point you in all directions. From a budget garage build to an AMBR contender.

Shoot me a pm for my info.

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Originally Posted by hghclsswhitetrsh

Ok kazoo I see how it is, I send you and email of inquired info but you don't respond because you can't boost your post count. Mmmmk.

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sorry. didn't recognize the e-m addy and spammed it. resend now.

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Originally Posted by rondog

First thing in my mind was - do you have a large place to work on it cleanly, safely, and efficiently, that you can tie up for several years? Ya take parts and things off, then ya gotta have a place to put them! And work on them, and store them, and etc.

I've been trying to restore a '56 Willys Jeep for 10 years in a 2-car garage, and it's a bitch. Especially when the wife howls about parking outside in the snow and I have to shuffle stuff around so she can park inside. Oh yeah, there's the Harley project in there too. Next place we live MUST have a separate shop building for ME and my crap!

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I'd sell you our place. Plenty of room in shop and property for parking.

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Originally Posted by Great-Kazoo

sorry. didn't recognize the e-m addy and spammed it. resend now.

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Done.

I would look at your goals and go from there. If you plan to have the car 10-20 years down the road, then have it blasted and repair the metal the right way and treat it for long term corrosion. If you don't take this step, then you are looking at it being done again in 5-10 years. Same goes if your long term goals are investment (document the build process - scrap book and keep receipts). Make sure your deconstruction includes an inventory, storage organization, labels, and instructions where needed (remembering what you did weeks, months, years is really difficult). Put together a spreadsheet (or project docs such as Gannt and Critical Path) to include task, time, parts, and cost so that you don't hit a barrier or lose traction by missing a critical step. I would start this process before touching a single bolt. You need to make sure you have the cash, time, space and/or skills to complete each phase of the build or you will have a half finished build sitting in your garage that you loose money on selling as a basket case. So, all this said, where you start depends on your goals. Are you putting together a nicely built budget driver that you may or may not have in 10 years or are you building a restored collector?

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Originally Posted by Great-Kazoo

I'd sell you our place. Plenty of room in shop and property for parking.

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Thanks, but you're way the hell up in North Bumfuq, and there's the whole issue of JOBS and making a living. Details, ya know.....