Classic Car Restoration Advice

[Delvehound]

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!

[ray1970]

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.

[BPTactical]

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.

[ray1970]

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

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.

[Great-Kazoo]

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.

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.

[Ah Pook]

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.

[jerrymrc]

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.

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.

[Irving]

Always have an exit strategy.

[BPTactical]

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.

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

[KS63]

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.