Classic Car Restoration Management

Right Scenario: The car project is still in one piece. You, calling a powder coating shop weeks ahead of when you'll need them: "You sandblast and powder coat car frames, right? If I bring a 12-foot long car frame and suspension pieces over in the first week of May, can you handle it? I need all the stuff stripped and coated gloss black."


Them: "Good thing you called. You'll have to bring it before May 10th. The boss does those and he leaves on vacation on the 15th."


You: "I'll have it to you on May 7th then. Can you put me on your calendar please? Here's my name and number. By the way, what's the price on that—"

Check Your Funds
If you're a retired dot-com partner, perhaps you don't have to worry about how to fund your car restoration. But if you're a working guy, be sure to estimate the lumps of money needed to see the project through—well in advance of needing it. Remember the pitfalls that await any project lying fallow. Steel rusts, energy sags, clutter accumulates and the lifeblood drains away. Smart financial planning can keep this from happening.


To get an idea of how much these lumps will be, break the project down into phases such as Cleaning and Dismantling, Frame and Suspension, Body and Paint, Engine and Driveline, Electrical and Interior.