Project Cars – Know Your Limits

One of the more cost effective ways, initially at least, of getting into the classic car world is to buy a project. Something that needs a tickle and a tweak to make perfect, or maybe even something that needs a full restoration. And the latter is fine, if such a job is within your limits. If you know you have the skill, the time and the money to take a true barn find from wrecks to riches, then have at it. If there is any question in your mind, however, maybe keep browsing. Knowing your limits is important, and in doing so, your ownership experience is going to be so much more enjoyable.

Working here at Car & Classic, and writing Project Profile weekly means I see a LOT of project cars. And do you know what? I see a lot of them appear for sale, only to then vanish, and then reappear with a new seller. Why? Because someone overshot their expectations and their limits, and were forced to admit defeat. And what does that mean for the car? Well, it ends up being stuck in some sort of project purgatory. But the car isn’t the main concern here, it’s the buyer. They may have been so crestfallen by buying a car beyond their limits that they simply don’t bother to look for another. Their classic car dream might be dead. I don’t want that to happen to you.

Unfortunately for me, my Mrs, my children and my bank account, I am obsessed with old project cars. However, I too have been crestfallen when buying a project. I have overestimated my skill, my abilities and my limits. My obsession with cars has always pulled me back into this world, but for others, that might not be the case. But what can you do to make sure you buy the right project car that fits within your skillset?

For me, it’s all about the balance of experience along with understanding my willingness to learn more. I’m a firm believer in learning by doing, but that mantra only works if the steps are incremental. For example, I can weld a bit of metal to another bit of metal, but I know I don’t have the skills to repair a rotten floor or A pillar or something like that. So that’s what you have to do; look at your prospective project and weigh up if you have previously done the kind of work it needs, or if not, is the work it needs at least in a similar ballpark?

Have a think about your mates, too. Classic cars are a social thing, and you might have friends with a bit more experience who can help you with the work needed. You get to learn new things, you and your chums get to have some tinkering time, and at the end of it, your car is better than when it started. I have not only strengthened friendships with my cars, I have found new friends via online clubs, groups and at car shows that now share their knowledge willingly. And I mine. Because remember, you’ll know things or have experience your friends don’t. There’s a nice quid pro quo at play here.

Finally, and this might be the most important one, consider you financial limits. This is a trap I have recently fallen into, but to my chagrin. I bought a 2000 Daimler 4.0 V8 for a bargain £700. However, while I paid next to nothing for it, it doesn’t change the fact that a Daimler is a still a Daimler. Chrome window trim? Hundreds. Centre caps for the alloy wheels? That’ll be £200. The list goes on. A cheap project car of a luxury or sporty ilk is not going to be cheap to put back on the road, so consider that. There is no shame in starting with something more common like a Mini or a Morris Minor or some such car. Something with a thriving aftermarket with available parts.

Whatever project you choose, be sure it’s one you’re going to enjoy. I’m a huge advocate for having a go and for trying to save an old car, it brings with it a huge sense of pride and accomplishment. Good luck.