Project Purchase – Five Things to Consider

So, you have decided to take the plunge and buy yourself a classic. Good for you. And as we understand it, you want to go full Wheeler Dealers and buy a project. Something you can truly make your own. Great stuff. This is going to be a wonderful journey for both you and whatever car you buy. Project cars are fun, but there is a caveat – you need to buy the right project car. And now you’re wondering what the right project car is? Well, don’t worry. We love a project here at Car & Classic, it’s why we write about one every single Thursday. And through doing that, and through our own experiences with cars we have bought, we have some valuable information to impart. We want you to enjoy your project.

1) Honesty is the best project policy

If you’re buying a project car, you want something that’s honest. By that, we don’t mean one that will be at home by ten and that won’t drink your vodka and replace it with water. You need a different website for that kind of advice. What we’re talking about is a classic with an honest past. Cars that have been previously restored, for example, can be an utter nightmare. Unless said past restoration is documented, how can you be sure it was done well? An old, rusty car that has never been restored is better than one that has been fettled in the past. Why? Because it’s honest, it is how the factory intended, albeit with more rust. This means you can be logical and methodical when it comes to the restoration work. You’re working to factory specs and assembly, not unpicking the possibly substandard work carried out by someone in the past.

2) Be realistic about your abilities 

What can you do? You really need to ask yourself this. It’s very easy (and we know, because we’ve done it) to get swept away in the excitement of buying an old car, only to get it home and realise you have no idea how to even start the project. Can you weld, are you good on the spanners, have you done a restoration before, are you willing to learn what needs to be learned? We think cars are simple, but they are not. They re fickle and they will throw up all manner of illogical, unexpected issues outside of whatever required work might be obvious. We’re not saying you need to be a master mechanic in order to take on a project, we’re just saying you need to really be objective and ask if you can actually do it. Maybe start with something simple, like a car that recently ran out of MOT. Something with good parts availability, so you don’t need to go hunting for rare stuff, or worse, start fabricating your own. Then move into something more involved.

3) Mods don’t get nods

Modifying cars, classic or otherwise, is great. But like a previous restoration, unless the work is documented in detail, don’t buy it. Modification brings with it a more liberal approach to doing things properly, as people fixate on the end result rather than the journey to get there. This isn’t always the case, of course, many modified fans do it properly. But many, well, they don’t. There could be bodged wiring, bodywork, suspension, unsuitable engine changes, the list goes on. Anyone can modify a car, only a few can get it right. Plus, if you want to modify your classic, start with something stock – then you know it’ll be done to your standard.

4) Sitting pretty? 

There is something thrilling about finding a car that has been untouched for years, maybe even decades. We’d know, what with our 1989 Rover 827Si that hadn’t turned a wheel in over twenty years. We’ve bought many long idle cars, actually, which is why we can give you the following caveat: cars that have been laid up are a nightmare. If you can get a rolling project, or one that has only recently been taken out of use, brilliant. But if you go for the long forgotten barn or garage find (where are all these barns?) then be aware that every rubber bush, every seal, every gasket, every electrical connection and every bulb will probably need a tickle or some other form of attention. They can be infuriating, frankly. But like the 827 (which passed its MOT today) they can be so, so worth the effort, too.

5) It’s not the law, but you still should

Finally, let’s skip forward to that golden, magical day when your project is done. It runs on all cylinders, the paint is gleaming, none of the electricity is on the floor and the metalwork doesn’t have unwanted viewing holes. What a day. What a moment to be proud. But where do you take it first? The MOT station, that’s where. Yes, we know, cars of certain age need neither MOT nor road fund licence, but so what? If it’s been off the road forever and has been subject to a load of work, do you want to load it up with your nearest and dearest and hope for the best? Of course not. So get it booked in for a test and have another set of eyes go over it. It’s nothing against your handiwork, it’s just a case of being as safe as possible. Then you can hit the road, safe in the knowledge that your project has come good. Ace.