Car Restoration: Make that Vintage or Classic Car Shine
Restoring a car can be an extremely rewarding experience. But before you begin, you should know what you’re getting yourself into. The Internet offers the resources you need to decide whether restoring a car is up your ally. If car restoration is a hobby you truly want to pursue, or if you’re an old vet looking for more sound advice, this guide provides the necessary tips and tools … but you’ll have to supply the gumption.
Expand All Guide SectionsGeneral Information on Car Restoration
Before you begin, ask yourself this essential question: is it worth it? In other words, you need to ... read more »
Car Restoration Instructions and Tips
So you’ve decided you want to restore a car. What do you do now? The sites below will hold ... read more »
Find Auto Restoration Parts
If you are looking to restore your car it may be difficult to find the part you lack, particularly if the car is a classic. Luckily, the Internet makes finding an auto restoration part or an accessory much easier than it used to be. Today companies know that collecting and restoring cars is a burgeoning hobby, and auto parts that were once taken off the shelves are back in stock. Use the sites below to order whatever it is you need.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Once you have decided on a car to restore, make sure to join a club for that type of car. For example, if you are restoring a Packard, join one of the many Packard clubs. Involving yourself with a greater community helps you get valuable advice and can connect you with lots of parts dealers who specialize in your type of car. To find a club, try looking in local directories like Craigslist or running a general search of your car brand name and the word “club.”
- Blogs and forums are another great source for finding unusual parts. Post a thread telling the car restoring community what you need, and you might increase your chances of finding it.
- Don’t hesitate to look at online auctions or community sites like eBay or Craigslist. These are good sources for finding parts at more affordable prices.
- Weight and location may increase the shipping price of online orders, so be sure to keep that in mind before you confirm an order.
- Major retail stores like Sears.com, Target.com, or Walmart.com may be able to provide you with smaller, general parts and materials.
Dulcinea's Picks
JC Whitney
has most of what you’ll need to restore your car. The Web site is extremely easy to use: just enter the make, model, and year of your car, and the site directs you to all the categories of parts and accessories available. It offers free shipping for orders over $75.
Classicgarage.com
is a classic and foreign car parts and accessories marketplace that is searchable by make and model. The listings are pretty extensive but if classicgarage.com doesn’t have a part you're looking for, they invite you to notify them via e-mail.
PartsAmerica.com
is an online car parts store and do-it-yourself repair center that's composed of a customer support network of nearly 3,000 stores in 50 states. The product list is massive with parts dating back to a 1942 Chevrolet, and the site offers a variety of shipping and pick-up options for buyers. In the "Do It Yourself" section on the left side of the homepage, you’ll find maintenance schedules, reliability ratings, recall information, and maintenance tips for many models.
Car Accessories.com
stocks all varieties of automotive extras. Car bras, floor mats, mirrors, organizers, seat and steering wheel covers, and much more can be found here.
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