two approaches:
a) full restauration->no driving until it's finished but will be solid
b) drive your half finished product around and repair as you go.
The most important things here are:
- repair quicker than you drive
- stay safe (fix brakes, steering, springs/shocks, old wheels .... first)
ie: quick/shiny car and ****ty brakes is plain stupid

 

Since mine was not driveable when I got it, a total restoration was in order. I started as if it was being built all over again, starting with the frame and floorpans/metal. That has since been completed and I moved onto the suspension, brakes, chassis stiffening, etc, basically all undercarriage stuff. Once that is complete, I am thinking about assembling most of the interior before paint,because if there is any issue I can fix it without screwing up the paint. I am also debating whether I will tackle the drivetrain next, probably. Due to the same issue with not wanting to mess up the paint. Paint and body work will probably be the last thing that i do.I don't want to go out and spend thousands on body and paint then screw it up redoing something else.

Welcome and good luck.

 

I stripped mine down to the bare shell and am working to put it back together. I'm having motivational issues even though I walk past it at least twice a day (I exit the house through the garage). I had hoped to be further along by now.

I don't regret doing it this way, but it would have been nice to drive it some in between. It was drivable when I bought it, but the tranny was slipping pretty bad. I never even took it around the block, and that is something I do regret.

 

+1 car was driveable but leaked gas at fuel pump and needed to have brakes worked on. I toyed with the idea of repairing those and driving the car around some. However, I decided that since the wife was currently onboard with the restoration, I'd better strike while the iron was hot so to speak. I drove it from the front of the house to the back and parked it in the garage and started tearing it down.

I do sometimes envy the guys that are doing it as they go and are able to drive it, but think, at least for me, that this is the best course of action.

As far as the order, I've decided rust removal/body repair first, then primer to protect the metal, then interior,engine bay detailing, suspension and brakes, then engine/tranny/AC upgrade (live in Texas), then paint and final body work last.

 

what's everyone take on finances? Are you guys saving up for all repairs or running a credit? I know it's ideal on saving the cost of interest. I may need to run a little credit on mine.

 

also, what does your coupe weigh in at?

 

Paying cash as I go. Trying to stay away from the whole credit thing.[&:]

 

I say avoid the credit cards as much as is possible!

To steal (and modify)a line from The Waterboy's mama, "Credit Cards are the Devil!"

If a person builds a car on a credit card, he is risking way too much.

Of course prudence is in line here, I would say that if you can pay for what you buy in 2 months then it might be ok to use a card, but, if you can payin two months anyway, in most casesyou don't need the credit card anyway.

My take on credit cards!

 

I went with a complete tear down and its currently nothing more then a shell, suspension and wheels. This was the easy part and took about 8 hours to rip it down. Now.. This is where it hits you! lol My father said I looked shocked afterwards. From this point on we do 2 things. First is the metal and body work to remove and fix the rusted areas during the day. The second is done at night and includes cleaning and repairing all the small items like the trim, heater box, etc. Once the body work is done you start in on the smaller things like suspension, brakes, etc.

As for payment.. we pretty much set aside cash for our restomod. I use a CC to order most items and then pay it off at the end of the month.

 

My car was a rolling chassis when I got it and the rolling half (suspension,wheels/tires, rear axle, steering) was all shot so I got little more than a chassis. I have been slowly replacing everything but my biggest hold-back is paying for parts. Im trying to do everything right the first time, which isn't the cheapest thing, and Im a poor college student. I pay as a go, but have made little progress in the last 5 years.