New here

[Chalorr]

Hey guys,

I'm new to the boards and was hoping for a little advice

I have been considering a restoration for quite sometime, it looks like I may be able to finally get something started within the next year, what I wanted to ask is what should I look at as my first project? You have to bear in mind that my engine knowledge is pretty basic, but I learn fast and I'm a very practical person, so with a bit of luck (and some help from more knowledgeable friends) I should be able to teach myself how to get around an engine with a Haynes lol.

Eventually, I want to be able to get an MGB Roadster, or perhaps an old VW camper

Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Ian

[dandarez]

Never 'underestimate' just how long a restoration might take!
Start with something where there is full availability of parts - makes life so much easier.
With the two you mentioned, parts are plentiful, and you could even start there at the bottom end... just one problem... rust!

[Chalorr]

Cool, thanks Dan, I guessed that it would most likely be a long term thing, but at least now I have an idea of when I'll be able to start.

Can you suggest anywhere to start looking for base vehicles, or is somewhere like ebay the best these days?

Thanks
Ian

[vixen1700]

Welcome.

If you're looking at campers or any old VW, I'd recommend hanging round the For Sale section of Volkszone.

http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/

[Chalorr]

Thanks guys, I'll keep an eye on the VW page. I'm also thinking of an Audi Quattro, only because there is one around corner from me that hasn't moved in at least a year and now has a bramble bush growing around the side of it. Hoping they'll let me have it on the cheap to get started!

[Chalorr]

Another question I have just thought of, what's the best way to et into restoring cars (it's going to be an ongoing hobby) would it be to start small, I.E. get something that just needs a little work and sell it on and use the funds to get the next one etc. or should I just go straight to the car I want to keep?

The reason I ask is the Quattro, I want one lol, but have been that because they're so rare, it'll cost a bomb to restore and I don't have that kind of money at the money.

Thanks
Ian

[Chalorr]

Another question I have just thought of, what's the best way to et into restoring cars (it's going to be an ongoing hobby) would it be to start small, I.E. get something that just needs a little work and sell it on and use the funds to get the next one etc. or should I just go straight to the car I want to keep?

The reason I ask is the Quattro, I want one lol, but have been that because they're so rare, it'll cost a bomb to restore and I don't have that kind of money at the money.

Thanks
Ian

[davepoth]

Depends. If you want to not sink huge amounts of cash into it, you should never buy a car that needs anything more than a light tinker before it can be sold on.

A major project (i.e something that will need an engine rebuild, or a respray, or lots of welding) has the potential to be an absolute money pit.

[Chalorr]

Cool, cheers Dave, will bear that in mind

[beach bum]

Restoration and profit almost never go together, unless you have a barnfull of 911 RS2.7s and DB4s.

Do it for your pleasure and as a pleasurable past-time, and nothing else.

[velocemitch]

Try a Morris 1000 as a first project, they are still reasonably easy to find, as easy as anything else to work on and have a large and growing market, particularly amongst younger girls it seems.

[davepen]

One of the books Dad had was the Restoration of Vintage Cars by Wheatley and Morgan. Although dated in some ways, it has a chapter choosing your car. One point they make is be sure you'll like the car when it's restored. So before you do a VW camper or MGB, try a sorted one. If the end goal is worth achieving, it will be worth the effort in the restoration.