General Restoration Tips The first steps in any automotive restoration are to work out a proposed schedule, plan a budget and consider how you're going to document the restoration. Here are some suggestions. - A budget can be created and formatted in a variety of ways. You can use pre-printed budget forms (figure A) that allow you to make line-by-line entries of expenses in a standardized manner. There are also software programs available that serve a similar purpose, if you prefer working on a computer. At the very least, record a budget in a simple notebook. A thorough and well-planned budget will help you plan your restoration project from a cost perspective, and will prevent you from getting into expenses that are more than what you originally intended.
- Once you've made a budget, the next initial step is to locate a vehicle for restoration. Determine the level of restoration you want, and begin looking for a vehicle that is suitable for your project. Fortunately, because of its popularity the Camaro allows for some flexibility in terms of the type and extent of restoration, and there are a relatively large number of parts and after-market components available for this particular model.
- Once you've determined what model you want to restore, and how much money you're willing to spend, you can begin your vehicle search -- the process of locating and acquiring a restorable vintage vehicle for your project. One of the best places to start looking is in a regional car-locator publication (figure B) from your area. These are commonly available on newsstands around the country, and contain listings of older and restorable vehicles for sale in a particular region.
- At this preliminary phase of the restoration, you can afford to remain flexible . If you need to re-adjust your expectations with respect to the model you plan to restore, or the level of restoration, now is the time to make those adjustments. Once the restoration is well underway -- parts have been purchased, time and money have been invested -- it becomes more problematic to shift your focus and readjust your goals.
- At the earliest phase of your project, begin keeping a photo journal. This functions not only as a "before and after" record of your restoration (figure C) but, more importantly, as technical reference as you begin disassembly and re-assembly portions of the restoration. Over the lengthy course of a restoration, it's easy to forget exactly how individual parts were originally installed once they have been removed for cleaning, repair, etc. A photo journal can be useful for helping piece things back together properly. Conventional 35mm and instant-picture cameras (such as Polaroid) can be used for this, but there are great advantages to using a digital camera (figure D) for this purpose. Numerous digital pictures can be taken and cataloged without the need for film, and digital cameras generally allow you to preview your picture results instantly.
In the segment that follows, Ron Ananian and vintage auto specialist Butch Capps begin the restoration on the Camaro selected for this project with the removal of the old engine.
RESOURCES :
Classic Car Restorer's Handbook: Restoration Tips and Techniques for Owners ...
Model: 1557881944
Author: Jim Richardson
Order this book from Amazon.com
H.P. Books
Classic Car Restoration Guide: The Complete Illustrated Step-By-Step Manual
Model: 1850108900
Author: Lindsay Porter
Order this book from Amazon.com
Haynes Publishing
Camaro Restoration Handbook: Ground-Up or Sectional Restoration Tips and Techniques
Model: 0895863758
Author: Tom Currao
Full title: Camaro Restoration Handbook: Ground-Up or Sectional Restoration Tips and Techniques for 1967 to 1981 Camaros
H.P. Books
Camaro Restoration Guide: 1967-1969 (Authentic Restoration Guides)
Model: 0760301603
Author: Jason Scott
Motorbooks International (MBI Publishing)
Original Camaro: 1967-1969 (Bay View Original Series)
Model: 0760309256
Author: Jason Scott, Andy Kraushaar
Motorbooks International (MBI Publishing)
Camaro Exposed: 1967-1969 - Designs, Decisions and the Inside View
Model: 0837608767
Author: Paul Zazarine
Bentley Publishers
Special thanks for DIY's Classic Car Restoration -- 1968 Camaro RS
East Tennessee Camaro Club
President: Harold Pena
3710 Washington Pike, Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: 865-633-8340
E-mail: jalpeno@worldnet.att.net
Smokey Mountain F-Bodies
Website: www.smokeymountainf-bodies.cz28.com
Coker Tires
Website: www.coker.com
Photos provided by:
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Website: www.brickyard.com
Year One
Website: www.yearone.com
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