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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think i could restore a classic car back to health?

26 replies

katz · 20/03/2011 14:09

I've always wanted to learn how to make engines work and really fancy getting myself a hobby.

I'd like to buy an old bettle or mini and do it up.

Is this realistic?

Can i simply buy a haynes manual and do it.

My Dad who lives locally knows a bit about cars and would be happy to help me learn.

OP posts:
geordieminx · 20/03/2011 14:13

Try contacting your local college, they may run an evening class.

The main problem will be the equipment you may need... Ramps, black and tackle for lifting engine out, tools, unless you know someone you can borrow from it could turn out to be very expensive

Oblomov · 20/03/2011 14:16

I am sorry, but I think you are being very unrealistic. about the haynes manual. but if you dad knows alot, then that will be a help.
Dh restored a morris minor. took it apart completely. was pristine when finished and won awards.
And dh knew a thing or two, becasue he was the boss of a prestige car build company, who built 250k cars from scratch, so he used all his skills and knowledge.
depends how bad the car is to start off with. but please don't underestimate it. it takes hundreds of hours and alotta lotta work.

lurkerspeaks · 20/03/2011 14:24

You may be being a touch unrealistic.

DOI: Car mad family. numerous cars including a kit car have been built from scratch. 3 garages worth of tools have been acquired in the process. Last project took every weekend and most evenings for > 8 months and cost > 3grand.. it wasn't a prestige car either
All family cars now go to local garage for servicing/ brakes/ clutch etc as in the hassle vs. cost debate the garage wins.

noranamechange · 20/03/2011 14:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
katz · 20/03/2011 14:25

i think i'm likely to buy something like a 1980's mini which needs work, so to begin with it will be tinkering type stuff and tweaking and the like.

i have a garage and luckily our next door neighbours have a car pit i their garage which i could use.

I was thinking of doing the ICS course in car maintainence which is ~£500, the local college have stopped their course.

What happens with insurance and tax and the like if the car is in the garage off the road?

OP posts:
ShinyMoonInAPurpleSky · 20/03/2011 14:26

My dh has been restoring and repairing our car using a Haynes manual and the internet. He has never worked on a car before but everything he has done so far has been fine (even the garage who did the MOT said it was done properly).

However the tools can sometimes be more expensive than the parts!

Jellykat · 20/03/2011 14:46

If the car is off the road you SORN it with DVLA, at the moment SORNed vehicles do not have to be insured, but the govt. are planning to bring in new rules to change that at some point.. presumably in case your car 'rolls' out of the garage/driveway and causes an accident Hmm

Ryoko · 20/03/2011 14:49

Why not it's all a learning process if you have someone you can turn to when you get stuck all is good.

However I think maybe you should start by doing something more simple like a small motorbike with a single stroke engine.

Original poster
katz · 20/03/2011 15:08

ryoko - i dont fancy a motorbike at all.

now just have to clear out the garage to get the car in!

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 20/03/2011 15:13

No, it wont need to be taxed or insured, but it will need to be SORNed.

In early 2011, the vehicle insurance law will change.

If you?re the registered keeper of a vehicle, it must be insured at all times.

The only exceptions are:

if you have made a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) for the vehicle

OTheHugeManatee · 20/03/2011 15:40

Why the hell not? If you get a classic car you won't have to worry about computers and fiddly stuff you can't get to, it's all just a matter of patience, moving parts, a basic understanding of engineering principles and having the right tools.

What a lovely way to spend time with your dad!

Oblomov · 20/03/2011 15:45

If you are going to do it, why not start off with something that is not too bad, that doesn't need too much doing. then progress to something thta needs more and more work. best not to start off with a stinker !

Original poster
katz · 20/03/2011 16:13

othehuge - that was my thinking the 2 cars we have are too complicated to even contemplate working on, which is why i was thinking an old banger in the garage to tinker with.

Now what car should i get i really fancy a fiat 500 old style but they are too pricey, so maybe a mini or a beetle.

OP posts:
Snorbs · 20/03/2011 16:15

I think a Mini would be a good choice as parts availability shouldn't be too bad and they're very simply built. Choose something that's got a good owner's club as they may well get important but difficult-to-find parts made for them. All the decent owner's clubs have websites these days.

I'd recommend you get a trained professional in to do any structural welding but, other than that, a Haynes manual and a half-decent toolbox should see you fine for most jobs. If you do want to strip the engine then you'll need an engine hoist to get it in and out and a stand to bolt it to so you can work on it. You can hire these from HSS Tool Hire although it might be worth buying the stand as the hire charges to add up over time.

noranamechange · 20/03/2011 16:18

thanks snorbs - under what circumstances would i need to lift an engine out - see i'm a complete novice here?

AttilaTheMeerkat · 20/03/2011 16:29

katz,

Admirable as your aim is and I am not knocking it at all, you may be trying to run before you can walk here. How much free time a week do you realistically have?.

Re your comment also:-
"Now what car should i get i really fancy a fiat 500 old style but they are too pricey, so maybe a mini or a beetle".

This shows a lack of knowledge on your part and you could end up buying a pup. BTW old style fiats can also be prone to rust.

Look at college courses and start learning about motor mechanics properly. You won't be able to simply just use a Haynes manual to tidy up a classic car.

Not having an inspection pit or ramps either is problematic as well. It needs bags of time and commitment to do the job both well and properly (watch Wheeler Dealers to see how they go about sorting out old cars. Takes an age to do even though Ed the mechanic knows what he is doing).

Original poster
katz · 20/03/2011 16:36

attila - thanks for your honesty. I really don't want to run before i can walk. I think my best bet is an older car that is already road worthy and to learn from that. Sadly the only courses near me are for full time students, they seem to have stopped the evening car basics ones, i'm guessing as modern cars can no longer be maintained easily. I was thinking of doing a distance learning course which i've found too.

Time well i have most evenings to myself, which is why i fancied a hobby, i'm not a flower arranging kind of a person and ultimately i would like a 1970's vw camper which DH says is a no go unless we could maintain it, hence wanting to learn. Sadly the garage couldn't house one or thats what id get!

OP posts:
Jellykat · 20/03/2011 18:22

This probably wouldn't suit you..but DS1s XP has a bright pink soft top Triumph Herald, that she has restored with her dad. They have managed to source parts easily.. 'Tis a beautiful winged vehicle, and i chuckle when arranging coffee meet ups - "No, can't do the morning, how about the afternoon?..i've got to bleed the breaks" Grin

Have to say she's loved every minute of it.

Snorbs · 20/03/2011 19:16

You may very well not need to remove the engine. It depends what state the engine is in - if it's running and the gearbox works then the chances are you won't need to remove the engine at all. Most work on cars can be done with the engine in-situ.

I've only ever done very basic maintenance on a Mini belonging to a friend of mine so I don't know how easy or difficult it might be to do jobs like replacing the clutch or getting to the diff. There's not much room in the engine compartment but, then, there's not much engine in there either Grin

Original poster
katz · 21/03/2011 09:36

snorbs - not sure what level i want really, whilst i hate driving i love cars. I really want to learn about engines and how they work. My plan was to buy a cheap mini (probably) and then muddle through, i'd have done a night school class if i could but the nearest college have stopped.

If i SORN it or buy one already SORN but running then i guess the only costs are the bits and the tools. My Dad says he has some i can borrow for now and if i get into it then who knows.

OP posts:
OTheHugeManatee · 23/03/2011 14:45

katz does that mean you'll be leaving MN for PistonHeads ?

Shock
curbyburr · 23/03/2011 15:35

Not quite what you're asking but maybe a warning. I always lusted after an Audi Quattro in the 80's (was young and foolish) so about three years ago I decided much against the advice of my husband to buy a cheap one and get it done up. I have no mechanical ability so decided to send it to various specialists, engine/body/paint. I have now spent twice what it would cost to buy the very best one in the country...
if you want to rebuild something buy an engine or a motorbike and start small. A restoration will take 9/10 times longer and cost 3/4 times more than you envisage.
But good luck anyway.

nocake · 23/03/2011 15:43

It would be a huge challenge but if you're prepared to take your time over it and learn how to tackle each task then there's no reason you can't do it. The alternative would be to build a kit car, which in my experience is easier than restoring a classic. You should also consider working on a motorbike first, to gain some experience with engines and motor vehicles.

My top tips are to cultivate some friends who know about cars so you can pick their brains as you go, don't set yourself a timescale as jobs can take far longer than you think and learn when to close the garage door on a job and pick it up again tomorrow.

Original poster
katz · 24/03/2011 07:51

thanks - i'm going to do a bit more homework and try and track down a course. Having mentioned wanting to do this a work a couple of people have said they fancy learning car maintenance too.

OP posts:
IloveJudgeJudy · 24/03/2011 10:17

I have two brothers who were/are quite mechanical. They both bought cars to do up. It lasted years, only one got finished as they agreed to help each other, but after doing up one between them, they'd had enough.

I'm not trying to put you off if you really want to do it. I think the mechanical bit is OK, it's the bodywork that seems to take the time. Just be realistic about exactly how much time it will take.