If you love classic cars from the early- to mid-20th century, you are not alone. There are many like you who have a more eccentric taste for a fine piece of automotive engineering. The only issue is that it is very difficult to get one. And in the rare cases that you find a classic, it will be in such a horrible condition. It can be very costly, too. The good news is that there are tricks to restoring classic cars while working on a budget.

Here are some of them.

Decide on How Far You’re Willing to Go to Restore the Car’s Authenticity

One of the things that you will have to think about is the authenticity of the car. It is important to realize that it may be very difficult to source genuine parts today than it was several decades ago. As such, it is often wise to perform a very honest assessment of the classic car. Try to determine which car parts you are willing to replace with third-party products instead of genuine OEM parts. One way you can do this is by listing all the parts that you want to restore or replace. Search for suppliers of original components. You can also ask your friends if they know someone. If there’s none, then it would be acceptable to go for non-authentic parts.

Determine the Aspects of Restoration that You Can Do Yourself

There are certain parts of the restoration project that you can do yourself. However, keep in mind that if you do not do a good job, then you will require a professional to fix the very same “repairs” that you put on your car. You may save money for doing the restoration yourself but if you do not know what you are doing, you will end up paying more for someone to fix your “solutions”. It is important to recognize that there are certain tasks that only a professional can execute with optimum proficiency. For example, when it comes to paint and bodywork, it is always a good idea to have a professional do it for you.

Lay Out Your Budget

Once you decide on the level of authenticity of your classic car and which parts you can restore on your own, it’s time to work on your budget. List down everything you need. This includes auto parts, tires, wheels, accessories, doors, panels, and others. You may also want to include any professional help that you might need. Write the cost for each of these items and add them all up. Multiply the result by 30 percent. The product will be your working budget. It is a lot better to have an allowance than working on a very tight budget. This is one of the reasons why most classic car restoration projects never get completed.

Plan the Restoration Work

Determine how you want to proceed with the restoration. Is it necessary to disassemble the car or will you be working on a section by section basis? Make sure to catalog every part that you remove for restoration or replacement. Do not rush this step as it is critical to account for everything.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

If you have been restoring cars for the past 3 decades, then you do not need any help. However, if this is your first time, it is always best to get the help of someone knowledgeable about classic car restoration. An auto body repair shop can also provide you with invaluable assistance.

Restoring a classic car can be a very fulfilling endeavor. But if you’re working on a budget, it can be very challenging. These tips should help you restore your dream classic car without overspending.