If you are on the lookout for the perfect project car, it’s important to keep some simple tips in mind when choosing the right car.  If this will be your first project, pick something you can handle.  Choosing something in need of a little tender loving car and making sure to pick an auto that you are passionate about are a good bet.  Rebuilding from the ground up on your first project may be too daunting of a task and you shouldn’t start a project that you can’t afford to lose.

The first step is setting a budget for the entire project before you begin.  If you can reasonably expect to restore a car while staying within your budget, it will ensure that the car is worth the price you will pay in the end.

Choosing a car that is near-at-hand via finding one on the internet may be a better alternative because you can inspect the car before you purchase.  The local newspaper and classified ads are good places to begin your search.

Once you have found a vehicle that you are interested in buying, hire a trusted mechanic to inspect the car by putting the car up on a lift and thoroughly checking for any problems.

Also, be sure to check that the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the car matches the VIN on the title.  Junked cars often have a salvage title, which means that the car was excessively damaged and that the cost of repair exceeded seventy-five percent of its pre-damage value.  If a car is listed as a salvage vehicle you may not be able to register it as a normal car, even after a car is restored and could very likely lose value on it if sold.

Once you have purchased the perfect fixer-upper, it’s a good idea to buy a manual from Chilton’s Automotive Guide series.  The guides are available for almost any vehicle and the blown up diagrams should certainly be of value once you start tinkering under the hood.

Making detailed lists of all parts that need replacement as well as any work that you have already completed on the car can come in handy in case you sell the car before restoration is finished or stop mid-project and can’t remember where you left off.

Once you begin putting in some elbow grease, start with the engine and suspension and keep as many original parts to the car so you can to conserve on costs.  Take on the cosmetic work such as paint, interior, carpeting and chromed accessories last so that the chances of damaging expensive cosmetics and redoing your work are decreased.  Also keep in mind that slipping a dash cap over your existing dash is an inexpensive way to fix a broken or faded dashboard.

Lastly, be patient and have fun beautifying your beater.