Restoration

19ED30

19ED30

Senior Member
What is the deathation of a Amature restoration TO You? I see this term used all the time , you gou look at the car & its not close to being correct. People do not know what Restortion means. To me it means oem & aftermarket parts used in the restoration to the year & model and close to how it came from the factory. On a scale of 1-10 a amature restoration would be 4-7 on the scale. What do you think?
 
I agree, I recently saw a car form the 30's listed in hemmings and it stated that it was restored. It had modern aftermarket wheels and a modern v6 with AC and PS!
Come on people!!!!!!
 
I'll tell you what ,,i have seen some pretty good AMATEUR restoration that are better then a restoration shop... I restored a Standard Roadster with a friend who owned a body shop and we did very well . Everything we did other then the Upholstery which LB.did at their shop...$920.00 [those were the days my friend.].I was also very lucky that the engine was rebuilt somewhere in the late 50's and no miles were put on the car. That would of cost at that time $495.00 [My first engine i had built was in 1974 at a cost of $395.00 out in Long Island.. The word" restoration " has more ????? then the word amateur...
 
When it comes to engines, the term "Rebuilt" is subject to discussion as well. The engine in my PU was "rebuilt" 1500 miles before I bought it. So far I have put another 1500 miles on it and have had to replace one rod (lost babbitt), Valves (one of them just broke), and now all 3 main caps (piss poor job, babbitt coming apart), timing gear (tooth broken/missing), tappets (both top surfaces on cylinder #2 were scored and worn beyond limits), and the camshaft (also worn beyond limits). Not all at once, mind you, this is the 3rd time I've had the engine apart for the above reasons.

All that on a "professionaly rebuilt" engine with only 1500 miles on it!
 
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Not to say that a Amature can not do restoration.( I think of my self as a Amature) Then lets use the term has a Older Restoration or has been restored.
 
The word "FULLY" is missing and that also has ????? Fully restored means to me is : right down to the frame [sandblasted or dipped whatever] and every part restored. The term [FULLY RESTORED CORRECTLY] means the owner better have proof of Top MAFCA or MARC awards with a copy showing the score . And in most cases some of the good parts have be sent back to the borrower and repro. parts placed back Then you have people asking how did that car score so high... There are tooooo many answers to your question. and questions to your questions...
 
"Restored" is by far the most over used and misused word in the old car hobby. When "amateur" is added to "restoration" it is used as a disclaimer for the quality of the "restoration".
 
But I do agree that there are some pretty well done amatuer restorations. My pet peeve is paint, when I see orange peel, runs, sags. Instantly it screams "amatuer." Or crudely done crushed velvet interiors.....
 
The term "rebuilt engine" is thrown around more than manure at a cow pie tossing contest. I've bought Model A's (and other cars) over the years and heard the claim "the engine was rebuilt" more than once. I always, and I mean ALWAYS, ask for the name of the shop or person that rebuilt the engine along with receipts for the work performed. If the work was performed by the current owner, there should be no problem producing the name/documentation. If however, the seller claims the previous owner(s) had the motor rebuilt, take it with a BIG grain of salt. Just one mans opinion.
 
AMATEUR RESTORATIONS, PROFESSIONAL RESTORATIONS


It all comes down to perceptions.

At sometime it was decided that if a person makes his living from his work and that work would have to be done right or he would no longer make a living. So as a result a job done professionally and would be top of the line.

So a professional job is one that was done to the level of someone that makes his living doing the job.

As a result, a amateur job is one that is below the level of a professional.

With that said you can still pay a professional for a amateur restoration. You can also see an amateur perform a professional job.

As for the first post, rating an restoration, one has to either actually see the car before any number can be given to it's condition or take the word of a professional.
 
I have never seen what I consider a complete restoration unless the owner started intending to be a serious national show wining contender. Professionally done means very little because most shops do only what they were hired to do, not necessarily a complete restoration. only a few specialty shops are capable of a complete restoration and even then quality varies and still depends on who they sub work to. To be of any value it needs to say who did each part, who did the engine, who did the paint, who did the upholstery, who did the chrome, and etc. All comes back to what Greg said "you know it when you see it."
 
I use the term "Refreshed" when asked "Did you restore this car?" or "Who restored the car?" I also tell them "I had it painted by ______ since I do not have body repair or paint skills. This statement usually ends the discussion although I am proud of my cars.
Bill Lee/Virginia Peninsula
 
I like to look inside the doors at the window regulators, door latches and finish of the inside surfaces, if the hidden parts are restored there most likely the rest of the restoration was done to professional levels, sadly most "professional" restorations are only pretty on the outside ---yes I know that returning ALL mechanical systems to factory tolerances is a labor consuming thing but what good is a pretty car if it doesn't drive like a new car also ---I have driven quite a few professionally restored prize winning cars that have perfect paint that I was scared to drive at 35
 
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