Restoring classic cars is a much-loved pastime for a lot of car enthusiasts. The joy of seeing a vehicle go from an old, rusty piece of scrap metal to its former glory is enough to bring tears of joy to any car lover. But, car restoration can be expensive, especially when you consider the different components needed to make your project a success. The good news is that money doesn’t have to be a hindrance when it comes to restoring old classics. Here are five tips on saving money when restoring your first classic car: 

1. Research Online Sales

The great thing about buying car parts online is that everything gets delivered to your doorstep. The only problem is that you have to pay for shipping costs, which can be exorbitant depending on how large and heavy the part is. 

Luckily, most online stores offer shipping sales and specials that allow you to save on shipping costs. If you don’t mind waiting, make a list of the car parts you’ll need once you start working on your project and wait until your favorite car part store has a shipping sale. 

It's also worth noting that you don’t have to pay full price for every car part. Most websites offer a promo code for first-time buyers worth 5% to 20% off the first purchase. 

2. Avoid Buying Parts Early

Many people make the mistake of buying car parts they'll need for the restoration before they even start working on the project. While this might seem like a good idea the downside is that you end up with parts that you may not end up using. 

It’s better to buy components as you work on a particular system of the car. That way, you’ll avoid pilling up car parts in your garage and possibly losing or damaging them in the process. Canopies, for example, are very large and cumbersome, so it is a good idea to look for a supplier online who can guarantee prompt delivery when you need it. 

3. Check online forums for inspiration

As a car lover, you probably take part in a few online forums already. This allows you to connect with like-minded people and get free tips on how to get more bang for your buck. 

Most of these forums are categorized according to a specific make and model of the car. Each offers a wealth of knowledge from experienced car restoration enthusiasts like you, which means you’ll get specific tips and tricks about your car without paying a cent.

4. Sand the Body On Your Own

Bodywork is the most expensive aspect of any car restoration project. While we wouldn’t recommend that you paint the car yourself, sanding it can help you cut prep time in half and lower bodywork costs.  

5 Get an owner’s manual

Chances are, your car will come without a user’s manual because it’s old. But, you'll do well to seek it out because the user's manual comes with useful information about the optimal components for the car, specifications, and part numbers. Most owners’ manuals’ are available online for free on the manufacturer's website. You may also search for them on Google or on your favorite online forum. 

Classic car restoration should be a fun adventure, not an overpriced headache. With all the steps that go into bringing an old, vintage car back to life, spending a ton of money shouldn’t be one of them. Bring the fun back to your favorite hobby by following these five tips and you’ll soon be taking your “new” wheels out for a spin.