From the resto bay
Classic Car Restoration: What It Costs & How It Works
Restoring a classic is one of the most rewarding things you can do with a car — and one of the easiest to underestimate. A restoration can be a tidy-up or a nut-and-bolt rebuild, and the gap between those two is enormous.
Here’s an honest look at what a restoration actually involves, the stages a car goes through, and what drives the cost — so you can plan the project properly rather than getting halfway and running out of road.
Classic restoration: the quick reality
What a restoration actually involves
Restoration covers a huge range. At one end it's a mechanically-sound classic that needs paint, chrome and a tidy-up. At the other it's a rusty project stripped to a bare shell and rebuilt from the ground up — a nut-and-bolt restoration.
Most projects sit somewhere in between. The first job is always an honest assessment: what the car actually needs versus what you want to spend, so the project has a plan and a budget before the spanners come out.
Strip-down
The car is dismantled — sometimes back to a bare shell — so every area can be assessed.
Bodywork & rust
Corrosion cut out, panels repaired or fabricated. This is where the hours — and surprises — hide.
Paint
The shell is prepped and sprayed properly, with the shuts, edges and jambs done right.
Rebuild
Mechanicals, electrics, chrome and trim refitted and set up so it drives as it should.
Finish & test
A final detail and a proper shakedown so the car is right before it comes home.
The stages of a restoration
A proper restoration follows a logical order, and each stage has to be right before the next begins. Rush the metalwork and the paint suffers; rush the paint and the rebuild scratches it.
Broadly: strip the car down, repair or fabricate the bodywork and cure any rust, prep and paint the shell, then rebuild the mechanicals, electrics and trim before a final detail and shakedown. The bodywork and rust stage is usually where the hours — and the surprises — hide.
The honest bit with a restoration is the metalwork — you never truly know what's under the paint until it's off. Get that stage right and everything after it goes smoothly.
What drives the cost of a restoration
The biggest variable is the condition you start with, especially rust. Sound metal is quick to work with; hidden corrosion in sills, floors and chassis means fabrication, and fabrication is time. Time is the main cost in any restoration.
After that it's how far you want to go — a running-and-usable finish, a tidy show-standard car, or a concours nut-and-bolt rebuild. Parts availability matters too: some classics are well-supported, others need parts made or restored, which adds cost.
It helps to be clear on what level of restoration you're actually after — here's how they compare:
| Level | What you get | Cost & time |
|---|---|---|
| Recommission | Get a sound car running, safe and usable again | Lowest |
| Partial restoration | Address paint, rust and the key areas | Mid |
| Full restoration | Every area brought up to standard | High |
| Nut-and-bolt | Stripped to the shell, rebuilt to as-new | Highest |
| Restomod | Classic looks, modern running gear | Bespoke |
Planning your project properly
The classics that get finished are the ones with a realistic plan from the start — an honest assessment, an agreed scope, and a budget with some room in it for what the strip-down uncovers. The ones that stall usually started without one.
We'll walk the car with you, tell you honestly what it needs, and help you stage the work so it's manageable. Whether it's a recommission or a full rebuild, we treat every project like it's our own.
Got a project in mind?
Bring it in or send us some photos for an honest assessment, or call 01724 304245 — we'll help you plan a restoration that actually gets finished.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a classic car restoration cost?
It ranges enormously — from a modest recommission to a five-figure nut-and-bolt rebuild — because it depends entirely on the car's condition and how far you want to take it. We'll give you an honest assessment and a staged plan once we've seen it. Get in touch.
How long does a restoration take?
A recommission can be weeks; a full restoration is typically several months to a year or more, depending on scope, rust and parts availability. We'll give you a realistic timeline and keep you updated as it progresses.
Do I have to do the whole car at once?
No — restorations can be staged. Plenty of owners tackle the essential safety and bodywork first, then the cosmetics later. We'll help you prioritise so it fits your budget and timeline.
Can you find parts for older classics?
Usually, yes. Many classics are well-supported by specialists; for rarer cars we source, restore or fabricate parts as needed. We'll flag any hard-to-find items early so there are no surprises.
What is a restomod?
A restomod keeps the classic looks but updates the running gear — brakes, suspension, sometimes the engine and electrics — for modern reliability and drivability. It's a popular middle ground between originality and everyday usability.