Cooler months usually mean downtime for your classic vehicle. You’ve prepared your car for fall and winter storage, and probably won’t see much of it until next spring, right? Not so fast. Now is a great time to take on the restoration projects you haven’t had time for yet. After all, you’ve been busy enjoying your classic vehicle all spring and summer long. Since you won’t be missing out on any great driving weather, here are six projects to keep you busy in the off-season.
Buy a Classic Car for Restoration
Don’t have a classic car yet, but you’ve been thinking about it? Maybe you have done your research, and have narrowed down your search, but your budget is limiting your options. For the cost-conscious, winter is a good time to buy a classic car. This may come as a surprise, but the best time to buy a classic car is between late October and January. During this time, sellers may be more willing to offer a lower price for a classic vehicle. It can be expensive to winterize and store a classic car.
Related Article: Five Affordable Classic Cars to Restore
Plus, with the holidays coming up, some sellers need the extra cash to pay for gifts, or maybe a new-to-them classic car of their own. Purchasing a classic car in the winter gives you the whole season to work on it so it’s ready to roll come springtime.
Restore the Upholstery
Let’s face it - we often put the most time and resources into updating the more noticeable elements of our classic cars. The upholstery can be an overlooked area, but it gets just as much wear and tear as other parts of the vehicle. Winter is a great time to strip out the old upholstery in exchange for new materials. Don’t forget to replace the foam as well. Old foam is likely flat and uncomfortable after years of use. You can choose to keep the original color scheme and material type. Alternatively, if you want a new look and feel for your interior, you can get more creative. Different car upholstery material types include:
- Leather
- Vinyl
- Fabric
- Plastic
- Faux leather
- Suede
You can tackle the upholstery restoration yourself, but many prefer to leave this complicated process to the professionals. Just be sure to choose a restoration provider with experience. If you decide to handle the upholstery restoration yourself, this handy seat upholstery installation guide will be helpful.
Replace the Carpet
Years of passengers climbing in and out results in a worn out carpet. Fortunately, car carpet is easy to replace and not that expensive. There are many carpet products available to precisely match your car’s specific make, model, and year. Look for a supplier that offers authentic OEM carpeting parts. These will be crafted to be an exact match for your classic car’s floor plan with factory-original styling. It’s also important to request a carpet sample if possible, so you can confirm your color choices. Again, you can tackle this project yourself, or hand it off to a reputable professional. Carpet kits make this one of the easier DIY projects you can accomplish on your own, which can cut down on costs. Once your new carpets are in place, add a set of car floor mats that match the year, make, and model of your car. These will give your car the most authentic aesthetic and provide the best protection for your floors.
Install New Door Panels
To really give your car that “ fresh off the showroom floor” look, now is a great time to replace those old, scuffed-up door panels. Door panel installation is an important step in your car’s restoration journey. To ensure a good fit, choose custom OEM door panels. This will help ensure proper alignment and installation, since the panels are engineered to match original specs. If you are up to the task, there are step-by-step guides on how to install new door panels yourself, but you can also work with a professional to get the job done.
Update Your Car’s Vinyl Top
Winter is the perfect time to replace your car’s vinyl top. Classic cars with a vinyl roof top will need a new roof at some point. Exposure to the sun, pollution, moisture, and other elements can erode a vinyl top, causing cracks and blemishes. This can even allow water to enter your roof undetected, creating a recipe for roof damage and rust. Don’t let this happen to your prized vehicle! There are many options for vinyl top replacements, and you can even install them yourself. Today’s vinyl tops are authentic products, but are more durable and last longer. As a feature that adds elegance and luxury to your vehicle, you want to be sure your classic car’s vinyl top is in tip-top shape! Maybe your car is already in top shape and you don’t have any restoration projects on the horizon. If that’s the case, the most important thing you can do is take great care of your car, all season long. Keeping the interior clean and odor free will ensure your car is ready to hit the road again in the spring. To start, give your interior a thorough cleaning before you send it off for storage. Wipe down surfaces with a microfiber cloth and a cleaning solution that’s appropriate for the material, and then allow it to dry for an hour. If you’re dealing with leather, finish with a conditioner. Next, treat your interior with an odor eliminator spray, which will remove any lingering smells and prevent your car from getting musty while in storage. Fall and winter are excellent seasons to give your classic car some extra TLC. Legendary Auto Interiors is open year-round to help you accomplish your off-season classic car projects. When the nice weather returns, your car will be ready to cruise in its best shape ever.
