The Experience of Restoring a Vintage/Classic Car or Bike - Page 7 - Team-BHP

shreyasma · 28th May 2008, 16:53

this is an awesome restoration....please poet about the progress...pics preferred

DKG · 5th June 2008, 22:39

For years whenever someone asked me if I would sell any of my cars I had settled to a decent way of turning away people who were'nt too serious. I simply quoted what in my mind would be a price at which I would be inclined to part with a car. In 99% of the cases it worked and they walked away only to come back a few years later to agree on my price only to be told my price point had shifted! Our 39 Packard completes 41 years in the house and the green limo completes 7 years.

Sometime last month a gentleman surfaced with a keen request to part with this Packard I was restoring. I was surprised at his interest and as always I quoted a price which in my mind was a fair price for all the hardwork I had put in and a nice pat on my back if I net it. As expected he didn't say anything and disappeared. I got busy getting a new battery made for the car as I now wanted to finish the paintwork and trim etc and finally get the beauty onroad. The gentleman reappeared in a weeks time expressing a keen intent to buy the car after some negotiation. I told myself if I stick to my price chances are he'll walk away. So I stood my ground and flatly refused to budge a penny. To my surprise he agreed and I found myself in a peculiar situation where on one side was a car I had nurtured like a baby bringing it back to life and on the other was a sum of money that clearly validated all the effort and hardwork that had gone into it. It was a vindication of my belief that I was unlocking real value as I toiled laboriously on the junk.

I always believed I was creating value and here was someone wiling to put his money to my work. I agreed and the car was sold. As I pulled her out and gave it a final wash I couldn't help but admire the car's grandeur even in that unfinished state.

Now she belongs to someone who has the resources to import all that she needs by way of trim and new white wall tyres, glossy paint and uphostery, hopefully to emerge soon as a stunning beauty.

It would be inappropriate on my part to continue with the detailed restoration details as this beauty now belongs to someone else

Here are the pictures of one of my life's most cherished experiences of bringing back to life a magnificent 1938 Packard

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The story of the experience of restoring a car does not end.

Just to guage the interest people would have in my Merc I had placed an ad on the net and was flooded by atleast 200 enquiries. So I've decided its safe for me to invest money into doing her up properly as I can always unlock value should I choose to. I've decided to do a ground up restoration of my 1960 Mercedes. I've stripped the car bare and getting it ready for some sandblasting of the innards and floorpan before the body work.

As always I will photograph all the stages and document all work done. Once again it will be a pleasure to share it with all of you.

DHABHAR.BEHRAM · 12th June 2008, 11:38

I am nearing the end of (as if it can ever end !) restoring my third Fiat, just the way I wanted it. Since the last one week, I am getting some feelings of what I will experience when I will actually drive it (this does not cover test drives or drives to and from the garage which are numerous). How will I press the clutch ? How will I shift gears ? What feeling my hand will get through the gear lever knob ? Will I get the ever evasive "smooth silent surge of power" or will it elude me one more time ? Would a change of axle ratio help ? In short, would I have achieved what I set out to achieve ? Many of you have successfully restored many cars and must have experienced similar feelings. Let's toss our experiences around. I am sure we will have a great time doing this.

Please accept my best personal regards,

Behram Dhabhar

DKG · 12th June 2008, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by DHABHAR.BEHRAM

Let's toss our experiences around. I am sure we will have a great time doing this.

In my case as I work on the cars myself and know the machine intimately driving the car after working on it is a very special experience as I know exactly how every component is working to make the action possible. Its almost like you merge with the machine making the overall experience as ecstatic as a conductor who gets his orchestra to play right. Its simply music all the way, and the ultimate experience for any automobile enthusiast. I would always recommend one learns to overhaul a car if possible. Its a mindblowing experience when you get it right and drive it.

jubin · 12th June 2008, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by DHABHAR.BEHRAM

I am nearing the end of (as if it can ever end !) restoring my third Fiat, just the way I wanted it. Since the last one week, I am getting some feelings of what I will experience when I will actually drive it (this does not cover test drives or drives to and from the garage which are numerous). How will I press the clutch ? How will I shift gears ? What feeling my hand will get through the gear lever knob ? Will I get the ever evasive "smooth silent surge of power" or will it elude me one more time ? Would a change of axle ratio help ? In short, would I have achieved what I set out to achieve ? Many of you have successfully restored many cars and must have experienced similar feelings. Let's toss our experiences around. I am sure we will have a great time doing this.

Please accept my best personal regards,

Behram Dhabhar

sir
i always feel very proud whenever i drive my Fiat

i got the same feeling when sometime back i had put in Hub caps and new upholestry and paint
the feeling ...cant be explained in words

kavesh55 · 12th June 2008, 13:14

Dont really what I will finally experience once i finally get the car I want and start restoring it the way i want. As of now, collecting parts I may need,and the occasional raised brow from my family members as i pick up parts and bring them home.

Stanher · 12th June 2008, 16:41

I'm experiencing pretty much the same kind of feeling putting my '62 Herald back together!
I intend to post a separate thread with all pics. of it........one fine day!

Incidentally the only major challenge I'm facing as of now is getting a remake of the existing dashboard - getting a replacement is impossible! These dashes came only with early Heralds as opposed to the later wood-veneered ones (which can be easily remade) of later ('63 onwards) models.

DHABHAR.BEHRAM · 12th June 2008, 18:15

Request to moderators - I request the moderators to keep the - YOUR FEELINGS, WHEN YOU DRIVE YOUR RESTORED CLASSIC" thread separate from this one. The experience of restoring a car is an activity. My request is because in the new thread, the feelings that members will feel will come out whereas in this thread it is the experiences which have to come out. Anyway, I leave the final decision to the moderators and will respect it.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

5th June 2008, 22:39	#92 (permalink)
DKG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 902 View My Garage	For years whenever someone asked me if I would sell any of my cars I had settled to a decent way of turning away people who were'nt too serious. I simply quoted what in my mind would be a price at which I would be inclined to part with a car. In 99% of the cases it worked and they walked away only to come back a few years later to agree on my price only to be told my price point had shifted! Our 39 Packard completes 41 years in the house and the green limo completes 7 years. Sometime last month a gentleman surfaced with a keen request to part with this Packard I was restoring. I was surprised at his interest and as always I quoted a price which in my mind was a fair price for all the hardwork I had put in and a nice pat on my back if I net it. As expected he didn't say anything and disappeared. I got busy getting a new battery made for the car as I now wanted to finish the paintwork and trim etc and finally get the beauty onroad. The gentleman reappeared in a weeks time expressing a keen intent to buy the car after some negotiation. I told myself if I stick to my price chances are he'll walk away. So I stood my ground and flatly refused to budge a penny. To my surprise he agreed and I found myself in a peculiar situation where on one side was a car I had nurtured like a baby bringing it back to life and on the other was a sum of money that clearly validated all the effort and hardwork that had gone into it. It was a vindication of my belief that I was unlocking real value as I toiled laboriously on the junk. I always believed I was creating value and here was someone wiling to put his money to my work. I agreed and the car was sold. As I pulled her out and gave it a final wash I couldn't help but admire the car's grandeur even in that unfinished state. Now she belongs to someone who has the resources to import all that she needs by way of trim and new white wall tyres, glossy paint and uphostery, hopefully to emerge soon as a stunning beauty. It would be inappropriate on my part to continue with the detailed restoration details as this beauty now belongs to someone else Here are the pictures of one of my life's most cherished experiences of bringing back to life a magnificent 1938 Packard The story of the experience of restoring a car does not end. Just to guage the interest people would have in my Merc I had placed an ad on the net and was flooded by atleast 200 enquiries. So I've decided its safe for me to invest money into doing her up properly as I can always unlock value should I choose to. I've decided to do a ground up restoration of my 1960 Mercedes. I've stripped the car bare and getting it ready for some sandblasting of the innards and floorpan before the body work. As always I will photograph all the stages and document all work done. Once again it will be a pleasure to share it with all of you. __________________ *In changing yourself, you change your life*

12th June 2008, 11:38	#93 (permalink)
DHABHAR.BEHRAM BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: MUMBAI Posts: 402	Your Feelings - When You Drive Your Restored Classic I am nearing the end of (as if it can ever end !) restoring my third Fiat, just the way I wanted it. Since the last one week, I am getting some feelings of what I will experience when I will actually drive it (this does not cover test drives or drives to and from the garage which are numerous). How will I press the clutch ? How will I shift gears ? What feeling my hand will get through the gear lever knob ? Will I get the ever evasive "smooth silent surge of power" or will it elude me one more time ? Would a change of axle ratio help ? In short, would I have achieved what I set out to achieve ? Many of you have successfully restored many cars and must have experienced similar feelings. Let's toss our experiences around. I am sure we will have a great time doing this. Please accept my best personal regards, Behram Dhabhar

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28th May 2008, 16:53	#91 (permalink)
shreyasma BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 60 View My Garage	this is an awesome restoration....please poet about the progress...pics preferred

12th June 2008, 13:14	#96 (permalink)
kavesh55 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 109	Dont really what I will finally experience once i finally get the car I want and start restoring it the way i want. As of now, collecting parts I may need,and the occasional raised brow from my family members as i pick up parts and bring them home.

12th June 2008, 16:41	#97 (permalink)
Stanher Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Hyderabad, AP Posts: 1,279 View My Garage	I'm experiencing pretty much the same kind of feeling putting my '62 Herald back together! I intend to post a separate thread with all pics. of it........one fine day! Incidentally the only major challenge I'm facing as of now is getting a remake of the existing dashboard - getting a replacement is impossible! These dashes came only with early Heralds as opposed to the later wood-veneered ones (which can be easily remade) of later ('63 onwards) models.

12th June 2008, 18:15	#98 (permalink)
DHABHAR.BEHRAM BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: MUMBAI Posts: 402	Request to moderators - I request the moderators to keep the - YOUR FEELINGS, WHEN YOU DRIVE YOUR RESTORED CLASSIC" thread separate from this one. The experience of restoring a car is an activity. My request is because in the new thread, the feelings that members will feel will come out whereas in this thread it is the experiences which have to come out. Anyway, I leave the final decision to the moderators and will respect it. Best regards, Behram Dhabhar