How to Turn Your Car into a Show Car

By Brendan from Allstate Blog: http://blog.allstate.com/

Edited by A.C.

Many car lovers, gear heads and weekend tinkerers spend their free evenings and weekends fixing, improving and tinkering with their cars. Whether you’re restoring a classic car or truck from the 1950s or dressing up your favorite contemporary auto, in order to bring it up to show-car level, you’ve got to have plenty of elbow grease and an eye for detail. Martin Sanchez, a senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book and classic car enthusiast and veteran of car shows, shares what it really takes to make your ride show-worthy whether you’re taking it to a show around Charlottesville or around the country. Don’t forget to let your local C’ville car insurance agent know about the changes!

Have a Plan

Once you have the car you want to work on, you’ll want to set up a workspace, preferably a two-car garage for plenty of restoration space, equipped with a sturdy work bench, automotive repair tools and an air compressor. From there, map out a rough monthly schedule with some short-term goals and costs. Without a calendar of plans and a budget, a car project like this could take much longer than you might expect.

Gather Your Vehicle’s History

Try to locate any relevant memorabilia (like advertising, owner’s manuals, etc.) from the vehicle’s make, model and era or some interesting ownership history documentation, recommends Sanchez. This can add to your car’s appeal. To collect as much of your auto’s history as you can, start with an online vehicle history company. For a small fee, these sites can help you learn more about previous owners, accidents and service records, which can be valuable information when it comes to repairs and restoration.

Go for Top-Grade Bodywork

Professional-looking paint, chrome, and bodywork are key to attracting car show visitors and judges to your ride, Sanchez says. Whether you do it on your own or invest in some reliable assistance, be sure to remove dents, repair dings, apply a fresh coat of paint (primer if necessary), and pay attention to the nitty-gritty details such as hardware and lighting.

The Inside Counts

Regardless of whether the car’s interior is original stock (from the manufacturer) or newer and customized, be sure the interior is as clean and as pristine as it can look. “This says a lot about your passion for your ride,” says Sanchez..

Take Note of the Transformation

When restoring your ride, be sure to keep a log of your steps—the before, after and entire process along the way. “It’s important to keep an accessible build diary, with restoration photos and timeline of what was done,” Sanchez says. This will not only help you remember the history, it can also be helpful when applying to car shows and when talking to your car insurance agent.

Open Up the Hood

Be sure to thoroughly clean and detail your engine bay, even if it is stock. “Everyone gathers around once the hood is open,” according to Sanchez. Remember, just because the engine in your classic ride is old, doesn’t mean it needs a full rebuild. But, if you find you have a long list of issues, such as poor mileage or high oil consumption, it may be time to think about rebuilding the engine. First, document what’s going on and assess if an engine rebuild makes sense for your car.

Don’t Neglect the Caboose

Make sure you don’t overlook your vehicle’s trunk. Car lovers will be checking out your ride from hood to trunk, roof to tires. As Sanchez states, “Keeping the trunk in showroom condition with nice clean tires is a good eye catcher.”. There may even be features you can add which could save you money on your car insurance.

Restore with Integrity

When replacing or restoring worn parts, be sure to keep within the vintage or time period of your project, Sanchez recommends, “Make the vehicle appear as if you just removed it from a time capsule. For example, a 57 year-old car that looks like it just drove off the showroom floor really gets enthusiasts excited. And even if your vehicle isn’t a 20-year-old classic car, a nicely detailed vehicle that presents itself as showroom new will draw attention”.

When restoring and preparing a car to show-worthy status, it’s all about the journey, not the destination. Enjoy the time you spend with grease on your hands, decking out your ride.

From George Jaffe’s C’ville Allstate Insurance Agency: https://agents.allstate.com/george-jaffe-charlottesville-va.html