ON THE JOYS OF HAVING A CAR PROJECT

President Biden has made one thing clear from the start: He doesn’t support a nationwide lockdown against Covid-19, unlike our European friends. However, there are talks about implementing tougher restrictions in areas that are the most affected by the virus. In regions where hospitals have been pushed to the limit, we can expect the return of the home-based workplace. In other words, you can expect to have a lot of extra time on your time, and that’s the perfect opportunity to start a cart project in 2021. 

What’s a car project? In simple terms, it’s a challenge you set yourself to restore and fix an old vehicle to make it road-safe again. It’s a great way of spending some hours at home when your town imposes social distancing restrictions. Besides, it’s an exciting project that helps you cope with stress and mental health issues during the pandemic. In short, a car project brings joy and excitement. 

 

It’s like stumbling upon a treasure chest

It’s hard to know where to look for classic vehicles. But you’d be surprised to know that you can find affordable old cars for your project. Ultimately, classic cars are expensive when they are in working condition. The principle of your car project is to fix and improve a car, revealing the beauty that nobody could see any more. Rather than approaching specialist owners and companies, you want to have a look at garage sales, abandoned storage sales, and the car flipping market. In essence, car flipping is the process of buying cheap vehicles and selling them for a profit. You’ll find bargain vehicles in barn finds are a great way of starting your quest for the perfect project vehicle. It’s a good idea to read about older models and makes, so you can spot them easily when you see them. Bear in mind that cheap vehicles are likely to be damaged, show signs of corrosion, and may not be in driving condition. So, if you want to recognize your diamond in disguise, you need to be knowledgeable enough to identify the potential of the car despite the damage. 

 

It’s about claiming a vehicle as yours

Fixing an old car strengthens your relationship with the vehicle. When you buy a modern vehicle, you don’t need much more than the key or keyless card to get started. But, with classics, it’s a different story. Most older vehicles were partially hand-made or hand-finished, which means that you’ll have to modify some of the replacement car parts to make them fit. These vehicles had unique differences and “temperaments”. So, when you begin your project, you are at the start of a journey. There’s something magical about learning the quirks of your vintage car and how to work with them. You build a new sense of appreciation when you turn a junk vehicle into a functioning and beautiful car. You’ll spend a lot of hours working on your car. It’s not just a vehicle, but it is the fruit of your hard work. 

 

You get a hands-on experience

It’s fair to say that modern cars are not always easy to troubleshoot. Most vehicles have a computerized system that requires a specific software application to diagnose issues and remove warnings. Yet, even though cars are getting smarter, we can’t help but feel anxious when we spot a red light on the dashboard. What does it mean? How much is it going to cost me to get it fixed? Your car project may not teach you anything about car electronics. But it will provide a hands-on experience on mechanical repairs. Whether you need Toyota second hand parts to fix your Toyota Corona or a new set of tools to replace ancient brake pads, you will learn to diagnose and manage frequent car problems. The mechanical skills you develop are transferable to modern vehicles, which means that you’ll be saving a lot of money in the future. 

 

 

It’s a commitment

Vintage vehicles need a lot of attention. Your car project is a long-term commitment. There’s no point buying and repairing an old car if you don’t know how to maintain it. When you own a classic car, you need to ensure you’ve got a safe storage area, such as a private garage or an automotive storage specialist. Indeed, classics are popular amongst car thieves, so you don’t want to take chances. You will also get into the habit of running regular checks on your classic car, to ensure it keeps running. Why not run the same checks on your everyday vehicle too? Checking the oil, tire pressure, and engine is a no-brainer to keep cars safe on the road. Yet, most of us take those steps for granted! The more time you invest in maintaining your vehicles – classic or modern – the more likely you are to avoid expensive repair works! 

 

It’s an investment in your future

A vintage vehicle can also become a profitable source of income for your family. Classic cars are a popular choice for film production companies. You can rent your vehicle for period dramas. Companies like owners who are accommodating, so it’s the occasion to build a long-term relationship with some big clients! You can also hire your vehicle for wedding parties, proms, and big events. 

 

How much money can you make?

Not everyone wants to keep their classic vehicle. Some people like the challenge in a car project, so that they lose interest once they’ve fixed the vehicle. If that’s your case, be assured that your time was not wasted. There’s a lot of money in the collectible market. Some vehicles are selling for over $1 million. While you may not be able to hit that kind of jackpot, there are many ways in which a vehicle becomes collectible. It is vintage. It has a history that makes it unique, such as a famous former owner. It is rare. But even if your car project isn’t a collectible, you could make enough money through the sale to buy a modern vehicle or pay off your mortgage.  

 

A car project could be a great way to cope with pandemic anxiety in 2021. There’s something joyful about turning an old and forgotten vehicle into something beautiful and usable again. Besides, if you think of your project in terms of investment, you could learn valuable skills and earn substantial capital gains too. So are you ready to embrace your first classic car project? 

 

Thanks for reading and y’all stay dandy.

-Diego

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(Some of these links contain affiliate links, so that means if you click and buy something, I get a cut. It helps keep the site going! Full Disclosure)



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