Thread: Good project for a beginner?

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Hi,

New guy here. I'm interested in doing a restoration on a classic car. I want to do a body off restoration and maybe some customizing(depending on the car). I have some mechanical experience. Yes, I am expecting it to be a lot of work and a lot of money.

Looking at US domestics, What are some reccomendations for a good beginner car, considering availability of parts, ease of working on, customizability, etc?

Thanks in advance.

Pick 1, with the availability of parts nowdays. Ur probably gonna be safe with anything 1940 or so to current, speaking of domestics. If you want parts availability, anything 1955 or newer is gonna have redily available resto parts, specially Chevy. I myself would suggest a 1946- 1952 Chevy mainly because, it's 2 bodystyles I like ( although the 1949-1950 and the 1951-1952 look somewhat diffrent, theres only minor changes like the grille, dash and rear end look but mechanics hook ups and all are the same, it's like an early second gen Camaro and a late second gen Camaro, they look compleatly diffrent yet are both second gen Camaros ) and www.chevsofthe40s.com has most anything you would need. Your '55- '57 Chevys ( Tri 5's ) are the most popular but, with that, hold a pretty price except 4dr's which, can be picked up for $500- 1,000 depending on condition. Anything is customizable, Model T's were designed with a hand throttle and foot shifting controls and a small 4cyl engine now, people have customized them to run V8's and hand shifters. A 1960's Full Size Chevy is also a possibility because of many manufactures offering parts for them, custom and resto.

Anything Chevy or Ford. Lookout for Plymouth/Dodge, I have found it to be more difficult in finding parts and accessories... early or late model cars other than 68-present.

Thanks guys for the input. I've been looking at the late '50s Chevys. Cool cars. Now I just have to find one....