How to Get into the Profession of Restoring Classic Automobiles

If you've ever had the opportunity to restore a classic vehicle, then you know how it feels to watch a formerly derelict vehicle brought back to life again. For professionals in unsatisfying careers, switching over to professional automotive restoration might provide a welcome change from the world of paper pushing.

Automotive restoration requires a well-rounded knowledge of vehicles. While it isn't imperative for a budding restorer to be completely versed in every aspect of automotive construction, they should at least know about engines, body work and suspension in order to successfully compete in this field. For mid-career hopefuls, the best possible route into the profession is to get a part-time job in a local body shop. "New fish" in this field are required to learn, push a broom and perform the general cleanup tasks associated with a body shop before they will be entrusted with the reconstruction of a customer vehicle. While there are training programs available, they are generally offered during the day, necessitating a hopeful restorer to quit their current job or take an evening job to attend. Until you've learned the ropes and really decided if restoration is the right path for you, it is best to "keep your day job."

The Ropes

Learning the ropes at a body shop requires listening to the professionals you work with and watching what they do. Some of the first automotive tasks you might be entrusted with might include preparing vehicles for paint, and performing routine automotive services such as oil changes or simply changing tires. Body shops perform all of the services as a standard repair shop, as well as paint processes and body repair.

You can learn about vintage cars by simply immersing yourself in the experience. Read books about classic cars, attend car shows, and read about the personalities behind the restoration industry today. As you develop your skills in the body shop, you will find that you become more versed in the intricacies of the automotive restoration world. You will begin to know by heart the body styles of the vehicles you will work on while at the same time learning the best possible way to take a car completely apart and put it back together again.

Because restoration is simply an extension of the work performed in a body shop, learning these basics before jumping into a customer vehicle restoration is extremely important. It's much less expensive, after all, to mess up and learn from the rebuilding of a Toyota Tercel than it is to mess up the restoration of a 1968 Chevy Chevelle.

The Drawbacks

For those with a true passion for vintage cars and trucks, there are few drawbacks to consider. Work as a restoration professional is extremely rewarding and satisfying, allowing you first hand experience with vintage cars ranging from Minis to Muscle Cars to Ferraris. For those interested only in dipping their toes in the water, however, it should be noted that automotive restorers rely almost entirely on their reputations to advance in the field. The pay can be dismally low until you are entrusted with actual vehicle work, and the process of automotive restoration can at times be quite dangerous. Beyond this, the work of a restoration professional is extremely physical and requires the use of a wide range of very expensive tools. For many technicians, as much as half the first year's salary can be used to purchase tools alone, although these can be acquired over the first few years of your new career.

Automotive restoration affords opportunities, however, to be considered something of an artisan. Developing your skills to the point at which you might find yourself in charge of your own automotive restoration shop complete with your own "new fish" to torture, can be the most satisfying feeling of all.