Book Review
How to Restore Your Collector Car

by Ryan King
Edited by Patricia Kalin
1/06

Click image to enlarge.

Title: How to Restore Your Collector Car
Subject: Vehicle restoration
Author: Tom Brownell
Publisher: Motorbooks International
Publish Date: 1999
Size: 8.25"x10.5", 286 Pages
Book Type: Full Color, Glossy
ISBN: 0-7603-0592-7
Distributor: Motorbooks and other book retailers
Contact: www.mbipublishing.com

I just finished reading How to Restore Your Collector Car and I have to say I'm thoroughly impressed.

Author Tom Brownell and publisher Motorbooks International have teamed up to produce one very informative and interesting book on the subject of auto restoration that takes a reader through the whole process. It gives a very clear idea of what can be expected in (and how to plan and execute) a restoration.

I find that one of the most daunting things about any car repair or project is not knowing what to expect. The trepidation surrounding the repair or project can often times be the thing that takes longer to deal with than the repair or project itself, manifesting itself as procrastination.

I've long wanted to do a project as large, time consuming, and complex as a total restoration. However, to be truthful, I have been leery of stepping into one for fear that something will go very wrong. What if I get half way into it and realize I've gotten in way over my head or I’m not able to afford to get myself out?

This book has helped to reduce those fears by giving me a very pragmatic perspective about what major and specific steps, tools, materials, parts, skills, knowledge, resources and workspace is required for a restoration (as well as useful tips and sources for all of the above).

Not only is this book informative, but its greatest feature is the layout that gives the reader the information in a well thought out order that breaks the procedures of restoration down into easily digestible chunks. Not only does the book as a whole give the reader a clear picture of the process involved in restoring a car, but the individual chapters are focused and informative on their specific subjects, building on the information provided in previous chapters without being confusing.

The book starts out at the very beginning of a restoration project explaining why a restoration project is worthwhile and how to pick out a good candidate. The author then helps the reader figure out what results they are looking for from their project which includes an idea of the kind of work and costs involved in each choice. After that, the book details the steps and procedures needed to complete a restoration in the order they need to be done and finishes with an overview of how to take care of the car after it is finished. The author even shares ideas on what other people in the hobby do with their cars to enjoy them.

While this book is a great resource for those people still considering restoration as a hobby, its use is far from limited for those people who already have a project. The author does a great job of providing a fresh and knowledgeable point of view which can help to streamline a project already underway (by saving time and money), inform a restorer about the best way to handle an unknown part of a project or help get them out of a jam once they are in over their heads.

This book was quite inspirational for me, I know I'm already avidly looking for more workspace so that I can get started on a restoration project of my own!

Here’s a detailed look at the layout and information covered in this book:

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1: Why Restore a Collector Car?

Chapter 2: How to Select a Collector Car

Chapter 3: Restoration: What Does It Mean?

Chapter 4: Research: Uncovering a Car's "Life Story"

Chapter 5: Setting up Shop and Working Safely

Chapter 6: Disassembly: Taking the Car Apart

Chapter 7: Restoring the Car's Brightmetal Trim

Chapter 8: Cleaning, Stripping and Derusting

Chapter 9: Abrasive Blasting

Chapter 10: Metal Repair

Chapter 11: Smoothing Dents and Repairing Metal

Chapter 12: Applying the Primer Coatings

Chapter 13: Applying the Finish Coat

Chapter 14: Inspecting and Overhauling Car Brakes

Chapter 15: Restoring Mechanical Assemblies

Chapter 16: Renewing the Car's Wiring

Chapter 17: Restoring Your Collector Car's Interior

Chapter 18: Replacing a Convertible Top and Renewing Weather Seal

Chapter 19: Care and Preservation of Your Collector Car

Chapter 20: Showing and Enjoying Your Collector Car

Appendix 1: Concept 1957 Corvette Yesterday's Sports Car for Today's Highways

Appendix 2: Training in Restoration Techniques

Appendix 3: Resources

Index

For more information contact MBI Publishing on the web at www.mbipublishing.com, by phone 1.800.826.6600 or by email at publishing@mbipublishing.com.