Approaches to Camaro Restoration

Author: Terry Newman

All restoration is not the same. There are progressive levels of quality that can be achieved in Camaro Restoration or in restoring any classic vehicle, and they are based primarily on how much time and money you can put in. Keep this in mind if you're looking to buy a restored classic. Some will be far better than others. If you are restoring one then give it the best you've got.


There is, of course, the cheap way, which appeals to lots of folks for the obvious reason: it's cheaper than other ways. The cheap way is to give a cosmetic make-over by doing some quick body work, giving it a paint job, and giving the engine a once-over with a little cleaning and painting. Those who choose this method are generally trying to make a fast buck or just don't have the money or time to do a good job. You can make an engine look good without rebuilding it, but all you have is a dressed up old engine. Low-quality body work usually comes back to haunt you later on, since it won't stand the test of time. Also there are problems with keeping old parts intact as they are already living on borrowed time, since most of the classics are thirty to forty years old. So the cosmetic makeover won't take you very far down the road (so to speak.)

One approach that's more affordable than a full restoration is the "frame up" restoration. This will include mostly work on the body, engine, and interior. The frame is given only a once-over to replace badly worn parts, such as brake lines. This approach cuts corners where the frame is concerned, but does give a good look and makes the vehicle relatively "highway-safe."

To go a little further in the restoration level would require a body off restoration, where the body is removed from the frame. This gives greater access to the frame and the floor pan as well as allowing for the replacement of nuts and bolts. The frame can be taken apart and sand-blasted, the exhaust system replaced, along with all the the suspension parts, ball joints and tie rod ends. The trunk and interior are restored to like-new condition and the engine can be rebuilt.

The Rotisserie method can be used for many of the classic vehicles with the unibody style of body. With this type of body the subframe and rear end can be removed allowing the body to be placed on a "rotisserie" arrangement. The vehicle can be turned to give access to any area that needs to be worked on. The Rotisserie method allows for best access to all areas so the highest amount of restoration can be achieved.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/classics-articles/approaches-to-camaro-restoration-4499307.html
About the Author

Terry Newman is a Camaro Restoration Specialist and owner of Camaro Junction in Bassett, Virginia. For more information about Camaro Restoration visit Camaro Junction at http://camarojunction.com/Article-Restoration.php.