Ah, classic cars - the epitome of vintage beauty and luxury. But what happens when your precious ride gets into a collision? The process of repairing classic cars can be quite different from modern cars. It involves intricate details, specialized techniques, and a lot of patience. In this blog, we’ll take you through a step-by-step guide on classic car collision repair.

Step 1: Inspection & Assessment 🕵️‍♀️

The first step in any classic car collision repair process is a thorough inspection and assessment. This allows the auto body shop to accurately estimate the extent of damage and cost of repairs. The inspection should cover all areas of the car including the body, frame, suspension, and engine. The auto body specialist may also take apart some parts to check for hidden damages.

A mechanic inspecting a vintage car for damages

Step 2: Deconstruction & Disassembly 🛠️

Once the inspection and assessment is complete, the disassembly of your classic car begins. This involves removing the damaged parts, such as the body panels, interior trim, and engine. The goal is to have access to the underlying structure of the car. With classic cars, the involvement of the auto body specialist is crucial as a wrong step could cause more damage to the car.

A mechanic disassembling a classic car engine

Step 3: Straightening & Frame Repair 👨‍🏭

With disassembly complete, the auto body specialist will begin with straightening the car frame. Classic cars have a unibody construction, meaning the frame, and body are combined to create a single unit. It takes skill to straighten a twisted chassis. If the damage is irreparable, the auto body shop may have to find a replacement frame.

An auto body specialist straightening a twisted chassis

Step 4: Bodywork & Refinishing 🎨

Bodywork involves repairing or replacing the damaged body or chassis components. The auto body specialist may use traditional techniques such as hammering, welding, or sanding. Once the bodywork is done, the next step is refinishing. This includes priming, sanding, and spray painting to restore your car to its original beauty.

A classic car getting a fresh coat of paint

Step 5: Reassembly & Testing 🚗

With bodywork and refinishing done, the auto body specialist will reassemble all of the parts that were removed earlier. During reassembly, they will ensure that everything is working correctly and that the car looks and feels like it did before the accident. Post-repair tests, including test drives, are performed to ensure that the car is safe for you to drive.

A classic car being reassembled and tested

Tips & Highlights 🔍

  • Always opt for authentic parts during the repair process. Replacing with non-original parts can compromise the authenticity of your classic car.

  • Classic car collision repair can be expensive. You may want to check your insurance coverage and deductibles before beginning the process.

  • It’s essential to find the right auto body specialist who has the experience and expertise in classic cars. So do your research beforehand and choose wisely.

We hope this article has given you a better understanding of the classic car collision repair process. Remember that restoring a vintage car to its former glory takes time and patience, but it’s always worth it in the end!

A classic car being driven on an open road

This blog post was written by a classic car enthusiast with a passion for vintage vehicles. The author has restored several classic cars and has first-hand experience in the collision repair process.