Preservation / Original

Classic Showcase is now offering a Preservation level of restoration for those that do not want to disturb the originality of their vehicle. This is a minimal restoration level that focuses more on cleaning the vehicle and safety requirements and usually will not receive very many replacement parts. This vehicle can be shown in Preservation level competitions but is not a guaranteed winner. Our goal is to preserve the original patina of the vehicle.

All of our restorations start with a complete and comprehensive evaluation.

We carefully look the vehicle over noting what is original, what has been altered, what is not working, and what is missing. Depending on the unoriginal or altered parts we may or may not bring the vehicle back to its complete original condition since some alterations have been made as an improvement. We start to access the overall condition of the vehicle and document it with a complete set of photographs and notes. After doing various tests, we then start a partial disassembly of it, again taking note of all parts and listing what will need replacing, restoring, or repairing. The disassembly process is very important to correct and account for the vehicle’s alterations and changes during its past.

In this level, depending on the condition of the body paint, Classic Showcase may or may not spot paint the vehicle. Usually, we will not repaint the vehicle, only preserve. If a repaint is desired by the owner of the vehicle: The rust is removed and if needed, replaced with new factory original panels. When these are unavailable we fabricate panels from the correct gauge sheet metal. The doors, bonnet and boot are properly fit to the body. The body and parts painted with quality paint, color sanded, and buffed to the proper sheen.

New rubber, seals, and gaskets are installed on the body where needed. The seat frames and various parts are detailed to bring out the original beauty. The interior, including panels, dash, seats, and carpets are freshened and detailed.

The wiring harness is checked over and repaired where needed. The electrical components, instruments, gauges, knobs, lights, and switches are checked over and set up in working order.

Next, all the mechanical items on the vehicle are carefully gone through. The engine is evaluated, cleaned, detailed and dialed in to run nicely. A Preservation level restoration usually does not entail rebuilding the engine, transmission or rear end.

All the components in the engine compartment are evaluated, cleaned, restored and painted as needed. The carburetors, oil pump, water pump, and generator/alternator are rebuilt and serviced. The radiator is flushed, re-cored as needed, and detailed or replaced. The battery, belts, hoses, filters, and hardware are replaced where needed. All new fluids are added. The stone guards and drip pans are also inspected and restored or replaced only if needed.

The transmission is checked to ensure it is in good working order. The clutch system is checked and rebuilt or replaced if needed. The drive shaft is inspected. The under carriage is inspected, including the shocks and suspension parts. Any worn bushings, seals, hardware, and components are replaced. In most vehicles the frame and some suspension parts are powder coated and/or undercoated. The braking system is serviced from the master cylinder to the rear shoes or pads to ensure proper working conditions. The brake lines are replaced when worn, along with the shoes, drums, pads, and rotors. The rear end gears are inspected. The gas tank is removed, flushed, hot tanked and repaired if needed. The fuel pump and the fuel lines are also checked and serviced.

Some of the accessory items in the Preservation level restoration, such as the radio and clock, are not restored unless requested.

After the minimal restoration is complete, our craftsmen and technicians do several checks and road test the vehicle to make sure it is in good working order and safe to rdrive. We re-inspect after the road test is completed and perform the final detail.