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Classic/Antique Car Repair/to restore or not to restore, that is the answer..

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Expert: Paul Wilczynski - 5/24/2009


Question
I found this good deal on a '59 Chrysler New Yorker. I've just graduated H.S and want it bad, but then again, I know it's a gas gulper in this economy. I could get another car easily, but at $1,000, in not TOO bad shape, I don't know how hard, or even if this is worth restoring. It's rusted, but not too bad, needs a new paint job and interior work, and also some electrical work done as well: lights, radio, maybe a.c.  
I'm a car enthusiast, I like working on them, but I don't know how "rare" or valuable this deal for this car really is.
Just tell me, your opinion if you would, if this you think that this is a good deal or not, if I should get this or something with better fuel economy, and/or less work.

thanks for your time
-Australianpirate, Austin Ebert

Answer
Austin:

Expect to donate your time to this project, and hopefully recoup the cost of parts and services plus a profit.

A whole lot depends upon what body style this car is, what motor is under the hood and where you're located--Oz or the USA!

If this car is a "C" series, a wagon, 2-door hardtop (pillarless) or, better yet, a convertible, you may have something that will be worth some serious cash when completed. Furthermore, the larger the motor, the more it's worth. Even a 4-door sedan, if it sports a 413 Golden Lion motor, is worth restoring. The ultimate would be a "C" convertible.

If you're in Oz, the cost of parts shipped from the USA will be very pricey. A lot of US vendors will not want to ship to Oz, and parts are not that plentiful in Oz.

If you're in the USA, pick up a Hemmings Motor News, and have a look.

And, you're right--it is a gas hog; depending upon the motor, you'll be seeing 7-15 mpg.

--Paul  

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Paul Wilczynski

Expertise

Most questions involving vintage car restoration, mechanical and body, paint and upholstery. Parts sourcing. Extensive experience in wood-bodied station wagons, British and French cars of the '40s through '70s. Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, Sunbeam Alpine and Tiger, Citroen Maserati, VW Beetle, 1955-65 Chevrolet (especially Nomad station wagons), Corvair.

Experience

Wide-ranging and long-term. I owned a restoration shop in the 1970s, continue to dabble in vintage exotics. At one time, had a seven-car collection of contemporary exotics which I had restored and maintained myself. When I was 18 years old, I designed a woodie kit for the VW Beetle, which I developed into a product which was featured on television and in over 100 magazines and 25 books at last count. I still own and drive one of my creations. I owned a design and fabrication consultancy from 1982-2002, specializing in show car fabrication for manufacturers including Ford, Mazda, GM, Subaru, Mitsubishi, etc. Since 2003, I have been a department manager in Industrial Design, and a full-time instructor in automotive design and fabrication at the university level. My students go on to design automobiles as staff designers for major auto manufacturers worldwide.

Organizations
Western Automotive Journalists, Industrial Design Society of America.

Publications
Long list of magazines and books, including Playboy, VW Trends, VW Greats, Hot VWs, and European automotive magazines.

Education/Credentials
I teach design and fabrication at university level. My education is in Industrial Design, University of Illinois (1966-1970).

Awards and Honors
Many awards for restorations in local concours and shows.

Past/Present Clients
Mazda, Ford, GM, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Honda, Toyota, Chrysler, Mercedes, Porsche.

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