Classic Car Restoration Course

Lesson 1 • Workshop Setup and Safety Fundamentals

Covers essential shop layout, tool organization, and safety protocols for restoration work. Proper setup prevents injury and protects the vehicle throughout the project.

Lesson 2 • History and Value of Classic Cars

Covers automotive eras, marque significance, and how historical context affects restoration decisions. Establishes why authenticity and provenance matter throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • Sourcing and Evaluating a Project Vehicle

Teaches inspection techniques for identifying rust, accident damage, and missing components before purchase. Connects vehicle condition to project scope and cost.

Lesson 1 • Parts Cleaning and Initial Assessment

Covers chemical, mechanical, and media-blasting cleaning methods suited to different materials. Clean parts reveal true condition and enable accurate restoration planning.

Lesson 2 • Photographic and Written Documentation

Establishes a documentation system capturing every assembly before disassembly begins. Accurate records prevent costly reassembly errors later in the project.

Lesson 3 • Parts Storage and Inventory Management

Introduces labeling, bagging, and shelving systems that keep hundreds of parts organized. Effective inventory management directly reduces reassembly time and part loss.

Lesson 1 • Understanding Metal and Rust Chemistry

Explains corrosion mechanisms, metal alloy properties, and how environment accelerates rust. This knowledge guides material selection and repair method choices.

Lesson 2 • Structural Repair and Frame Straightening

Addresses frame and unibody damage assessment using measuring systems and hydraulic equipment. Structural accuracy is prerequisite to correct panel fit and safe operation.

Lesson 3 • Patch Panel Fabrication and Welding

Covers cutting out rusted sections and fabricating or fitting patch panels using MIG and TIG welding. Correct weld technique prevents warping and maintains structural integrity.

Lesson 4 • Panel Repair and Metal Shaping

Teaches hammer-and-dolly techniques, shrinking, and stretching to restore panel contours. Proper metal shaping minimizes filler use and preserves panel strength.

Lesson 1 • Paint Correction and Detailing

Teaches machine polishing, defect removal, and final detailing to achieve a show-ready surface. These finishing steps distinguish a professional result from an amateur one.

Lesson 2 • Topcoat Application and Clearcoat

Covers basecoat application, clearcoat layering, and flash times for a deep, durable finish. Proper application sequence prevents solvent pop, lifting, and adhesion failure.

Lesson 3 • Color Matching and Paint Selection

Teaches how to decode factory color codes, mix tints, and verify matches using spray-out cards. Accurate color matching is critical for period-correct and concours restorations.

Lesson 4 • Surface Preparation and Primer Systems

Covers epoxy, etch, and high-build primers and the sanding sequences that follow each. Correct primer selection seals metal and builds the foundation for topcoats.

Lesson 1 • Carburetor and Fuel System Rebuilding

Covers carburetor disassembly, jet sizing, float adjustment, and fuel line replacement for correct mixture delivery. A properly rebuilt fuel system is essential for reliable starting and performance.

Lesson 2 • Cylinder Head and Valvetrain Assembly

Explains valve grinding, spring pressure testing, and head torque procedures for leak-free sealing. Proper valvetrain setup directly affects power output and reliability.

Lesson 3 • Short Block Assembly

Covers plastigage bearing clearance checks, ring gap setting, and torque sequences for bottom-end assembly. Correct clearances and torque values ensure long engine life.

Lesson 4 • Engine Identification and Teardown

Covers decoding engine stamps, removing ancillaries, and disassembling the short block safely. Correct identification ensures sourcing of accurate replacement parts.

Lesson 1 • Brake System Restoration

Explains drum and disc brake rebuilding, master cylinder replacement, and brake line fabrication. A fully restored brake system is the most critical safety element of the vehicle.

Lesson 2 • Transmission Rebuilding Fundamentals

Covers manual and automatic transmission teardown, inspection, and reassembly with correct clearances. A properly rebuilt transmission ensures smooth power delivery and longevity.

Lesson 3 • Front Suspension Rebuild

Covers ball joint, control arm bushing, and steering component replacement on common classic suspension designs. Rebuilt suspension restores handling precision and tire wear patterns.

Lesson 4 • Rear Axle and Driveshaft Service

Teaches differential teardown, bearing preload setting, and driveshaft balance and u-joint replacement. Correct rear axle setup prevents vibration and premature wear.

Lesson 1 • Classic Electrical System Fundamentals

Covers positive and negative ground systems, circuit theory, and reading factory wiring diagrams. Understanding the original design is prerequisite to accurate diagnosis and repair.

Lesson 2 • Lighting, Gauges, and Accessories

Covers headlight aiming, instrument cluster restoration, and accessory circuit troubleshooting. Fully functional lighting and gauges are required for safe and legal road use.

Lesson 3 • Charging, Starting, and Ignition Systems

Explains generator and alternator rebuilding, starter motor service, and ignition timing procedures. These systems must function correctly before any road testing begins.

Lesson 4 • Complete Harness Replacement

Covers selecting reproduction harnesses, routing, and connecting all circuits correctly. A new harness eliminates fire risk from deteriorated insulation in heavily aged vehicles.

Lesson 1 • Upholstery and Carpet Installation

Teaches seat disassembly, foam replacement, fabric cutting, and sewing for correct seat restoration. Proper upholstery technique produces durable, factory-correct seating surfaces.

Lesson 2 • Pre-Delivery Inspection and Road Testing

Covers a structured inspection checklist, break-in procedures, and road test evaluation criteria. Systematic verification ensures the vehicle is safe, correct, and ready for the owner.

Lesson 3 • Mechanical Reassembly and Fluid Fill

Guides the systematic reinstallation of drivetrain, cooling, and fuel systems with correct fluids. Proper reassembly sequence prevents interference and fluid contamination.

Lesson 4 • Interior Trim and Dashboard Restoration

Covers dash pad repair, trim panel refinishing, and correct hardware reinstallation. Period-correct interior details are heavily weighted in concours judging.