Car Restoration Projects – Choosing The Best Salvage Vehicle

If you are looking for a project car in a salvage yard, you have to make your choice carefully. You don't want this project to become more expensive and time consuming than it should be. Below, you will find a few tips that can assist you in choosing the best salvage car for your next big project.

Rating System

Salvage vehicles are rated using a system to classify the condition of the car. The title of the car will show you what rating each car has been given. The categories used are:

• Class F – Fire damaged vehicles.
• Class A – Totaled vehicles – suitable for recycling but not restoration.
• Class B and C – Vehicles that have sustained heavy damage but could be restored by an experienced mechanic.
• Class D – Vehicles that have sustained light damage and can be restored fairly easily.

Obviously, vehicles with the Class D rating would be the best choice for most hobbyists. Class F vehicles may look salvageable, but they will need a complete overhaul, including complicated wiring tasks.

Choosing the Right Vehicle

So now that you understand the title ratings, look for a vehicle that is rated Class B, C or D, but understand that just because it has a better rating, the car may not be the best one for you to choose. Cars that have been flooded can be classified with these ratings and may look fine upon first glance, but after digging into it a bit, you will find damage that will show you that it is a vehicle that should be avoided.

To identify flood damage:

• Check out the upholstery – carpeting and upholstery should be roughly the same color and fit tightly. If you notice different colors or loose fitting upholstery, the interior has probably been replaced after a flood or is damaged from flooding.
• Check the compartments – open the glove box, center console, trunk and spare tire pit. You shouldn't find silt, mud or rust in these areas. If you notice this type of debris, the car has likely been submerged in water and wouldn't make a good restoration project.
• Examine the wiring – wiring that is brittle will break when bent. When you find the wiring under the hood and in the car to be brittle, move on to another car.
• Use your nose – take a good whiff of the interior of the car. It is next to impossible to get the smell of water damage out of a vehicle. If you smell strong odors of mold and mildew, move on.

Talk with your local salvage expert to get assistance in choosing the next salvage car for your project. He or she will be able to walk you through the process of finding and choosing the right car for your skill level, budget and time-frame. To learn more, contact a company like Porsche Services.