How to Restore Your Collector Car

by Tom Brownell

Following the popular first edition, this all-Color edition features updated chapters that reflect the changes and advances in products, techniques and laws. This hands-on guide covers all major... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0879381744
• ISBN13: 9780879381745
• Release Date: January 1984
• Publisher: Motorbooks International
• Length: 318 Pages
• Weight: 2.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 8.6" x 10.9"

Customer Reviews

A good read that tells you what to do.

I enjoyed reading this book; it is broken down into several chapters that address the various needs older cars have when they need to be restored. The restoration advice was quite complete, whether you intend to restore your car to concours standards or just create a drivable, presentable car, and I especially liked the timetables. For example, the suggestions about chrome restoration were quite helpful, and I think that following the author's advice about sending the chrome out to be done first thing since it takes so long to get done would make the process of reassembling the completed car a lot more fun. There are lots of color pictures covering all phases of restoration, and they are helpful. My one minor gripe about them is that they are getting a bit old; this book has been updated and reprinted a few times, and it might be time to update some of the pictures as well. Several brand-name products are mentioned that can help with the restoration process, and the addresses for these companies are given. I especially liked the fact that environmentally-friendly options were listed as well. Too often, toxic solvents are used when safer products will do the same job. Overall, this is a fine book with lots of information. Is it the only book you will need? No. You will need a parts manual for your particular car (at the very least) and perhaps abother book on painting, but this is a very good starting point. Plus, it is quite affordable to boot.

Best Car Restoration Book I've Seen

Tom covers all of the details you need to know to help you restore your car. Yes, he mentions some products by name or manufacturer but only because he thinks they are the best for the purpose being discussed. He has restorered many cars and it is helpful to get his opinion of certain products. Much better than some books that tell you to do your research or, worse even, that all products are about the same so it doesn't matter which you buy. If you are restoring a car or even paying someone else to do it for you then get this book. You'll learn how to do it or the right questions to ask the person you hire.

Finally a helpful book

After being frustrated with countless titles on auto restoration, this book is a God send. It covers everything in concise detail and includes large Color photographs. No other books Ive seen comes anywhere close to the quality of this one. The information in here is priceless. The author has obviously restored many cars and researched many techniques.

Checked it out from the library, now getting my own copy

I've got a 53 Studebaker to restore, so I checked out all the books available at the library on car restoration. This one was by far the best. In fact I liked it so much, I'm buying my own copy. It told me everything I wanted to know and more. For example, the chapter on removing rust explains and illustrates several ways to go about it, then makes recommendations complete with which is the best for the environment.

An informative and entertaining look at auto restoration.

I had more fun reading this book than any of the like material I've found. It covers all aspects of restoring a classic or collector car with a strong focus on the skills and tools necessary to complete the task. This one book got me started on a project got me enrolled in a High School Welding Class, and got me buying real tools. If you have any doubts about trying to tackle a restoration project yourself, this book should put them to rest.