Americans are passionate about cars. It’s estimated that there are over 270 million cars in the country. The United States also produces over a million vehicles annually. However, these numbers have decreased as more automobile manufacturers do their production in China. But that’s still a lot of cars being produced in the country.
Americans also have a love for old and classic cars. It’s estimated that 25% of vehicles on the road right now are more than 16 years old, with a good fraction of that being classic cars like the Ford Mustang ’68 or the 1969 Chevrolet Camaro. So the car restoration industry is essential for making these cars run.
If you’re passionate about classic cars, a car restoration business might be the perfect venture. Here are five essentials to get your business off the ground.
A Love for Cars
This might seem like an obvious one, but it’s essential. You need to be passionate about cars to start a car restoration business. If you’re not, it’ll be difficult to muster up the enthusiasm to work the day in and day out. So it’s also essential to know cars.
Unlike auto-mechanic shops, you don’t need to be a mechanic, but it helps if you know your way around an engine.
A Good Location
Auto-mechanics can get away with starting a shop in the middle of nowhere. People will seek out their services no matter what. However, like a car restoration service, you will want to be closer to potential customers.
A city with a lot of classic car owners is ideal. There are likely to be more people interested in your services. Plus, being in the city puts you in the middle of the action. You’ll have access to more resources, making it easier for customers to find you.
Moreover, starting a restoration shop near a junk shop is smart. Junk shops tend to have old vehicle parts ready for sale. You might need them when working with older and more sophisticated restorations.
The Right Tools
You don’t need a garage full of mechanic tools to start a car restoration business. However, there are some essential pieces of equipment that you will need, such as:
- A welder
- An engine crane
- A jack
- A torque wrench
Investing in high-quality tools is also essential. They may cost more upfront, but they’ll save you a lot of money in the future. Furthermore, having some vehicle parts like bushings can do you good. For example, having some classic rear-end bushings for classic cars like the Camaro ’64-’77 model can make rear-end restoration a breeze. These bushings tend to be rare, and having these parts in stock means you can have a faster restoration time than other services.
A Dependable Team
Like any business, a car restoration business is only as good as the team working on it. So you need to have a group of people you can trust to get the job done right.
It’s essential to find people who share your passion for cars. These people will be more likely to do a good job and take pride in their work. Furthermore, they’ll be less likely to cut corners.
You should also look for people with different skill sets. For example, you might have one team member who’s an expert welder and another who’s a master at sourcing parts. Having a diverse team will make your business more well-rounded and successful.
A Marketing Plan
Last but not least, you need a marketing plan. Even if you have the best car restoration business in the world, no one will know about it if you don’t market it correctly.
There are plenty of ways to market your business. For example, you could start by creating a website and using social media to promote your services.
When using social media, you can post pictures of cars that you have restored. Furthermore, posting videos on YouTube regarding your restoration projects is always good. People will love that, and you can earn money from the views!
You could also host events like car shows to attract potential customers. You can bring a restored car from these events with the owner’s permission.
Whatever marketing strategy you choose, make sure you’re consistent with it. The more people see your name, the more likely they will use your services.
Starting a car restoration business can be a great way to turn your passion for cars into a successful venture. Just make sure you follow the tips above when starting one. With these five essentials, you’ll be restoring cars faster than you can imagine.
