Help with an old chevy bel air?

[Ryan]

I'm looking to do a project with my dad fixing up an old car, and I've been looking at an old Bel Air thats for sale near were I live. I don't know anything about the car yet since me and my dad just started thinking about this project today. I have seen the car and its in pretty rough shape (rusted and dented, and I'm not sure if it even runs), I'm assuming the interior is just as bad as the exterior.

Here's the thing, neither me or my dad have ever tried to fix up an old car, or know anything about it. Is there any advice you could give us, or any books/websites we should read?

I would also like to hear what you guys would do when it comes to interior, exterior, sound, etc. By that I mean what colors, materials, or brands you would use. If anyone lives in the Charlotte area do you know any shops that I could go to for help on this project?

Thanks in advance everyone

 

[Old Man Dirt]

First, but a car with the best body you can find! Body work makes or breaks a show car, it is also the most expensive to do.
Second, get a digital camera and take pictures of every nut and bolt as well as anything else you take off or apart. You can not take too many pictures and memory is cheap. But burn them to a disk.
Third, have deep pockets. It takes money.
I had a book on restoring old cars and it recommended have two of the same year, make and model of car. Use one for reference and the other to work on. Preferably one that can be driven a little to help you remember why you are doing this. The book is packed away right now, so I don't remember the title.
Oh yes, get a three car garage to do the work in, and keep every thing else out of it.
Get every technical book you can on the car you are working on and find a club that specializes in that car.
There is much more to say, but keep the first project do able!
Get a years subscription to "Hemmings Motor News", you might find a good buy on exactly what you want to restore rather then a wreck down the street! Go to the site, they will send you a free copy. It is well worth the money spent finding quality parts suppliers.