The 10 Easiest Classic Cars to Restore | Wilson Auto Repair (2024)

1964 – 1968 Mustangs

Each and every Mustang part is currently being produced by dozens of companies. You should have zero issues locating what you need. In addition Mustangs have an extensive expert fan base providing an endless amount of resources and support. The Mustang will never go out of style ensuring that, when the day comes to sell it, a restored Mustang will always be in demand.

1967 – 1969 Chevy Camaros

While you might find the initial purchase price to be a little higher, Camaros enjoy the same parts availability as the Mustang. The car is reliable, a blast to drive and can be made into a powerful muscle machine due to an enormous aftermarket performance parts market. These are some of the reasons that 80% of classic car autocross vehicles are Camaros. They are relatively cheap and easy to repair!

1968 – 1970 Chevy Nova

With over one million Novas produced this might just be the cheapest and easiest cars to restore. It is a great choice for a first-time project as long as you avoid the four-door Nova as there isn’t much of a demand for them. Keeping it stock helps the resale value, but there are also numerous upgrades, like disc brake kits, to help the Nova perform at its best.

1964 – 1965 Ford Falcon

The inner structure of the Ford Falcon is all Mustang offering an almost identical braking and suspension system. A plethora of interior and exterior parts have been professionally reproduced as well as a great selection of aftermarket performance parts. The simplicity of the car makes them easy to work on and the ease of parts availability makes them a great decision for an inexperienced builder.

You might opt for the higher priced Olds 442, but the Cutlass can deliver the same great ride and head turning looks. Considering the fact that the chassis parts can be swapped with all GM A-body vehicles, finding inexpensive suspension and brake parts is a breeze. The exterior parts are not produced to the extent as some of the other cars listed, but are certainly not impossible to find.

1955 – 1957 Chevy Bel Air

Thankfully there were a solid number of Tri-Five models built from 1955-57 making replacement parts relatively easy to get. The 1955 is probably the most affordable of all to restore, but the simple fact is that you can purchase every part necessary to recreate a brand new car, including new bodies for the 1957 model. A growing demand for these cars means that they while they sell quickly, the affordability of restoring one may soon be out of reach for the average Joe.

1971 – 1972 Chevy Chevelle

Other than the mustang, no line of cars enjoys the ease of accessibility to parts than greater than GM’s line of A-body cars. Chevelles offer a body-on-frame construction which will make a restoration a pretty straight forward project. Keep the restoration stock and you will also find that selling this for a profit will be pretty straightforward as well.

1928 – 1931 Ford Model A

New body panels, trim, you name it… every part is available to purchase online or from a catalog. Aftermarket parts are available too if you are interested in creating a serious roadster or coupe. With the huge availability of the Model A you shouldn’t expect to turn a huge profit from selling your restoration, but with the sheer number of them available it is an easy car to find parts and restoration support. A simplistic design also makes them incredibly easy to work on.

1978 – 1982 Chevy Corvette

Demand for late seventies to early eighties Corvettes restored to original specs is on the rise. You can still find, however, these cars in good running condition for less than ten thousand dollars. With the endless amount of Vette specialists offering just about any part necessary, finding what you need will be a cinch. Plenty of Aftermarket parts are available too depending on what type of speed machine you want to build.

1968 – 1970 Dodge Charger

You can’t go wrong with the decision to restore a Dodge Charger. This car offers muscle and style all in one package. All mechanical parts are available for purchase and body and trim pieces are being reintroduced to the market daily. Be aware that the as the motor size increases so will the overall cost of the car, but in the end it will all be worth it as many enthusiasts claim the Charger as the best muscle car of all time. Resale will never be an issue.