What to do with vintage car

whippet

this is a strange one but something i'd like a bit of guidance on.

My father has a 1940 Riley RMA, partly restored and with just about all the bits and pieces, plus plenty of spares.

This is a project he embarked upon a good number of years ago and through work and ill health he has given up on the project.

He has offered me the car and everything with it; however; I neither have the time (young family and very busy work life) nor the skill set to complete the job (when I say skill set .. actually zero mechanical experience)

Being honest, I love the car and have for years really wanted to see this car back on the road, partly for having a grá for classic / vintage motors but mainly to be able to let my dad see it back in all it's glory (he has a real soft spot for Rileys.

My question ..... what options are there in ireland for having someone restore a vintage and what is the cost?

In my limited knowledge the condition is: Bodywork about 60% cleaned back and preped for painting, engine was removed stripped and rebuilt and put back in, chassis stripped and repainted etc ... suspension, gearbox etc .. stripped and put back. The interior needs total over haul (still original but needs complete re-doing) .. about 5 years ago was the last time it was turned over in the driveway and it did drive under it's own power.


This is all a little vague, but really I'm wondering if this is a worthwhile project to get stuck in to or am i just dreaming

Lyre61

Sounds like all the hard work is done, your just down to painting and putting it back together. Nice stage to get into a project.

shawnee

The finishing of a classic is the more difficult and more expensive. It is also time consuming but not having seen your car it is difficult to judge. If you could afford to pay someone it would speed up the process. I suggest you get a quote for completion and if you can't afford it , then offer it for sale to someone who will . There's always another one around when you have more time.;)

whippet

shawnee wrote: »

The finishing of a classic is the more difficult and more expensive. It is also time consuming but not having seen your car it is difficult to judge. If you could afford to pay someone it would speed up the process. I suggest you get a quote for completion and if you can't afford it , then offer it for sale to someone who will . There's always another one around when you have more time.;)

I totally appreciate what you are saying; however, this actual car has a fair bit of sentimental value with plenty of blood, sweat and tears from my auld fella in it at this stage and as such i'd like to do it.

I am leaning towards the hand it over to someone to complete (as a lot of the donkey work has been done by my dad).

Has anyone any recommendations as to who might take on a project like this? Time scale wouldn't be important and could be worked on over a couple of years if needed ...

welder

Dont tell any prospective "finishers" there is no hurry or you will never see it back.........