Properly restoring a vintage car or truck can take months, if not years. The results are very much worth the effort, but sometimes a car doesn’t need—nor do we have time for—a full restoration. A lot of us might not even have a full weekend to dedicate to projects, beyond simply keeping up with the next thing that is actively falling apart.
With one day and a humble toolkit, is it possible to enact real transformation on a project car? Absolutely. Here are six projects that can often be completed in a day, including some room for mistakes and misfortunes that come from DIY tasks. Pick one, and we promise that you’ll notice the difference the next time you take the car out for a drive.
Many of us only use our vintage cars for occasional driving, meaning that we don’t drive them enough to maintain a good feel for when things start to deteriorate. Brakes are a prime example. Sure, it is possible to wait until you hear scraping noises or notice a lack of stopping power, but I think we all agree that is a bad idea.
Start by properly lifting and supporting the car, pulling the wheels, and inspecting the brakes. If you don’t know with 100 percent confidence the last time the brake fluid was flushed, it’s time to do that as well. Replace any worn or damaged parts before reassembling and properly adjusting everything. Whether you’re dealing with drums or discs, driving a car is more fun when brakes work like they should.
Speaking of systems working as designed, let’s address the often-neglected steering system. Steering problems are often dismissed with phrases like, “Old cars just drive like that.” While it is true that vintage steering designs do have a different feel than what you’ll find in dealership lots today, that is no excuse for loose steering or a car that wanders all over the road.
Schedule an appointment at an alignment shop or get comfortable crawling around on the floor (the process is really not that bad) and check the condition of the tie rods, ball joints, and other steering gear. Lube, adjust, or replace components as required.
Most engines run well. Some run great. It often does not take much for an engine to move from good to great — or vice versa. Simple things like a clean air filter, fresh spark plugs, clean and pliable belts, and a clean throttle body or carburetor affect how smoothly an engine runs and even how efficiently it uses fuel. Take a little time to refresh or adjust a few simple things under the hood—a points ignition, for example—and you can transform a car’s behavior, even if the engine bay doesn’t look much different when you’re done. When it comes to under the hood, though, function is more important than form.
While we’ll give you a pass on under-hood cleanliness—you only have one day, after all—the outside of the car is an opportunity not to be missed. A simple wash can take under an hour, so start there. Just keep cleaning until time is up. Taking the time to use a clay bar is good, and stepping up to polishing might be possible for some, but everyone should leave time for a good coat of wax regardless of how deeply you’ve cleaned the paint. Don’t forget to clean the glass and protect the weatherstripping, as clear sightlines and lower wind noise are two things that improve any car.
If you’re more likely to neglect the interior of your car, focus there. After all, an interior has far more nooks and crannies that can capture dirt, debris, and the French fries we definitely ate in the car on the way back from that cruise night last fall. A good vacuuming can refresh the carpet and seats, while a wipe-down of the dash and door panels can brighten your perspective from the driver’s seat. Use a protectant on leather to ensure it lasts a good long time and ages with grace. Clean out the glovebox and center console, while you’re at it, and throw away any trash.
Sometimes we lose perspective on how good the car in our driveway really is. Taking a friend’s car for a drive can refresh the mind and remind us what we love so much about our own cars. It’s also a great opportunity to encounter your car as it really is, not as you imagine it, for better or for worse. This might be the most affordable of the six “projects,” but it can also be the most expensive when the idea of having one of each takes up residence in your mind.
From a perspective shift to replacing a few parts that you never see in regular use, not all cars need thousands of dollars or weeks of work to be everything they can be. Take a little time to knock out these projects, and make a big change in how you and others perceive your car—all in a day’s work.
I like the idea of project 6 – “Drive a different car”. For me, it’ll hafta be one belonging to someone other than a friend’s. All my friends are either in or were in the car business, or they own something less than 10 years old and keep it maintained. I’d love to drive anything you have, but you seem to keep up on everything, at least mechanically speaking! Thinking on it a bit more, my brother does have a ’64 Corvair Rampside and ’66 Corsa. Hmm…
Put on a set of radial tires if you can. Most can be found repo.
Um, the car in that first photo (brakes) is gonna need just a wee bit more than refreshing brakes before it’ll feel like new…an axle for instance?
Don’t forget to tighten the nut behind the wheel !!! Huryuah!! 🥴
