So you’ve been to the Pomona Swap Meet & Classic Car Show to peruse the vendors, car show and the classics that are offered for sale. The money is in the bank, just waiting for the right automobile to come along. While finding and starting on a project car is exciting, there are some issues to consider before taking the plunge.

You may already think you know exactly which make and model you want. However, when you choose a project car over one that has already been restored; you have to consider things like the ease of finding those muscle car parts the car will require. A general rule of thumb is the rarer the model, the harder it is to find authentic parts and the more expensive those parts will be.

Choosing the make of classic you want is typically easy. Most car buffs are either a Chevy guy, a Mopar fan or a Ford fanatic. For those who do not have a strong preference, this decision can make the project fairly straight-forward or a bit more complicated. Generally speaking, parts from Ford and Chevrolet are the easiest to find. General Motors models shared some parts, but used different engines making parts for their other divisions such as Pontiac a little tougher to locate.

The rarity of the model that catches your eye will affect the reconditioning process along with your wallet. The original purchase price for a rare Dodge Super Bee is going to be much higher than for the more plentiful Pontiac GTO’s. Locating parts for the cars that were not as mass produced can be a challenge. For those makes and others, utilizing the classifieds section on the Pomona Swap Meet website is a great place to find the materials you need for your renovation.

One more thing to consider, originality is the key to a cars value as a collectible. Purchasing a car that is as close to the original as possible, and then rebuilding with new old stock parts is paramount. Paint color and scheme should match what was available the year the car was built to retain classic appeal. Or for those who drive their muscle cars on a regular basis, modern conveniences like CD players might be more important than conforming to the original options. No matter what choices you make when selecting a project muscle car, contact us to find the parts and accessories needed to bring your classic back to life. Or search for your parts at the next swap meet on March 3rd from 5am – 2pm. Get there early to choose from the best selection of authentic parts for your muscle car.