With this checklist, we hope to help guide you through a safe project car purchase. Whenever possible, bring several knowledgeable friends along to aid you in your initial inspection. Individual factors that should influence your choice of project cars include personal ability or aptitude, finances, and what is to be expected from the new toy, i.e., driver, full resto, etc. A decoding guide will also be extremely helpful. It would be impossible to explain exactly where to look and what to look for on each model, so use this list as a common sense guide to making an educated decision.
BODY
Look for badly rusted, damaged or missing parts, excessive use of bondo and poor attempts at repairs. Check all gaps for hints of a twisted body, causing poor panel alignment. Scratched glass could be costly and/or time consuming. Trim can be hard to find and costly, too.
Remember the four C's: correctness, condition, completeness and collectibility. Interior restoration is inexpensive compared with other areas, yet some dash pads and parts can be very expensive. Underdash wiring can really get butchered over the years, so take a long, hard look.
Dash
Dash cluster
Wiring
Carpet
Options
Seats
Console
Shifter
Door panels
Trim
Chrome
Headliner
Accessories
Emblems
Aftermarket
Butcher jobs
Misc.
UNDERCARRIAGE
A lift is by far the best way to inspect an undercarriage, so use one whenever possible. Rusty framerails can be relatively expensive to repair, so spend some time poking around. Look past the obvious and beware of hidden items that could slow or stop your restoration trek. The rust monster lives here.
Rust
Matching numbers
Missing/bent linkages
Non-original equipment
Floors
Leaks
Rails
Exhaust
Trans
Rockers
Suspension
Stress cracks
Rear
K-frame
Radiator support
Cables
Block
Fuel tank
Mounts
Linkage
Lines
Misc.
MOTOR COMPARTMENT
The four C's go a long way here, too. Originality is the key to a quality, correct restoration, and starting with the right pieces will certainly expedite the procedure. Use a decoding guide like those from Galen Govier.
Matching numbers
Correct accessories
Firewall/apron rust
Overall condition
Running condition
Underside of hood
Wiring
Carbs
Pulleys
Fuel/brake lines
A/C parts and lines
Correct hardware
Air cleaner
Linkages
Radiator
Correct parts
Pumps
Brackets
Misc.
TRUNK
Although a small area of the car, some of these parts can be difficult to find. For instance, B-bodies can use up to four different spare tire hold-down bolts. Original equipment here can save a lot of grief.