Washburn Classic Car and Truck Restorations | Raleigh NC

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • About
    • Our Process
  • Services
    • Automotive Restoration Services
    • Restomods
    • Mechanical Services
  • Projects
    • Current Projects
    • Completed Cars and Trucks
  • Testimonials
  • Vehicles
  • We're Hiring
    • Classic Car Auto Body Fabricator/ Technician
  • Contact

Our Process

Restored 1963 Chevy C10 Steering Column & Gauges'63 Chevy C10 Steering Column & Gauges
Properly rebuilding a classic car or truck requires skill, hard work, the right tools, a detailed process and an organized approach. We pride ourselves in consistently turning out beautifully restored vehicles.

​Our process begins with a detailed consultation with you about what you want to accomplish with your restoration project.  We then draft the pertinent details into a contract.  Next, you deliver your vehicle to us, and we start work. Along the way we give you periodic progress reports including project photographs. In addition, we are active on Facebook, and we frequently post photos of our projects along the way. You, your family and friends can keep tabs on the status of your vehicle as it's being restored.

Finally, when the project is completed, we will wish you well as you drive off in your beautifully restored dream machine.

Restored Buick - classic car
Tips for Selecting a Restoration Shop

When searching for a shop to restore your vintage car or truck, it is important to choose the right one for your specific needs. If you want your vehicle restored properly - and who doesn't? - then it needs to be worked on by a shop that specializes in restorations. Never go to a local garage or body shop, because they simply do not have the skills and knowledge necessary for complex restoration work. Restoration shops are not body shops, and body shops are not restoration shops. If you deal with a shop that does not specialize in restorations your costs will likely be higher because it will take longer to do things, and sometimes to re-do them.

Because no two cars are in the same condition when their restoration projects begin, it would be unfair to compare your estimate with that of any other vehicle. And regarding estimates, you should know that it is exceedingly difficult for a shop owner to provide an accurate estimate that will hold true throughout the length of a restoration project. The primary reasons for this are twofold.  First, is nearly impossible to accurately gauge the condition of the car before the restoration project begins. One of our customers recently brought his car into us for a partial restoration. Shortly after we started the project we discovered that a great deal of rust had been previously hidden by bondo and a fresh coat of paint. The vehicle needed much more in the way of basic repairs than was originally anticipated. The second reason why accurate estimates are illusive is that quality parts can be difficult to find for classic cars and trucks. We sometimes need to fabricate custom parts to complete a project.

Because it is impossible to foresee every single project complication, reputable restorers charge by the hour for their services rather than quoting a fixed price. Hourly charges may seem like an overly open-ended type of arrangement, however if you want a high quality result there is no alternative. In fact, you should be skeptical of any shop that offers to restore your car for a fixed price. Either they will cut corners in places you won’t notice, or you will be hit with unexpected surcharges. Either way, it will cost you.

Well respected shops require a substantial deposit before work begins as it lets them start ordering the parts and supplies needed. And better-run shops will invoice you on either a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis. Each invoice should include detailed labor descriptions, and a listing of all parts purchased during the billing period.

We are proud to be a trusted, high-end restoration company. We know that our customers appreciate the individual attention and quality results that they receive from our talented and dedicated team of restoration experts.  Call us today for a consultation and we will help you bring your classic car or truck back to life ... the right way!

Please feel free to download this informative article by Alyn Edward, a classic car enthusiast and author:

"Collector Classics/ Why it costs so much to restore or modify a classic"
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classic mustang restoration
muscle car restoration
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WASHBURN CLASSIC RESTORATIONS
serving Raleigh, the Triangle and all of North Carolina

​109 Taylor Road  •  Louisburg, NC 27549
Phone: 
(919) 701-9877
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