Comments on: when restoring old trucks and cars why do people usually put them on a modern chassis?

By: cussos58

cussos58 — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:22:59 +0000

any older cars i have been involved in restoring have been to original condition but sometimes parts are not available like for the brakes or maybe some suspension so later parts can be adapted so long as it is safe to do so
but when building a hotrod we use the older body on a later chassis with good brakes,steering and suspension with a souped up motor with lots of chrome all modifications and welds must have an engineers certificate before they can be registered in australia
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mechanic 20+years and hotrodder for ever

By: SPL addict

SPL addict — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:05:59 +0000

the reason ussually is with a modern chassis you get modern suspension and brakes which means the vehicle will ride better, and brake and handle better
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By: JimW

JimW — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:23:59 +0000

As already stated, many do it for the better structure and safety features of a modern chassis or because the original chassis is rusted beyond repair. There are also other factors like ride quality and suspension parts availability to consider. Purist will not approve of any of this. Also, a true restoration uses all the correct parts for the car when it was made, not a modern chassis under collectors sheet metal. Using a modern chassis means you are not restoring, but rather you are doing a "resto-mod".
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Life long gearhead and 5+ years working with a friend that does custom & restoration work for a living.

By: john s

john s — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:58:59 +0000

I depends on the rust damage the metal.
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By: wiseornotyoudecide

wiseornotyoudecide — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:16:59 +0000

Safety, need to still meet current minimum standards when rebuilding a vehicle. If someone rebuilds an old vehicle they require a mechanics signature saying the vehicle is safe for the road. If the vehicle ever gets into an accident and even after the mechanic ok the vehicle is on the owners back to prove their vehicle did not contribute to their injuries, or that of others, if it does not meet current minimum vehicle standards. So if you think having an antique vehicle is worth a lawsuit if you ever get into an accident that will leave you broke, well there is a good reason why they have a modern chassis.
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By: Billy

Billy — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:05:59 +0000

It does take away from the historic value yes but in answering the 2nd..modern chassis are alot more safe then they we're way back there. There alot more of a strudy structure and hold up to alot more then the old ones ever did.
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