Restoring a classic or antique car can be a very rewarding. However it can be challenging and expensive especially for the novice. Once very sound piece of advice is to keep your projects small until you get some practice. The first piece of advice is to find a car that is in drivable condition. Unless you have lots of time and space, a drivable car will be a better option. Once you get this under your belt then you can move onto a more challenging project.
Beware of what you are buying. Don’t just buy a car to restore because it is cheap. It is cheap for a reason, usually being it will cost much more to restore. Look for something in reasonable condition, especially if you’re new to restoration. It will save you money in the long run.

Never purchase a car to restore that comes in boxes. If the car isn’t reasonably intact then leave it. This usually means that several others before you have tried and failed. It can also mean that you will have several missing parts to track down.
Decide on an area of interest. Classic car restoration is a vast area. There are many makes, models and eras. They are all quite different from each other as well. Decide on one area and become as expert as possible. Once you decide on an area of interest, do your homework. Read up on everything you can about that particular car. Study the history and learn all that is available before you purchase anything.

There are several classic car clubs centered on various types of vehicles. This is an excellent way to get first hand knowledge on your desired car. Look at as many online classified car ads that you can find. This will give you an excellent idea of quality and price before you go to buy. Make a list of the most promising ones to follow up on.
When you go to purchase a car, try to have the cash in hand. You may be able to knock several hundred off if you have cash to give them right then and there. At very least have your finance pre arranged. Set a time for your offer to expire. This frees you from the offer should you change your mind.

Finally, make sure all paperwork is in order before you complete the transaction. If there are major paperwork hassles then walk away.

By following these tips, you will be well on your way to restoring your first classic car.