Restoring a vintage truck: what's different from a car
· 5 min read
In short
A vintage truck has a chassis separate from the cab, bigger and heavier components, and parts that are often unobtainable and must be made to measure. Restoring one needs the right space and tools, a careful overhaul of brakes and suspension, and close attention to the livery and historic lettering that are part of its identity.
Space and equipment
A truck doesn't fit in just any workshop. You need room to lift off the cab, lifts and stands rated for the weight, and tools for components far larger than a car's. Transport is also arranged around the specific vehicle.
Chassis and cab
Unlike many cars, a truck has a ladder chassis separate from the cab. It often pays to lift the cab off to work properly on both: the chassis is checked, blasted and protected; the cab goes to metalwork, where rusted-out sections such as the floor, doors and wings are rebuilt.
Brakes and mechanics
A heavy vehicle must stop safely: brakes, leaf-spring suspension, steering and driveline are carefully overhauled. On bigger trucks the braking system may be air or servo-assisted and calls for specific expertise.
Parts to be remade
Parts for working vehicles are rarer than for cars: fewer were built and they were often run into the ground. Many parts have to be sourced, adapted or remade to measure: the field of our special restorations.
Livery and lettering
A truck tells you who used it: the company name, the village, the four-digit phone number painted on the door. Recreating the original livery and lettering, even from old photographs, is what makes a restored truck truly unique.
Some of our trucks
- Iveco Pigafetta, the round-the-world truck, with the expedition's livery and lettering.
- Fiat 500 C pick-up, in bare metal: a work in progress.
- Two-tone vintage van, restored and back on the road.
All our work on trucks and commercial vehicles is on the vintage truck restoration page.
Frequently asked questions
Do you restore trucks of any size?
We restore vintage trucks, vans and commercial vehicles; for the largest ones we assess space and transport together.
Can you still find parts for vintage trucks?
Often not: many parts have to be sourced, adapted or remade to measure in the workshop.
Can you recreate the company's original lettering?
Yes, even from old photographs, to give the truck back its historic livery.
