Mustang & Corvette Restoration FAQs
These are straight answers to the questions we hear most from Mustang and Corvette owners planning a restoration. CM Restorations is a Fort Worth, TX shop that specializes in complete Mustang and Corvette restorations, from engine to body. If your question isn’t here, call us at .
Getting Started
What does CM Restorations do?
CM Restorations restores Ford Mustangs and Chevrolet Corvettes in Fort Worth, TX. We handle complete restorations in-house, including engine and drivetrain rebuilds, rust repair and metal work, paint, interior, suspension, and wiring. We also do individual stages, such as an engine rebuild or body and paint only.
How do I start a restoration with you?
Fill out the form on our Contact page or call . Tell us the year, model, condition, and goals for your car. We follow up to talk through the project, then schedule an in-person assessment at our shop.
Do I need to know exactly what I want before I call?
No. Many owners know they want the car restored but haven’t decided between a show-correct build, a driver, or a restomod. We walk you through the options during the assessment and help you pick the level that fits how you plan to use the car.
Do you work on cars other than Mustangs and Corvettes?
Our focus is Mustangs and Corvettes, and that focus is what makes our work better. If you have another classic, reach out anyway. We will tell you honestly whether it’s a good fit for our shop.
Restoration Cost & Estimates
How much does it cost to restore a Mustang or Corvette?
Restoration cost depends on three things: the car’s starting condition, the amount of rust and metal work, and the restoration level you choose. A driver-quality refresh on a solid car costs far less than a frame-off concours build on a rusty one. We give an accurate number only after inspecting the car in person, because hidden damage changes the scope.
Why can’t you give me a price over the phone?
Two cars that look the same in photos can need very different amounts of work. Rust inside rocker panels, past collision repairs, and worn drivetrain parts only show up during an inspection. A phone quote would be a guess, and we would rather give you a number you can plan around.
How does your estimate work?
After the assessment, you receive a written estimate broken down by stage: teardown, metal and body, paint, mechanical, interior, and reassembly. You see what each phase costs before work begins, and nothing is added without your approval.
Restoration Timeline
How long does a full restoration take?
A complete frame-off restoration typically takes several months, and complex builds can take longer. The biggest factors are how much metal work the body needs, parts availability, and the restoration level. You get a projected timeline with your estimate.
What slows a restoration down?
The most common delays are hidden rust found after media blasting, back-ordered or hard-to-find original parts, and changes to the plan midway through the build. We flag delays as soon as we see them, so you are never left guessing.
Can you do just one part of the restoration faster?
Yes. Single-stage work, such as an engine rebuild, interior restoration, or brake and suspension upgrades, takes far less time than a full restoration. Ask about partial work if you want to restore your car in phases.
Mustang Restoration Questions
Which Mustang years do you restore?
We restore Mustangs from every major generation, including first generation Mustangs (1964½ to 1973), Shelby and Boss models, the Mustang II, Fox Body, and SN95 and New Edge models. Classic first generation Mustangs make up the core of our restoration work.
Where do classic Mustangs usually rust?
The most common Mustang rust areas are the floor pans, torque boxes, cowl, trunk floor and drop-offs, lower quarter panels, and rear frame rails. Cowl rust is especially important to check because it can let water into the interior. We inspect all of these areas during the assessment.
Can you verify if my Mustang is a real Shelby, Boss, or GT?
We can inspect the car’s VIN, data plate, and drivetrain codes and tell you what we find. For 1967 and later Mustangs, a Marti Report gives you the factory build record. For high-value cars, we recommend combining both before starting a show-level restoration.
Should I restore my Mustang to original or build a restomod?
If the car is a rare or numbers-matching model, an original restoration usually protects its value best. If it’s a common model you want to drive often, a restomod adds modern power, braking, handling, and A/C. We help you weigh both options before work begins.
Corvette Restoration Questions
Which Corvette generations do you restore?
We restore C1 (1953 to 1962), C2 (1963 to 1967), C3 (1968 to 1982), and C4 (1984 to 1996) Corvettes. That includes show-correct restorations, driver builds, and restomods.
How is Corvette body work different from a steel car?
Corvette bodies are fiberglass, so they don’t rust, but they crack, craze, and separate at bonding seams over time. Fiberglass repair takes different materials and techniques than steel. We repair the bodywork properly so cracks don’t come back through the new paint.
Do Corvettes rust?
The body doesn’t, but the steel underneath does. On C2 and C3 Corvettes, the birdcage (the steel frame structure around the cabin and windshield) and the chassis frame are common rust areas. We inspect the birdcage closely during every Corvette assessment, because birdcage repairs affect the plan and the budget.
What does numbers-matching mean on a Corvette?
A numbers-matching Corvette still has its original factory engine, transmission, and rear end, with stamped codes that match the car’s VIN and build date. Numbers-matching cars are typically worth more, so we rebuild original drivetrain parts rather than replacing them when originality matters.
Can you prepare a Corvette for judging?
Yes. For owners targeting events like NCRS judging, we restore to factory-correct standards with date-correct parts, original-style finishes, and full documentation. Tell us your judging goals during the assessment so we plan the build around them.
Ready to Bring It Back?
Tell us about your Mustang or Corvette. We will schedule an assessment and map out a plan for your build.
CM Restorations provides car AC recharge and wheel alignment for cars, trucks and SUVs in Fort Worth, TX. Visit us at 11801 Vienna Apple Road, Fort Worth, TX or call to schedule your service.
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