Most cars – whether they are classic, vintage, or muscle – can be made with custom parts and restored to several different levels if the correct tools and parts are utilized. However, there are certain instances where you may need special assistance to complete such an endeavor, regardless of how much experience you have with this type of project.
What Is Auto Body Fabrication?
There are many different types of challenges and obstacles one can face during a car restoration. One such obstacle relates to the process of acquiring a part that is not available for purchase in any market. In these cases, the part must be fabricated through a complex process that involves the use of advanced technologies (e.g. laser cutting) and specific tools, such as power hammers, MIG welders and bead rollers.
Top Fabrication Services
Custom auto body fabrication can encompass multiple types of services, each of which is intended to help build a specific component of a car’s body. Here is an analysis of five of these services.
Complete Custom Bodies
This type of service is designed to build a vehicle’s entire body, from top to bottom. A car’s body includes the hood, the bumper, the rim, the windows, the doors and the trunk. The objective of a restoration is to make a car look as if it had just rolled off the assembly line, and part of this process involves aligning its frame so that it may be driven openly on any road. This is essential to the process of custom auto body fabrication as well.
Custom Bumpers & Trim
Car bumpers must be fabricated in such a way that they can bear the impact of collisions. Bumpers, which may be either exposed or hidden, are typically made of either foams or plastics. For car models that utilize several choices for trim levels, (i.e. “grades”), manufacturers generally offer at least three or four different versions of a model but with unique equipment and features (e.g. built-in WiFi hotspot, Apple CarPlay, etc.).
Custom Headers & Exhaust
Headers can help optimize your car engine’s performance by giving each cylinder a mini-exhaust pipe. This causes the total air intake to increase and the back pressure to decrease. Fortunately, headers are typically affordable and easy to install. They often come in various shapes, sizes, materials, and coatings. Many headers are designed to fit either a “4-in-1” or a “3-in-1” layout, depending on factors such as a car’s make, model and engine capacity.
A custom-made exhaust system can also save you money. However, there are certain things about this type of car part you should know. For example, pre-bent pipes typically can only be sourced in standard degree angles (45, 90, 180, etc.). Additionally, your state may have specific laws that ban certain types of vehicle modifications.
Dashes & Consoles
The dashboard, which is typically made of fiberglass, is one of the most essential parts of a vehicle’s interior. One of the first steps a custom auto body professional will take to make this part is to measure the height and width of the inside of your car and then use styrofoam or another similar material to trace the outline. Measurements should also be taken to fabricate the console, which is generally made of leather.
Engine Brackets
A correctly installed engine mount must hold an engine and transmission securely in place. A custom auto body professional may do several things to make engine brackets, such as creating a cradle pattern, drilling attachment holes and test-fitting them.
Other parts of a car’s body that can generally be custom-made include air cleaners and headlights. Be sure to ask a professional for recommendations on which materials to use for your vehicle (steel, aluminum, bronze, composite, etc.).
Speak To A Professional Custom Auto Body Shop
Reach out to the experts at Robs Customs & Restorations in Manassas, Virginia for more information on custom auto body fabrication. We have experience working with several different types of vehicles, including classic, antique, vintage, and muscle cars. Regardless of the level of custom bodywork and restoration you are seeking for your vehicle, we are dedicated to addressing your unique needs.
At Robs, custom body work always begins with a frame alignment, as this is crucial for any car to circulate openly on the roads. We will then move onto building and restoring both the interior and exterior of the vehicle, including the seats. Our staff can provide you with car parts that will last decades before they need to be replaced. We also perform custom paint jobs and engine swaps.
Call Robs Customs & Restorations today at (703) 552-5001 to learn more about our services or contact us online for a custom auto body estimate.