How much are you guys spending on restoration?

[Thumpt]

Rodger, I like your posts. No messin around.

I know down to the dollar (or pretty damn close) what I have in my car for a few reasons. I have an agreed value insurance policy and I like to increase that number the more money I put into the car, which I have been doing gradually over the past 2.5 years.

Like most I started with a budget ($50k LOL) and blew past that a loooong way back. But mostly because I kept adding and adding things I guess I had to have... minitub, 4 link, leather interior, hood hinges, yada yada yada.... about the only damn thing I didn't step up on was an aftermarket sub, which I know I don't need.

And I do not want a great paint job - I wanted driver quality paint only so I won't be any more worried about where I drive or park this car than I already am. This sumbitch is built to drive.


BTW, did anyone notice this thread was revived after being dead for over a year?


Great reading thought it might be time to revive this thread again.

[DBL NKL]

Originally Posted by Thumpt

BTW, did anyone notice this thread was revived after being dead for over a year?


Great reading thought it might be time to revive this thread again.

The thread that won;t die, and probably the only thread most old lady's will read when clicking on the wrong bookmark while we're gone for the day. (lol)

[Heartlandrods]

Roger is absolutely right in the replies that he has posted on here. We have built cars that were completely original restorations, and we have built half a million dollar supercars. It all comes down to what do you want, because the way that pro-touring customs are going today, the amount that you can spend especially if you get into one off parts and fabrication is endless. Here is a quick breakdown of really ballpark numbers that you can go by. This is based of of if you take it to a shop like mine that does everything in house and you don't do any of the work yourself. Ths is a full rotisserie restoration plus the custom work.

Completely original restoration of a 1969 Camaro...1000 labor hours x shop labor rate (ex. 1000 hours x $60/hr = $60,000)

-Plus parts...25k

-Plus the donor car

Even here this amount can go up if you need more parts to restore it properly or if the donor car is in need of a lot of metal work

Typical pro-touring 1969 Camaro (LS3/tremec five speed, DSE suspension)
-1500 labor hours x shop labor rate (ex. 1500 hours x $60/hr = $90,000)

-Plus parts...$50,000+

-Plus the donor car

-plus custom leather interior if wanted...$10,000+

If you do nicer parts, more fabrication or a nicer interior, the cost just goes up from here. These are just basic ballpark numbers to go by, but can give someone that has never had a car built a glimpse of what it takes moneywise.

Time schedule can vary according to how busy a shop is or how fast the customer is bringing the shop money. When I have a customer that stays current on paying, a typical pro-touring build will take 12-18 months. The longest we have ever taken was just under 2 years. We built the September feature C2ZR1 Corvette in ten months from start to finish, but that is rediculously fast for a build of that level. I hope this gives you guys some insight, but just as it has been said before in this thread....take your original budget and at least add 50% because just like building a house, you are going to add things and there will be suprises when the paint comes off your donor car! These things I promise!

Jeff Page
Heartland Customs
www.Heartlandcustoms.us