How long have you been working on your Pro touring car?

[andrew5]

Originally Posted by kevin_l

Thanks guys, you're making me feel normal! Can't tell you how many nights I've laid in bed thinking of all the spent money, wondering if I should just sell it thinking it and cut my losses. Aside from some frame straightening everything has been done in my 2 car garage. Loads of overtime pay for the parts, can't imaging paying labor too! I love working on cars, but I've never been this far over my head in a project. It's scary thinking about all the unknowns, but with forums like this I am hopeful we'll get it done. Some day!

i'm on year 5 and should be completing by this spring or early summer.it's a long road!

[pro68chevelle]

Iv been working on my 68 Chevelle for about 3 1/2 years and hoping to paint this spring and get some testing in before next winter but now I'm changing my suspension again!

[69hugger]

Just my little project... freshen the motor, new heads/ cam/ bearings/ and rings... new radiator/ fans... redo the fuel tank... clean up & redo some of the wiring... and detail the inner fenders & rad support will take 3-4 months, and I am retired. Every day I discover I need a new tool, and/ or small parts needed to do the job correctly. Let's not even figure in the project creep. How do you not replace clutch parts while the motor/ trans is out?
These days you don't just run down to the store for a lot of this stuff...you have to go online. (Where do you buy Weaherpack or Metripack connectors locally? There are dozens of types!) Then you wait 2 days to a week to proceed. The little crap runs me $30 to $50 PER DAY! The freight charges add up too!
Even more impressive if you are in some type of auto trade, then come home & start on your deal. (got permagrease?) When do you watch Overhaulin & Bitchin Rides?
Again....a ground-up on a rusted hulk? Not this cowboy.
You that can & do...I salute you!

Bill

[dhutton]

It typically takes me 1.5 to 2 years to complete a project but they are usually limited to rust repair/panel replacement and bolt in mods. They are not SEMA or track bound. I do all the work including paint so I am never waiting on anyone but myself. This also helps control the cost because I can't afford to pay someone significantly more than I make to do significant amounts of work on my car. Each project is financed through the sale of the previous project. I order long lead-time parts well in advance to keep things moving along. I also order parts Sunday night to insure they are available the following weekend. Summit is great for this because you can check inventory.

I am two months into my current 69 Camaro project. The new floor and trunk floor are modified for the AME IRS and installed along with minitubs. The rear subframe is installed. I am currently installing/stretching the rear quarters. The Speartech LSA harness and 6L90E should ship this week so I will be able to figure out what sort of tunnel mods are needed. When they arrive I will order the crate engine. Anvil leadtimes can be long so I ordered the fenders etc well in advance. All I am waiting on is the rear bumper. I am constantly watching for deals on parts that I know I will need. I just picked up some new Recaro seats from a 2015 Z28 that were being swapped out for more race oriented seats.

As stated in the post above I find the key to keeping the timeframe reasonable is a realistic plan and finances in place or at least planned.

Don

[Rod P]

purchased 100 bucks




at 14 months later...ugly and driving



at 16 months I painted it



and now!!!

[DBasher]

Pulled the mustang into the garage in November and hope to have it back out in March. First round is chassis, suspension and V8 swap...I'll make it pretty later.

[rickpaw]

I spent 3 yrs restoring my 67 Firebird, from a rolling shell to a finished runner. But then spent 5 months doing LS swap on it, then brake/suspension upgrade.

As Sieg suggested, the car is never done.

[Panteracer]

I bought my firebird 27 years ago
Took a couple of months to get it running
and start autocrossing... it was run for many
years and sat for over 7 years when the kids
were growing up... 9 motors later finally working
on suspension etc.. just put a lexan window in
out back. splitter and working on the updated rear
spoiler.. Like some say they are never done

My most work gets done when I have an event
to get ready for... Optima Thunderhill right now
since I missed all of them last year

Panteracer

[formula88]

My '67 took about 33 months from deconstruction of original powertrain/chassis to a running LS powertrain and DSE chassis. Still tinkering away on it as others have said..."they are never really finished".

I admire those who are skilled in welding /fabrication and paint. I wish I was that talented. Sled Alley did the metal work and painted the underbody, trunk, interior bits and engine compartment.