What to build....??

[Vegas69]

Do what you want just like you planned from the start.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Originally Posted by Radlark

Preston thanks that's exactly what I was shooting for lol, I think I'm going to sell the 65 and build the 67! I appreciate all who chimed in again, I like the body of the 67 more than the 65.

Noted for future reference when you are looking for a roof panel and rear inner structure.

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

Do what you want just like you planned from the start.

Truth. We've all been there.

[Evan Iroc-Z]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Driver quality paint and a stock "Legends" or similar interior just ate half that number.... you've yet to buy tires and wheels - A/C and on and on. Unrealistic number crunching is why these projects sit on jack stands for years.

Let's use your 30K number.... that's 30 MONTHS (2 and a half years) of spending or saving $1,000 per month.... net after taxes. That's with no hiccups. More like $500 a month for 60 months -- which is FIVE YEARS of labor and savings/spending.

People always underestimate the actual costs of building projects. They never count on the gas tank needing to be replaced -- oh doing EFI?? There's a pump and sump tank... There's just so many "little" items that nobody counts on...

I get what you are saying. I have always created a budget and doubled it because of whileImatititis. I guess the true question goes to the OP. Do you want the car running and driving or do you want the car completely finished and running and driving.

I guess my point is, I have never had the money to go buy all brand new items, so I bargain shop like crazy. If you go all new then yes my numbers are WAY off, but he doesn't need to spend $100K to build this car.

[GregWeld]

I was trying to be realistic for he OP..... because MOST people can't write a check for 10 grand let alone 100.... And MOST people tear into a car before they really sit down and figure out the TRUE amount of work/tools/hours/costs really are.

Maybe - maybe - the OP will take another look - put pencil to paper... bust out a calculator... and then will, or maybe won't, start down this slippery slope. My comments are to get someone THINKING.

[Vegas69]

When I think budget build, it consists of buying a running car that has usable parts and a driver paint job already. It needs tweaked to your liking. Not only is this the most economical route, it keeps you on the road.

[buickfunnycar.com]

Originally Posted by Radlark

I like the body of the 67 more than the 65...

No argument there from me...

[DBasher]

What I've learned is to start off with the best you can afford and build on it from that point. The two cars posted would need to be damn near free for me to want to move forward. Not that they're junk, it's just with the amount of work they need it wouldn't make sense for me. I don't like rust.

A quick search in the local classifieds shows a few 65-67's that are decent driver quality for $3500-7000....that's about what it'll cost to rebuild a motor/transmission.

The good thing about these cars are they are cheap with low resale value. If you can't find patch panels chances are you can find a complete car for next to nothing and cut it up.

[Radlark]

Luckily the 67 has a nice running motor compared to the 65 which the car starts and runs but it smokes.

Greg I greatly appreciate you for "keeping it real"!

As I tore more into the 67 the repair work is not going to be that difficult I found a guy parting out a 67 so I will be scavenging off of that. I am not too concerned about the paint at the moment my focus will be:

1. Ensure the motor and trans reliability
2. Make it safe to drive brakes (finding a nice set of rollers while I am at it), steering , stopping (giving tobin a call) electrical (that is my specialty)
3. Repair body
4. Repair Trunk
5. Drive it
6. SELL THE 65 SKYLARK
6. Start upgrading to the good stuff slowly I already have parts in my garage that I have been collecting for the past year.

Again I truly appreciate all that chimed in and offered up there advice/opinions!!!