How much are you guys spending on restoration?

[Moabdude]

My 68 Camaro is "under construction" for the last 2 years. I can't do the bodywork mysellf so I have someone doing this for me. First I had body man #1. Then we started argu-ing about things. Now it is at body man#2. I am very satisfied with his approach and quality but he works really slow. I is not his work, he just does this as a side job after work hours.
It will take at least an other 3-4 months before it is ready for paint.

The only thing that keeps me motivated are the pictures of Steven Rupp's 69 Camaro. That is my big example. That is how my 68 should look like!

My Camaro has been done body off and restoration was done in a rotissery.
the following welding/bodywork has been done:
- new quarters (left and right)
- new door skins (left and right)
- new rear panel.
- restoring the old left fender
- customizing the lower valance panel with 69 turn lights
- welding up the heater opening in the firewall to make a smooth firewall
- welding up the holes in the floorpans, partly welding in new floorpans
- welding up the holes in the rear window panel (between rear window and trunk)
- lots of small welding jobs which take many hours to complete (like tailoring the gaps between the doors, hood and trunk, etc, etc.)

I already spend $ 10.000,- (including the sheetmetal and primer paint etc.)and an other $5.000,- will come for making the car ready for paint (sand blocking it an straighten it out with bondo and putting on the primers).
Paintjob will be at least $ 4.000,- so the total for restoration will be around $20.000,- .........
I am not even talking about the wheels (Intro's), suspension (airride), brakes (wilwood) and all other parts I bought.........
pfffff, now I really have to keep the car forever because I am never going to get that money back.

It seems that I will be spending twice my budget and it takes about twice the time I calculated...

what do you guys spend on your restorations?

[awr68]

Yep as Stielow and many other trusted builders say, do your budget and then double it! Sad but that's what it takes! In my case I have more than doubled my pipe dream budget...but as usual I have added many things along the way as well.

Most of us don't build these for resale...your not alone!! But if someone wants to step up with a BIG check, things seem to happen!!

[Vegas69]

I spent alot of time researching parts and putting together a spreadsheet before even buying a car. Having a background in cars helped me think of almost all of the pieces needed and what decisions had to be made. The real problem is once you get to that part of the project and you see something you just have to have ....well. Mine is well over my original budget but most of that is due to changes in my builder for the better and not knowing how to tell myself no! I would say twice your budget and twice the time is right on the money for most. To me once you have the car on a certain level you just have to build the car right and make the investment. Otherwise the car just doesn't look complete and professionally built.

[vinz68]

I was told to think of a budget , then double it! I will probably triple it by the spring...lol I keep adding things that I want done.The way I see it , if I already spent more than I thought I would, I might as well make the car what I want.

[Vegas69]

That a boy Vinnie. You can't take it with you.

[awr68]

I agree. Once you get to a certain level of the build the car takes on it's own personality and will most deffinatly tell you what it wants/needs, and always help spend your money!!

My car doesn't have a project name, BUT it does talk to me! Perhaps too many late nights?

[vinz68]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

That a boy Vinnie. You can't take it with you.

No you can't..lol

[vinz68]

Originally Posted by awr68

I agree. Once you get to a certain level of the build the car takes on it's own personality and will most deffinatly tell you what it wants/needs, and always help spend your money!!

My car doesn't have a project name, BUT it does talk to me! Perhaps too many late nights?

I couldn't agree more. Well said. My car told me I need a cage,harness, and you might as well mini tub if you got the grinder and welder out.

[Young Gun]

haha wow I had planned on a simple 15k restoration...the chassis I am getting for the car now, costs more than that...the project takes a mind of it own at some point...

[FETorino]

I'm building a 69 Torino so my costs are different. I spent $3k on an RRS front kit coilover strut kit with disc brakes and another $900 for the rear discs. Then $200 on rebuilding my rear springs and $175 on some Koni rear shocks. Then another $400 on caltracks. I have another $600 slotted for a watts link set up from FaysII, oh yea add in all stainless brake and feul lines for another $200 and a new Willwood maste cylinder for $200 plus $75 to rebuild my stock power booster. So for suspension and brakes I'm onto the car for $5750. I rounded up and down some on my figures but that is pretty close. I spent $800 on a detroit locker third member and some new axles along with another $100 on stripping and painting my rear housing. Then $1200 on a used low mile Tremec TKO 600 plus $300 for a flywheel and another $400 for the clutch and throughout set up. I still need to build a new driveshaft. So from the motor back I'm into it for roughly $3000. Now I started with a virtually rust free body with no major bodywork to be done. My freinds dad is a body shop owner and He is going to paint my car for $7000 but that includes my sweat equity stripping off all the trim and doing a lot of paint stripping and prep work. What am I up to right now around $16000. I have a strong running motor in the car that I spent some dough on. About $2500 for head work, cam, ignition, oil pan but using the unkown milage short block. The end game includes an all aluminum FE motor (not the cheapest route but the route I want to go) The 600hp will cost me at least 10 grand with me doing a lot of the work. Keep in mind that I have done all the dissasembly, cleaning and assembly work on my car so far. I spent a cheap $700 on some custome 17" rims from a local manufacturer and another $600 on some Firestones 245 45 17 and 285 40 17. Relatively cheap $1300 rolling stock. Once the paint is on I'll be into the car for $20,000 and by the time I build the new motor and finish all the interior, exhaust and stereo I'd say I'll have $35,000 into the resto/modification of this car and that is with me doing the majority of the work. I guarentee nobody will buy my 69 Torino for that and then there is still what I bought the car not added into that cost. Everyone seems to want a first generation camaro just look at all of them on this site. If you decide to bail out you'll see a lot more money back then me. To me this is a hobby not a business proposition. The fun I have in tearing the car down installing parts, flogging the car, tearing it apart again, installign something else, floggin it again and eventually ending up with a really unique car that performs well is money well spent. Do you feel any better or worse now?