looking at taking the big step...

[62fairlane]

well I am getting kicked out of my parents drieway shortly here so looks like the car is going into long term storage....(IE buried in a storage unit until I can afford my own place) I just got it running on a blow through turbo setup (inline six motor) but it is all low buck (home built log manifold and all) I am thinking of selling off my setup to a falcon guy or mustnag guy and building up a real badass turbo setup. also i was looking at my body and it really need to be media blasted and properly restored by a pro. I would love to do it myself but I suck at slinging mud and sheetmeal it just too delicate for me. I figured spending the money to have the body done properly and painted by a pro (nothing fancy) is a step I am willing to take (doing a driving restoration in the midwest doesn't work I found out....esp in winter months)

so do you guys think this is a good step to take? right now I am looking at keeping it a driver for a little while still (at least this summer) looking to remove the floors and subframe it out with new rear suspension and then maybe send it out to get body work next winter.

I am just wondering if anyone else has gone this route? so far I have done the whole car and I think I could pull it off....but not having any work space will make it impossible for a few years so I am thinking just send it out as a long term project somewhere instead? I know a guy that runs a small restoration shop that does flawless metal work (no filler in his stuff) but what kind of a price tag am I looking at for have the lowers on both quarters built from flat sheet, new wheel houses, and reworked fenders with bigger openings?

[ProStreet R/T]

My personal opinion is that you should focus on getting your own place before dumping crazy $$$ into the car. I know it sucks being responsible but thats life, and you will thank yourself down the road.

As for custom sheetmetal, if you have to ask, well we all know where this is going.

Fender wells
Lower quarters
Full custom front fenders. If you walked out for under $8k in just metal fab I would be shocked, and it very easily could double that price. Your talking weeks of labor at $65+/hr.

Make it a reliable daily driver till your in a better position to dump $15k into making it pretty.