1978 Restoration Help!!!

[michael rizer]

[Jack H.]

Suggestion....

before you get too involved in picking a restorer for your car, why not put your NCRS membership to work? Consider joining the Indiana Chapter (go to the CONTACTS button on this website), meeting and talking to those who are active in your neck of the woods. Just might save you a BUNCH vs. re-inventing the wheel by going solo from scratch!

[Patrick H.]

In Addition

...you mention doing a complete restoration, and having someone else do all the work for you. Realize that this could EASILY swallow $20,000 if you walk into a Corvette restoration shop and tell them you want "a complete restoration." And the car would be worth what, $15k when you're done?

With relatively low mileage, think of this: what does the car REALLY need. As Jack mentions, make some local contacts, and have experienced Corvette people look at the car. Does it NEED a new interior, or rebuilt motor, or whatever? Have them help you make a list. The prioritize the list.

In addition, determine EARLY what your goals are for the car. Make it presentable? Have it Flight Judged and do well? Just be able to drive it without being embarrassed? Not knowing your final goal is the Second Fastest way to waste time and money on a Corvette. The first is to send it to a shop and ask for a "complete restoration."

Patrick

[Greg A.]

Re: 1978 Restoration Help!!!

I'll echo Jack's comments. While I live too far from you (in Portland, OR) to give you hands on help, I can give you via e-mail some of the knowledge I gained in restoring my silver anniversary to top flight. Feel free to ask any questions. I did a few things right and a lot of things wrong, but that's the only way you learn!

Greg.

[Harmon C.]

Re: In Addition

Patrick I had 800 hours in my last complete resoration. I did not send any parts out and restored every item. I did no engine rebuild and no paint work it was farmed out. I would say a complete restoration would cost $40,000-$60,000 .Lyle

[Patrick H.]

Re: In Addition

Lyle,

I spent just over $10k in parts and services on my Dad's 72 convertible, and did virtually everything on the car and did it myself too, except paint was done before we got it. I've also seen a local shop do a couple of "refurbishments" recently, and that's how I came up with the $20k number. I could have easily hit $20k with paint, body, and a few other tiems. It's also why I recommended he determine his goal ahead of time.

And yes, I've seen $40-80k on restorations too. I was just hoping he wouldn't find a shop that would bend him over that far on a $15k car.

Patrick

[Harmon C.]

Re: In Addition

Patrick $40,000 to $60,000 I Think is a fair price to pay for a complete restoation parts and labor on an old Corvette. Would I do it on a 78 NO. Very few if any restorations make money unless you do everything yourself and work for 10 cents per hour and pay no shop expenses we both know that. Lyle

[Warren F.]

Re: In Addition

Lyle:

That seems, much more accurate a guess. My '69 L78 SS Camaro convertible restoration ran $58,000.00

[Patrick H.]

Re: In Addition

Lyle,

Agreed.

I guess that's why it's called a hobby - so that we can work for free and not have to worry about it.

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: In Addition

Also realize that the word "restoration" means different things to different people.

To some it's no more than a new paint job and power washing the motor. To others (and many here) it means a complete disassembly and refurbishment. I'd guess your Camaro goals were set pretty high. That's why I told Mike to first set his goals before deciding what to do next.

Patrick

[Warren F.]

Re: In Addition

Patrick:

Good advice and good point to make.

My Camaro was a factory & dealer documented example. It was featured in 9 hardbound books in full page color plates, on the cover of Muscle Car Review, center spread in several magazines and a Muscle Car trading card as well. It set a World record price at auction in 2002 and now resides in a private collectors museum in Oklahoma.