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Searching for written documentation that states the cost or time-frame required to do a complete, frame-off restoration of a 1963 convertible corvette. Does anyone have a record or a reference?
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Re: Man hours needed to completely restore '63
My ’63 convertible took exactly 4-years to restore, from 1996 to 1999. I did everything myself, including bodywork and painting. I had a full time job, so work was done evenings and weekends. Total restoration cost was $32,000 to achieve NCRS Top Flight award at the 2000 National Convention.
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Re: Man hours needed to completely restore '63
It will vary WIDELY based on what your particular definition of 'restoration' is:
(1) Make it look good and drive well.
(2) Make it bone stock/original in appearance so you can campaign it and earn Top Flight/Gold Certificate awards.
(3) Two above but more so, to the point of earning the Mark of Excellence award.
Now, you compound the above with issues like EXACTLY what condition is the car in that you're starting with, how many 'hard parts' do you need to acquire that are currently missing, and how much time/labor will you personally devote to the job vs. what you'll hire out.
Bottom line: costs can vary from 25-100K and time can range from two to eight years. That's probably a wider answer than you'd expected, but in my experience, it's a reasonable bracket.Comment
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Re: Man hours needed to completely restore '63
We use 1,200 hours as a baseline for restoration time. Very good original cars will run a few hours less, cars with major birdcage and or frame repairs can run many hour more. A first time restorer will probably end up with 50% more hours. Very easy for an individual to become overwhelmed by the task. We have finished several restorations that the owners became "burned out" while trying.
It is definitely a committment of a lot of time and energy. Very rewarding though when they are finished.Dick WhittingtonComment
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Re: Man hours needed to completely restore '63
David,
The most important factor involved is what type of restoration you're interested in (ncrs correct, all original dated components, to what degree you plan on using reproduction parts, etc.) and then determining how good of a candidate your car is to start with. It's a good idea to have help in making this determination to make sure your goal is realistic(and affordable).Comment
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Re: Man hours needed to completely restore '63
David,
If your restoration can be done with most of the components of the car restored or rebuilt you're way ahead of the game money and time wise. If on the other hand, you'll need to locate quite a few parts with correct casting#s, dates, etc., the cost and time involved will substantially greater. That is why your initial assesment of your car is so important.Comment
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Re: Man hours needed to completely restore '63
David,
If your restoration can be done with most of the components of the car restored or rebuilt you're way ahead of the game money and time wise. If on the other hand, you'll need to locate quite a few parts with correct casting#s, dates, etc., the cost and time involved will substantially greater. That is why I suggest that the initial assesment of your car is so important. You can easily be surprised how many parts on your car are not correct and/or original.Comment
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Re: Man hours needed to completely restore '63
and that included ALL of your labor, parts, etc.?Rick Aleshire
2016 Ebony C7R Z06 "ROSA"Comment
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Re: Man hours needed to completely restore '63
Hi Dave
I have a 62 vette that I did a frame off restoration on . I'm not 100% perfect, but close. I had to search for some parts. Took the car 100% apart. It took me 6 years to do. I worked an average of 6 hours a day for 2 years. Then a few hours a day for the next 4 years.That will for sure add up to more than 2000 hours. I did it myself. No help.I'm pretty sure if you ask anyone who has taken on a project like mine, they will say 4 to 8 years.Anyone who done it in less time probably had all the parts and just did a so so restoration.
JohnComment
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Re: Man hours needed to completely restore '63
Do you want written confirmation to insure, or to recoup a loss or to estimate what it will cost you to perform....as an estimate It will take 2000-2500 manhours of work to totally disassemble a C2 convertible, sandblast, refinish rebuild, replace, overhaul, paint and restore to top flight standards...this assumes your car could be driven before hand and was not wrecked, the costs above and beyond labor are directly related to what parts are missing or improperly date coded requiring sourcing. There are no hard and fast rules, and each car and project is different, but I think most will agree with the 2500 manhours. Best bit of advice I never listened to, buy someones elses efforts and save yourself mucho denario. With the money saved, you can tweek the car you bought, oh yea, and then buy another one.Dino LannoComment
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Re: Man hours needed to completely restore '63
"6 years to do? .Anyone who done it in less time probably had all the parts and just did a so so restoration".
Wait ! I did a body off and don't live in the garage and also have a life even tho I'm retired and even feel my time is worth at lest 5cents an hour. I did 90% ,all but paint, chrome and interior and don't think it's a so so job . It took 6 months even got a top flight , OK it's not a museum piece of art having a 20K paint job. Am I the only one that can do that???
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Re: Man hours needed to completely restore '63
It took me 15 months to do a body off restoration on my 1960. Every single piece was disassembled,cleaned & painted/rebuilt/or replaced. I did 100% of the work myself (including the paint). If I had to guess, I'd say close to 2000 hrs.Comment
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Roy, Beatiful Car. 1 of a kind.
It belongs on display. What color is that ? I believe that the few 54s still out there color & all it could be in a museum. DonComment
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Re: Man hours needed to completely restore '63
Just finished LAST NIGHT, a five year Frame Off restoration on my 63 Coupe. When I purchased the car it needed EVERYTHING....every piece was replaced or used parts from several years starting with 1961. I will be going for my Top Flight this weekend....so know comes the big test....how did I do? This is my first restro.... But if you do these cars correct, I did, it takes deep pockets, patience, and most of all a lot of time...Good Luck.Comment
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