Cost to restore a Corvette?

[Roy B.]

The cost to buy a Corvette is getting beyond most people , what I'm wondering is the cost to rebuild a Corvette . I went to restoration shops (Internet ) getting prices and fell off my chair!
So I'm asking what is the average cost for members paying around the country . I ask because a friends is thinking of buying an early Corvette around 35K C1 or C2.
Lets talk a plain ordinary Corvette no FI, BB, rare this or that but a base Corvette rebuilt to be a driver= Restoration shop cost?
Then a NCRS 100% point over restored base Corvette.= Restoration shop cost?
Now if some one was to rebuild the base Corvette his self = with some out side work cost?
It would be a C1 or C2 that is complete needing no extra parts to be located (it's all complete )
Your thoughts please.

[Russ U.]

Re: Cost to restore a Corvette?

Roy-

I cannot help on the $$$s to restore issue. There are many others here more qualified to address that.

But I recall reading on a blog site, probably the Pro-Team blog site, that a buyer looking for a driver should buy the best paint and chrome car possible. Those are big ticket items that stare you in the face everyday. Assuming the frame is okay, everything else can be handled over time without huge investments of cash.

That is probably good advice for many people who just want a nice car to drive for while. I made a ton of mistakes when I purchased my first Corvette (my 1959) 5 years ago - didn't know a thing about Corvettes, did not drive or look at other cars, etc. But I lucked into a really nice car - my 59 has a great paint job and chrome. I get a real rush when I drive the car because it is a great looking car. I am fixing and upgrading as time goes by.

Thus, for a friend looking for a driver C1, I would discuss the merits of buying good paint and chrome car.

Merry Christmas Roy.

Russ

[Joseph T.]

Re: Cost to restore a Corvette?

Roy..figure 1000 to 1500 hours at shop labor plus parts for a full restoration.

$50,000 plus parts at least!

NCRS/Bloomington Gold quality..if you need to ask you can't afford it. Best to buy a Top Flight car! Best value and no waiting!

DIY...$15,000/$20,000 if you can paint and install an interior. ( send the motor & transmission out ). Depending how complete a car you start with.

But you already know this..having restored many cars.

Joe

[Dick W.]

Re: Cost to restore a Corvette?

If one wants a CORRECT body off restoration with most of the original parts restored/repaired, be prepared to spend $75k +[/r] This is assuming that the frame and bird cage are in decent condition. When you spend days/weeks cleaning and refurbishing just the fasteners the dollars add up. Paint and material costs are astronomical. Figure 1,200 to 1,500 hours labor. And the list goes on and on, plus the unobtanium parts and materials. I am not figuring the "pie in the sky" ebabes prices for parts either. This is one of the reasons that I quit restoring cars for anyone but myself. I do not have the heart to charge these prices. I quoted $100k to do a FI car that was all there, hoping the owner would tell me I was crazy. No, he asked when I could start.

Some time back I purchase the paint and primer to paint a truck that I am restoring. Materials were almost $2k. One gallon red, one gallon dark green, one gallon black. No metallics either.

[Jim P.]

Re: Cost to restore a Corvette?

I am currently going through this process with my 64 coupe. If you have not yet bought a C1/C2 then it is more cost effective to buy one that has already been restored. I was quoted 45-50K for an NCRS correct restoration on my car. I have done much of the dirty, unskilled work myself so it looks like it'll be closer to 40K. My restorer said a driver quality restoration would be 25-30K. You can save a lot of money on the initial purchase if you are not concerned with matching numbers. I am doing the media blasting, cleaning, painting (chassis parts), interior, and other easy, but labor intensive items. The restoration shop will be doing body work, paint, engine, and other items not within my skill range. Things will crop up that nobody expects and that will affect the price also. And, although you think the car may be all complete, you will never really know for sure until you tear into it. Expect the unexpected (and the cost that goes along with it). Good luck on your project. When you're done you'll have a new car like no other. Jim

[paul bowers]

Re: Cost to restore a Corvette?

ROY
A shop near me here in Illinois"D&A corvettes"
listed on their site a C1 restored runs $125,000
1500 hr. at $45.00/hr plus about $35000 to $45000 for parts
and I don't even know if that means you are suppling the car but I think means they find for you and that is the total price
Paul

[Barbara S.]

Re: Cost to restore a Corvette?

Roy. There are so many factors to consider before giving an intellient answer. First, how much work is your friend planning on doing himself? Second,does he have access to a shop and shop tools? Third, how many parts are restorable? He can save money if his parts can clean up and replate/repaint if he's willing to take the time at a media blaster or wire wheel and clean up his parts before plating or painting.

How far does he want to go with the resto? The difference between restoring a car to a 97 percent level vs a 99+ percent level is alot of psychiatric therapy if you ask me.

Honestly, if he's going to do a body off resto, I think he's better off buying a $25k project car then he is buying a $40k car that has had some superficial restoration work already done. The cost of pulling the body, etc is the same. Why start off $15k in the hole if you're going to do the whole body off resto anyway.

Depending on the answers to these questions, I'd give a range of $30k to $75k. That's a huge spread, but it just depends on the car and his willingness to be involved. Personally, I would have no interest in buying a car someone else restored.

JMHO.
Happy holidays.
Tony
No. 4600

[Roy B.]

Paul

Unbelievable and you supple the Corvette ? Must be for a base Corvette , no wonder a air cleaner wing NUT sells at $300.00
It's crazy out there , glad I just drive my 55 and don't need any awards

[John S.]

Re: Paul

Roy,

In the Northeast the labor rates are around $75 per hour and you can run up the tab pretty quick.

[Rick S.]

Re: Cost to restore a Corvette?

In the Detroit area a good restoration to Top Flight status will cost $60,000 and up. Buy a restored car and don't worry about the phone call from the restorer that starts with "We have a problem..........".

[Barbara S.]

Re: Cost to restore a Corvette?

Rick, the phone call goes more like this: "we have a problem, and it's going to cost you more $$$. So that vacation to Hawaii that you were going to take with your wife and kids, well, how does a weekend at the Holiday Inn near your house sound to you? Hey, they've got a pool!".

[Rick S.]

Re: Cost to restore a Corvette?

Amen brother, Amen!!!

[Dick W.]

Re: Cost to restore a Corvette?

I have told people for years that you could buy a Corvette restored cheaper than you could restore it.

[Richard M.]

Re: Cost to restore a Corvette?

Here's my take on what I'M in for............
8 months ago I went to look at a 62 and being told it was a NOM, I estimated a nice restoration to specs as a driver. Surprisingly turned out that the PO was deceived 25 years ago and was told his motor was blown and they replaced it. Turns out one head was replaced, not the motor. When I cleaned off the casting and stamp #'s and found it to be original I had to buy it to resurrect it. Because I was honest with him and told him the car had the original engine, he sold me the car on the spot. So here I had a early 62 with it's original base 250hp engine, 4spd, 2 tops, documented from the 2nd owner of 35 years. I have his title from 1972. That now set the plan totally different from my initial intentions. Instead of a driver, I now forced on myself the responsibility to make it fully correct.

For the last 8 months, while figuring out where I'm going to find the space to do the work as I moved and lost my workspace, I have been buying NOS parts for the car, along with used original items I will be restoring. And in some cases using reproduction items where I can't or am unable to use NOS or original, like a correct radiator, interior, soft top, some chrome parts, etc.

Here is where I am 8 months later and I haven't removed a bolt from the car yet. Some actual, some estimated.

-NOS & Original restorable parts, including exterior & interior trim, engine bits, radio,/speaker, etc. Many from the open market and several lots from sellers over the phone. I have about 90% of what I need. The remaining is the tough stuff(starter, generator, correct bolts, correct shielding, etc)
-Total Apx $10,000 (I've spent $7.5k, need about $2.5k more)

-Interior complete(seats, foam, covers, door panels, carpets, dashpad, etc)
-Total Apx $2,000 (est)

Chassis Work, including new front susp(rust issues), frame repairs(rust issues), brakes, steering, spring retempering, tires, etc
-Total Apx $3,000 (est)

-Body Prep & paint(outside shop)
-Total Apx $10,000 (est)

-Engine rebuild: Machine work, pistons, valves, misc
-Total Apx $3,000 (est)

Add it up and it's $28,000, just for parts, paint, machine shop, misc.

Now that's doing it myself with no labor fee. If I charge myself labor, I estimate 2000 hrs(1 year, full time) I restore everything including engine ancillaries. I would charge myself a low $25/hr, apx $50,000.

With my cheap labor it adds up to about $78,000. Without the cost of the car.

Rich
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[ken evans]

Re: Cost to restore a Corvette?

Just finishing up my SWC and employing a GM mechanic/builder for only $25/hour. He is truly a "detail nut" and 1600 hours later (that's $40,000) we have what I hope to be a correct car. The NOS parts and the component rebuilds by the industry experts are well worth the price. The reproduction parts have caused the most headaches because none of them fit or work. Although, the first rebuild of the FI system by the supposedly "best and biggest in the industry" had to be rescued by Chuck Smith (thankfully). So, add another $40,000 of parts and expert component rebuilds to a car that was sweet before it got blown into a zillion pieces. And don't forget to throw in the $30,000 initial price for a rust free, 39000 mile cream puff ( well, not quite)and the total cost is north of $110,000. Now, if the labor was $75/hour........., then I would have to contemplate getting a second job.