Cost of restoration

[Dave C.]

I am preparing to start restoration on my 67 L-71 roadster, and I am just wondering if any of you that have already been through this process could give me some ballpark numbers on what this is going to cost me, considering the following:

i already have have a complete date coded restamped L-71 long block, it still needs intake and exhaust
i have the complete TI setup for it ready to bolt on
it has a1969 M21 already in it and since the trans numbers don't get judged , I might as well use that.
I was planning on farming out the body, and it will need to have a new pm front end installed, everything else is excellent ( I have located a guy that is an expert at this who will do the entire body for $12000.00 plus the cost of the front end)
all the plating except the front bumpers will need to be done
complete new interior
all the glass is original and perfect
other than the body, I was planning to do everything else myself

I know there are so many variables , but just some ballpark numbers would be appreciated

thanks!

Dave

[Stephen L.]

Re: Cost of restoration

Write up your own estimate for parts required using the catalogs..... and any work that you can't do yourself such as chroming, plating etc. Then double it. then add $10,000 for the things you forgot........

[Leif A.]

Re: Cost of restoration

Does that $12,000 cover hanging the new front end, stripping the car and a complete repaint? If so, then depending on the level of restoration you're going to do (new interior, chroming, misc suspension and on and on) my guess is going to be somewhere around an additional $35,000. And that figure doesn't include the $12,000 you're spending with your guy or the cost of the press molded front end.

Next guess...step right up

[Dave C.]

Re: Cost of restoration

Does that $12,000 cover hanging the new front end, stripping the car and a complete repaint? If so, then depending on the level of restoration you're going to do (new interior, chroming, misc suspension and on and on) my guess is going to be somewhere around an additional $35,000. And that figure doesn't include the $12,000 you're spending with your guy or the cost of the press molded front end.

Next guess...step right up

Thanks Leif, that is what I was after, the $12000.00 ( canadian) does cover the cost of hanging the front end, as well as all the bodywork and paint, which I think is a great deal, and this guy is no hack all he works on is corvettes, and has completed dozens of top flight paint jobs.

[Michael F.]

Re: Cost of restoration

if you have to ask, you can't afford it... paint, body work will be biggest cost i think, tripower will set you back 3500-6500 depending on condition etc., 2000+ for interior and on and on....this is US money. Good luck and enjoy the journey.

[Doug M.]

Re: Cost of restoration

Dave,Install and perfect the driving, running, cooling, oil leaks, carb setup, etc. of your 427 first . After that , then remove and all set to go after restorationDoug

[Dave C.]

Re: Cost of restoration

Dave,Install and perfect the driving, running, cooling, oil leaks, carb setup, etc. of your 427 first . After that , then remove and all set to go after restorationDoug

Good advice Doug , I had not planned on doing it that way , but it probably does make allot of sense.

[John H.]

Re: Cost of restoration

Dave -

Don't forget the time involved - unless you have a detailed project plan and timeline to follow, each and every part can become a "late item", generating more of them. If you don't keep your arms around the project plan, that's when the 1-year project becomes a 2-year or 3-year project, the wife gets tired of scraping snow and ice off her car that's outside in the driveway, and the project car gets sold in boxes. It's going to take at least twice as long as you think, maybe more.

[Mike E.]

Re: Cost of restoration

Dave -

Don't forget the time involved - unless you have a detailed project plan and timeline to follow, each and every part can become a "late item", generating more of them. If you don't keep your arms around the project plan, that's when the 1-year project becomes a 2-year or 3-year project, the wife gets tired of scraping snow and ice off her car that's outside in the driveway, and the project car gets sold in boxes. It's going to take at least twice as long as you think, maybe more.

Wise word! I've working on my restoration project for over two years now and it never fails I have a weekend planed to get a lot of work done then something comes up around the house to derail the plan. Last weekend it was the sprinkle system in my yard that was in dire need of some maintenance and turned into a full day project. Before that we had a storm come through and knocked down a bunch of tree limbs. I was hoping to get my '65 done it's 50th birthday now its clear that will not happen, which is fine slow and steady pace is ok.


Mike

[Dave C.]

Re: Cost of restoration

thanks guys, this is the advise I was looking for, not " if you have to ask you cant afford it", I can afford it, but having only done body on, semi restorations on my last two corvettes, I would just like an idea as to what I am in for, to get this thing done to NCRS specs, which is what this car deserves, and it is my lifelong dream to complete. My other question is : supposing that I sub the body and paint out, do you think it is possible that I could complete this by myself in 7 or 8 months, I am basically retired , so I can work on it every day if need be.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Cost of restoration

supposing that I sub the body and paint out, do you think it is possible that I could complete this by myself in 7 or 8 months, I am basically retired , so I can work on it every day if need be.

You will find that sending items out and waiting for them to return from being restored takes a LOT more time than you thought it would. Waiting 3 months for a part (which will happen) will really mess with any timeline.
Your subcontractors will not be as speedy as you might be, and shipping eats up time as well.
Can you do it? Probably, but you would have to be ultra organized as well as really, really lucky.

[Michael F.]

Re: Cost of restoration

bought my car over 30 years ago and just now nearing completion

[Donald H.]

Re: Cost of restoration

I complete a 1960 restoration last year (first corvette owned, first car restored). I did all the work myself except chrome, cad/zine plating, paint and body work. I stripped the car myself. Mine needed a new front end ($5,000 for the panels, bonding strips, etc). I spent closer to $20k for the body work and paint, so $12k seems like a bargain to me.

You can plan 7 to 8 months, but I will be surprised if you can stick to that. My car was with the body/paint guy for 8 months. Sending out parts to be chromed now take 8 weeks if you are lucky, more like 12 plus. It seems that at every turn, I found something else I needed to order which could add an extra week if the part means stopping work. Oh, I started the restoration after I retired and it still took me 3 years. But I was missing a lot of stuff to bring the car back to NCRS standards. E.g., transmission, differential/carrier, generator, wheels, etc. So, in my case, searching for correct parts added a lot of time and expense.

But when finished I did get a Regional and National Top Flight on my first outing.

[Paul D.]

Re: Cost of restoration

I did a SB '67.Started with a very correct car.Spent about 30K$ on parts and chroming.We did the car ourselves(me and wife)Everything except for final paint.We did both tops ETC.About 2-1/2 years and about 1350 hours total,did a couple of items 2 or 3 times.I kept a ledger of time spent,edited it daily.The only thing that were not touched were the the trans and diff other than fluids.Final result was Duntov in '08.....Good luck with your project.......P..

[Dan D.]

Re: Cost of restoration

Just an observation...Contained in this thread are examples of what is best, helpful and of tremendous value in organizations like this ... and, unfortunately, what is reprehensible, distasteful, and why people get disgusted and quit using it. A man asks a question to a group because, let's face it, there are a lot of "stand-up" members out there with a wealth of knowledge who a more than willing to share that knowledge with people with like interests. Unfortunately, there are also the "quipsters" and smart alecs who like to hear, or in this case see themselves in print. I know when I first joined, I asked a question about replicating a window label. Some people jumped on that like a dog on a hot pork chop. They insinuated that I was intent on committing fraud. Fortunately, there was also some nice people who answered my questions. I'm an old man. I found out many years ago...only a fool commits to a project without ascertaining the eventual total in terms of time and resources. Not necessarily because he might not be able to afford it, but, maybe to decide if he should go in a different direction, like acquire a different project car or whatever. I don't write a lot here but I read a lot. I applaud all the great folks out there who are willing to share their wealth of knowledge with the rest of us. And, to some of the others I say, "If their computer blew a fuse, it would be no great loss."