Cost of restoration

[Alan S.]

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[Gene M.]

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.

Dave,
I have no knowledge of your restoration abilities. That would have a lot to do with the time, research, and tools (compressor, sand blast booth, spray guns, air tools, etc) necessary. I assume this will be body off restoration. Are you planning on putting the body on a cradle after the new front clip is installed? Not a good idea to do off the original frame especially with a convertible. As stated previously, plan on doing some things 3 or 4 times to get it NCRS correct. Keep in mind a knowledgeable restorer is more successful in achieving their success. The cost thing to double the estimate and add 10 grand is good advice. From a dollars and cents thing it is better to buy a car all done unless you are going to do everything yourself. Knowing that most all paint shops have no clue of how the paint should be may be an issue for you. It is indicated the front clip, engine and transmission were not born with the car. I personally would start with an all original car, body, engine, drivetrain, and basically unmolested by anybody other than replacement parts to keep it running.

It takes me about a year to do a car complete and that is working on it like a job. I've done a lot of cars. So have fun and enjoy. Just put things down when frustrated sit back have a beer and start back again.

[Dave C.]

Re: Cost of restoration

Thanks for all the great responses guys, I am probably being unrealistic about getting it done in 7 or 8 months by the look of it, but I was hoping to get it done for $50,000.00 or less , and that sounds like it's doable, sure wish someone had spent the time and money on a proper press molded font end for this car, it would have saved me a lot of hassle.

[Dave C.]

Re: Cost of restoration

Dave,
I have no knowledge of your restoration abilities. That would have a lot to do with the time, research, and tools (compressor, sand blast booth, spray guns, air tools, etc) necessary. I assume this will be body off restoration. Are you planning on putting the body on a cradle after the new front clip is installed? Not a good idea to do off the original frame especially with a convertible. As stated previously, plan on doing some things 3 or 4 times to get it NCRS correct. Keep in mind a knowledgeable restorer is more successful in achieving their success. The cost thing to double the estimate and add 10 grand is good advice. From a dollars and cents thing it is better to buy a car all done unless you are going to do everything yourself. Knowing that most all paint shops have no clue of how the paint should be may be an issue for you. It is indicated the front clip, engine and transmission were not born with the car. I personally would start with an all original car, body, engine, drivetrain, and basically unmolested by anybody other than replacement parts to keep it running.

It takes me about a year to do a car complete and that is working on it like a job. I've done a lot of cars. So have fun and enjoy. Just put things down when frustrated sit back have a beer and start back again.

Gene, I was planning on putting the car on a cradle, luckily my friend is doing a 66 and built one a couple of years ago, but are you saying that I should paint the car back on the frame? I researched the archives about this awhile ago , and there seems to be quite a few different opinions. I was hoping to pull the body off the frame , drop it on the cradle, then transport it to the body man ( who is about300 miles from me) and get it back painted, on the dolly, then reinstall it on my completeted chassis.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Cost of restoration

I was hoping to pull the body off the frame , drop it on the cradle, then transport it to the body man ( who is about300 miles from me) and get it back painted, on the dolly, then reinstall it on my completeted chassis.

Some body guys will want it still (or back) on the frame so that they can shim it correctly and get the body gaps "just right" before painting the car. With the 69 I'm helping on currently our plan is to put the body back on the restored frame for the bodywork, then paint it off the frame.

[Joe R.]

Re: Cost of restoration

Dave,

I have completed over a dozen restorations thru the years and I have NEVER kept up with cost and my labor involved. Reason: I don't want to know how much money I lost in the deal.
Do the car for the love of the art and sharing with your partner! I have done everything with the exception of the seat cover installation and machine work as I have rebuilt every engine, transmission and rear end from the ground up. That includes two fuel injected C-2's rebuilding the units myself. I ain't no John D-Greg. but I got real lucky!!!!
A ground up will cost you 50K out of your pocket not including your labor/time! Take it to the bank!
Good luck and don't forget to share the results! We all enjoy the cars and the stories!

JR

[Gary F.]

Re: Cost of restoration

[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG] I too took the frame route when it was time to hang the glass. I was mostly concerned with flex when the weight of the panels, hood, etc. came into play. The frame put the rigidity back in all the right places on that body.

[Gerald C.]

Re: Cost of restoration

Dave,I've done a few midyear convertibles in the past. A couple pieces of advice: 1. Enjoy the journey! 2. As Clint Eastwood says--"A man has to know his limitations!" so shop out what you can't comfortably do yourself. You'll save money in the long run! 3. Read as many books, catalogues, etc. that you get. 4. Take your time with this project--you may work quickly, but the vendors will not--be patient. 5. Be careful of the cost by getting a couple of quotes on major project items.- Get another quote, if you can, on hanging the nose and painting the car. $12,000 plus the cost of the nose seems low to me.Best of luck and enjoy! Know when to walk away sometimes!Jerry

[Dave C.]

Re: Cost of restoration

Thanks again everybody for your advise, and thanks Gary for those photos, just came home from a great drive in the car the weather here in Victoria BC is absolutely perfect right now, can't wait to see this car back in it's original silver pearl, but sure loving the hell out of driving it right now.

[Kerouac B.]

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."

Amen, brother. Amen.

[Bill M.]

Re: Cost of restoration

double the estimate and double the time

[Gene M.]

Re: Cost of restoration

Gene, I was planning on putting the car on a cradle, luckily my friend is doing a 66 and built one a couple of years ago, but are you saying that I should paint the car back on the frame? I researched the archives about this awhile ago , and there seems to be quite a few different opinions. I was hoping to pull the body off the frame , drop it on the cradle, then transport it to the body man ( who is about300 miles from me) and get it back painted, on the dolly, then reinstall it on my completeted chassis.

Dave,
You should have the body on the frame to install the new front clip, and set door gaps. The paint can be done on the frame or on the body cradle, your choice.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Cost of restoration

[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG] I too took the frame route when it was time to hang the glass. I was mostly concerned with flex when the weight of the panels, hood, etc. came into play. The frame put the rigidity back in all the right places on that body.

Gary,

You work looks very nice to me. On my 63 I had a time with the A pillar gaps (between the door and windshield molding) looking to close at the top and wider at the bottom, kinda looks like you have the same issues.

[Gary F.]

Re: Cost of restoration

Tim... The photo was taken after the windshield was installed. I wanted to see how the weather strip fit I got from Corvette Rubber, and if it made any new challenges. All the stainless is loose & just placed on, so it looks like the gaps are off, but really they aren't. Both doors are original to the car, so they did not pose too much of a problem to begin with. Changing the hinge pins helped those doors more than anything. Sorry for any confusion.......Gary

[Donald O.]

Re: Cost of restoration

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

Bought my 67 in 1985, I figure I'm about 10 more years from completion.....I hope at least.