How much does a restoration really cost?
 

Ok, here is the scenario. Let's say, for example, you have a typical SS396 Chevelle or Z/28 that is all there and numbers matching. The car is a typical 30+ year old car that is in good condition with no major rust and all of its parts, and runs decent. What does it really cost to have a frame off restoration (engine balanced and blueprinted) to bring it to show quality? Let's assume reproduction parts are ok and it's not critical to have paint dabs and chalk marks. Just make it like new and one that can driven on special occasions. What is a ballpark cost to have something like this done?

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

Car by car is different and different levels of restorations out there but driver quality probably around 35K. Concourse cars start at 45 and up.

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

Well, I'm no expert, but the resto my car by itself costed me around $3,000 for: a back window, total exterior resto (primer,bodywork,paint), and a very nice interior using original seats (a little vinyl dye wont hurt), with new carpet and radio, and all new weatherstrip. The engine will probably be the most expensive part (based on your performance wants), and I would say that a frame resto isn't too hard to do by yourself (I didn't, since my car was practically perfect), but again you might want some performance upgrades in braking. Take in mind, I did all my own bodywork, but hired out the final coats of color paint and clear, and also paid to have the new window put in. Hope this helps out!

Hey everyone, try to beat that price!

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

So, if the car is pretty common and parts are readily available, $40-$50 grand (plus the car)would get you a really nice frame off good for all but national shows? Micky, what's the typcial time to do one, 12-18 months? And how do you establish price without an open checkbook? Thanks.

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

The resto is as open ended as the price would be. It would be an open checkbook deal.

"send me the bill".

Unless you do this yourself. I probably peed away $15,000 on my car and I'm just throwing it together. (and I'm not done yet).

My friend was quoted $9000 to paint his 71 firebird. With a 9 month waiting period. The car would be completely disassembled, cleaned, painted and re-assembled.

There is no such thing as a "common, readily available" anything when doing a concourse restoration. You'll be spending big $$$ and hunting all over the world for date coded valve stem caps, clips, fasteners, coils, springs, exhaust pipe clamps. Wait until you spend $200 for the correct exhaust clamps. If that's no big deal, then get your checkbook out.

Probably the best advice you've heard already is buy something else that's already done. After you do this, you won't be able to enjoy the car (like someone like me would). Some folks enjoy the ownership of a car like this, or enjoy seeing it in a museam or hauling it all around the country to a show. I'd prefer to hammer the hell out of my car and not worry about kicking the rods out the side of the block or blowing rubber all over my quarter panels.

If you enjoy doing this type of work, then you can take a jalopy and subcontract the work out to competant facilities with references from some of the guys here, and do most of the bitch work yourself. For $60 - $100/hour, I can do a lot of bitch work and save a couple bux.

Lastly, have all the $ up front. That's probably what it'll take anyway before a competant shop will touch the car. It would suck to run out of money and only be 1/3 of the way done. Because of this, most shops won't work unless the job is pre-paid.

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

I agree. I have gotten open ended questions like this before and all you do is set yourself up by answering. There are too many varables in condition of car, type of parts to use, model of car, type of restoration desired,
condition of parts that are intended to be refinished and reused...... The list goes on and on.

Best to look the car over, provide a labor rate per hour, do some dissassembly, see the full condition of the car to be restored and then provide an estimate in the + or - range in a dollar area that you and the customer can live with -if you (or the customer) screw up and underestimate the final cost. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif[/img]

Phil

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

As I said before, every job is different, more rust, more cost involved to fix. What parts can be reused or restored, how much repro or NOS, whats missing, what are your realistic expectations and how much will you drive it? A experienced shop can give you a ballpark quote and normally be with 10%. I do this and after we strip the car I can tell if we need to revise or we our on estimate. I dont know of any shops that require more than 50% down, most are less unless its a partial job. Most good shop are also booked more than a year out also. Normal job times can run from 12-16 months or more, again depending on the situation. If your looking at having a car done, talk to people, talk to shops, look at cars that have been done so you can be comfortable on your investment into your vehicle.

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

I got my "paint job" for $630 at the local body shop. The guy did some exceptional work. That's a base-clear job with 3 coats of clear! Not to mention that he got me in the shop in under 1 week. That's service! He said he really liked doing those "old cars" for "us kids" (I was 18 at the time). I'm still not sure if the money went to the shop, or if it went right into his pocket, but I don't give a sh*t. I could justify spending an exceptional amount on paint, but when you start talking over $8,000, that's just crazy.

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

skierkaj, what your talking about doing to your car is a rebuild, not a restoration. You comparing apples to oranges so to speak.

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

You must of been 18, 30 years ago. Even on a non-frame off you spend $2000 to $3000 just for the material. If you could get a car non-frame off painted for $7000 and it makes it a very strong #2 car, than you are doing something. I have all receipts for my 1969 Z/28 with doing the engine and paint with all used or new parts you are looking at least $20,000 plus buying the car. Everything becomes itemized. Making the car very nice does NOT mean that it is very correct! What do you think it costs just to get things replated or oxided? Hood hinges, brake booster, coil bracket etc.? How about the correct horns rebuilt? My interior is original except carpets and dash pad and I still have $20,000 in receipts. I don't think you can get anybody to paint stripes on your car for $630.00. Just my opinion. P.S. It might be crazy,but that is what it takes! I am just talking a strong #2 car! sam

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

Well, well, I must've gotten a deal then, cause my whole car got painted for $630. Sorry for the miscommunication on the rebuild vs. restoration.
Oh, and just for the record, I'll be 19 in March.

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

You got better than a deal! Post some pictures young fella! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif[/img] Whoops you arn't old enough for that yet.... Sam

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

Sam is correct, I painted my own car and I had very close to $2000 in just materials. If you got a collision shop job for $630, and are happy with it, then that's all that counts.

For a full frame off resto, you will find that it is hard to decide where to stop. Once you restore one portion, and see how it looks next to the part that you decided 'looked good enough' - you will probably change your mind. The restored portion will only make the unrestored portions look really bad - where before they looked 'ok'.

Also, it doesn't cost a lot more to do the correct overspray, chalk marks, and paint daubs, but the time it takes to research that stuff can add up. No sense copying another car's markings either, then they're 'happy marks'!

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

Post some pictures and we will tell you if you got a deal or not. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

Don't Macco paint jobs cost more than $630.00?

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

Alright, you asked for em! I know the front stripes aren't correct (they don't go onto the header panel), but no 76 camaro ever came with stripes.

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

Unless you have a coupon.. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif[/img]

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

another

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

another again

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

another. . .

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

another. . . . .

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

interior

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

interior 2

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interior 3

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

Sooo, what do u think? Not bad for $630 huh! The guy misaligned the door and the front fender on the pass. side, and it chipped the paint, so I took it back and he redid it free of charge. Also had him touch up some stone chips free of charge. Take in mind, the car hasn't even been buffed yet, and still appears pretty shiny!

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

Ain't a bad lookin car...son. That interior is so white it looks like he sprayed the vinyl along with the stripes. So how does it run? Come on guys, He is just a kid. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif[/img] Oh sorry, not yet!

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

Actually, it doesn't look bad, looks like you got a good deal. Enjoy!

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

I have to agree with Mr. Hale [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] on all points.

You have to compare apples to apples. There's having your car PAINTED and there's doing a Restoration....painting the car is a small part of the Restoration IMO. and You get what you pay for...Nuff said [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

The car runs awesome, but is lacking in the performance category, hence the 305. Runs awesome, shifts pretty good (could probably use a shift improver kit from B&M), and hasn't let me down yet. Car was totally rust free when I got it, and the underside looks great (sorry, no pics). What I'd LIKE to do is add a ratchet shifter, traction bars, new rear gears, beef up the tranny, and install a Bill Mitchell 454 small block (yes, a 454 small block!). That motor is insane, and can outdo the ZZ502! Approximately 600HP, and 570some pounds of torque. With that kind of performance, I'd probably need some slicks! The car is just my daily driver, but isn't getting used much, as I'm away at college. I would've posted some pics of it doing a monster burnout with slicks on back, but unfortunately I never took them (didn't have a camera with me). I couldn't believe it when that little 305 burned so much rubber (at least a 1/2 inch) off the tire, and was so much smoke, that you couldn't see the car! I had to use some bug & tar remover just to get the rubber off of the rear quarter, and I even had huge mudflaps protecting the quarter panel (bigger ones than in the photo). In regards to the interior, It's a special "krylon" interior [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif[/img]
Just some krylon plastic spraypaint, and the seats were sprayed with some spraycan vinyl dye. It's been about 2 years, and the seats seem to hold up pretty well with it on. Hope you enjoyed the pics. Just goes to show you, you can do a quality "rebuild" by yourself!

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

Hey Mike, thanks. At least somebody does. Im just mad because I got docked 2 stars from this post I think. Darn. Car looks good.(not being sarcastic) If the paint stays on it for the next couple years you did a fine job. My materials bill is way more than that what you paid. BTW, what paint is on it? PPG, DuPont, etc?

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

Hey, havin a few beers is no problem, OOPS, it slipped! Seriously guys, what do you think most kids do for fun in college anyway? I've had my fair share of "beverages" [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif[/img]

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

I'm pretty sure it's dupont. I think that's all that the bodyshop uses. Not 100% sure, but I seem to remember seeing a Dupont label on some of the cans in the mixing room. I wish it could've been PPG, but I wasn't gonna pay the extra price. It's not easy repainting a car on a very tight budget, while still getting a quality job, but I think I did the best that I could. Time will tell!

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

I'm just finishing the assembly of a Camaro now...just for paint I hit $3000.Good materials are not cheap.....Throw in labor and other expenses and the paint/body cost can hit 16 to 20k alone.Now replace NOS parts and finish the job correctly and 40k and up is not totaly insane for a resto...I had several people wonder why I ripped my car apart...To them it looked fine.To get to a level where you are happy is what's important.The next step up is always a killer. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Just remember to do it because YOU want to!Don't do it to make others happy and you will always enjoy it no matter what the cost.... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Steve

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

There's a shoe box wagon running around here that has a $500 macco paint job on it that would knock your socks off!! The owner did all his own prep work, had the base coat shot, took it home air brushed the flames on in his garage and took it back for the clear coat... It's been published in several mags and gets lots of attention where ever it's parked.

Micky touches on it with restoration vrs rebuild but there is so much more too it. The orig question was "frame off" restoration so that means (IMO) the car taken apart and every piece cleaned, plated, polished or painted as well as making sure it's structurally like new. Every piece and part or as someone said already one old unrestored part mixed in with a bunch of like new ones will stand out like a sore thumb. Mind you, you will pay 3 times for the end results, once to take the part off the car, once to restor or bring it back to new and the third time to put it back on the car...

All that said if you are mechanically inclined you can see how you can reduce the overall costs by quite a bit... This being the supercar site that it is most of the time we are talking about high end collector cars and to spend $40,000 on a car worth $100000 or more doesn't shock and isn't out of place... To take your typical $10000 camaro project car and pour $30000 into a frame off there is going to be some sticker shock... There are much less spendy ways to have a very respectible, showable car... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif[/img]

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

I was thinking of redoing the plastic panels by covering them with some white vinyl. How do u guys think that would look? The panels don't like to hold paint, and I know that it's probably just an issue with the prep job before-hand, but I just don't like the plastic. How would you go about fastening the vinyl to the plastic? I know to use a super-duty adhesive, and use a heat gun to slightly heat the vinyl to form to the panel, but what kind of fasteners could I use from the back side, without them poking through the front? I know yearone sells the vinyl (i might be able to get it cheaper than their price), and I have some Super-Strength 3M adhesive, and a heat gun, just need a method of fastening the vinyl from the backside. Opinions?

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

[ QUOTE ]
My friend was quoted $9000 to paint his 71 firebird. With a 9 month waiting period. The car would be completely disassembled, cleaned, painted and re-assembled.

[/ QUOTE ]

I know this is not exactly what your asking but my buddies 1965 Corvette Big Block was primed - sealed - painted for $21,000. I have never seen a mid year Corvette with better paint. I will send anyone pictures, this is a car!

Corvettes are always more expensive because of the fiber glass. The resto on my car took a sweet penny, but my car is so original, it would be a waste not to restore an example like it. I have a friend who restored a 1972 Grand Prix SJ and he only spent $25K from start to finish. It matters who you bring the car to and what resto you want. Kevin McKay of Corvette Repair will not do a restoration for less than $85K. Hope this helps.

-Dan

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

labor labor labor good craftsmanship doesn't come cheap.

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif[/img]it doesn't [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]

Re: How much does a restoration really cost?
 

I would not cover them as they will get hot in the summer and sag. Try taking the panels off the car and wipeing them down secveral times with Laquer thinner and or acetone and then spray them with "Marhide" or other interior specific paint. I have done seats this way and they looked new for years. This paint is flexable and will color the parts you want and it is easy as long as you have a spray gun or you can get it in spay cans from a profesonal automotive paint store. Just be sure that you use 2 or 3 light coats so it will flex and not come off. Too heavy and it will crack just like a regular paint.