Well, I have sticker shock. I finally added up all my receipts for my 68 Firebird Coupe 350 3spd frame off restoration. It's been in the works for three years and I finished it this past September 2016. I bought it in running condition for $4,500. The parts added up to $14,800 and I did everything but the engine myself. Some of the big items were the engine $4,000, front disc kit $600, interior kit $850, tires $600, exhaust $450, distributer $250. I'm pretty frugal, so I was always looking for the best deal. The worst parts came from car shows, I ended up replacing some of those parts and I have a set of seat foams and covers that I didn't use. I had always though I had about $12K in it. I've attached the parts sheet for anyone wondering what it can cost for a restoration.

Here's the spreadsheet. Guess I'm over the limit for attachments.
P/N QTY PRICE EA TOTAL
Front Bumper $202.26
Rear Bumper $149.95
Wheel Opening Mlding Set $82.95
Windshield Mldg Clips $16.95
Radiator Core Support $95.00
Battery Box w/Clamp/Bolt $24.10
RH Fender Extension $43.95
Inner Fender Well RH $126.00
1967-1968 Firewall Wiring Gutter $17.00
Trunk Paint Kit $49.99
Gas Tank Paint $9.99
Paint Stripper $43.01
Dash Vents $20.00
Leaf Rear Springs $126.84
Install kit $84.00
Filler Neck hose $9.95
Fuel Tank Clamp $5.50
Ship $47.50
REAR DRUM BRAKE HARDWARE KIT $10.00
Transmission Switch
Firebird Quarter louvers set of 12 $69.99
Pillar Molding Pair $64.99
Master STD Interior Screw Kit $122.00
FW688T Windshield Glass Tinted $118.20
Windshield seal $15.28
Rally II Center Cap Set - Set of 4 $119.95
OER Sill Plate, Chrome Finish Pr $47.90
Engine $2,275.15
$983.00
$800.00
10W-40 Racing Oil
Battery $106.50
Spare Tire Cover $39.00
Temp Sender $19.50
Voltage reg $29.00
Fuel pump $43.00
Vent pipe Grommet $3.00
Timechain stud $3.00
Hose Clamp Kit $16.00
Cowl seal Kit $20.00
Clutch Pedal Bumper $3.00
GM Decal $5.00
Jack Decal $5.00
Cooling Decal $5.00
Emission Decal $5.00
Spray paint $8.54
Header Bolts $7.19
Discount -$4.00
Air Filter Wrong one $7.64
Adhesive $23.39
Tax $1.42
Air Filter $8.64
Paint $127.01
$180.79
Rad Support Mount $35.00
Body Hdwr $14.00
Clutch Rod Seal $6.00
End Link Kit $14.00
Lwr Arm $119.00
Upr Arm $109.00
Lwr Arm $119.00
Upr Arm $109.00
Disc Bk Kit $605.00
Clutch Fk Boot $8.00
Sway Br Bushings $20.00
Ship $50.00
Htr Box Gasket Set $20.00
Carb rebuild $27.13
Gear Lube $5.77
fuel cleaner $5.28
tax $0.75
Autozone $15.99
Hood Emblem $39.95
Fender Emblem $76.95
Glove Box Emblem $21.95
Fender Emblem $53.90
Fuel Door Emblem $29.95
Speaker $39.95
Seal Plates $69.95
Discount -$51.80
Ship $18.80
Distributor $247.99
Coil $37.97
Tires $663.60
Ball Joint Boots $8.00
Door panel Clips $8.95
Wx Strip Pins $2.95
Ship $4.99
Seat Belt Decal $20.98
Sail Panels $32.79
Alternator $44.99
Starter $44.99
Spark plug $17.92
Rad Cap $6.29
Ign Wire Set $42.29
Antiseize $6.74
Fuel Filter $13.49
Tax $15.33
Window Crank $17.98
Key $4.99
Key $4.99
Hood Insul $27.99
Rear View Mirror $49.99
Ant $49.99
Air Cleaner Decal $5.99
Trunk Divider $26.99
Hood Insul Clips $19.99
Spare Tire Hold down $4.99
Tire Trim Rings $99.99
Ship $19.95
Ins $3.95
Discount -$31.40
Guage Console $46.97
Exhaust Kit $453.97
Headlight $15.94
Headlight $15.94
Sealant $26.88
Reducers $25.97
Discount -$20.00
Radiator $262.26
Thremostat & tubing $13.11
Seat Foam $179.98
Hdliner Moldings $69.99
Wshield Molding $39.99
Rear Inner Molding $69.99
Bushing $2.99
Wshield clip $14.99
Svisor suprt $39.98
Wheel Paint $16.99
Wheel Paint $16.99
Sail Panel Blk $39.99
Discount -$113.00
Ship $83.85
Ins $3.95
Trunk Mat $29.95
Shifter Boot $24.95
shifter Boot Retainer $14.95
Discount -$10.48
Ship $15.96
Spray Adhesive $12.49
Door Handle Lock Gaskets $11.72
Pk Brk Grommet $3.74
Wx Strip Kit $250.99
Frt Spoiler $48.99
Rear Spoiler $119.99
rear Spoiler Mt Kit $4.99
Qtr Window Molding $79.99
Rglass Sealer $12.99
Discount -$27.50
Ship $39.95
Ins $3.95
Tubing $4.14
Gear Oil $10.26
Tax $1.22
Steering Wheel $156.99
Pk Bk Grommet $4.99
Ship $9.00
Paint Metal Mask $39.96
Ship $5.95
A-Arm Splash kit $18.95
Fastner Kit $199.95
Rubber Bumper Kit $19.95
Park Light $99.95
Park Light $99.95
Ship $24.89
Paint Book $18.22
Rad Petcock $4.99
F/W Pad $39.99
Vinyl Top $148.99
GM Htr Hose set $24.99
Rad Nuts $3.99
Vinyl Top mdlg $107.99
Wshield clip upper $14.95
Dash Bezel Set $23.95
Wshield clip lwr $14.95
PCV Valve $2.99
Interrior Kit $844.99
Rad Hose $9.99
Rad Hose $8.99
Vly Pan Grommet $4.99
Mtr Mt $9.99
Mtr Mt $9.99
Discount -$109.18
ship $119.80
ins $3.95
Paint Engine $13.98
Paint Engine $6.99
Xmisson gasket $5.99
Xmisson Seal $4.29
Clutch Stud $14.00
Xmission Mt $6.19
Eng Mt $12.98
Clutch $110.99
tax $10.06
discount -$26.31
Paint Engine $13.43
Gear Lube & Sealer $19.32
Gas Tank Sock $8.10
LH Wheel well 1/4 patch $35.10
Gas Tank Neck outer $24.30
Gas tk mtg kit $9.00
gas tk hdw kit $3.60
Gas tk Brace $43.20
ship $20.00
Fuel Hose $3.44
Engine Gasket Kit $82.99
Paint $7.60
Paint $5.63
Spot Putty $7.82
Felpro Gasket Kit $62.42
Tax $5.12
Car $4,500.00
TOTAL $18,564.80

Rest easy. My car is almost out of paint and then I have to put the interior in. My Excel spreadsheet for my resto mod stands at $53K.

But that's spread over 20 years and I splurged on a lot of things like my 455 engine, aftermarket seats, NOS front fenders, added factory options (that the car did not come with) and a HD 4-pinion posi that had to be rebuilt twice. I wanted it my way.

Looks like a bargain to me.

That's not bad at all...

I've been afraid to add all mine up! Not sure I really want to know.

Don't be too shocked, I have more than that in the engine and I did it all myself except the machining of the block which the machinist screwed up,

You did well!
We're over $40k for a similar rebuild back in 2008-2010.

Your Bird looks very nice

I'd say you did very good...

You did AWESOME! Great job!

I paid $21,500 for my 69 back in August. It's a numbers matching 350 2bbl A/C TH400 car, new interior, body is almost ready for paint (in black primer), has a new 461 (about $7K in receipts just for that), Wilwood brakes, Vintage air, etc. etc.

Considering mine still needs paint, suspension gone through, a couple trim pieces, and a few other random things, I'm still several thousand bucks away from where you are. You made out well, congrats!!!!

Alex

That sounds like a bargain to me. You did very well and the car looks fantastic.

I don't know how much I have in my '67 convertible, but I'm sure it's well over $30,000, and I still have a few little things left to do.

and taking her out for a sunday drive, Priceless !!!!!!!!!!!

$15k, that's it? That is one helluva bargain if you ask me. The car looks great and looks like you spent a lot more. I will have most of that amount in body work on mine. I am hoping to be able to get mine done in the $20k-$25k range, hoping.

Where do I sign?!!!

I agree, not bad, I stopped counting at the end at $39K and change....I'm sure I have another thousand in to it...and I want redlines now LOL

Hi Dave,
...
And in US dollars to boot! Chump change! lol

You did well my friend.

I think the answer to the original question is : how tall is a tree?

That's easy! 92 5/8". That's why they use that length for pre-cut studs!

I went to Home Depot the other day and asked for a nice 2X4.

They ask me, "How long do you want it?"

I told them, "I plan to keep it forever".

LOL

good!

Your car looks great and that is a bargain!

I think you did incredibly well! Your car looks great and I hope you enjoy it. I'm way over what you've invested in my 69 and it was a good car to start with.

My toilet is plugged with cash! F'n money pit man...but I love every minute of it! lol While I still have a pot to piss in ... I progress...

Great job on the car and the budget!

I think the biggest accomplishment was finding a car that appears like a great start that looked complete AND ran... for $4,500? That's rusted out project car money with no motor or interior!

Every time I look for a car, this is what 5K buys you :

https://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/d/firebird/6643341836.html

I must be doing something wrong

Car 6000
Engine 14000
Trans/clutch 5600
Rear end/disc brakes 2500
Headers 800
Exhaust 500
Paint/ body 12000......... hopefully geez I’m at 40k+ and I’m not done.

Nope, you are in the same club as everyone else. Spend $50k on restoration to be awarded with a car worth $25k. Grrrr!

Lol well at least I know I’m on the right track!

I have kept an Excel spreadsheet through the entire 20 year process. I'm at 55K

I do NOT talk about my Firebird with my financial advisor as I already know he is very much against purchasing RV's and solar panels. Hey, it's a hobby!!!!

I would say you did very well! I also keep a spreadsheet on all my builds so I can can ensure I am never upside down on my cars. As a hobbyist I don't keep track of my hours because if I did, I would certainly be in for a very large build cost. I do everything except machine work myself (yes, I paint my cars as well :))