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.
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.
2012 Mustang Boss 302 #1918, Competition Orange. FGF replacement 2006 Mustang V6 Pony, Vista Blue. Factory ordered. 2019 BMW X3 (Titled to the wife, but I'm always driving it for her. So I'm claiming it) Old projects, gone but not forgotten: 1967 FB 400, original CA car. After 22 years of work, trashed by the guy who was supposed to paint it. I had to sell it. 1980 Turbo Trans Am 1970 Mustang fastback, 351C 4Bbl, auto 1988 Mustang GT, 5 speed 1983 F-150 4x4, built 302 1994 Chevy K2500 HD 4x4, 454 TBI
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
Cant wait for summer... 68HO4004spvert Sleddog Iowa
God Bless the men and women past and present that have served this country. Thank you. Support D.A.V. - it helps gives a life back to those who gave so much for us.....
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
http://www.TheFOAT.com/92GTA 1969 Pontiac Firebird w/BP 461ci stroker kit, 670 heads & XE274H cam. Primer black with black interior. 1992 Pontiac Trans Am GTA w/SLP Performance Package. Dark Jade Grey Metallic, grey leather, T-Tops.
$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.
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 used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
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".
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
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.
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 :
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!
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
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!!!!
2012 Mustang Boss 302 #1918, Competition Orange. FGF replacement 2006 Mustang V6 Pony, Vista Blue. Factory ordered. 2019 BMW X3 (Titled to the wife, but I'm always driving it for her. So I'm claiming it) Old projects, gone but not forgotten: 1967 FB 400, original CA car. After 22 years of work, trashed by the guy who was supposed to paint it. I had to sell it. 1980 Turbo Trans Am 1970 Mustang fastback, 351C 4Bbl, auto 1988 Mustang GT, 5 speed 1983 F-150 4x4, built 302 1994 Chevy K2500 HD 4x4, 454 TBI
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 :))
Hey, it's a hobby!!!!
