Good morning fellow Firebird freaks,
I am in the planning stages of restoring my '69 convertible. I don't want to blindly start pulling the car apart like I did when I was 16. I am looking for some sort of planning and tracking documentation to use before, during and after the restoration. I envision an Excel spreadsheet which is broken down into the various different systems of the vehicle. Such a document could be used for systematic disassembly, inventorying, tracking of parts, and reassembly. Do any of you rotisserie hounds use such a document? If so, can I get a copy? Thanks, Matt

Come on guys (and gals). I refuse to believe that all of you computer savvy intellectuals don't use some form of computer based documentation to track your restoration progress. What's the 4-1-1?

Matt

Matt, I didn't use a spread sheet, but I did write out a list of what my car was equiped with when new, and the upgrades (in detail) that have been made, and or that I have done. I could send you that as an example.

Other wise, I usually try to use a some avdice an autobody shop teacher gave me. I try to work on one thing, or one section at a time from start to finish before moving onto the next. Be it body panel, or specific project like front suspension... you can apply this, and it will get you far.

Anyway, I'm sure there are some out there who do use some sort of spreadsheet?

Later - Brett - 67 Drop Top 455!

I do have an Excel spreadsheet that I track the parts and services I need (and the total cost of this monster!). It is just a simple sheet with 5 columns - Description/vendor/Part #/price/actual cost (includes taxes/shipping)

I use a 2 column table on a MS Word documment for my daily journal.

I have another 2 column table in MS Word that contains the steps (milestones) I think I need to complete the project.

Literature is in the form of 2 Factory Assembly Manuals ('69 Firebird and '67 Camaro), the factory service manuals and the Camaro Restoration Handbook.

I HAVE seen a small company selling restoration software - but it was really involved and I considered it overkill.

Is a spread sheet like a drop cloth? I put one of them under the engine while I'm working, to catch small screws and nuts that fall when I'm working on the car ...




Q

All I did was keep all my receipts in a stack in w my catalogs...now the stack is too thick to want to add up , or too scary...rather than checking it out I kinda keep a 'loose' number in my head...on the costs...LOL
Bjorn

Q, I think One NUT got away! Lol... At least I'm sure your wife would agree!

Lmao... Brett!

And I agree Bjorn... I never really want to know how much I actually have into it... I just know it's a lot less than it's worth (so far) - B!

Thanks for all of your input guys. Brett, I got the doc you sent. I like it, an excellent info tracking document. I think I'm going to create my own spreadsheet based on parts tracking/inventorying during a restoration. If anyone is interested in participating, please let me know. I'll probably start writing it this weekend. If you want a copy of the first run, let me know and I'll email it out.

Thanks again,

Based on info from this post, I decided to search the net for some software. Well, I found a program called AutoResto. It looks very nice. Full reporting capabilities, cost tracking, photographic documentation of progress, etc. If anyone is interested you can find it at http://www.wyattcon.net/download.htm or you can download it from my FTP server. Just email me and I'll set you up with an account.

Enjoy!