Welcome to the Corvette Forums at the Corvette Action Center!

Cost of Body off Restoration

R

RubyZR1

Guest
Just curious guys.
What would it cost in $US for a body off Restoration for an L81?
No flames intended.
Rgds Wayne
 
Do it your self or have it professionaly done?

Saw a post a while back on another board where a guy that does professional restorations figured it took about 1,000 hours and his hourly rate was $50.00/hr. So that would be $50,000 in labor. Then add in parts.

If you can do it all yourself and have the needed tools, then you would only have the parts cost and save about $50,000. :D

tom...
 
It depends on the extent of the restoration needed.

For example, just removing your frame, cleaning, and painting, etc. is far less expensive than replacing the frame due to rust, collision etc.

I do all my own work and have around $30K in mine right now. However, my car needed/needs EVERYTHING.

Maybe some additional details would help.

I would assume that $15,000-$30,000 is the ball park depending on what you need, and higher than that if you needed everything.
 
Frame Off

Just to add what Tom73 and 69 MyWay posted, if you need to replace frame, used or new, the book shows about 28 hrs. labor. Multiply that by the hourly rate your shop charges and that should be the cost of the job. Now of course the money starts adding up when you start adding the cost of needed parts. The cost of the frame, of course, brake and fuel lines, body mount kit. When they tranfer the drive train and suspension components over to new frame, that's when you want to take care of any other questionable stuff. Trailing arms, front suspension, fuel tank, engine, tranny... It's true that it could cost $10k to $50K, depending what it needs and what you want the car to be when it's done. Sit down whith whoever is goin to do the job, after they go over the car, and try to get an itemized estimate so that there won't be any surprises after they start. I am going to have the frame in my '69 changed out this fall along with some lower birdcage work and it should cost about $8-$10K, (with a used sanblasted and painted frame). I updated front and rear suspension along with a new fuel tank over the last couple of years to save some money when this job is done. Vette Products of Michigan is producing brand new Vette frames at a cost of $3,600 for a C3.

Good luck with whatever you decide,
Joe
 

Corvette Forums

Not a member of the Corvette Action Center?  Join now!  It's free!

Help support the Corvette Action Center!

Supporting Vendors

Dealers:

MacMulkin Chevrolet - The Second Largest Corvette Dealer in the Country!

Advertise with the Corvette Action Center!

Double Your Chances!

Our Partners

Back
Top Bottom