How many of you..

[Tripleblack51]

have spent more money on your mid year (or C1) than you'll ever get back?
I don't plan on selling my baby, but I think I'm doing a "frame on" restoration one piece at a time.

I'm coming up on my first year anniversary of ownership of my '67.

I bought it as a nice driver which it was, but in the last year, as is inevitable, I have done few things to it. Most things needed to be done, while others were were purely cosmetic.

See below:

Replaced the retaining ring on the gas tank.
Replaced valve cover gaskets.
New thermostat
New sender switch
New wheel for spare tire
New tire
New lower radiator hose.
Complete set of new hose clamps. (I wanted them to look right)
Oil change.
5000# Jack
Jack Stands
Rhino Ramps
Fixed wiring at right rear (indicator and brake light were not functioning)
Carburetor rebuild.
Complete tune up.
New set of spark plug wires.
Replaced the fiber glass insulation in the driver's side exhaust pipe shield.
Oil change again.
New Shocks
New coil springs.
Full alignment
New wiper and lights knobs.
New Window cranks.
Several coats of wax.
New timing gun
New Dwell meter.
New set of open end wrenches.
New set of Allen wrenches.

I just bought a new water pump today as the old one is starting to go (preventative maintenance)

In a few weeks I will replace all the carpeting as it is faded in the back.

And last but not least...
Countless hours of joy...priceless.

I'm sure that my list pales in comparison to those of most of you guys that have had your cars for years or people like 67Heaven who is doing a complete restoration.

Having said that, I have no regrets.
I was never a "wrench guy" growing up, but I am enjoying learning and working on my baby.
It is very rewarding repairing/replacing things on these old beauties.
It's all made especially worthwhile when you're stopped at a light and somebody says, "that is a beautiful car".

Kinda makes you proud.

Pedro

 

[magicv8]

I have invested about what the car is worth in parts and service. The thousands of hours that I spent on the car over the years are the price of having the entertainment that it provides.

I maintain that the only thing that is nearly as much fun as driving a Corvette is working on one. Ask my neighbors. I work on theirs for the fun of it.

Having said that - think of the cost of driving the car as being an all day E ticket ride at Disney World. What would you charge people who lined up to drive your car for an hour or two? That's its value - every hour you own and drive it. The selling price is incidental.

PS If I put up my computer kept repair list - the server would be barfing every time someone opened the thread

 

[Mac]

After a while, you stop counting.... but your wife never does. :L

Anyone who has done a body-off knows what I'm talking about.

 

[81LT4]

k

Mac, is that your car?

 

[Mac]

Re: k

Mac, is that your car?

Yup. It's back together now but it wasn't always....

This pic is a bit too large but I haven't had time to PhotoChop at it.

 

[IH2LOSE]

Pedro another excellent topic.

I Dont remember what I have done to my car.Nor do I remember what I have paid for the parts .Nor will I ever admit to the amount of money I have spent on it.EVER

I can tell you when I finalley get my 61/62 it will be the last car I do for my self.Its getting harder and harder for me to work on the cars because of my knees ,Maybee when my son gets older Ill help him restore one.

MAC

WOW your car looks GREAT you did all that? Some ones been real busy under the car.

 

[Sting Ray]

Mac,

I really miss Ron D, have you talked to him recently, how is he doing?


Tom M

 

[Tripleblack51]

I have invested about what the car is worth in parts and service. The thousands of hours that I spent on the car over the years are the price of having the entertainment that it provides.

I maintain that the only thing that is nearly as much fun as driving a Corvette is working on one. Ask my neighbors. I work on theirs for the fun of it.

Having said that - think of the cost of driving the car as being an all day E ticket ride at Disney World. What would you charge people who lined up to drive your car for an hour or two? That's its value - every hour you own and drive it. The selling price is incidental.

PS If I put up my computer kept repair list - the server would be barfing every time someone opened the thread

Dave,

I agree with you 100% on all that you've said.

Thanks for your comments.

Larry,

Thanks for the compliment.

You've got two beauties. I hope you find your C1 soon.


Happy Holidays.

Pedro

 

[1KULC7]

Its a great idea, and I have definetly spent more then the worth of the car. My suggest is to get the car appraised first, this gives you a baseline of what the car is worth as it is. Compare it to others with more restoration done. Then determine if you want to spend the money to do what you want. Notice I send spend the money, not invest the money.

I am SPENDING the money to have my SWC done correctly and to MY satisfaction. Hopefully I will not have to sell it for a long time, but if I do, I know I will get more then what I paid for the car, and know I will get less back on what I spent to make it meet my specifications.

I plan to drive this car and enjoy it, but still want things to be correct. As far as investments, well my investment is the pleasure I receive driving and showing my car, not what I will get for it money wise.

Cars are not for investment, if you plan to drive and have fun with them. I would go ahead and do what you plan and not worry about return....remembers the return is the you get enjoying it...Good Luck

 

[wallyknoch]

Nothing practically, just gas and oil! :bar

 

[Mac]

I really miss Ron D, have you talked to him recently, how is he doing?

It's been a few months since I heard from Ron. Unfortunately, things haven't gone well for him over the past couple of years. His long-time girlfriend dumped him. His business was having cashflow problems and he finally folded up. He stopped posting on CF before I migrated here to CAC. From what I hear, he's severed his ties with VetteHeads as well.

The last time I heard from him, he was selling cars at a Nissan dealership. He told me that Vettes left a bitter taste in his mouth and his wallet. Too bad.

 

[Mac]

MAC

WOW your car looks GREAT you did all that? Some ones been real busy under the car.

Thanks, IH2LOSE. I'd like to claim all the sweat was mine but I was under a timeline so I got professional assistance from RonD before he folded his shop. Nothing like a lift to make things easier!

 

[Sams '66]

Not sure how much I have spent....
Rebuilt motor and trans
New steel wheels and hubcaps to replace the Repro KO's......new Goldline radials.....some new ignition sheilding...etc.

love it!

 

[IH2LOSE]

Thanks, IH2LOSE. I'd like to claim all the sweat was mine but I was under a timeline so I got professional assistance from RonD before he folded his shop. Nothing like a lift to make things easier!

Mac thats the kinda stuff I LOVE to see the bottom of a car(in all the nooks and cranneys) as nice as the top side of the car.

I realley respect a fellow who goes thru all of the trouble of doing that knowing that no one realley is going to be seeing it. Excellent JOB.

I am not sure of who Ron D was.But I think I have heard his name before

 

[Mac]

RonD was the guy who introduced me to internet forums, starting with the NCRS tech board. He started a resto shop in Victoria, BC, mainly redoing interiors and selling parts, then he started doing frame-offs but, unfortunately, as stated, things went sour.

It was a real shame because Ron was passionate & knowledgable about Vettes. Now, he doesn't want anything to do with Vettes.