How much have you spent on restoring your Vette, to date ??

[billybob]

I dont think its a matter of restoration for most of us.

When I bought mine about 7 months ago it was plenty road worthy. Previous owner had driven it till the day I shell'd out the green and took it home.

But after looking at it, I wanted to make it my car.. so I buy side pipes for the 350 sb.. then I manage to get ahold of a 454 bb, so I buy another set for it... new rear end, new suspension and so on and so on.

I've probably got one of the largest collection of brand new unused corvette part collections going for a non dealer, taking up half my basement in fact.

The parts will go fast when I start to put it all back together, old age stylin new age technology.

For some its a status symbol, for myself and the rest of us its about a dream coming true.

Bill

 

[born2saw]

I paid $15k for mine last fall. I have plans for : new exhaust, passenger door hinges, new tires, K&N filter, and anything that may break!! I figure $1-2k this year if nothing major breaks.

It is really in pretty good shape for a 28 year-old car with 45k miles on it. I do not race & just enjoy driving it (will winter ever end????).

BUT...it is a second weekend only car. I do not have to rely on it for daily transportation. That said, it has never failed to start or run when I wanted it to.

PS 97moneypit when I am ready to move to a different Vette I will try to keep this and just buy another one. I think if you spend a little more up front, maintain things right, give it enough exercise, and take it easy on it, it does not have to be so very expensive.

 

[97moneypit]

I paid $15k for mine last fall. I have plans for : new exhaust, passenger door hinges, new tires, K&N filter, and anything that may break!! I figure $1-2k this year if nothing major breaks.

It is really in pretty good shape for a 28 year-old car with 45k miles on it. I do not race & just enjoy driving it (will winter ever end????).

BUT...it is a second weekend only car. I do not have to rely on it for daily transportation. That said, it has never failed to start or run when I wanted it to.

PS 97moneypit when I am ready to move to a different Vette I will try to keep this and just buy another one. I think if you spend a little more up front, maintain things right, give it enough exercise, and take it easy on it, it does not have to be so very expensive.

I found one for 14,800 that looks just like yours. It would have been a good price for the great condition of the car. The only problem I had with it was that I saw the dealer buy it at the NCRS auction for 10,700 while I am standing there unprepared to bid on it. It was kind of hard to just give him a nearly 4 grand profit for doing nothing except paying the sales tax on it. So the search continues......unless someone I know talks me out of this insanity.

 

[intex99]

Heah billybob where did you get the side pipes from??I'm looking at maybe putting some on my 80 so I can spend more money on her!!You thinking of selling them?

Heres my breakdown so far
4500.00 car and shipping
4200.00 crate engine/radiator/intake manifolds/carb(got it all at once as figured I would need it sooner or later)
500.00 custom exhaust
2000.00 for alot of misc interior(buy/sell the old if possible)
800.00 mirrored tops( broke 1 then sold the other and said the heck with mirrored tops)
500.00 beer money while doing repairs(something you guys didn't factor into your totals)
I still have original motor for rebuild so can figure money for that as well.
All the oohs and ahhhs going down the highway with the tops off is priceless.
I upgrade as I can afford it and there always seems to be something to upgrade.In a couple yrs will probably be upgrading my upgrades!

 

[Thumper]

I don't want to know what I've spent....and I REALLY don't want the wife to know what I've spent. Instant divorce.

The nice thing about building a hot rod, is that there are a long line of folks trying to put theirs back to original condition who will pay gobs of money (or at least some money) for what you take off. With judicious parts purchasing and selling, you can keep the cost down somewhat (I was going to say keep the cost within reason, but let's be real). I figure that when it's all done, I would be able to sell mine for probably 1/8th of what I'll have in it. Since it's not my daily transportation, I've been able to accumulate parts over an extended period of time, which has lessened the sting on the wallet. Plus, some of the parts I fell into 10 years ago for almost no money, are bringing big bucks today. Thank God for eBay, or I wouldn't have found as big of a market for the oddball parts.

Just spend what you feel comfortable spending and enjoy your car. Not all of them have to be perfect.....perfection costs $$$$$

 

[billybob]

intex99,

I picked them up at summit racing, theres a nice review I have in the aftermarket area, of my first dealings with them.

As for selling them the idea had crossed my mind, but then along came this nice little fixer upper 71 yellow vert that needs major work but came at a good price well a really good price (free) needs motor (gonna be the 454) tranny and interior, glass is in good shape, and frame is freshly redone so its another for the stable.

Each header and side pipe package ran about 1k

Bill

 

[WayneLBurnham]

$10.7 TT&L + $21K so far....

I got it in July and have put 26K miles on it....

The sad thing is I haven't even TOUCHED the engine, which is only a temporary resident anyhow...

97MoneyPit don't feel that way - the only reason mine has cost so much is what I intend for it...

A standard, decent rebuild as needed with a solid powerplant with perfect 50K+ reliability could have been done for just $7-15K over the purchase price, but everything I've broken I've upgraded for the eventual 1K hp engine that started the project.

I got very unlucky with a disastrous event too - as well as doing one huge high level upgrade way before I should have had to. That, and nearly everything on the car was 3 months from dying.

Oh - and taken out loans? I wish!!! Try 20% average rate credit cards for about 2/3'rds of that $31K!!! This stupid car makes up about half of my total debt!

I'm really looking forward to the next $5-7K though. I'm finally to the stage of straight upgrades.

I've scrapped the 700R idea and going back with the Gear Vendors OD on my Turbo 400, which is $2250 or $3K installed. After that, I'm sinking a couple of grand into the tiny engine in it, to bring the power level to the 8.5-9.5 pounds/hp level, with a modern high end capability as well.

Finishing this phase with the VPB front lower suspension, Vintage or Old Air, a new top, a cheapy paint job and a little more on the interior and the thingy is finally starting to be a real ride - and performing better than you can get off the shelf for the $40K it will be then approaching. (Too bad about the terrible interest rates....)

At that point, it will basically be a new, modernized, C3 small block vette, with all the moving parts having been both replaced and upgraded.

 

[fine69]

".......What did you pay for y our Vette , and how much have you spend on it ???...."

Dave

An old thread, I know... but not outdated.

I got mine for $14,000 and I've spent over $12,000 within the last 18 months and don't expect relief any time soon! Owning a classic Vette is a project that never ends - but a labor of love to be sure.

After Carlisle last week, I got really motivated and decided to refurbish my dash and gauge lenses. I removed my dash and also went ahead and removed my seats and steering for more accessibilty... and began "inspecting"..... and then removed the carpeting... and continued "inspecting".... then removed everything else vinyl or plastic!

Today I removed my windshield because I suspected pillar post rust - which there is some (on the left upper and lower corners)... the birdcage however, appears to be okay.

Anywhoo... my winter project has officially begun, and I'm sure it aint gonna be cheap. Corvette Central is gonna love me.

Ralph

 

[MichelP]

Well I guess it's not about money. It cant be worse than owning a boat that's never big enough or something like that. I dont think it's a good idea to buy a car like that (Vette or any hot rod for that matter) to rebuild it with the sole intention to make money unless it's your business. (Foose, Coddington, Barry White etc.)
For my part, it's first and foremest a hobby. I want to build the car a certain way and I love doing it. If it's expensive so be it, it will take longer to get there, that's what hot rodding is all about.

 

[71-84 IMSA Widebody]

$40k, but don't tell my wife.ad

 

[TAZ 76]

Bought for 2000.00 3yrs ago. Put 4000.00 into (parts, paint,glass, tires, ect.)

 

[rocket22]

I am building kinda a pro touring 69 and have around 20g in it so far

 

[Evolution1980]

Not including the interest on the bank loan, purchased for $7500 almost exactly 13 years ago..
Spent somewhere over $33K on it I think thus far. I'd say that at least 30-50% of that is in labor costs. I don't usually turn my own wrench on the big projects.
When ya start keeping track, it starts to get slightly less fun.

 

[Chas]

Well I bought it for $10,000 in 2002......my best estimate is under $5,000 to date....the biggest cost so far has been a new rear end.

Chas

 

[RodsnRides]

Bought for 2000.00 3yrs ago. Put 4000.00 into (parts, paint,glass, tires, ect.)

Wow, Taz, that's quite a change for a total investment of $6K. That looks sharp, especially considering what you started with.

Well, lemme see-does a trade in count? In August of 2004, my Corvette was selling at a Corvette lot for $22,500, with 83K miles. I showed them my restored, 66K mile '72 Chevelle SS, which I had about $12K cash, LOTS of blood, sweat and tears (motor, trans, exhaust, suspension, body, interior, ad infinitum) and I had owned since 1985 . They gave me $19.5K for it and came to $21.5 for the 'Vette. Sooo-$2300 (2K plus tax). I immediately installed an Optima battery for $120. Hey-I don't want a wet battery in my living space. I also serviced the engine, trans, and rear axle within the first week.

New 383 stroker, B&M converter, radiator, intake, water pump, trans cooler-$3K. I have put about 5000 miles on the car. She is a garage queen, admittedly, but took us to BG for Cruisefest in June without a problem. The interior is nice, paint is decent. Cheapie shocks and decent brakes, replaced (including m/c) before I got it. Tires are good, wheels stock and complete. Suspension and steering are great. Very light touch on the wheel. Over time, I will upgrade the shocks and the tunes, maybe some nice wheels and tires. This car is my fun to have and drive, somewhat collectable (red interior-factory special order), very good driver. I have the original build sheet, window sticker, P-O-P and application for title.

I think I'm in at a good price, and can enjoy what I have for a good while. If I can give one good bit of advice-learn about your car. Even if you don't invest the time and tools to do it yourself, at least you will "know the deal".

Rick

:gap

 

[TAZ 76]

Thanks Rick. If I added in the price I would charge for the labor, the total cost would be alot more.

Aaron

 

[RodsnRides]

Hey Aaron -

Whereabouts in Montana are you? I grew up in Helena (just went to my 30th High School reunion in August), college in Missoula, my parents are retired in Townsend. Love that place. You can drink in your cars (go cup), smoke in the bars, and no sales tax.

Rick
:gap

 

[TAZ 76]

I live in Columbia Falls, about 2 hours north of missoula. They don't allow open container anymore, and most places you can't smoke anymore. I still love it here, pretty laid back.

Aaron

 

[VetteThunder]

Just starting out...

Lets see...

Bought a '68 big block with a 4 speed manual trans for $17K, the frame was cracked in numerous places but the body is in good shape.

$17,000
$14,000 bill mitchell all aluminum 572 engine 700HP
$5,000 tremec tko 600 5 speed trans, clutch and bits
$18,000 new chassis, suspension and brakes from SR III Motor sports
$2,000 new '04 Z-06 wheels and tires

$56,000 so far. Still to come, new interior, gas tank, electrical system, paint, body work and no doubt a ton of "little things". Still on budget, though. Wifey has given me a budget of $90K so we are gonna be able to make it, I hope.

 

[LVMYVT76]

Does your wife have a sister???? Better yet does she have an extra $90,000 laying around I could use on my vet?????