Does anyone make a "new" C2 Birdcage?
01-01-2009, 04:42 AM
#21
Drifting
I bought a complete birdcage from Crane. It was over $5000 plus shipping. Unfortunately, he lied about the condition of the cage.
01-01-2009, 09:06 AM
#22
Melting Slicks
Ron, If you find a cage and your in it for the experience of assembling a car, go for it.. But you're getting some great advise on what to expect for costs. You won't believe how fast the $200 to $600 odds and ends add up (tail lights, bumpers, window glass, moldings, bonding strips......)
Harry
Harry
01-01-2009, 10:19 AM
#23
Pro
I say go for it. I would look for a complete car with a bad frame or one that has taken a front end hit. A good shell would work too, but it is the little things that eat up the money, and can be hard to find.
I just finished a serious milano maroon paint job on my 65 coupe. I removed everything from the interior, including the dash, did all of the body work, and the sanding. My friend, Pete Lovett, laid on the paint, and buffed it, after I wet sanded it. My total bill was $1,500.00 for materials, and shop use. Pete said had he done the whole thing, it would have been $30,000.00. That is a pretty serious paint job, and it looks like $1,000,000.00.
This summer, I sold a lot of small items I did not need anymore, on Ebay Motors. Nothing real valuable, 2nd and 3rd string spare parts, and stuff I got for nothing, or next to nothing. I kept the good stuff. I made enough from that to; paint the car, refresh the interior, rechrome the bumpers, replace all emblems, tail lights, rockers, etc., replace the hubcaps, and anything else it needed. You can restore a Corvette without spending a fortune, depending on your skill level, and your connections in the car hobby.
The real payoff, however, is in doing it yourself. My 65 coupe is the seventh car I have seriously gone through, and I probably spent less on all seven than many people on this site have spent on one car. But, an even better reason for doing it yourself is the satisfaction you get from the completed product. When people, especially people who know about, and work on these things, ask, who did your bodywork, or who did the engine, or who did the ... ?, It feels great to reply, "I did". That is the real payoff.
Rich
I just finished a serious milano maroon paint job on my 65 coupe. I removed everything from the interior, including the dash, did all of the body work, and the sanding. My friend, Pete Lovett, laid on the paint, and buffed it, after I wet sanded it. My total bill was $1,500.00 for materials, and shop use. Pete said had he done the whole thing, it would have been $30,000.00. That is a pretty serious paint job, and it looks like $1,000,000.00.
This summer, I sold a lot of small items I did not need anymore, on Ebay Motors. Nothing real valuable, 2nd and 3rd string spare parts, and stuff I got for nothing, or next to nothing. I kept the good stuff. I made enough from that to; paint the car, refresh the interior, rechrome the bumpers, replace all emblems, tail lights, rockers, etc., replace the hubcaps, and anything else it needed. You can restore a Corvette without spending a fortune, depending on your skill level, and your connections in the car hobby.
The real payoff, however, is in doing it yourself. My 65 coupe is the seventh car I have seriously gone through, and I probably spent less on all seven than many people on this site have spent on one car. But, an even better reason for doing it yourself is the satisfaction you get from the completed product. When people, especially people who know about, and work on these things, ask, who did your bodywork, or who did the engine, or who did the ... ?, It feels great to reply, "I did". That is the real payoff.
Rich
01-01-2009, 12:45 PM
#24
01-01-2009, 12:57 PM
#25
Pro
Typical machine language logic, it must think we are discussing "bird cages" (as in homes for our feathered friends).
Last edited by kbuhagiar; 01-01-2009 at 12:59 PM.
01-01-2009, 07:34 PM
#26
Instructor
Member Since: Apr 2003
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You don't know what you're missing, I just bought four walkin aviaries, and they gave me a fifth for free! (Plus in some perverse way helped support this forum.)
Last edited by Klamath Stoogie; 01-01-2009 at 07:36 PM.
01-01-2009, 11:22 PM
#27
01-02-2009, 12:28 AM
#28
Safety Car
01-02-2009, 02:16 PM
#29
Melting Slicks
it's Caledonia.They are working on finishing up the complete bird cage,and my main/favorite supplier is working on floor sections,and the cowl sections for the C2s,so....down the road alittle ways....someone will be able to by all the pieces like Year One is doing w/the Camaros,and you can build one from parts.
Harry
05-04-2009, 08:31 PM
#31
Instructor
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
05-04-2009, 08:39 PM
#32
Team Owner
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Crowd Plow For Now
12-09-2012, 07:38 AM
#33
Heel & Toe
12-09-2012, 10:39 AM
#34
Burning Brakes
I wish that I was able to get away with $15,000 on my coupe. Way more for all the right parts,body and paint Like John Z said $15K wouldn't even get you started. It'll cost about four times what you estimate, it'll take three times longer than you think it will.
Good Luck
Good Luck
12-09-2012, 12:40 PM
#35
Burning Brakes
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I have a rust free 66 Coupe Birdcage (still on the frame) from California. The car was a right off in a light fire. The only kicker is that it CAN NOT be registered in the US. Not sure what I can do with it. I have a title for the car.
Last edited by wonderful; 12-09-2012 at 12:43 PM.
12-09-2012, 12:50 PM
#37
Tech Contributor
The OP was looking for a birdcage 4 years ago....
12-09-2012, 01:12 PM
#38
Burning Brakes
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CALEDONIA CLASSIC CARS
Corvette metal parts experts!
1963-1982 Corvette parts, restorations & components
Complete frame repair!
Phone 888-245-5224 to order catalog
$4, refundable with first order
12-09-2012, 07:30 PM
#39
Team Owner
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The owner's name is Gary Crump - nice guy to deal with.
