MakoShark77

Well, I'm into my 3rd year now and highly disappointed with my "builder". I have been doing most of the work on my car myself and doing some work on other peoples cars at my "builders" shop on the side. This was supposed to be an exchange of services type of arrangement. I pay for my parts, but get use of the facility and a paint job in exchange for helping him with customer cars. Thats turned into a joke. I've been averaging around 15 to 20 hours or more a week at his shop and he's been stringing me along now for over 2 years and my car hasn't been touched since the body got its initial coats in February! The doors, hood, t-tops, nose cap, tail cap, headlights and rear spoiler all have been sitting in primer waiting on him and all he has are excuses. I can't tell you how many customer cars I've helped him get out the door, I've lost count. But I've never asked for a dime in pay just a paint job and a place to work.

When the body gets back on the frame and the rest of the pieces are painted I'm outta there. I can finish it at home. In the mean time I'm cutting off his "free skilled labor" services. He can hire someone to do what I've been doing for him and see how he likes that.

TWINRAY

Into the 5th year last month. All that's left is GelCoat, Epoxy primer, blocking, final bodywork, more epoxy, base, clear and color sanding

MIKE80

Sorry to hear that. Maybe he'll get the hint after you stop helping him out.

Hey, that paint scheme looks really familiar??? Got any more pics?

MakoShark77

Try "my garage" on my profile page. Got a few more. The pic in my avatar is how the car has been since Feb.

Mikesfreetime

Wow I must be insane there is no way I could wait and work 3-5 years on a project. I had my 69 in the yard a total on 15 minutes (not kidding) before I started stripping the interior. Its now torn apart 100%. I have had my 67 327/350 for 5 years now and havent done a thing other than drive it.

20mercury

Agree! (When this one is finished, I will likely start another one, LOL's!!!)

70BBvert

1,800 hours over the course of 11 years Of course family life and house renovations got in way many weekends & many others were spent on side jobs to finance the project

My 68 Mustang took about a 1,000 hours over 8 years

No more projects

Jim

LAddams

A little over a year on mine. Skipping the really cold months as the garage is not heated.
Figured Id skip one step. Knew if I bought and old car Id take it apart, so i bought it in pieces.

cmhidinger

It's taken four years to get to paint. Full frame off. Last picture was taken yesterday at the paint shop after having fiber fill done. Starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel..


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Sunstroked

I have been at my body off restoration since June of 2011. I've been interrupted by a move to a neighboring state, and 3 months of daily commuting for work from phx to las Vegas. Presently the body is back on the car and it runs and drives. All major mechanical work has been completed, as well as the fiberglass repairs. The car has been shot with 2 coats of primer and is ready for final fit of all trim. Just got the chrome back from plating. So thats my next area of attention. I want this thing finished in paint by the new yr. and wrap it up in spring. Barring any more life interruptions.
Oh and it helps to own a beautiful looking red 92 that you can get your corvette fix with. They're very affordable and drive excellent.

whitehause

It never really ends...

If money is no object, it goes quick. If I had a full shop, time and money, I bet I could do one in a couple months....I don't have any of those though.

CTVETTE78

I've been at mine for 5 years, I'm now into the final body work and getting it "perfect" enough to suite me. The plan is to have it ready for paint next spring and on the road by summer '14.

joewill

mine failed.. got it torn apart in tubs.. slowly buying parts.. then it sat for 2 years.. then I sold it and bought a finished one.

TWINRAY

That's what they all say

Aquarian

When I towed my 75 Vette home 3-1/2 years ago, it was on our wedding annivesary, big red bow included! I told my wife I "only had to drop in an engine and tranny do some body work and we can go cruisin". She took one look put her hands on her hips and went inside. After getting into it the evils started to show up...rotted brake and fuel lines, body mounts installed with cardboard and bondo, and then I learned about all the "little" peices that I needed that weren't there. I had a roller about a year ago, (installed 700r4- another great learning experience) now I finally got alum. rad and plan to fire it up this weekend!! I know this will get the inspiration flowing and I can knock out the body work and put it back on the chassis. Doing all the work in my garage with some help from my son. With all the special equipment I bought and knowledge aquired I am going to have to get another project to justify the equipment purcheses to the wife, but I think i'll have to think up a new line, the engine and tranny one was one time only!

7t2vette

About 7.5 yrs for my body-off resto-mod. I started out planning only to do a suspension upgrade; once I found the rust, the entire car came apart!!! At the time, I figured I would be done within 6-12 months, then the while-I-am-at-it-itis kicked in!!!

MIKE80

Yeah, especially when you start looking very closely and see worn out parts, rust, oil leaks, etc.

oldschoolvette

I have about 1200 hrs in my wife's 78. I try and keep up with it in hours since the times you cant or don't want to do anything cant count.

I got 3200 hrs in my 53 pick up. It is a long journey

don't get discouraged

sometimes I just go in the shop with a cold beer and talk to the car...that way we are still making progress

682XLR8

Restoring the 68 took me five years (2000-2005) from the day I brought it home to the day I took it on its first drive

But it's never really "done"....

wabco40

8 years from the time I first lifted the body off the frame till it was licenced for the road again.

Still not quite finished yet, if it ever will be