PUNISHER VETTE

I'm going on 3.5 years now and it seems like it's taking FOREVER!!!!!!!!!

I'm not talking about those who don't work on theirs for years at a time...
I'm wondering about total time working on it.

Granted I'm learning everything as I go but still...just wish I could move along faster somehow.

John 65

Its a long process when its being done at home by yourself, but deff worth the wait. Did 2 body offs through the years. 65 that took 5 years and a 68 that took 4. Except for the pedal assembly, every bolt was turned on the car. Some days you ask yourself, why? Hang in there, your day will come.

Alan 71

Hi PV,
I agree, judging by the number of months that have gone by doesn't really tell you anything. It's the hours spent.
I believe I have between 3000 and 4000 thousand hours in my 71.
I spent a lot of time getting side tracked into learning about things like doing plating at home, and doing seat covers and carpet, and also searching for impossible to find original parts.
It's all in fun!
Regards,
Alan

rogman16

Started in July 2011, but was gone to school for 10 months... So although it looks like I've been at it for a little over 2 years, I've really only got 14 months into mine... Now I'm in Germany and Vette is in storage in Vegas... BL: 14 months and count is on hold...

Rogman

vettebuyer6369

Ugh.... mine started out as a "freshening," stretched out for a couple years and still was in and out of service until this spring. Never thought Id drive the thing again! Almost forgot what it looked like.

oldC3guy

When I bought my car I figured I'd give myself 5 years to get things done. Full disclosure---I am NOT doing a frame off. Just spending money when I get build up the bank and doing things when I have the time. I am in the 3rd year of this project and still have 2 more to get things all spiffed up. But in all candidness, I figure it will never end and I might actually get to that frame off some day. But I figured this would be my hobby and it never will be done. That is what makes it enjoyable for me. Your results may vary.

MrJlr

11 years and counting

Mod75

I give all you guys credit, anything over a week would drive me nuts.

If i was going to do a restore i would work on it 24/7 until done.

oldgto

We`ve been working on the 71 Vette for about a year now? We worked on a 1931 Chevy for 10 years, then stripped it & sold it off in pieces. We spent 7 years building the goat. Was it worth the wait? You tell me....

HOOAH

Going on 5 years on my 69 now (non-steady). What helps is that I also have a 71 that I drive during the Vette season (Michigan) so it curbs my desire to rush through things to get the 69 done. I "hope" to have it completed next summer though. At least it looks like a car again.

Terry

80Baby

Took me one year to completely strip the car down to the bare frame. That was 2009 to 2010. If work hadn't gotten in the way it could have gone quicker. Presently I have a completed rolling chassis sans the drive train. But I now have a time line to completion. The provincial government will stop vehicle emissions testing at the end of 2014. That being said I'll put my Vette back on the road in the spring of 2015 (with no pollution crap on the car). So that will make it 6 years.

Ibanez540r

Motor and interior was pulled in fall/winter of 2000. Sat that way until October of last year when the body was lifted off. The "new" frame (long story) was almost to a rolling chassis when I found it was also not worth to continue. New frame picked up last week, gonna finish all the seam welds then send to powdercoat. Once it's back everything should just bolt back on and be close to a roller again. Hoping to have the car together by next summer.

It does seem like forever already with all that has to be done and my "next summer" goal may be far-fetched.

sumcollegekid

On year 2. Probably gonna end up at 3 yrs. body off and cage off.

ignatz

Friend and I started at the same time. Frame off, paint, etc. He put his car back together the way the factory did and was done in a year. I made some "improvements", took two years. Depends on which way you want to go I guess but you will get done a bit faster if you don't try to re-engineer the car. As to number of total hours, I have no idea, but we are both retired so it was a bunch. As to cost, the receipts are out in the garage, maybe I will add them up, maybe not. I do happen to have a Z06, so I was not deprived. Depraved maybe! Once it is all done, you kind of forget what it took. Gee did I really do that?

And the GTO sure looks great!

Denpo

Three years in the making here.
I hope to get it done for next year (fingers crossed)

lvrpool32

I don't think they ever finish!!!

wisoutlaw

I've got a year in on the body off resto of my 69 convertible. So far the engine is almost complete and the frame is done and mostly rebuilt with new suspension parts. My goal is to drive it by the end of next summer.

Mike7143

I'm 164 hours and 15 minutes of work into my 72 body off. Granted my pops gave me a head start on tear-down back in 1988, removing most of the interior, bumper and brackets, radiator, headlights, and who knows what else.

MIKE80

I started doing a brake job on my vette. 7 years later I had it back on the road. The brakes work really good.

LudemJo

OMG Mike, that is hilarious!!!

The sad part is that is my biggest worry when I start my winter 2013/2014 project(s). I can see how it is very possible to have a case of "Well-while-I'm-at-It-itis" and end up having the car torn apart for many more months than anticipated.

John