When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Just put the motor/transmission on the chassis. Next up is to put the firewall back onto the Bird Cage then the body goes back on this fall - one clip at a time. Paint then interior. So far I've spent $20G's and that doesn't include the purchase price of the car.
P.S. Don't show my wife this post. She'll kill me.
Sort of off-topic, but not really. If you think these cars cost too much today, just wait to see what will happen if inflation keeps going like it has over the last 46 years. I used an on-line calculator to determine the following: My '69 sold for $4,871 when new. At the value of today's dollar, that equates to $31,339. Not bad, but not even the base model 2015 vette goes for that. A new ZO6 that sells for $79,000 would sell for $508,267 in 2061 dollars. For all you youngsters out there, better figure out how to make a ton of money. The time goes by real fast, believe me.
I paid 7K for a 68 convertible that was completely disassembled with a ton of parts in plastic bins and boxes. I knew right away that it would need a new front clip and a lot of body work because someone had the bright idea to sand the body until the gelcoat was gone. Since my purchase I'm not sure exactly how much I've spent, but including the 7K that I paid and the parts and labor for the new front clip, rear clip, door skins and inner fender wells, I'm into this car for more than 20K and it is still at the body shop. Yesterday, I received more bad news. This car has a bent frame and has to be straightened before any front end parts will fit correctly. The estimate is $ 300. May not seem like much, but this car reminds me of the movie " The Money Pit" with Tom Hanks. Especially the part where the contractors are always telling him that everything will be done in two weeks. Anyway, I'm going to finish this car and drive the holy hell out of it as I'm sure I'll never get what I have into it if I sell it.
$25,000 purchase price + another $35,457.98 hard money + 11 years labor + 11 years insurance + 3 years climate-controlled storage + a pitiful amount of non-ethanol/C12 race fuel in a car that gets 9 MPG. If I were to also figure the time-value of money....I would be well into six figures. To think the car still has it's original paint, chrome and interior...and 16 year old Goodyear GTIIs. To finish it off, I could easily drop another $20k. Maybe $30k. Who the hell knows. Who cares? I do...and my wife certainly does. Hey...somebody here on the forum wanted to buy it for $30k. Of course they did...
Sort of off-topic, but not really. If you think these cars cost too much today, just wait to see what will happen if inflation keeps going like it has over the last 46 years. I used an on-line calculator to determine the following: My '69 sold for $4,871 when new. At the value of today's dollar, that equates to $31,339. Not bad, but not even the base model 2015 vette goes for that. A new ZO6 that sells for $79,000 would sell for $508,267 in 2061 dollars. For all you youngsters out there, better figure out how to make a ton of money. The time goes by real fast, believe me.
The youngsters won't even want these cars. They will just make flower pots out of them for in their front yard.
ZERO.....Unless you include gas going to look and inspect a few....I'm still looking and have around 21,500 in the bank but I haven't spent it yet....Still looking for the right car. You would think that reading this post would have skeered me off....Nah.
My frame on resto started about 5 yrs ago after the car sat idle for about 8 yrs .Life kinda got in the way of my plans for her! I now see light at the end of the tunnel w/it getting prepd for paint.I bought my 76 from the original owner for 5k 25 yrs ago. I just tallied all my resto receipts at 13K.I did all the labor.
Over 50k. I started out with a budget of 25k total. But somehow I got sidetracked. With the exception of having a pro build my engine, and a pro painter who laid down the killer final finish to all my hard body work, I've done it all myself. Between just those 2 items, that was a cool 20k.
I've leaked a few photos, but am waiting until it's road legal to unveil the final outcome. Regardless, it's all paid for. Don't owe a dime. I cannot tell you how many man hours I have into this body off restoration, but I brought it home 4 yrs ago, on Mother's Day weekend.
It brings me a lot of pleasure to work on it, the early C3 is the best looking corvette ever designed. My biased opinion, and I think mine is going to be a fine example.
Took this today it's a good 5 footer, it sat for 19 yrs paid $3,500 now $9,000 + a ton of my labor. Trans still le
aks & needs something done with the paint. We have driven it around 600 miles now.
$10,000. paint
$6,700. Gm Performace ZZ5
$1,000. Dewitts rad
$1200. Vintage air
$3,000 powdercoating
$1,300. Lectric limited wiring
$800. Transmission overhaul
$450. Electric headlight motors
$1200. jet hot hooker sidepipes
Complete Moog suspension,body mounts,gas tank, rocker inserts and channels,SS brake lines , brakes, power window regulators , motors and bearings weather stripping, Emblems SS mouldings LED tail lights tons of new bolts and washers and nuts All trailing arm bearings and parts, ECT Ect, Im sure I forgot a bunch of other parts still got a way to go . and havent even put the body on frame yet. still got a way to go. All labor not included with the exception of paint and tranny rebuild.
Purchase price: $3500
Spent: 2871.97 (90% work done by me)
-------------------------
TOTAL: 6371.97 - roughly 6% above a realistic distress sale price value
Runs well, looks okay @ 20 feet. I intend to spend as little as I can from here on out.
1982 bought 13 years ago $5000.00
Engine rebuilt 3-4 months later $1500.
Drove for 12 Years with routine maintenance .
Past year , New drivers door , New paint , 99% complete new interior ( EVRything replaced from dash on back except upper trim between t-tops ) and custom trim on 90% of car ... $10,000 . Done all work myself except custom trim & paint .
Working on brakes , suspension , under carriage now .
... Score of the build , Hooker Super Comp headers & sidepipes for only $200 bucks , woohoo ..
My little Tupperware bumper that is getting done how I want it
About $30,000 and 2.5 years to build it. It was a basket case, but a lot of fun to put together. I have a 1000 miles on it now, so $30 a mile plus gas. Not to bad.
I have never, ever, even added it up. I also quit keeping the smal l receipts as well. That was because they started overflowing the desk drawer and began to resemble a fire hazard. And the little b*tch still needs more parts! It has had at least 95% of the parts replaced, rebuilt or refurbished. But it is mine!
About $30,000 and 2.5 years to build it. It was a basket case, but a lot of fun to put together. I have a 1000 miles on it now, so $30 a mile plus gas. Not to bad.
05-12-2015, 08:33 PM
and I think mine is going to be a fine example.
