Restoration: Would you do it again?

[Zedder]

BillD's post got me thinking about whether I am crazy to want to restore a car versus buying one that is done already. My situation is that I have the money to buy a completed car, but have always wanted to do a complete resto on a car. Am I crazy? For those who have done a complete resto, would you do it again? Is your experience that you had more invested in the car than what it was worth? I really appreciate any input that I can receive as I have two cars that I need to make a decision on - one restored and one project. Thanks in advance /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[COPO]

If you have neve done one, then you should try one after that, I predict you'll want to buy a restored car. There is some intrinsic value of completing a frame-off restoration once, however, unless you are dealing with a supercar and purchased it correctly, after a frame-off restoration, I think you will always end up with more in the car than its completed value. That is generally true even if you do the majority of the work yourself. Example: 69 Z-28 project $10K + resto costs $50K = $60K sunk costs with a $40K market value.

I think the reason many enthusiasts go the restoration route is due to the low initial price and the ability to spread the costs over time.

[Charley Lillard]

Ditto.....

[Jeff H]

If I had the money, I would buy a completed car. My 69 still has a lot of work to go(I'm not doing the resto). That's why I just bought the 68 LT1 car, something to drive and have fun with while the 69 is being restored. It's nice to be able to take pride in something you've done yourself, but not if you never can finish the project and enjoy it. What you need is one of each, a restored car and a project to work on. Then when the project is done, you can sell the restored car you bought! That's my theory.

[sYc]

Yes, I would, and am in fact doing another one. I enjoy doing the work myself. It is kind of neat to not only say you own the car, but that you restored the car your self. And, when finished, good or bad, you know what you have. By doing it your self, you alone determine how well it is done, and how correct. But, it is hard work, and not usually the least expensive way to go. Another alternative is hiring someone to do that special car for you. That way, once again, you have control over the finished product. Buying a completed car is the easiest, and sometimes the cheapest, but not always the best way to go. To me, buying a completed car is perhaps the hardest way to obtain that special car, simply because it is so hard to determine a completed cars "real identity".

[moparts]

Tom....It just takes some people longer to learn their lessons. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Mr70]

Whether you have them restored,or buy them already Done,Are they really ever DONE?
I am still tweaking on ths Chevelle and have a list building..
I wouldn't trade that for the world! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[sYc]

Are they ever done? Not if your sons race it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

And, hey Mo, don't lay down on me now, we got two more to go. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[DarrenX33]

[ QUOTE ]
Are they ever done? Not if your sons race it.

[/ QUOTE ]

And the occasional passenger door 3 inch scratch on account of a nephew's defective bike kickstand. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

[jg95z28]

Personally if I have the means, I'd rather buy a completed car and just maintain it or "accessorize" it. I never did finish that restoration project on my 68 RS Camaro. (Sold it to my brother before finishing.) And even though I have great intentions with the near completed project 67 I bought for my stepson, I know its going to drag on longer than anticipated and I'll be regretting buying it at some point.

Parts of the restoration process are fun, and part are a PITA. However I do find that one of the most fun parts is trying to track down parts and components. And oddly I am already secretly planning my next project car... or two...

But then, I probably am crazy, so don't go by anything I say. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

[sYc Yenko]

My 2 cents is, If one was to restore a car, There heart would have to be in it, And you would have to enjoy doing it. No matter the end result, If it turns out good or bad, atleast you can say, I enjoyed doing that. But like one of the posts above mine, a guy says, have 2, One for your hobby to restore, And one that you drive. Thats what I do.

[Salvatore]

Alot of guys love restoring a car. When the job is over and they get gratification from their peers and themselves, they sell it. It is good for your sanity to restore, but really not for your pocket book. If you have the money, buy Frank Arone's COPO. I believe it is for sale. How can you go wrong! The old saying is.....What ever blows your dress up! JMO Sam /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif

[Zedder]

Thanks for all of the advice guys, I really appreciate it /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif You've certainly given me food for thought!

[x44d80]

Do at least one resto. I just spent 6hrs trying to fix bottle jack dents in the bottom of a rocker panel. Working on a car is extremly frustrating but it can be very rewarding. My only advise is never say "that'll do". After its done you'll want to go back and redo it.

[YENKO DEUCE REGISTRY]

I agree also, do at least one resto attempt yourself. They are a lot of work, expensive, rework out the wazoo, lots of parts to scavenge, require a lot of patience, etc... However, the knowledge that you gain, the pride that you have, and the comfort that the car is restored to your spec's - less the inevitable, endless, 'punch list', is well worth it in my book.

Just me $.02!

[Ironhorse]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gifYes I have done at least one resto job. But when it comes to modifing the body or motor. I let someone else do the tough work. like the 68 396 I'm doing now. I'm installing a 4L60E on it with carooz control. And I don't have any clue on how to install that stuff. So I allow the experts do it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif Big Dawg

68 Camaro 396 conv.
66 Impala SS427 conv.
66 Impala SS327 ht.

[COPO PETE]

Ya, I'd do it again. The last one I did was about 3 years ago and I still got some sand blasting sand in the crack of my ass! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Peter

[Belair62]

Pete..send me your address...I feel the need to send you some Desitin since my kids have grown out of it...YOOOUUUUCH... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[T Billigen]

Buy one that is done!! I restored a couple of cars a few years ago but had my Yenko done by an expert so that I would not screw anything up! Better to get it right the first time than have to go back and do it over again. Before buying one already done just make sure you are getting what you pay for. If you are buying a high end car that is supposed to be matching number etc. it pays to have an expert check the car over for you. The only advantage of doing it yourself is that you know exactly what you got. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif

[NCGuy68]

[ QUOTE ]
Ya, I'd do it again. The last one I did was about 3 years ago and I still got some sand blasting sand in the crack of my ass! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Peter

[/ QUOTE ]

Pete...Send some pictures of the sand blasting sand in the crack of your ass, minus the crack!

I've never seen 3 year old used blasting sand /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif

[COPO PETE]

Say NO to crack! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif
Peter

[Zedder]

Thanks for the advice guys. Yep, need to do one complete resto myself...so, I picked up the project car today /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Hope to have the restored car in my garage by the end of the year /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif No space for any more...until the new house is built that is /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[Denis]

Zedder, we want details!!! What'd you get? Pictures, pictures!

[Zedder]

Denis,

I'll try and get some pics and a description up on my web site later tonight if the kids cooperate! For now...red RS with black top and std interior, 2L 3SL 4L. Neat car overall /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[jg95z28]

Sweet "new" car Mark! I'm jealous! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif