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 [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif[/img]

[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. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[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! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[sYc]

Are they ever done? Not if your sons race it. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/[/img]

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

[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. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif[/img]

[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. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif[/img]