Tough questions

[SLOPAR72]

LOL......My friend, you are going to be upside down. Ask me how I know.......

Only if you think there is some financial return in the end lol.... Otherwise if a man works to provide for his family and needs to do his thing it ain't losing money IMO lol..... just part of the journey....

JW

 

[Captainkirk]

LOL......My friend, you are going to be upside down. Ask me how I know.......

I have no doubts about that. The question is...how high will I be hanging from my heels?

 

[jonn6464]

True. And he would rather lowball a survivor car purchase and bring it to a professional for a ground up resto, than to pay for whatever resto you have done.



Yes, I am beginning to see this more and more as the musclecar crowd ages.



I guess, in the end, it's like Rumblefish said in his post above...don't worry about what the future might bring. Build it your way and enjoy it while you own it.

The best advice you will hear is "Do your car, your way". When the time comes to sell her, there is always a buyer out there. It may take some time to lock down someone who appreciates or likes any/all modifications that you have done. But, that person is out there.

My 1970 Duster build has a LOT of mods and upgrades. Nowhere close to stock. But, the car will be much better (in all aspects) then when it was brand new.
I've got just over $32K into it so far, with $12-$15K left to go. Will I ever be able to sell it for $45-$50K? It's possible, to the right buyer. But, most likely, I'm sitting on a $35-$38K car. I knew that going in, and I was okay with it.

 

[Captainkirk]

My 1970 Duster build has a LOT of mods and upgrades. Nowhere close to stock. But, the car will be much better (in all aspects) then when it was brand new.
I've got just over $32K into it so far, with $12-$15K left to go.

If you don't mind me asking, was that money pumped in over a long time or mostly one big shot?

 

[Captainkirk]

Some other things come to mind. Is it heresy to replace parts such as master cylinder, water pump, alternator and starter or priority valve in the brake system if you have the original parts? Rebuilding stuff like that can be very time consuming and frustrating, if you can find parts.

 

[318willrun]

Some other things come to mind. Is it heresy to replace parts such as master cylinder, water pump, alternator and starter or priority valve in the brake system if you have the original parts? Rebuilding stuff like that can be very time consuming and frustrating, if you can find parts.

replace them and save them. Give them all in a box to the next owner.

 

[Captainkirk]

replace them and save them. Give them all in a box to the next owner.

That's actually a pretty good idea!

 

[383Scampman]

Here’s one for you I bet you didn’t think about, or care about.

I won’t purchase a restored car. To much of a headache to keep mint and actually enjoy it. AKA - Drive the socks out of it!

Driving and enjoying a ride doesn't mean cheap . Most of us are underwater on their rides from the beginning . I don't care , I've got 3x the money on mine than it's worth . I'm having a ball with it . when people ask me "Where did you get your ride " I say, "In my garage". Most of the OEM people I've come across are anal .

 

[rumblefish360]

Most of the OEM people I've come across are ASSHOLES.

FIXED!!!!

I’ll be honest. IDGAF if you have a rat rod, rusty garbage or a bitchen sweet ride restored or otherwise. Come to my table cool and be treated the same. It is unfortunate that there are people that like to crap on your ride for not being a perfect resto or even in progress. There thought process of it has to be OEM or it’s garbage just makes them a Nazi. Plane and simple.

 

[jonn6464]

If you don't mind me asking, was that money pumped in over a long time or mostly one big shot?

Mostly spread out over the past 3 years. But, there are some times that required a big chunk at once.

New QA1 front suspension was $2400, engine was $4500 (x 2 payments), wheels & tires $1200, cooling system $700, clutch $500, you get the idea. You would be surprised, with a rotisserie restoration, how much of the cost is just little $100 and under things that really add up. I keep a spreadsheet to track parts used and cost. It's very depressing

 

[SLOPAR72]

Mostly spread out over the past 3 years. But, there are some times that required a big chunk at once.

New QA1 front suspension was $2400, engine was $4500 (x 2 payments), wheels & tires $1200, cooling system $700, clutch $500, you get the idea. You would be surprised, with a rotisserie restoration, how much of the cost is just little $100 and under things that really add up. I keep a spreadsheet to track parts used and cost. It's very depressing

Don't do that lol.... When I did a Chevelle after the first 10K I threw all the receipts I could away unless it was warranty related. I would have been sick to my stomach.... Oh don't worry though the Lawyers had a field day with it during the divorce lol.... If more people added up their time and material put into cars there would be more alcoholics lol...

JW