Depressed - restoration too costly!

Author Topic: Depressed - restoration too costly!  (Read 1902 times)

Offline HEMI HUNTER

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Re: Depressed - restoration too costly!
« Reply #15 on: August 03, 2006 - 08:05:59 PM »
Is that tow in a wreck, drive out a #2 car without you doing anything?  Auto Rust Technicians in new jersey,
a very reputable shop quoted me $65hr.  for rust repair, 2 new front inner fenders, small firewall repair, new
driver floor pan, new trunk and extensions, rear inner wheel well repair, both, new rear tail light panel, PRIMED--
 $6500-$7000,   2-4 week turnaround time :bigsmile:

Old Moparz recomended them to me, a big thanks.
Why are the only other cars on the road all in my rear view mirror?  Oh yeah cause I got a 440/6 pack

Thank you GOD for the "Go Fast Division"




Offline Four-Forty-fied

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Re: Depressed - restoration too costly!
« Reply #16 on: August 03, 2006 - 08:20:53 PM »
Must be special Hemi paint.

My paint & body shop is charging a little less than $10K. Not a rotisserie, but it was blasted down to metal and had a significant amount of patches put in, including the entire trunk floor. His paint work might not be show quality, but it's damn near close. Besides, I want to be able to drive the thing.

And if money's tight, stick with the 383. It's plenty fast, and it's what gave mother Mopar her reputation on the street. How many people really had Hemis anyway?

Offline rr74cuda

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Re: Depressed - restoration too costly!
« Reply #17 on: August 03, 2006 - 11:42:47 PM »
Those $32000 are the reasons I started buying tools and reading books! I got tired of the quotes for people to do the work. (And often shoddy at that!) It's surprising how much you can do when you put yourself into it. I'm on my fifth restoration, (Mostly B bodies) and now have people coming to me and asking ME for advice! Plus the people you meet and the knowledge you'll gain will make it all the more worthwhile. If you can cook you can take a shot at dropping in YOUR OWN engine. Any journey always starts with the first step. :working:

Offline 74chall

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Re: Depressed - restoration too costly!
« Reply #18 on: August 04, 2006 - 10:29:22 AM »
I did the metal work, just finished this 71 chevelle im doing. Paint and body $2,500

Offline ChallengerHK

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Re: Depressed - restoration too costly!
« Reply #19 on: August 04, 2006 - 11:56:28 AM »
I had a similar situation back in the mid 80s with my Challenger. The two relevant facts, I think, are that 1) they were looking at a concours-level restoration, which was pointless for a driver, and 2) they saw me coming  :dupe:. I had no money, but the wife at the time was loaded, and I think the owner was counting on sending his kids to college from the proceeds on my car.

I would get several other quotes, and pay attention to your gut when you talk to these folks.


"She'll make point five past light speed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, and I've made a lot of special modifications myself."

- Han Solo, Star Wars

Advice Thread - Taking Pictures Of Cars

Offline Maxedwell

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Re: Depressed - restoration too costly!
« Reply #20 on: August 04, 2006 - 12:40:16 PM »
Thanks for all of the advice. BTW, I live near St. Louis, MO. I called two other shops and think I may have located one a bit more reasonable. Smaller staff. I did have to mention hemi since that is still my plan but I didn't let on that the car might be for re-sale. Perhaps if they think it is for me, they won't try and gouge me. The rough estimate was much less but I'll know for sure next week when the owner looks at the car.

Hearing what some of you paid lets me know that the first estimate was way too high. They probably thought I had lots of money and wanted a concourse (sp?) restoration job.

I'll keep you posted and when I figure out how to post pictures, I'll try and put a few up.
Maxedwell

1970 383 Barracuda - probably going to be a Cuda clone...
I've got a long ways to go - will it be worth the wait and $? Time will tell.....