frame-off
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 181
Likes: 1
From: Nashville TN
frame-off
Guys and Gals,
I was wondering, how much does a quality frame-off cost. I was just talking to a guy with a 65 who just had his done and he told me for the total job he paid $35k and his car was gone for 1 year. WOW! His car looks great but does that sound right to everyone?I would love to here everyone's opinion on this matter. In the next couple of years I was contemplating a frame off, but for that kind of money I think I'll just keep mine as a nice clean driver. Thanks for the insight and opinion in advance.
I was wondering, how much does a quality frame-off cost. I was just talking to a guy with a 65 who just had his done and he told me for the total job he paid $35k and his car was gone for 1 year. WOW! His car looks great but does that sound right to everyone?I would love to here everyone's opinion on this matter. In the next couple of years I was contemplating a frame off, but for that kind of money I think I'll just keep mine as a nice clean driver. Thanks for the insight and opinion in advance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 5
From: Wheaton IL
Re: frame-off (bovette)
Are we talking simple mechanical and cosmetic restoration or a full blown NCRS top flight restoration complete with correct over spray, plating, surface finish, frame markings and DETAIL DETAIL DETAIL?
Brian
Brian
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 181
Likes: 1
From: Nashville TN
Re: frame-off (Allcoupedup)
I don't think it was NCRS. I know the frame and suspension was redone, as well as the the engine, transmission, interior and the car was repainted. That is the extent of my knowledge of the restoration.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,334
Likes: 2
From: San Clemente Ca.
Re: frame-off (bovette)
Well, Just figure an easy 10k for complete paint, frame-body everything.
An easy 10k - 15k for mech (engine, trans, driveline, f-r susp, brakes.
5k for int?, Door panels, dash, seats, carpet, *****, wheel, glove box,
Misc parts and labor (soft top, glass ,rubber, rad, radio, ? Another easy 10k. Alot would depend on the cond of the car to be restored. (guages? any frame rust? any old bad body work? Chrome! now there is a biggie.
I think many folks get 35k wrapped up doing there own work! So 35k does not surprise me a bit. Easy to get upside down in this sport!
The cost of labor alone would be the killer. Its not a fast process...
I would say 35k is fair, but would not be an NCRS show stopper.
Just my 2.......
An easy 10k - 15k for mech (engine, trans, driveline, f-r susp, brakes.
5k for int?, Door panels, dash, seats, carpet, *****, wheel, glove box,
Misc parts and labor (soft top, glass ,rubber, rad, radio, ? Another easy 10k. Alot would depend on the cond of the car to be restored. (guages? any frame rust? any old bad body work? Chrome! now there is a biggie.
I think many folks get 35k wrapped up doing there own work! So 35k does not surprise me a bit. Easy to get upside down in this sport!
The cost of labor alone would be the killer. Its not a fast process...
I would say 35k is fair, but would not be an NCRS show stopper.
Just my 2.......
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 862
Likes: 2
Re: frame-off (396 RAT)
:withstupid:
$35,000 is definitely not out of line. I've seen people spend $50k and more on C1 restorations. A year for the work is not unusual either.
I paid $13k for my '58 basket case and I've put another $60k into the restoration, doing most of the work myself. I've made tons of mistakes and trusted a couple bad shops, which is why that amount is so high. But even with what I know now (which still isn't much :rolleyes: ), a restoration would cost me at least $15k, doing most of the work (including painting) myself.
- Mike Greene
$35,000 is definitely not out of line. I've seen people spend $50k and more on C1 restorations. A year for the work is not unusual either.
I paid $13k for my '58 basket case and I've put another $60k into the restoration, doing most of the work myself. I've made tons of mistakes and trusted a couple bad shops, which is why that amount is so high. But even with what I know now (which still isn't much :rolleyes: ), a restoration would cost me at least $15k, doing most of the work (including painting) myself.
- Mike Greene
Moderator
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 7,117
Likes: 51
From: Dove Mountain Arizona
Re: frame-off (bovette)
I did a 'body off' not a 'frame off' (that was for SWCDuke :D ) on mine. Did ALL the work myself, not NCRS, not perfect. Just the absolute best I personally could do. Took me 3 years hard labor. :yesnod: I'm into the car (not counting labor of course), about 20K and climbing and this is not counting the 5K I paid for the hulk when I got it. Yes I did save $$$ doing it myself, yes I loved/hated doing it, NO I would not do it again, at least not as deep as I had to go into this thing. I would say 35K and a year is 'sporty' at best but it depends on what you want.
:steering:
:steering:
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 589
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Re: frame-off (bovette)
I just did a complete suspension rebuild from front to rear on my 67 BB roadster,including a complete rebuild on the posi rear. I haven't gotten the final bill yet but is going to be around 10K. As said already,labor is the killer. My restoration shop charges $72.50 per hour.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,652
Likes: 3,662
From: Central Arkansas
Re: frame-off (skyman51)
That would be cheap for a good quality job. I spent far more than that doing everything myself except for a few items (trailing arms, dash cluster, steering box, glove box) and that didn't include an engine rebuild. It did include new knockoffs. Also took me about 7 years.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 269
Likes: 1
From: Annapolis MD
Re: frame-off (bovette)
My dad and I rebuilt his original owner 65 in about two years. I’m not sure if we did a frame off or body off but we physically separated the body from the frame. :D The car was all there but needed everything. It cost me about 20~22k in parts and we probably have two thousand hours invested between the two of us. If you multiply those two thousand hours by a fair wage it adds up to a of a lot of money.
Andy
[Modified by Andy B, 8:45 PM 7/3/2003]
Andy
[Modified by Andy B, 8:45 PM 7/3/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 116
From: AUSTIN Tx
Re: frame-off (bovette)
I have a friend who regularly has C1 cars done and he says that he spends $32K to $36K for labor only on every car he has done. I have just finished a top flight C1 that I farmed out absolutely none of the work on, and have close to $30K in parts and materials with no labor at all! Unfortunately, doing it all myself, ended taking in excess of 3 years to complete.
Regards, John McGraw
Regards, John McGraw
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 776
From: Dadeville AL
Re: frame-off (paul67)
Most restorers find it easier to lift the "body off" the frame when disassebling the car for restoration. Apparently, some people prefer to suspend the car in mid air and pull the "frame off" first. In either case, the frame and body are separated to allow access to every part of the car. I'd love to hear from someone who has used the "frame off" technique. :rolleyes:
[Modified by kellsdad, 7:32 AM 7/4/2003]
[Modified by kellsdad, 7:32 AM 7/4/2003]
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,923
From: Washington Michigan
Re: frame-off (kellsdad)
I think it's just a matter of semantics - it started with "body-off" (lifting the body off the frame, which is the correct description), then you started to hear "frame-up", then "frame-off", etc. I've done six "body-off" restorations myself over the last 30 years, and it's not for the faint of heart; the deeper into it you get, the more stuff you find that you think needs doing - the "restoration vortex" :D The guy I bought my '67 from had another '67 435 convertible on its way back from a year-long body-off restoration at the Nabers Shop in Houston, and the bill for that exercise (parts and labor) was over $100K (not counting the car, which he already owned). Mine took an average of two years each, with only the paint farmed-out. Immensely satisfying, but you have to have the dedicated space available, manage the project, stay motivated, and start with a realistic view of what it's going to cost (double your initial estimate and add 50%). There's a reason why so many cars are available "in boxes". :thumbs:
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 763
From: Barrington IL
Re: frame-off (paul67)
I agree with the others in that 35K is cheap for a full frame off. I just had a complete chassis restoration on my 69L88 and the final bill was in the low 20s. The car just won a Bloomington Gold this past sunday :party:
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,148
Likes: 642
From: Bandera Texas
Re: frame-off (bovette)
I was at Bloomington Gold last weekend. Both the Nabers and other respected restorers in the hobby say the average restoration is now $40000 to $75000. As John says, it is a business to look at. You need the space, the time and the desire to follow thru. Once that car is torn apart, it's value is down the sh---- !!!
A 'body off' is really easier than a 'ground up', as everything mechanical is a lot easier to get to and will save lots of hours. But once the body is off, you WILL find more stuff to do, and then the tendency is to go all out for show, NCRS and BG standards.
Now we understand why small block 63-67 air conditioned convertibles were selling in the $60000 area at Dana's Auction last week in St. Charles.
A 'body off' is really easier than a 'ground up', as everything mechanical is a lot easier to get to and will save lots of hours. But once the body is off, you WILL find more stuff to do, and then the tendency is to go all out for show, NCRS and BG standards.
Now we understand why small block 63-67 air conditioned convertibles were selling in the $60000 area at Dana's Auction last week in St. Charles.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Pembine Wis
Re: frame-off (bovette)
I bought my 60, for a $1,000 in 72. Just got through with a frame off, 8years, $32,000 and counting. Did most of it myself, not perfect, but a real nice driver. You can really get taken by some "not so honest folks", be careful. The more you can do yourself, the better off you are. There are alot of knowledgeable people on this site that can answer questions that can save you lots of money,time and aggrivation! Good luck!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 1
Re: frame-off (bovette)
Paid 15K for the car, frame was bad. "New" frame, total rebuild of everything, upgrades of everything possible. Had the engine already out of a donor car and had 12-14K in it. I buy the needed parts, they do the work. So far 5 years, car is so close, but has been for almost two years. To them 30K so far with another 7K expected. Total invested overall? My guess is around 70K, but it is a big block. A/C, leather, 265 rear 245 front with 17" wheels TT II's, all suspension aftermarket i.e. Vette brakes fiberglass, etc.