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I see so many amazing cars on here. I'm curious, if you are bold enough to answer....
How much have you spent on your C3?
I don't even know for sure . All I can tell you is that I have a huge box of receipts for my 72 convertible and it totaled around $28,000 about six months ago and I have spent a bundle since. And that doesn't include my labor . I'm doing everything myself . You can pretty much name any part on the car and it's new. Crazy right ?
Lots of things dictate how much a builder spends, some will buy a pristine turn key that needs nothing but maintenance but they dropped a tall stack of toad pelts for it,
Others bought projects for cheap and some builds are cheap some are high dollar and the level of build ranges from low to high, while I am not a blue collar slob singing the budget blues I really have no interest in builds done just by throwing $$$ at them to make them happen.
In my case I am in a 69 convertible bb, ( bats resto build thread on here ) I do most of my own work, I work really hard to find bargains and at this point without adding up each penny I have "about" 10-11 k in my car, but it has a completely rebuilt with VB upgrade stuff suspension/chassis, the interior is "driver" quality, I am into modifications and plan to run flat black primer for a spell not paint, but in my case that only saves about 300-500 as my buddy is a top shelf car painter.
Keep in mind I did do a very cheap build but many purists would consider my car worthless, to them it likely would be, to me it's priceless...I did it myself my way
I believe it does to some. Many new c3 owners see these amazing rides hoping theirs will be that way someday and do not understand the amount of time and money it takes. So I think it's a good thing for a dreamer to know what lies ahead.
To be serious. Are you doing most of the work yourself? Also what kind of shape is your car in. I have a 77 I picked up for 7700 bucks. Motor was rebuilt the drivetrain solid. Interior needs some work. Figure a couple of grand to do it. Paint at about 12k as it needs a paint job. Front end and misc. repair work probably 6 - 8 hundred bucks. Also I want glass tops so looking at around 1400k I think I saw some. Most of the work will be done by myself and friend. So I am thinking mine not in to bad shape to get it nice would be about a 22k total investment. I do what I can as the money comes available.
Hope this helps...
Lots of things dictate how much a builder spends, some will buy a pristine turn key that needs nothing but maintenance but they dropped a tall stack of toad pelts for it,
Others bought projects for cheap and some builds are cheap some are high dollar and the level of build ranges from low to high, while I am not a blue collar slob singing the budget blues I really have no interest in builds done just by throwing $$$ at them to make them happen.
I completely understand this. I'm a DIY type of guy too. I had many expenses to just purchase tools needed to do the job, let alone, the parts needed to fix/replace what was broken. I haven't let any other mechanic touch it yet. I'm in for roughly 10k and hundreds of man hours.
I have owned mine close to 20 years now. I bought it for 15K from my dad. Now I have had 5 different engines, 3 transmissions and a few different rears in the car. Probably 6 different suspension systems also. So I have probably spent another 60K in it but I have also sold most all of the old parts to. Are way for new ones. So I can't really calculate it but really who cares. It's a hobby. I have spent tons on boats also. It's fun. You can't take it with you. If it brings fun and pleasure spend it. When it stops being fun sell it and move onto something else. These are not investments they are fun toys.
I spent 12k on a car I bought off e bay that was supposed to be perfect. Another 12 k later and it is getting there. Oh it's an 80 and I will never get that back. But I'm having fun.
I completely understand this. I'm a DIY type of guy too. I had many expenses to just purchase tools needed to do the job, let alone, the parts needed to fix/replace what was broken. I haven't let any other mechanic touch it yet. I'm in for roughly 10k and hundreds of man hours.
I am in driver condition, mostly original.
I personally believe it's far harder and costs more the closer to stock a person wants to stay...ncrs cha ching the tall dollars, modding is cheaper and easier.
Not saying some modded project are not high dollar too...
$25,000 purchase price + another $35,457.98 hard money + 11 years labor + 11 years insurance + 3 years climate-controlled storage + a pitiful amount of non-ethanol/C12 race fuel in a car that gets 9 MPG. If I were to also figure the time-value of money....I would be well into six figures. To think the car still has it's original paint, chrome and interior...and 16 year old Goodyear GTIIs. To finish it off, I could easily drop another $20k. Maybe $30k. Who the hell knows. Who cares? I do...and my wife certainly does. Hey...somebody here on the forum wanted to buy it for $30k. Of course they did...
Last edited by Faster Rat; 05-12-2015 at 06:30 PM.
You will get lots of numbers - but it will be apples and oranges. I have had mine over thirty years, and it has been through several engine and paint changes. Does the less than $2000 I spent in 80's dollars to purchase it mean the same as someones EBay purchase yesterday for $8000? I swapped in a LS for ~$2000 myself, while others will pay someone $1500 for a radiator install. I think people need to understand, (as said above), that it is a hobby. Someone may pay twice as much as I would because it is worth more to them.
$25,000 purchase price + another $35,457.98 hard money + 11 years labor + 11 years insurance + 3 years climate-controlled storage + a pitiful amount of non-ethanol/C12 race fuel in a car that gets 9 MPG. If I were to also figure the time-value of money....I would be well into six figures. To think the car still has it's original paint, chrome and interior...and 16 year old Goodyear GTIIs. To finish it off, I could easily drop another $20k. Maybe $30k. Who the hell knows. Who cares? I do...and my wife certainly does. Hey...somebody here on the forum wanted to buy it for $30k. Of course they did...
This response just got better with every word. haha. love it.
Price of car, 383 crate, Bowtie 700r4, Cragar wheels, BFG tires, stinger hood, VBP spring plus odds and ends. I'm into it around 20K....12 if wife asks. And the radio still sucks.
I know exactly what I've spent, the following is actual dollars spent on the car and do not include the cost of the car. A lot of work I did on my own and some I paid to have done.
Enjoy the read...
1970 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Build date May 25, 1970
Date: 9-18-11 Mileage: Cost: $77.90
New door locks W/keys
New gas cap
New wiper blades
Date: 10-13-2011 Mileage: 57,877 Cost: $171.17
Lube, oil and filter
Radiator flush
New radiator cap
Replace anti-freeze
Date: 12-2-2011 Mileage: Cost: $769.00
New parking brake console
New loop carpet
New vinyl seat covers
Date: 12-7-2011 Mileage: 58,552 Cost: $1492.23
(4) New Brake calipers
(4) New Brake lines
New power steering control valve
New power steering ram
New power steering lines
New power steering fluid
New brakes
New brake fluid
New AC Delco starter
Date: 3-14-2012 Mileage: 59,792 Cost: $4793.87
Rebuild Motor L-46 (350ci-350hp)
New GM camshaft 350-350hp (GM Part #3896962)
New motor mounts
New clutch
New water pump
New clutch fan
New spark plugs
New thermostat
New antifreeze
Date: 11-14-2012 Mileage: 64,880 Cost: $29.00
Lube, oil and filter
Date: 11-20-2012 Mileage: 65,171 Cost: $373.97
New BF Goodrich TA Radials - Rear
Date: 4-20-2013 Mileage: 67,309 Cost: $722.47
Repack wheel front wheel bearings
Replace right spindle
Replace front wheel bearings and seals
Date: 5-20-2013 Mileage: 68,600 Cost: $1790.00
New paint
Date: 9-13-2013 Mileage: 69,005 Cost: $29.00
Lube, oil and filter
Date: 9-13-2013 Mileage: 69,010 Cost: $10.00
Fram CA136 Air Cleaner
Date: 9-26-2013 Mileage: 69,150 Cost: $65.70
New horns
New horn contacts (steering column).
Date: 10-25-2013 Mileage: 69,287 Cost: $1134.07
Rebuild steering column
New ignition switch
Replace steering ignition column rack
New steering coupler
New rag joint on steering shaft
Rebuilt front end steering
New steering knuckle
New tie rod ends
Date: 10-27-2013 Mileage: 69,294 Cost: $412.07
Replace all weather striping
Replace driver’s side windshield weatherstrip retainer
Date: 5-27-2014 Mileage: 69,660 Cost: $101.97
Front Tunnel bellhousing Heat Seal
Factory Shifter Rebuild Kit
Date: 8-15-2014 Mileage: 70,099 Cost: $1,639.94
New Aluminum Radiator (Dewitt’s Model: 1139070M )
Antifreeze
Radiator Cap
Service Air Conditioner
Convert Air Conditioner from R-12 to R-134A
Freon R-134A
Receiver Dryer
A/C R-134A Retro Fittings
Date: 8-22-2014 Mileage: 70,128 Cost: $1,390.13
Air Conditioner Compressor Kit
Air Conditioner Expansion Valve Kit
Replace PRV valve with Conversion
Flush AC System
Freon R-134A
A/C System Dye
Replace AC Belt
Replace Fan & Alternator Belt
Replace Power Steering Belt
Date: 11-18-2014 Mileage: 70,298
Placed car in heated storage for the winter.
Date: 3-21-2015 Mileage: 70,298 Cost: $96.48
Removed car from storage.
Replaced drivers side door ajar switch
Replaced both headlight vacuum relays.
Replaced vacuum filter
Replaced vacuum check valve
Installed Spectre #4284 PVC Valve Breather
Checked rear end gear ratio (3.36)
Date: 3-28-2015 Mileage: 70,310 Cost: $61.30
Replaced headlight dimmer switch
Replace Air Cleaner/Valve Cover Hose
Replaced wiper door vacuum relay
05-12-2015, 04:01 PM
Dare I ask... How much have you spent?
