my estimates for a 72 resto.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 94
From: meraux LA
my estimates for a 72 resto.
I can't decide if I want to rebuild a 72 BBC with 454BBC, AT, AC, PB, PS, or a 69 camaro needing a lot of metal work. I started writing up my budgets on both, and this is what I came up with for the vette:
Blast n Paint Frame 500.00
R N R rear end diff and trailing arms 1300.00
New SS fuel N brake lines 250.00
R N R Brakes 600.00
R N R Front end 300.00
R N R power steering 300.00
All new wiring 1100.00
new interior 1350.00
New dash 925.00
Fuel tank 175.00
AC Rebuild 1000.00
Paint 1500.00
extra's 1500.00
How's my # look to you. I will be doing all the work myself. I already have a motor and transmission, although I my change the trans to a overdrive unit.
Blast n Paint Frame 500.00
R N R rear end diff and trailing arms 1300.00
New SS fuel N brake lines 250.00
R N R Brakes 600.00
R N R Front end 300.00
R N R power steering 300.00
All new wiring 1100.00
new interior 1350.00
New dash 925.00
Fuel tank 175.00
AC Rebuild 1000.00
Paint 1500.00
extra's 1500.00
How's my # look to you. I will be doing all the work myself. I already have a motor and transmission, although I my change the trans to a overdrive unit.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 277
Likes: 0
From: Big Spring TX
Are you doing this yourself?
If you are I would say your front end costs are a little low, the wiring is extremely high, power steering may be low, rear diff and trailing arms may be high, paint is low, a/c rebuild is high, interior is low.
If you are I would say your front end costs are a little low, the wiring is extremely high, power steering may be low, rear diff and trailing arms may be high, paint is low, a/c rebuild is high, interior is low.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
Your numbers look a little low if you are replacing all with new components.
Grab a Zip or Ecklers book and price out your components then add for shipping, fasteners, paint, shop supplies, tools, etc....
I kept a spreadsheet of costs during my rebuild. Send me an email address and I'll pass it along to you.
Grab a Zip or Ecklers book and price out your components then add for shipping, fasteners, paint, shop supplies, tools, etc....
I kept a spreadsheet of costs during my rebuild. Send me an email address and I'll pass it along to you.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 94
From: meraux LA
Thanks for the input guys. Most of the prices are from pricing a had from my 69 resto that I finished last year. Most parts will be remove and rebuild. The paint price is for the paint only since I will be doing the prep and spraying again. Really I can't decide if I want to do another vette right now, or change it up and do the camaro. Both are going to get done it's just a matter of which goes first. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 776
Likes: 96
From: Plymouth MN
Finalist 2022 C1 of the Year - Unmodified
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I've always heard a Corvette restoration will require three times the cost you think it will and five times the time.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,301
Likes: 4,389
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi crf,
2 things I didn't see were chrome plating and tires.
I think your list is short and very light on 'extras'. For example what if the tach, radio, clock, and wiper motor/pump need to be rebuilt?
Since you just did a Corvette I'd lean toward the steel car.
Regards,
Alan
PS: It really depends on what YOUR definition of 'restoration' is, too!
2 things I didn't see were chrome plating and tires.
I think your list is short and very light on 'extras'. For example what if the tach, radio, clock, and wiper motor/pump need to be rebuilt?
Since you just did a Corvette I'd lean toward the steel car.
Regards,
Alan
PS: It really depends on what YOUR definition of 'restoration' is, too!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 94
From: meraux LA
Hi crf,
2 things I didn't see were chrome plating and tires.
I think your list is short and very light on 'extras'. For example what if the tach, radio, clock, and wiper motor/pump need to be rebuilt?
Since you just did a Corvette I'd lean toward the steel car.
Regards,
Alan
PS: It really depends on what YOUR definition of 'restoration' is, too!
2 things I didn't see were chrome plating and tires.
I think your list is short and very light on 'extras'. For example what if the tach, radio, clock, and wiper motor/pump need to be rebuilt?
Since you just did a Corvette I'd lean toward the steel car.
Regards,
Alan
PS: It really depends on what YOUR definition of 'restoration' is, too!
Thanks, I did forget about rechrome on the bumbers.
Thats another 600.00.
My restoration definition is pretty much touching every nut and bolt on the car, but not a NCRS restoration, thats just not my thing.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,974
Likes: 3,362
From: NYC NY
Yeah me too! While these numbers may be a slight exageration any restoration will cost more than you budget for and take a lot more time than you thought. There are plenty of surprises with any "complete" rebuild. 
1969/1971/2021 Coupes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 80
From: Port Huron MI
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I noticed a few unders and overs myself but then again I'm not doing the work and didn't know what CRF's def of restore was. I will say that as I do the same to my 69, the rough estimate was exceeded long ago. Now I just keep the pad of sticky notes on the workbench because as I continue the teardown, there's more parts to go on the order list.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
I have about $500 just in bushings, special tools, seals paint and fluids in my rear suspension alone... I haven't done any brakes, u-joints, wheel bearings or even wheel studs ( a MUST have!!!!) yet. I do include a set of 4 GR-@ shocks in the total... but I did all the labor! I expect a ready to ride rear running gear renovation... NOT resto will cost $1.5K including alignment, and fresh rubber on restored factory wheels. Add $400-600 for rebuilt hubs.... your cost might vary. Triple your estimate and add 30 percent... might be closer.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
You should add about $3000 for unique '72 BB with A/C only parts like carburetor, fan blade, overflow tank bracket etc. Many of those parts were discarded in favor of off the shelf parts long ago.
cc
cc
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,732
Likes: 710
From: Shelton, Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
When you say front end/brakes are you counting on replacing the brake backing plates, wheel bearings and grease seals? How about brake lines and gas lines? How is the radiator and core support? Any frame work needed? Do you have all the A.I.R. equipment? That alone will cost a couple grand.
I spent over $8,000 in 1988 on my 72 LT-1 air coupe restoration. My original estimate was $2500 - 3000. Wrongo! Good luck.
I spent over $8,000 in 1988 on my 72 LT-1 air coupe restoration. My original estimate was $2500 - 3000. Wrongo! Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 954
Likes: 40
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Poor restoration - $10,000-$15,000
good restoration - $15,000-$25,000
Excelent restoration - $25,000 & up north.
and if you doing by yourself, only good paint $7,000 -$12,000
Avner
good restoration - $15,000-$25,000
Excelent restoration - $25,000 & up north.
and if you doing by yourself, only good paint $7,000 -$12,000
Avner