Yeah it is pretty crazy when you tally it up....I haven't done a COMPLETE total, but I kind of tally up each project as I do them....This past year I spent about $21k on mine and that was just for drive train related stuff....All new big block conversion stuff, 496" motor, rebuild tranny/converter, Vintage Air, replace all steering stuff, exhaust, hood.

A couple years ago I spent $5k restoring my interior and building a custom stereo system. That same year I also spent $1500 on a suspension rebuild. Another $800 in tires/misc..

So that is basically $28.3k in a car that is still NOT painted, IRS/trailing arms NOT rebuilt, chrome NOT replated, weather stripping NOT replaced.....So realistically I need at least another $15-18k to "Finish" the entire car.

HMMMM....Lets see here..

Purchased car $8500
Drive train R&R $21000
Interior $5000
Suspension $1500
Tires/MISC $800

Total $36,800

Plus another $15-18k to go???(paint/chrome/rubber/IRS R&R etc)

So I will have $50k+ in a car that is worth $15-20k.....

Man I gotta be out of my F'N mind.....

At least I built it the way I wanted it.....it will take me at least another 5 yrs+ to do the rest of it......If I can afford to keep it with this economy crashing around us....

I think ignorance is bliss when it comes to the spending tally on your vette...

 

For me i could spend everything, live in car and eat peanutbutter. As long as wife doesn't find out.

 

i just added it up...

to change the bushings in my front and rear suspension, it ran me 3027.

i may have done a bit more work then just changing out the bushings... but i still blame it on the bushings.

 

its not as bad as it seems ,once you get to pull out of the driveway and hit second gear it is priceless ,it gets to the point that its only money and you can;t take it with you,but with your car you will have years of fond memories

 

Will you guys please STOP counting $$?!?!?
$$ is a function of discriationary funds you budget for your HOBBY.
I stopped counting $$ when I got my C3 to the point where I could drive it to work and go on cruises to low-keyed car shows. The rest is all HOBBY, i.e., recreation, subject to the ursual recreational financial and spousal restrictions.

 

I bought a advertised restored car, looking it over I knew it wasn't a total restoration... one usually figures to add 10% to your purchase in all the nickel and dime stuff...
I am currently at 36% above my purchase price.. and that is all my labor, only parts..

I have about 200/month into mine getting it the way I want it.. I am almost done.. mostly exhaust system, rear end, and door panel restoration..

after sales tax from the initial purchase, and gas and insurance plus the above work and more, I have 36%.. so I do keep details on what I spend..

but compare that to a family SUV that depreciates 500$ or more a month..


really the classic car hobby is a pretty cheap hobby, next to not having a hobby at all..


campers, boats, exotic vacations.. now that is money down the drain...

 

 

$42,141.02...as of 01 March...



What the Hell, its only money...


Rob

 

My advice is to start drinking heavily....for as long as it takes!

It does add up quick, and when you sit down and tabulate all the cost's associated with the car (not including your labor) it is quite a shock if you have not been keeping track. It comes as no surprise to me... why the divorce rate remains high among Vette owners.

Stay in tune....

 

Lots of wisdom here.....I am certainly in agreement with the attitude that you do this to enjoy, not to obsess about the cost.

Everyone's pocketbook and comfort level is different. I have all my receipts for both corvettes but I have never added them up, nor will I. That's not what I am about. I work on the cars when I feel like it and drive them when I feel like it. When working on either corvette is not fun for me, I leave them alone.

And here in Minnesota, every spring, the fever and the feeling are renewed.........

 

totally....but I have used Quicken since 1993 to track my finances, and unfortunately, totals are just a "click away".....

I dont recommend it!!!!!

 

Well the only reason i did the tally is to be able to get the car appraised . Heaven forbid something should happen to the car, but i would like to be covered in case.
I am having a good year this year, i dont drink, smoke , gamble or do drugs. I get $2500.00 back from the GOVT this year on my income tax and the wife ,kids and dog still love me. So yes it a great life. I also just placed another order for part from Wilcox and summit. See it never ends LMAO.

Cheers guys.

 

...and it never will

I have spent easily another 10 grand on my 68 since I called it "done" and there are yet more plans in the works....

 

Remember....it's NOT about the money....never has been with me anyway....

Vetts are special....and only special people know how to save them...

 

...but what a KILLER looking 'vette.. Thats a "traffic stopper" if ever I saw one!



Aussie Mark

 

I have spent a pile and it's never coming back in cash. I have the reciepts but I will never add them up (wife might find it). But I can imagine the $$$ I have saved in my garage by not screwing away all that money on a golf course.........

 

WOW. very nice looking Corvette. Fantastic styling.

 

kenny had it right, there is time for counting when the dealing is done

 

NICE!!!!!

 

I just threw another receipt in the receipt drawer....it's a fire hazard in there.