Restoration Planning
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: GA
Chiming in b/c I wish I asked why NCRS guys dumped so much money into their cars before I started my restoration. I thought I could rebuild my 1970 Convertible for sooooo much less. Full body off, engine, trans, frame, suspension, all new interior everything (except gauges), COMPLETE wiring, 4K paint job (that is cheap)... and brakes... twice. I have way more money involved than expected and more than it will ever be worth. For me, it was a good learning experience. I learned I will never do that again... it even stopped me from getting a Factory Five cobra b/c I thought they were dirt cheap to build. I have receipts totalling over 35K...
this and all the spare time you can afford.If you want to do it.. don't pause long enough to think about it. Just do it! However, one could debate the option of purchasing an already restored example....
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Trying to rationalize money spent on a hobby never works. We would all live in caves wearing animal skins and eating squirrel if we were completely rational.
I enjoy beer. So far, I've spent about $15,000 on setting up a commercial quality pico-brewery in my basement and I'm nowhere near satisfied with the end product 100% of the time. If pushed to the limit, I could produce 400 bottles a day and have 6 different types of beer on tap at any one item, including real cask ale as served in the UK and German beirgarten type serving equipment.
Or, I could just go to the beer store and buy it.
I enjoy beer. So far, I've spent about $15,000 on setting up a commercial quality pico-brewery in my basement and I'm nowhere near satisfied with the end product 100% of the time. If pushed to the limit, I could produce 400 bottles a day and have 6 different types of beer on tap at any one item, including real cask ale as served in the UK and German beirgarten type serving equipment.
Or, I could just go to the beer store and buy it.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,606
Likes: 839
From: PA
I would go as far to say that it is the only practical consideration.
I'm not sure if "maximum value" is the correct term, but I know where you are trying to go with this. There is definitely a critical decision point when you have a car prior to restoration and are considering your next move.
I would agree. I've always said that just because this is a hobby, doesn't mean that you have to lose money to enjoy it.
Regards,
Stan Falenski
the car has maximum dollar value at two points... now while it is still complete but needing restoration, and as a finished product. At any point in between it will be considered a "project car" whose value is unlikely to equal the parts bill to that point.
I know that this is not about the dollars, but this is a fact to consider as you proceed.
Regards,
Stan Falenski
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,606
Likes: 839
From: PA
At least now I know who to look up when I'm in Montreal!
Seriously, sounds like a great set up!
Regards,
Stan Falenski
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
I would take that challenge but for one ugly truth called the next morning or the morning after.
Anyway, great advice being put out here and much like the data we are given on so many topics today you have to do a bit of sorting and picking to find that data which suits your needs best.
Start a habit of taking as many pictures as you can digitally and storing them in reference files on your computer. You may think the pictures are not valuable now but when you need to look back (and you will) they can be life savers. Then refer back from time to time to see how far you have come along the path, it helps to justify the money moving forward in your mind. It can help, it helps me now.
I remember starting mine frame off like it was yesterday...and and now nearly a year and $20K later we push on...
David
