Restoration
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Depends a lot on how much you have to replace, how much you replace with new instead of used, and how expensive or how high quality the parts are. Don't forget about $10K for a good paint job. Is there rust to mess with?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,339
Likes: 416
From: Seattle Area WA
If you pay someone $65/hour labor, full chassis, engine, trans rebuild, all new mechanicals, full interior and paint. It is not uncommon to spend well over 1000 hours on a restoration. Basically more than the car is worth at $65K.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,891
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
Too many variables. Who's doing the work? What condition is the car in now? Are you willing to shop around for parts?
CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 19,355
Likes: 5,240
From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Williamsburg VA
with all the above. There are numerous variables. I bought my from the biggest Bubba to ever touch a vette and I have been paying for it...I am doing a frame off now on a 79 L48. I probably have more in the orginal purchase and chasis than I will ever get out of it, but it's been a blast so far. Hope to drop the body in the next couple of weeks.
If you are doing it for a hobby, and have a deep bank account you don't mind dipping into, I say go for it. If you are planning on recouping most of your money when done, then you need to look into other investments. Good luck whatever you decide!
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
with all the above. There are numerous variables. I bought my from the biggest Bubba to ever touch a vette and I have been paying for it...I am doing a frame off now on a 79 L48. I probably have more in the orginal purchase and chasis than I will ever get out of it, but it's been a blast so far. Hope to drop the body in the next couple of weeks.
If you are doing it for a hobby, and have a deep bank account you don't mind dipping into, I say go for it. If you are planning on recouping most of your money when done, then you need to look into other investments. Good luck whatever you decide!
I haven't done a body-off, frame-up restoration/upgrade on my '80, but just about. In hindsight, I should have gone all the way, but I didn't know about this C3 Corvette Forum then. The frame is in excellent condition. (That is the only reason I bought this '80 instead of any other '80.)
I am probably going to go back redo a few major things over - primarily everything between the engine and the rear suspension, especially all new wiring and everything else in the dash. I have new body mounts but haven't put them in yet.
In all, I estimate I have $15,000 on top of the $4,000 the non-op original value + $6,000 Unlimited Corvettes/Michael Monthief mark-up/rip-off + $1,000 miscellaneous/shipping costs.
I didn't keep track of actual costs because I really don't want to know because I was afraid I would suffer some sticker shock every time I thought about it. Beside, I don't ever plan to sell it, so recouping any costs has never been a factor in any decision.
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (home in Colorado Springs)
I'm in the hole for a tad over $10K right now. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2658106/1
And there is always something more that needs work/replacement. Set a budget and expect to have to double it as you get to the point where you realise that you've gone to far to stop now.
The fiberglass body can be misleading as everything under the skin rusts, and rusts, and rusts...wears out, breaks, etc. And while you are at it, might as well UPGRADE everything! Countless retailers/manufactures make a plethera of modern replacement parts, all waiting to drain your bank account, but you'll have an "almost new", shiny, stainless steel tubed & bolted, polyurethane bushed, hot-tanked motored monster. And you get all that after a brief 2 year rebuild that consumes all empty space in your garage. You also gain, for free, the valuable insight of knowlege from wrenching every nut & bolt on your car. Knowing that you never want to do that again is priceless!
And there is always something more that needs work/replacement. Set a budget and expect to have to double it as you get to the point where you realise that you've gone to far to stop now.
The fiberglass body can be misleading as everything under the skin rusts, and rusts, and rusts...wears out, breaks, etc. And while you are at it, might as well UPGRADE everything! Countless retailers/manufactures make a plethera of modern replacement parts, all waiting to drain your bank account, but you'll have an "almost new", shiny, stainless steel tubed & bolted, polyurethane bushed, hot-tanked motored monster. And you get all that after a brief 2 year rebuild that consumes all empty space in your garage. You also gain, for free, the valuable insight of knowlege from wrenching every nut & bolt on your car. Knowing that you never want to do that again is priceless!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Jasper Indiana
The car is a daily driver, but I want to turn it into a weekend cruiser or let my dad drive to work. I plan on teaching my 5 year old niece to drive it when she's old enough and I am definitely not going to sell it. It was my first car and I am still in love with her. Where can I get factory parts? Can I do it myself in my garage if I don't have fancy tools or lifts and whatnot?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
Some factory parts are available from GM and other Vette vendors. Non-OEM parts are available from Vette vendors, but you have to be careful what and from whom you buy. You don't need fancy tools or a lift to restore your car yourself, although air tools are a big help but not required. Obviously, though, if you plan or painting the car yourself, you'll need a spray gun, compressor, and other body working tools. Good luck with the car. 
Last edited by Jud Chapin; Feb 24, 2008 at 10:29 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 3
From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
I agree with the other comments here, depends what you want the end result to be. I did an off frame on our 79 3 years ago, spent over 20k in new parts (didn't need to buy new parts but did) and did all the work except paint, that was another 8k. I have way more into the Vette than it's worth on re-sale, but have the result I wanted, so I paid without worrying about the cost.
The frame off on our 72 hit over 30k. in parts and again paint on top of that. If your going to do it right, so that your happy with the car, like was said before, you better have deep pockets and a lot of time to work on it. And remember, they may never be worth what we have invested in them, except the pleasure of owning one.
Good Luck
The frame off on our 72 hit over 30k. in parts and again paint on top of that. If your going to do it right, so that your happy with the car, like was said before, you better have deep pockets and a lot of time to work on it. And remember, they may never be worth what we have invested in them, except the pleasure of owning one.
Good Luck
Last edited by Glass Act; Feb 24, 2008 at 10:30 AM.