Project Finally Completed
12-12-2017, 11:20 AM
#1
Project Finally Completed
After 5 years, I completed my 1960 a couple of months back but neglected to post a picture, so here it is. Thanks again to all on the forum who provided assistance throughout the project. I am pretty happy with the results; not perfect, but not bad. I entered one local show for the heck of it and got a nice trophy. I don't expect to enter many more due to the time commitment and other factors, but I needed to do it at least once.
There was a thread recently on restoration costs so I'll provide my experience. Purchase cost, $24,000; parts and labor $31,000; strip and paint, $11,000; total spent, $66,000. I was able to do about 90% of the work myself, other than the stripping and painting.
As to the question: buy one already restored or buy a project, I chose the latter route. I understand I could have bought a very nice numbers matching car and saved $20k or so, but I am very happy with the route I chose. I didn't undertake this project to flip it or make some money. I wanted a challenge and the satisfaction of accomplishing something on my own. Every time I turn the key I get a smile on my face and feel good. We all have our own motivations for this hobby and I think they are all valid.
Anyway, here it is.
There was a thread recently on restoration costs so I'll provide my experience. Purchase cost, $24,000; parts and labor $31,000; strip and paint, $11,000; total spent, $66,000. I was able to do about 90% of the work myself, other than the stripping and painting.
As to the question: buy one already restored or buy a project, I chose the latter route. I understand I could have bought a very nice numbers matching car and saved $20k or so, but I am very happy with the route I chose. I didn't undertake this project to flip it or make some money. I wanted a challenge and the satisfaction of accomplishing something on my own. Every time I turn the key I get a smile on my face and feel good. We all have our own motivations for this hobby and I think they are all valid.
Anyway, here it is.
The following 7 users liked this post by pwilks:
59BlueSilver (12-14-2017),
6T7L71CPE (12-12-2017),
Bluestripe67 (12-12-2017),
bmiller (12-12-2017),
OldKarz (12-18-2017),
and 2 others liked this post.
12-12-2017, 01:18 PM
#5
Le Mans Master
As to the question: buy one already restored or buy a project, I chose the latter route. I understand I could have bought a very nice numbers matching car and saved $20k or so, but I am very happy with the route I chose. I didn't undertake this project to flip it or make some money. I wanted a challenge and the satisfaction of accomplishing something on my own. Every time I turn the key I get a smile on my face and feel good. We all have our own motivations for this hobby and I think they are all valid.
12-12-2017, 03:14 PM
#8
Race Director
Member Since: Jan 2002
Location: Close to DC
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C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
Congratulations, the car really looks good. And thanks for sharing your personal perspective. Dennis
Dennis
Last edited by Bluestripe67; 12-12-2017 at 03:14 PM.
12-12-2017, 03:19 PM
#9
Drifting
After 5 years, I completed my 1960 a couple of months back but neglected to post a picture, so here it is. Thanks again to all on the forum who provided assistance throughout the project. I am pretty happy with the results; not perfect, but not bad. I entered one local show for the heck of it and got a nice trophy. I don't expect to enter many more due to the time commitment and other factors, but I needed to do it at least once.
There was a thread recently on restoration costs so I'll provide my experience. Purchase cost, $24,000; parts and labor $31,000; strip and paint, $11,000; total spent, $66,000. I was able to do about 90% of the work myself, other than the stripping and painting.
As to the question: buy one already restored or buy a project, I chose the latter route. I understand I could have bought a very nice numbers matching car and saved $20k or so, but I am very happy with the route I chose. I didn't undertake this project to flip it or make some money. I wanted a challenge and the satisfaction of accomplishing something on my own. Every time I turn the key I get a smile on my face and feel good. We all have our own motivations for this hobby and I think they are all valid.
Anyway, here it is.
Attachment 48234487
There was a thread recently on restoration costs so I'll provide my experience. Purchase cost, $24,000; parts and labor $31,000; strip and paint, $11,000; total spent, $66,000. I was able to do about 90% of the work myself, other than the stripping and painting.
As to the question: buy one already restored or buy a project, I chose the latter route. I understand I could have bought a very nice numbers matching car and saved $20k or so, but I am very happy with the route I chose. I didn't undertake this project to flip it or make some money. I wanted a challenge and the satisfaction of accomplishing something on my own. Every time I turn the key I get a smile on my face and feel good. We all have our own motivations for this hobby and I think they are all valid.
Anyway, here it is.
Attachment 48234487
12-12-2017, 04:37 PM
#12
Le Mans Master
After 5 years, I completed my 1960 a couple of months back but neglected to post a picture, so here it is. Thanks again to all on the forum who provided assistance throughout the project. I am pretty happy with the results; not perfect, but not bad. I entered one local show for the heck of it and got a nice trophy. I don't expect to enter many more due to the time commitment and other factors, but I needed to do it at least once.
There was a thread recently on restoration costs so I'll provide my experience. Purchase cost, $24,000; parts and labor $31,000; strip and paint, $11,000; total spent, $66,000. I was able to do about 90% of the work myself, other than the stripping and painting.
As to the question: buy one already restored or buy a project, I chose the latter route. I understand I could have bought a very nice numbers matching car and saved $20k or so, but I am very happy with the route I chose. I didn't undertake this project to flip it or make some money. I wanted a challenge and the satisfaction of accomplishing something on my own. Every time I turn the key I get a smile on my face and feel good. We all have our own motivations for this hobby and I think they are all valid.
Anyway, here it is.
Attachment 48234487
There was a thread recently on restoration costs so I'll provide my experience. Purchase cost, $24,000; parts and labor $31,000; strip and paint, $11,000; total spent, $66,000. I was able to do about 90% of the work myself, other than the stripping and painting.
As to the question: buy one already restored or buy a project, I chose the latter route. I understand I could have bought a very nice numbers matching car and saved $20k or so, but I am very happy with the route I chose. I didn't undertake this project to flip it or make some money. I wanted a challenge and the satisfaction of accomplishing something on my own. Every time I turn the key I get a smile on my face and feel good. We all have our own motivations for this hobby and I think they are all valid.
Anyway, here it is.
Attachment 48234487
100%. Good for you for taking on the challenge and getting your just reward. Job well done...beautiful result!!
12-12-2017, 05:25 PM
#14
Safety Car
Member Since: Jan 2000
Location: Poway CA
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2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C1 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (stock)
2016 C1 of Year Finalist
Congratulations! Beautiful car!
Just curious, when you say "parts and labor: $31K", but say you did most of the labor yourself.. does that mean $31K in mostly parts??
Just curious, when you say "parts and labor: $31K", but say you did most of the labor yourself.. does that mean $31K in mostly parts??
12-12-2017, 06:10 PM
#16
Yes, SDVette, $31k is mostly parts. There was some labor for some minor bodywork and I pulled the steering box and took it to a pro to examine and do some work. Also, when they were hanging the doors after painting I had them refurbish all the internal door & window mechanisms. There are so many moving parts in there I know it would have taken a long time to get them right and I just didn't want to wait any longer after it had been in paint for a year and a half. On the parts, when you have $1,000 for a disc brake conversion kit, $1,250 for wheels and tires, $1,350 for door panels and hardware, $700 for rechroming, $650 for a radiator, $850 for wring harnesses, etc, etc, it starts to add up.
12-12-2017, 06:50 PM
#17
Team Owner
Member Since: Dec 1999
Location: Florida
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2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor 03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Beautiful!
12-12-2017, 06:53 PM
#18
Team Owner
Member Since: Apr 2008
Location: Coloring within the lines
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Beautiful car!
More pictures and details on your rebuild would be well-received.
More pictures and details on your rebuild would be well-received.
12-12-2017, 07:16 PM
#19
Race Director
Member Since: Nov 2003
Location: Cottonwood AZ
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C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Your car looks great and is one of the nicest color combos ever for a C1.
I have restored cars and bought them finished and there are advantages both ways. Today at my age buying done cars is my preference because I am tired of working on them and don't have that many good years left to spend a couple of years restoring one.
Glad you got satisfaction of doing yours.
I have restored cars and bought them finished and there are advantages both ways. Today at my age buying done cars is my preference because I am tired of working on them and don't have that many good years left to spend a couple of years restoring one.
Glad you got satisfaction of doing yours.
12-12-2017, 07:16 PM
#20
Race Director
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Location: Close to DC
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C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
Yes, SDVette, $31k is mostly parts. There was some labor for some minor bodywork and I pulled the steering box and took it to a pro to examine and do some work. Also, when they were hanging the doors after painting I had them refurbish all the internal door & window mechanisms. There are so many moving parts in there I know it would have taken a long time to get them right and I just didn't want to wait any longer after it had been in paint for a year and a half. On the parts, when you have $1,000 for a disc brake conversion kit, $1,250 for wheels and tires, $1,350 for door panels and hardware, $700 for rechroming, $650 for a radiator, $850 for wring harnesses, etc, etc, it starts to add up.
Dennis