Rogillio Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 I posted this in the Dodge forum then I realized it applicable to most any restoration. I lose money on every restoration but I make it up in volume! The big unknown is the condition of the motor. If I have to have it rebuilt…..well….uh….let’s not go there yet. At any rate, I’m not sure how many rounds of golf I could have paid for with but I’ve never been a fan of chasing a little white ball around the woods. 1926 Dodge Brothers Coupe Restoration Refurb to be done Cost Get front glass back from shop $200 Install glass and windshield Install battery (might be shot) $100 Rewire horn Rewire head lights Rewire cowl lights Rewire brake light Get dash back from shop Mount gauges on dash Mount dash in car Get floor metal back from shop Install floor metal in car Install last floor board Replace clutch cover Grease all zerk fitting Find/make dash light $10 Wire dash light Check tire pressure Plug vacuum hole on carb Put gas in tank $10 Check tank for leaks Check fuel pump for operation Fix fuel leaks Shroud lacing $5 Switch lever $10 Clean front axle/steering Replace rear differential seal $25 Pull water pump Have water pump rebuilt $150 Reinstall water pump Get radiator shroud back from shop Mount radiator in shroud Install radiator and shroud Flush bock cooling system $5 Fill radiator with 50/50 $15 Take 6V generator off old DB Pull POS gen off new DB Install 6V gen on new DB Replace passenger glass $100 Fix front shroud around crank Rebuild running boards Undercoat running boards $5 Undercoat fenders and trunk $10 Rebuild trunk boards Build dovetail box for behind seat Make/install headliner $30 Rebuild/cover door panels $20 Interior cardboard $20 Interior trim $10 Make temporary fat man seat $20 Get insurance on car $100 Register car $20 Mount vintage plate Fix passenger door handle $50 Find/install rearview mirror $25 Paint fenders black $150 Paint interior black Paint green $200 Paint headlights Install headlight support rod Fix rivets on left fender $7 Clean front hubs and steering Install hood lacing $10 Install hood pads $10 Install hood corners $10 Find/replace window crank $75 Replace plug wires Paint wind frame Clean wind crank assy Total $1,402 Completed to Date Cost of Car $6,000 5 new tires $875 5 new tubes $200 5 new rim rubber $100 Remove old tires/tubes Powder coating 5 rims $250 Mount new tires x 5 Gas tank cleaning $40 Gas tank powder coating $40 Sun visor powder coating $40 Radiator shroud powder coating $80 Floor metal powder coating $40 Window frame powder coating $80 Rebuild Carburetor $30 Replace carburetor float $50 New plugs $32 New plug wires $24 Buy and install electric fuel pump $30 New 6V coil $30 Drain oil and siphoned sludge Remove/clean/reinstall oil pump Make gaskets for oil strainer and pump Rebuild roof with cherry Material for roof $120 Rebuild flooring cherry wood Rebuild back dash wood with cherry Misc SS screws/staples/tacks $20 Rewire coil Wire in electric fuel pump Degreaser $25 Clean/pressure wash car and engine Total $8,106 Balance to Go $1,402 Grand total $9,508 Estimated man-hour - so far/to go 100/300 Estimated Car value when done $8,000 Net gain of restoration -$1,508 Value to Mike of restoring Priceless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DAVE A Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 A very wise man told me years ago "you restore a car because you love it, not because you want to make money off of it. For if you have only the money in mind, you will lose your money and your heart". I love the old Dodges, in fact if it wasn't for Crosleys, I'd probably be working one one today!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) Log on to the US Social Security website and do the math. Total your life's income to date. If you played the hobby moderately you are likely to have skimmed off about 8% for the cars and activities. If you bought and sold, dealt in parts or services, you can probably add another 2%, with all kinds of exceptions, but in general.So if you are an old guy and accrued $2,000,000 in paychecks over the last 50 years you, nominally, spent about $200,000 on the hobby and have $50,000 to $80,000 of hobby residual sitting in the garage; could be a little less if it's strewn about outside the garage. Oh, figure in the garage. Especially if you let your new stuff sit outside.Bernie Edited July 20, 2015 by 60FlatTop (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rogillio Posted July 20, 2015 Author Share Posted July 20, 2015 Format got hosed up. Here is a better view IMO. I tell my wife all the time...."Baby, If I bought a new bass boat it wold cost me about $50k....and in 20 years will be worth about $10K" I think all I've done is manged to screw myself out of a new bass boat...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Your first problem was keeping track of what you spent! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Bass boat? What kind of a nut would buy a bass boat when there are so many cars available?Bernie 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Skyking Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 (edited) Never lost money on a car yet......old, that is. Edited July 20, 2015 by Skyking (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capngrog Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 To date, I haven't lost a nickel on any of my old collector cars ... because I haven't sold any of them yet! When the sad day does come that I have to turn loose one or more of my "beauties" (that's in the eye of the beholder), I'm sure that I'll be sad for more than one reason. I don't keep any detailed written records on what I've spent on any one car to get it running, but maybe that's a good thing ... maybe not. I probably don't want to know what they cost. I haven't restored any of my cars in the classical sense, I only get them running, make mechanical repairs and do necessary body repairs. I do enjoy driving them though, even if the paint looks like a thick coating of dust ... oh, wait, I meant patinated finish. I just get 'em runnin',Grog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capngrog Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 What happened to this thread? A couple of hours ago, there were several replies, including one of my own. Puzzled, I am,Grog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capngrog Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Uh, oh, I made the above post before seeing that there is a thread on this topic that has 7 replies. This must be a duplicate thread ... never mind. Embarrassed, I am,Grog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rogillio Posted July 20, 2015 Author Share Posted July 20, 2015 Glad you saw that, I was wondering the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithbrother Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 EMBARRASSED???? you should be, hehe. Just kidding, I love your hat, Dale in Indy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60FlatTop Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 The only exact expenses I know for my cars is right to the nickle of crummy, half-assed work someone did for me...... every... time... I... stick... the... key... in... the... ignition... The rest I forgot. Bernie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCHinson Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 I have merged the two threads created by an apparent accidental double post on the initial post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayne sheldon Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 I never keep any track of what I spend on antique automobiles. But I figure that I have spent less than a lot of people spend being sports fans (Their cable bill is probably more than I spend on club dues and gasoline). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R Walling Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 It is cheaper to restore cars than any other recreation . Golf ends up is the 19th hole @ $7.50 a drink. (Plus travel expenses) Base ball causes a thirst @ $5.00 a beer. (Plus travel expenses) Boating ends up in a marina @ $75.00 for dinner. (Plus travel expenses) Hunting cost about $900.00 a pound for deer meat. (Plus travel expenses) Restoring cars ends up at the refrigerator @ $1.00 a beer (No travel expenses) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemi Joel Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 When I was 16 years old and started looking for my 1st restoration project, my dad told me: "it takes no more time, energy or money to restore a convertible than a sedan. But the convertible will be worth a lot more if you ever sell it." I followed his advise, and later learned that the same principle applies to multi-carb performance cars. One can love a convertible just as much as one can love a sedan or a hard top. And be less likely to be underwater financially at the end of the project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AlCapone Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 (edited) Every hobby costs money, some more than others ! Even though not a big. Money maker this is an investment that will pay a dividend at the end. This hobby I can share with my wife, children, grandchildren and friends. A small price to pay for the enjoyment I receive! Wayne Edited July 23, 2015 by AlCapone (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AlCapone Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 When I was 16 years old and started looking for my 1st restoration project, my dad told me: "it takes no more time, energy or money to restore a convertible than a sedan. But the convertible will be worth a lot more if you ever sell it." I followed his advise, and later learned that the same principle applies to multi-carb performance cars. One can love a convertible just as much as one can love a sedan or a hard top. And be less likely to be underwater financially at the end of the project.I agree but some people continue to put tons of money in base model vehicles. Go figure, eh! Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capngrog Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 I agree but some people continue to put tons of money in base model vehicles. Go figure, eh! Wayne Some people (me included) just like base model vehicles. As to convertibles, my first car was a 1958 Chevrolet Impala convertible (348 c.I., tri-power, 3 speed manual), and I'll never own another convertible. I hate convertibles, can't stand 'em, won't ride in one and wouldn't hit a dog in the a$$ with one. With that said, to each his own, and I do not denigrate convertible owners. So there,Grog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capngrog Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 It is cheaper to restore cars than any other recreation . Golf ends up is the 19th hole @ $7.50 a drink. (Plus travel expenses) Base ball causes a thirst @ $5.00 a beer. (Plus travel expenses) Boating ends up in a marina @ $75.00 for dinner. (Plus travel expenses) Hunting cost about $900.00 a pound for deer meat. (Plus travel expenses) Restoring cars ends up at the refrigerator @ $1.00 a beer (No travel expenses) Roger, LMAO! I like your philosophy regarding the relative costs of the "Classic" Car Hobby; however, I think you're way low on the costs of boating. Goin' to the garage for a cold one,Grog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AlCapone Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 It is one thing to like the base models but quite another to chase it with so much money that you can never come close to recouping your investment. Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest janet0 Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 Glad anyone saw that, I was questioning the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_S_in_Penna Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 When I was 16 years old and started looking for my 1st restoration project, my dad told me: "it takes no more time, energy or money to restore a convertible than a sedan. But the convertible will be worth a lot more if you ever sell it." I followed his advise, and later learned that the same principle applies to multi-carb performance cars. One can love a convertible just as much as one can love a sedan or a hard top. And be less likely to be underwater financially at the end of the project. Joel, you make an important and valid point, though I wish it wasn't true.The net effect of convertibles and all the "flashy" cars being restored is that far fewer of the lesser models are seen. Cars that were oncecommon, such as 1965 Chevrolet Bel Air sedans, become rare,and cars that were once seldom seen, such as 1965 Chevrolet ImpalaSS convertibles, are seen all the time! The top-of-the-line 1953 Buick Skylarks, 1950's Chrysler 300's,1958 Buick Limited convertibles--cars that may have had lessthan 1000 made-- appear in Hemmings and at auctions routinely.I've gotten to the point where, at big shows, I'll gravitate to the others. Thanks to people like Nicola Bulgari who are willing to restorethe now-rare once-common cars for posterity! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Lot of stupid things happen because someone has a car and does not really matter what it is. You can even get attached to a '60 Ford. My garage cost less than a swimming pool. The cost of all my other cars together is less than what I paid for the '12. It has a DOHC 4-valve 6, 4 wheel disk brakes, and all independant suspension. And that's my tow car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScarredKnightfan Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 I haven't kept track too much of car expenses ... mostly gas ... but only as part of keeping track of the gas mileage. Course, the hobby costs more than just money ... smiles, events, tears, sweat & time are part of it, too. Cort www.oldcarsstronghearts.com1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics | pigValve, paceMaker, cowValve"These times I've spent, I've realized" __ EMF __ 'Unbelievable' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 There are not enough convertibles for all of us!! Ben 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick8086 Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 (edited) What does a hobby cost? Whatever you spend on it... Edited July 23, 2015 by nick8086 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gary Hearn Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 I also collect chainsaws and probably have $450. Some are worth $500, others $5. If the average value is $100 I could have put my money into a pretty nice car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
padgett Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 All in all, it is a great stress reliever. Don't think I've ever been without a 'vert for long, have had three Reatta convertibles in the last five years (sold 2 kept 1). Suspect my next one will be a retractable, possibly an '09 XLR once the price comes down. Can use anytime and not just October through May. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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