Researching Restoration Costs for an Early S

[TheBen]

Hi - I've been researching restoration costs for an early S. Obviously if one can do it themselves...but if one can't they have to send it out. It's all about whom you choose and of course the details. What should one expect for a top to bottom restoration at a 'name' restorer (but perhaps a name not quite at the top of the pyramid)? Car is running and driving, complete, but with some needs.

[Louie]

a few years ago $100-150k.
Now $150-200k...+

The guys who have name recognition are in demand and are pricing accordingly. (as they should)

[Scotty B]

If you have to ask.........

[maspirito]

If you manage the project yourself you can do the interior for 3 to 5000, paint and body are 10 to 15,000 and engine for 10 to 15,000. Add in miscellaneous interior parts, speedometer, gauges etc., 2000 Redoing the window frames and all New rubber 3000. The big kicker is if you need much metalwork, there you can easily spend another 10 to 15k.
Most of the fun is being involved in the process and making the decisions, running down parts and coordinating the project. These are fairly uncomplicated machines.

Michael

[Frank Beck]

If you manage the project yourself you can do the interior for 3 to 5000, paint and body are 10 to 15,000 and engine for 10 to 15,000. Add in miscellaneous interior parts, speedometer, gauges etc., 2000 Redoing the window frames and all New rubber 3000. The big kicker is if you need much metalwork, there you can easily spend another 10 to 15k.
Most of the fun is being involved in the process and making the decisions, running down parts and coordinating the project. These are fairly uncomplicated machines.

Michael Spirito DVM

I want to see that $3k interior.

Those are good numbers to quote to the wife but make sure you have... oh... about 50k more for miscellaneous.

[Bradford]

Ben, I was quoted $75K to do a strip down rotisserie paint job. That includes the engine bay, front trunk, undercarriage. The shop was doing a couple 67' S's.

[gsjohnson]

I want to see that $3k interior.

Those are good numbers to quote to the wife but make sure you have... oh... about 50k more for miscellaneous.

My front seats alone were nearly $3K.

[Flat Six, inc.]

What Louie said...

[lexatola]

MASPIRITO is spot on from my point of view and my point of view is that of a guy who did exactly what he described. Every project is different and people can have varying expectations for how perfect the restoration needs to be. In addition if you are willing to do the research, hunt the parts and not use the most expensive guy for each stage of the work you can keep the project costs down to something fairly manageable. My intent was to be able to drive and enjoy my car and as such I knew that if I got too OCD on the smallest details the result would be a car I was afraid to drive. So for me the game is making a thousand little trade offs to end up with a beautiful and valuable car that is to your liking...The more you are engaged the less the project will cost....My restoration ended up at around $30k but I did not need to rebuild the engine or address much of the mechanics.....Good luck - BTW this forum is invaluable in doing a restoration!

[76911S]

But on TV, they "restore" a car in only a few weeks and only spend 5K

Sorry, not constructive..