[Corvette7579]

I have a request to the group. I need a ballpark figure, monetary wise on a complete restoration of a C3. Frame off restore. I know some have OEM Corvettes but I am just lookin at one done the cheapest you can do one and I know it is not gonna be cheap. What does a person like Boyd or Chip Foose or Unique charge someone to do such a thing? Before I start this Frame off.:thud:

 

[mrvette]

IMO, due to parts availability, there is no such thing as a really 'correct' NCRS car....no matter how many awards...if it ain't original, it aint...period....

Price will obviously vary all over the map, largely depending on what the car is like to start with...RUST and accidents being the main two things....all the rest is cosmetic, not that a new birdcage is all THAT expensive, but it sure as hell is time consuming....

MY guess today...40-50 grand.....prices ain't going down on parts either....

 

[kwplot34]

wow that's a huge "what if" how many parts can be saved, and how many have to be replaced,how much can be done at home,how much has to be farmed out. I have gone through my vette this year have done every thing just short of a frame off, and i have about $12,000 in it so far just this year,my new motor thats being built accounts for half of that,and i still need to have the car painted,the front suspension rebuilt and the rear suspension rebuilt and then i should be done, i hope :laughing:

Kevin

 

[SIXFOOTER]

I am doing all my own work, its going to take 18 to 24 months to do and I have been working on it just over a year. I'll have about $13k to $15k in it. I did not even think about NCRS, not my thing. I had to do a frame off because of rusted out #2 mounts, I also had a rusted out lower WS frame corner that I had to fab because no one makes them.
I did suspension, middle of the road upgrade
Brakes, middle of the road
Some engine mods
New front clip, rear bumper
Paint
floor paint and insulation
carpet
seat covers
windshield
aluminum radiator, electric fans
and
and
and

 

[6880 Mike]

Prices will vary depending on where you go and what the car needs. Your best bet would be to choose two or three restoration shops in your area and obtain estimates from each. Time is also a factor. Some of the restoration shops may not be able to get to your car for a year or longer.

FWIW: It's entirely possible you might be able to purchase a restored car for less money than the purchase of a driver and the cost of a frame off restoration.

:thumbsup:

 

[Art Jett]

I put a new motor and transmission, all new suspension, interior, glass, exhaust, stereo, aluminum radiator and paint into mine with all the work except paint done by me and I spent over $35000.00 in a year and a half. The engine with all the goodies was about $7000.00, trans was $2000.00. The paint was the most at $9300.00. The way I look at it is I have a brand new 30 year old car!

 

[BBShark]

It's hard to say, depends on what you start with. About 3 years ago a guy here that does only Corvette restoration told me that "frame off's" were about $20K.

 

[big_G]

It's hard to say, depends on what you start with. About 3 years ago a guy here that does only Corvette restoration told me that "frame off's" were about $20K.

No way. We (my shop) do many body-offs, currently have a DZ (302) original '69 Camaro and a '69 GTO on the rotissorie. Both were bid out with an expected drive-out ticket of around $40k. More if expensive, matching numbers are missing or required.

 

[BBShark]

No way. We (my shop) do many body-offs, currently have a DZ (302) original '69 Camaro and a '69 GTO on the rotissorie. Both were bid out with an expected drive-out ticket of around $40k. More if expensive, matching numbers are missing or required.

Sorry but that's what I was told. This is to do the all mechanicals. Paint, cosmetics are extra. I don't dispute it, the guy has been doing restorations for years. I'm also not talking about "correct" restoration. This is for a mechanically sound driver, which I think the original poster was asking about (not a 69 Z28 or a GTO).

 

[gtr1999]

Write a list up of the parts/units you want to rebuild/replace. Pick the most overpriced vendor out there, total it up add 3x the cost for outside labor and there you go. It will be much cheaper to sell yours and buy a turn key car in the long run. If you can turn a wrench and like to then it might be reasonable.
I've seen $40-45k restorations from some places and then repaired some of the work afterwards.Good recent example was the steering box out of a $40k restored 63 SWC- The shop replaced the 2 seals and painted it,no grease, worn out gears. Cost $520 to correct.

 

[big_G]

Sorry but that's what I was told. This is to do the all mechanicals. Paint, cosmetics are extra. I don't dispute it, the guy has been doing restorations for years. I'm also not talking about "correct" restoration. This is for a mechanically sound driver, which I think the original poster was asking about (not a 69 Z28 or a GTO).

The original poster asked on the price for a complete restoration, which includes mechanical, interior and paint/body. $20K for just the mechanicals sounds a little low unless the trans., diff. and engine don't need rebuilding.:thumbsup:

 

[gtr1999]

The original poster asked on the price for a complete restoration, which includes mechanical, interior and paint/body. $20K for just the mechanicals sounds a little low unless the trans., diff. and engine don't need rebuilding.:thumbsup:

I dunno Big G, The most one of my blueprinted Diff runs is $2,200 with everything, a Muncie would be under $1,000 in most cases, that leaves a lot for an engine. I'll be glad to take on that for $20k and I'll throw in blueprinted rear T arms as well.:thumbsup:

 

[69MyWay]

I spent well north of $50K on my 69 (albeit custom) and did 98% of the work myself - less the engine machine work, alignment, convertible top and seat recovering.

To have a shop do the same would have pushed the car very close to $100K.

You are often better to buy one already done, or carefully select a car that is already in really good condition. The small stuff is what adds up faster and bigger than anything you can imagine.

 

[gtr1999]

I spent well north of $50K on my 69 (albeit custom) and did 98% of the work myself - less the engine machine work, alignment, convertible top and seat recovering.

To have a shop do the same would have pushed the car very close to $100K.

You are often better to buy one already done, or carefully select a car that is already in really good condition. The small stuff is what adds up faster and bigger than anything you can imagine.

Very true and add on the years it will take you to finish the job. With a turn key, you can drive it until you get tired of it, sell it and buy another before you finish this one:laughing:

 

[big_G]

I dunno Big G, The most one of my blueprinted Diff runs is $2,200 with everything, a Muncie would be under $1,000 in most cases, that leaves a lot for an engine. I'll be glad to take on that for $20k and I'll throw in blueprinted rear T arms as well.:thumbsup:

OK...add to your items the cost of pulling the body, R+I all t-arms, drivetrain, brake+fuel lines, front and rear suspension, clean up the frame and paint it, and re-assemble everything. O/P did say "Frame-off', didn't he?

 

[gtr1999]

BG-Agreed, added labor for body off will add up fast, turn key car still sounds like a better option for someome looking for the first time.

I could actually sit down and quote this but that's not the point. Location, time frame, work required, work requested, all add up to a lot for this job as everyone familar with these cars knows. Some of the numbers mentioned here are mind boggling to me for a vette, considering we used to build them in the backyard and there are still a lot out there. To each his own I guess so all I can say is good luck in your choice, just be sure to consider all aspects of it before committing.
If you can't do the work yourself, for whatever reason, is $20k?-$50k worth it to you? If yes - do it and enjoy it, if unsure continue looking around.

 

[big_G]

It seems that the most "Body-offs" we have come through the shop belong to people of means. Money doesn't usually become a factor for them. No logic or justification required.

 

[chevy69]

It seems that the most "Body-offs" we have come through the shop belong to people of means. Money doesn't usually become a factor for them. No logic or justification required.

Just glad i'm able to do mine myself :thumbsup:

I couldn't imagine paying for all this - just paying for the the parts is killing me :cheers:

 

[Sunshark]

I spent just over 40K on mine. I had a great body and frame to work with with the only rust damage being the #4 body mounts. I did all the work myself except for paint and engine. I didn't care if it was correct, this is definately a "mod" car. It could be done for less and have a nice car. I kinda got carried away. It is so easy to do. :crazy: