Restore costs to bring back a 69' Dodge Charger

[69 ROCKET]

Ive been quoted between $30k-$40K to replace both rear quarters, full front floor pan, trunk pan and full tub in the rear including paint. It doesnt include any panels, ive just spent $7k on all the panels, full glass kit, front and rear bumpers and glass chrome trims. The going hourly rate is $88 inc. GST (Tax) per hour for labour. Also shipping is a killer here in Australia too. Its not a cheap hobby unfortunately.

[Dino]

Ive been quoted between $30k-$40K to replace both rear quarters, full front floor pan, trunk pan and full tub in the rear including paint. It doesnt include any panels, ive just spent $7k on all the panels, full glass kit, front and rear bumpers and glass chrome trims. The going hourly rate is $88 inc. GST (Tax) per hour for labour. Also shipping is a killer here in Australia too. Its not a cheap hobby unfortunately.

Are those quotes from a collision shop?  That is always a bad option for a job like this, a resto shop can give you a better deal not to mention a better job.  Of course if there's none around or they have a long wait list then it's a moot point.

Take a few non credit college classes in metal work and you'll be able to do it yourself with very little cost.

[Charger440RDN]

For $30-$40 you could definitely find a rust free original charger on craigslist. You see plain jane 68-70 Chargers selling for $15-20k all the time on craigslist in decent condition. Here is a 1969 on Ebay for $15,000

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Dodge-Charger-/121170101106?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1c364d0372

[69 ROCKET]

Ive been quoted between $30k-$40K to replace both rear quarters, full front floor pan, trunk pan and full tub in the rear including paint. It doesnt include any panels, ive just spent $7k on all the panels, full glass kit, front and rear bumpers and glass chrome trims. The going hourly rate is $88 inc. GST (Tax) per hour for labour. Also shipping is a killer here in Australia too. Its not a cheap hobby unfortunately.

Are those quotes from a collision shop?  That is always a bad option for a job like this, a resto shop can give you a better deal not to mention a better job.  Of course if there's none around or they have a long wait list then it's a moot point.

Take a few non credit college classes in metal work and you'll be able to do it yourself with very little cost.

I've had 4 different quotes from shops that only do restorations. All said I wont have any change left out of $35K for panel and paint. Im going to get a guy that does only metal/panel restos and fabrication work to remove rust and replace the panels ive supplied. He thinks it'll cost me around the $20k to do what i want done.
As for the paint, everybody starts at $10k up to $50K depending on how crazy of a paint job you want. All i want is a basic gloss black.
If i had more time id try and do some of the work myself.

[myk]

40 grand?  You could buy a Charger for that much...

[polywideblock]

once you start paying 40 k up for a car over seas you wind up paying the money you would have saved in panel work  on gst(10% on total spent including shipping  packing etc )  import duty's shipping etc and if it hits a certain point( about 55k I think ) you have luxury vehicle tax as well.  just another  one of the joys of wanting American cars in Australia.   

[Dino]

Ive been quoted between $30k-$40K to replace both rear quarters, full front floor pan, trunk pan and full tub in the rear including paint. It doesnt include any panels, ive just spent $7k on all the panels, full glass kit, front and rear bumpers and glass chrome trims. The going hourly rate is $88 inc. GST (Tax) per hour for labour. Also shipping is a killer here in Australia too. Its not a cheap hobby unfortunately.

Are those quotes from a collision shop?  That is always a bad option for a job like this, a resto shop can give you a better deal not to mention a better job.  Of course if there's none around or they have a long wait list then it's a moot point.

Take a few non credit college classes in metal work and you'll be able to do it yourself with very little cost.

I've had 4 different quotes from shops that only do restorations. All said I wont have any change left out of $35K for panel and paint. Im going to get a guy that does only metal/panel restos and fabrication work to remove rust and replace the panels ive supplied. He thinks it'll cost me around the $20k to do what i want done.
As for the paint, everybody starts at $10k up to $50K depending on how crazy of a paint job you want. All i want is a basic gloss black.
If i had more time id try and do some of the work myself.

I am shocked.  Thins sure have changed when I was in the business.  Paint has always been a rip off, it does not take much time nor investment to paint a car.  Prep on the other hand....

[Charger440RDN]

Seriously $40-50 grand is way to much toward a restoration. For that kind of money these days you could probably find an original RT Charger, prices have come down a lot.

[gibb5y]

is that the white one that's on Trademe? seems like a cheap enough asking price esp if he throws in the panels.

[69 ROCKET]

For $30-$40 you could definitely find a rust free original charger on craigslist. You see plain jane 68-70 Chargers selling for $15-20k all the time on craigslist in decent condition. Here is a 1969 on Ebay for $15,000

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1969-Dodge-Charger-/121170101106?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1c364d0372

Very true, but after i pay shipping, taxes and then begin the build process the way i want, im back to square one. I picked my charger up in Australia for $13.5k so im ahead by at least $10K on most people bringing them into the country.

[69 ROCKET]

Ive been quoted between $30k-$40K to replace both rear quarters, full front floor pan, trunk pan and full tub in the rear including paint. It doesnt include any panels, ive just spent $7k on all the panels, full glass kit, front and rear bumpers and glass chrome trims. The going hourly rate is $88 inc. GST (Tax) per hour for labour. Also shipping is a killer here in Australia too. Its not a cheap hobby unfortunately.

Are those quotes from a collision shop?  That is always a bad option for a job like this, a resto shop can give you a better deal not to mention a better job.  Of course if there's none around or they have a long wait list then it's a moot point.
Take a few non credit college classes in metal work and you'll be able to do it yourself with very little cost.

I've had 4 different quotes from shops that only do restorations. All said I wont have any change left out of $35K for panel and paint. Im going to get a guy that does only metal/panel restos and fabrication work to remove rust and replace the panels ive supplied. He thinks it'll cost me around the $20k to do what i want done.
As for the paint, everybody starts at $10k up to $50K depending on how crazy of a paint job you want. All i want is a basic gloss black.
If i had more time id try and do some of the work myself.

I am shocked.  Thins sure have changed when I was in the business.  Paint has always been a rip off, it does not take much time nor investment to paint a car.  Prep on the other hand....

It seems to be the going rates unfortunately, ive spent to much on parts now not to go ahead with the build.

[Generalkiwi]

is that the white one that's on Trademe? seems like a cheap enough asking price esp if he throws in the panels.

Yeah it is mate, but i think the price is on the high side to be honest, it looks in potentially pretty bad shape and the interior looks like quite a mess with alot of parts missing, also i don't know what sort of shape the panels are in that he claims he will throw in. The pictures don't help much as they are not good, i might send a panel man in for a a look that i know and trust, see what he says, also the owner doesn't have it registered for NZ roads which is a huge concern, apparently he is doing this now,but he doesn't have the American pink slip ownership papers either, might end up being one to stay clear of, will see how it goes.

Cheers
Kiwi

[six-tee-nine]

once you start paying 40 k up for a car over seas you wind up paying the money you would have saved in panel work  on gst(10% on total spent including shipping  packing etc )  import duty's shipping etc and if it hits a certain point( about 55k I think ) you have luxury vehicle tax as well.  just another  one of the joys of wanting American cars in Australia.   

Luxury vehicle tax....

Oh boy If one of our ministries would be reading this we would see that one soon.... I  thought it hardly could get worse but maybe it can.....

[pippo702]

Pippo, that's some serious work on your car!

280 hours * 60 euro/hr = 16,800 euro or $22,176 usd

Well..since my wife works there and her boss is my partner in this,the rate i've been applied is 30€ per hour..but,still..it's big money..

[pippo702]

Hi Generalkiwi!
well,talking about restorations outside U.S. in my case we reached 40k euros (car and related shipping and taxes and parts with theirs shipping and taxes too..)
We still don't know the total amount of the labour because is undergoing and my partner in this is the owner of half of the auto body shop where thee car is being restored so we'd have to give a cut of the total to the other owner....
anyway ,we are at circa 280 hours at a rate of 30 € hourly wich is a friendly rate..normally itwould be around 60€per hour

Thanks for sharing costs pippo , appreciate the input, yes i to am looking at building one outside of the US like you, so its nice to hear about your experience and costs involved in shipping which are a big expense for us compared to the US folk who build these. Did you have to import alot of parts for yours or was it mostly complete when you got it ??...what was the rough condition of the car when you started ??, ie total rust bucketand complete resto needed, or fairly mint with only small rust patches that needed fixing and then you re-sprayed it?

40K Euros is really getting up there!

kiwi

Just take a look! 

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,101326.0.html

[pippo702]

Hi Generalkiwi!
well,talking about restorations outside U.S. in my case we reached 40k euros (car and related shipping and taxes and parts with theirs shipping and taxes too..)
We still don't know the total amount of the labour because is undergoing and my partner in this is the owner of half of the auto body shop where thee car is being restored so we'd have to give a cut of the total to the other owner....
anyway ,we are at circa 280 hours at a rate of 30 € hourly wich is a friendly rate..normally itwould be around 60€per hour

I forgot to say that in the amount for parts,drive train is included..we went for a new transmission and a stroker kit..

[green69rt]

Thanks, Kiwi for starting this.  I'm gone 10 days and all hell breaks loose!!  Excellent idea on your part.  Most of my info will be in my thread but I'll try to post some stuff in yours also.  Now for the next reply.

[green69rt]

As Kiwi mentioned I am in the process and I will add my experience and comments. 

It would have been much cheaper to buy a restored car outright, I can't argue with that.  For me, that was not the goal.   I had several reasons.

1) this was a retirement project/hobby/whatever,,, for me. 
2) I will be creating a car from my youth so it has special meaning for me.
3) I have no interest in numbers matching, originality, etc., etc., etc.  If anything you could call me an old time hot rodder.
4) I am willing to pay what it takes, up to a limit.  I don't want to spend a fortune but I want something I will be proud of.
5) I take pride in doing things myself, so that will save money.

All this said, it's still an expensive hobby.


Just so you can see what I'm up to here is the link to my car...

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,54582.new.html#new

[SnoPro440]

I sold mine almost a year ago to a guy in Auckland. It was just under US$40k.  
http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,92867.msg1076143.html#msg1076143

Believe me, I had a hell of a lot more $ than that into to it.  Be patient and buy one that is done.

[C500]

I wouldn't touch the white one on trademe. You'll sink a lot more dough into that car than you could by buying a more honest charger to restore or one already done.

Import one yourself, or get someone to do it for you. I've imported 2 x 68's and a 69 into NZ now.

[Bob T]

 Gidday Kiwi from another local boy, bit further north than Te Puke , originally Waiuku, learnt to surf at Kariotahi haha.
Now Auckland based and right into the local Mopar scene
Don't buy the white one just cause its here and available, search out and find the right one to import.

Cheers mate, i have seen this guys work and will be speaking to previous clients also, i'm pretty happy with what i believe he will do finish wise. He has also had some of his restored cars featured on the cover of NZ V8 magazine, so that also is nice to know.

I'm guessing you mean Ian, very good at what he does and a genuinely nice guy. Love his Hemi Coronet. That aside, get the best car you can for the money as it will cost less in the long run to get it where you want it. I brought mine in Dec 2011 and even though the majority of the body was good it still took 6months and considerable fun coupons to get it legal. And not trying to tackle a full on project timeframe project either. A local mate of mine has a real nice 4spd stroker GL , neat car too, he got it painted locally after finding it as an unfinished father and son project in the States.
Flick us a pm for some shipping agents if you want

Oh, and welcome to the best Dodge Charger site on the net!

[Generalkiwi]

Thanks to all for the great advice and comments contributing towards this thread. It has been invaluable for me and has helped me alot in deciding what to do. If anyone else has anything to add, please do.

Just speaking for myself and someone who has limited funds i find myself making the decision that i will have to buy a a car that is already finished or nearly finished. Basically i came to this conclusion after reading/receiving comments from members who have already gone down the path of buying an old car and restoring it, thus highlighting to me the reality of the costs involved (and time) in doing a resto. I don't want to take anything away from those awesome members on here who have painstakingly and at great costs restored some of these cool old cars, you guys are amazing, i enjoy reading your threads and have great respect for you, your skills and wallets are something i am envious of to say the least!.

Basically i am someone who is not rich has a limited budget for this project , i have dreamed of owning one of these amazing cars since i was just a kid, watching the dukes of hazzard and playing with the matchbox car version on dirt tracks behind the house. I cannot afford the many hidden surprises that seem to rear there heads when restoring one of these old gems. Had i the skills,time and funds i would go down the restoration path for sure, but sadly for me this is not an option.

So thankyou once again to all for your honest feedback on your experience (resto or straight out purchase) ....now i just need to wait for the right car to come along!

Cheers
Mike

[green69rt]

Pippo, that's some serious work on your car!

280 hours * 60 euro/hr = 16,800 euro or $22,176 usd

280 Hours is nothing, I've spent 1,000 + hours on many Resto's. LEON.

No personal experience yet but I've heard and been quoted anywhere from 1000 to 1500 hours for a full restoration.  That is not doing any work yourself and does not include parts and materials.   That's got to be a big reason only the rarest and most valuable cars get a "full rotisserie" job.  All the rest of us have to do what we can to keep costs down.

[Dino]

1000-1500 is the rough industry standard.  Unfortunately there are many 'standards' in restoration itself.  'Good' or 'perfect' is a very relative term.

[green69rt]

1000-1500 is the rough industry standard.  Unfortunately there are many 'standards' in restoration itself.  'Good' or 'perfect' is a very relative term.

Yeah, the costs are all over the map.  Sharing info helps but there's still a wide variation.   Still I won't criticize someone paying a lot of money for the car they want;  I will share info that may help them save a buck.

Another thought, how many people buy a new car as an investment, not me?   I don't expect to get my investment back out of my car,  but it's fun to build, drive and own and that counts to me.