Restore costs to bring back a 69' Dodge Charger

[green69rt]

This is a direct cut-and-paste from my restoration thread, gulp!!!


"
Just got back from the shop. I had a long conversation and crawled around under the car for about an hour.   Basic problem is that the shop estimated $15,000 to fix the body.   That included correcting some measurements that were already to within 1/8" of the FSM diagram.   Some were out 1/2" around the position of the rear spring hangers.   Biggest problem is still the front end frame.

So, the car will come home and I'm going to see what I can do.  Cost was way to high for me to leave it in their shop.   Even after I deleted all the stuff that was really ok, the cost was still around $9000 to fix the front frame, and I think they forgot some parts.  Their plan was to cut off the complete front clip and replace it with new stuff and tack everything in place, hang the fenders and hood and doors and when everything looked good ;weld it back together.   I got to believe I can do it for less.  So next thing is to call the tow company and schedule the shipment.

Just for grins, I also asked what the paint job was going to be.......another $15,000 which includes $5000 for materials.   Is that a reasonable number!!!!?

So now I'm just sitting here thinking how strong a drink to fix (maybe 2 or 3.)
"

[fy469rtse]

69 rocket , do what I do , find some that ship to Australia , they will always find room in there containers for your heavy stuff  or large items like panels , try Russell trainoir at just mustangs in Melbourne , honest guy , always been a great help to me

[1974dodgecharger]

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.

He got a nice deal too after I read your mods u done wow.

Your new challenger I take it in avatar with charger money?

[69 ROCKET]

69 rocket , do what I do , find some that ship to Australia , they will always find room in there containers for your heavy stuff  or large items like panels , try Russell trainoir at just mustangs in Melbourne , honest guy , always been a great help to me

Thanks fy469rtse. I calculated buying all the parts/panels from the US and worked out shipping to Aus, then I found a few suppliers in Aus with the same parts/panels and compared totals. I wasn't really saving a great deal of money buying from the US suppliers, so I bought everything from a supplier in Victoria who looked after me as i practically was buying half a car from them.

[green69rt]

Just adding some info on how much it is costing me to completely rebuild my rear end.

Parts are from Dr Diff.

Third member with SG/3.91 gears - $1200
Rear drum brake assembly (10 x 2 1/2") - $350
New break lines -$75
Gaskets and bearings - $110
Powder coat case - $225
Bearing retainer/adjuster - $25(from ebay)
Labor - (no bill yet.)

So a little over $2k to get an almost brand new rear end.   That's getting real close for a brand new Strange Engineering S60 rear except mine has all new brakes and lines and theirs does not include these.  I couldn't tell if the Strange housing is powder coated.

[green69rt]

Just got my Charger back from paint.  Here in Houston the restoration shops seem to charge from $60-$85/hr for labor and they don't differentiate between skilled and helpers.  My car went to a shop that was $75/hr.  Most of the cost in the paint shop was for disassembly, blocking, wet sanding, masking.  I haven't added up the hours but I would guess there were 200 hrs spent.  The actual primer and paint steps only took about 20-30 hours.   This shop rolls the cost of materials into their hourly rate.   I saw no charge for paint on my invoices.   The painter did put 6 coats on, three base and three clear.  They also picked the car up and delivered it for free.   

The car still needs final "cut and buff".  I bet another 40 hours, so $3000.  Total is going to be between $15k - $20K, probably closer to the top end.  This is more than my new Colorado pickup cost 12 years ago.   

[comet_666]

I was lucky and after 200 hrs his $75/hr rate went down to $40. Close to 400 hrs total and that was after all the sheet metal was replaced beforehand.
Not a cheap "hobby" to be in that is for sure.

[BrianShaughnessy]

I literally throw away the receipts so I don't know how much I had into Sinnamon... 

But the basics are: 
rotted, seized up high school '69 Charger.   $7550 ( delivered ).
AMD / etc.   $10K   (estimate)
body and paint (estimate) $20K
engine / trans / exhaust $5K
interior $5K.

If I'm low... good!     I really didn't want to know.

[1974dodgecharger]

hahahhahahahahahahhahahaaahhahahahahhaha 

[darbgnik]

I did up a little spreadsheet a few weeks ago, and only itemized the big pieces, like metal, bumpers, paint, and purchase price. I found out that I actually didn't want to know.....

[1974dodgecharger]

60k for my 1st build......

sold some stuff off say roughly only 20k off 1st build and now rebuilding 2nd time.....

will throw 65k total on 2nd build so....

in total minus 20k..

meh lets say 100k to 110k for misc stuff and mine was no where near showroom it was a crappy build and built by my hands....

good luck.....

[charger_fan_4ever]

Id actually be surprised if any shop would resurrect a rotted out old car for less than 40k in parts and material.

Most rusty chargers figure on 10k in AMD metal
5k interior
engine trans rear end 5-10k
suspension brakes exhaust tires another 5k
20k metal/body work
3k or so in materials (paint primer welding wire gas ect)


I dont think there has ever been a time that you could "rebuild" a car for less than buying a finished one.

Problem with buying a finished one is making sure its not a pig with lipstick on. id say most "running driving" project cars or turn key cars have a lot of filler in them hiding issues with the metal underneath.

Basically unless you have photo evidence of the metal/body work you could be buying a pig with lipstick that requires actually more work than a rusty project car in boxes as you will have to tear the whole thing apart and start over.

[pipeliner]

Id actually be surprised if any shop would resurrect a rotted out old car for less than 40k in parts and material.

Most rusty chargers figure on 10k in AMD metal
5k interior
engine trans rear end 5-10k
suspension brakes exhaust tires another 5k
20k metal/body work
3k or so in materials (paint primer welding wire gas ect)


I dont think there has ever been a time that you could "rebuild" a car for less than buying a finished one.

Problem with buying a finished one is making sure its not a pig with lipstick on. id say most "running driving" project cars or turn key cars have a lot of filler in them hiding issues with the metal underneath.

Basically unless you have photo evidence of the metal/body work you could be buying a pig with lipstick that requires actually more work than a rusty project car in boxes as you will have to tear the whole thing apart and start over.

Your short on the interior, drivetrain. I'd add at least another $7K if your lucky

[ht4spd307]

to retrim an interior 10k now days i know its my living unless you tackle it yourself

[70B5Cuda]

That's why I've gravitated toward minimal interior and patina'd paint...

[pipeliner]

That's why I've gravitated toward minimal interior and patina'd paint...

Whatever you like. Me personally I'm going overboard. I love a spotless interior. I'm installing everything new for my interior. If your just making short cuts to save money you will never be happy with it. That's why I'm going on 7 years with my restoration but if the ratty look satisfies you then I say go for it.

[Challenger340]

A little off topic.... but I think this thread around the costs involved in restoration, highlights the "why" behind some of the prices in the delusional seller's thread ?
and,
the even stupider prices attached to the still factory original UN-restored examples still remaining really good condition ?

[Mike DC]

I dont think there has ever been a time that you could "rebuild" a car for less than buying a finished one.

Which is why the factories all use assembly lines and brand new parts.