How much have you spent on you resto project?

[Brock Samson]

BTW: my original estimate for my project was ten grand and two years...   

[Vainglory, Esq.]

~$28,500 with an estimated 5-6 more to finish.  Plus the $2200 to purchase the car.

When I got into it I just knew I was making a losing investment (but it would be worth it for the car), but isn't it scary to think that I could probably make a profit!?

[OttawaCharger]

When I got into it I just knew I was making a losing investment (but it would be worth it for the car), but isn't it scary to think that I could probably make a profit!?

That's exactly how I look at it.  It's a hobby and hobbies cost money.  To date I have roughly $6000 Canadian into it but I just picked it up in March and haven't really begun any restoration work on it yet.  The tearing down part of the restoration is relatively inexpensive. 

[dodgecharger-fan]

This discussion makes me feel good and bad at the same time...

Good because my plan would put my end cost in line with many that have replied here so far. I'm not as crazy as my wife thinks. 

Bad because some have spent more than I have planned and I'm wondering if I've missed the mark with my estimates.


Doesn't matter either way, though. It'll get done. Someday. I hope.

[4402tuff4u]

This discussion makes me feel good and bad at the same time...

Good because my plan would put my end cost in line with many that have replied here so far. I'm not as crazy as my wife thinks. 

Bad because some have spent more than I have planned and I'm wondering if I've missed the mark with my estimates.


Doesn't matter either way, though. It'll get done. Someday. I hope.

Just remember that restoration costs for the same work will vary depending on your geographical location. So trying to compare apples to apples regarding dollars is hard. The only factor that will most likely be similar in all locations will be the "man-hours" involved to do the restorations and even that will vary depending on how detailed the shop is or is not.

[Nacho-RT74]

Just remember that restoration costs for the same work will vary depending on your geographical location. So trying to compare apples to apples regarding dollars is hard. The only factor that will most likely be similar in all locations will be the "man-hours" involved to do the restorations and even that will vary depending on how detailed the shop is or is not.

that's why I'm finishing down here before move to Spain

[66ragtop]

With the purchase price of the car I have around $12K I'm happy to say!

[Bandit4142]

I'm happy to say that I haven't kept track, nor do I care.        I love my Charger, its worth every penny. 

[AKcharger]

$16K

[tan top]

I don't want to know!

   my labour time is free , but  still spent some big $$ s on restoration parts etc  in 18 years, pulling the 440 again soon for more yet more power , more $$$ on speed parts 

[JimShine]

I am at $9K total on my '69, but it isn't a restoration. It has been a thing where bad is replaced with good and its repaired to keep it roadworthy. The expensive stuff is happening soon when I get the 440 machined and rebuilt.

My '68 is still a shell. I have in the neighborhood of $4K into that one including the new quarters, trunk pan, valence, gas tank, frame rail. But no real work has been done yet.

[73rallye440magnum]

I will have a VERY nice driver for 7k. Including purchase price. Rechromed bumpers and wheel opening trim would make it exceptional. If we were talking number of hours put into it I'd be embarassed. I dont want to know.

[Charger_Fan]

Guessing on the generous side, I've probably got $2,500 in mine so far, including purchase price...does it show?

[rare69]

i have had every piece of the car rebuilt restored or bought brand new, from the interior to the bumpers. and everything powder coated underneath. oh ya and a custom built stroker motor for it. and paid for all the metal work on the body. all that is left to pay for is body work and paint. rough estimate, $40 g's! that includes the price of the car. and worth every dime when its done.

[Mike DC]

 
I don't know.  At least $25K, a couple of years driving it at first, and no finished driveable car to show for it yet. 

But I never expected this hobby to be anything other than a big money-loser when I started.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


This hobby is full of people trying to save $100 by fixing something. 

So they spend $50 on the actual parts/supplies involved, and another $50 in gasoline to round everything up.
Then it takes two weeks of their life to do the job.  (And when they're finally done, of course they will invariably go around bragging about saving the entire $100.)

Six months later, the "re-fix" wears out again anyway.
So they have to spend the whole $100 they were originally avoiding, plus another $150 for all the other indirect problems that have gotten worse since then. 

Then they have to spend another $200 over the course of the car's life because they didn't switch to the new-style part. 
(Yeah, they could have easily switched to the newer-style part when they finally bought the replacement $100 part.  And they SHOULD have switched.  But they can't now, because they ruined the metal casing in the process of trying to re-fix the old part six months ago.  So now they're committed to the old method, which the cheap new chinese bushings don't fit correctly.)

   

[Blakcharger440]

Havent been keeping track. Dont know,dont wanna know... 

[modmidget]

I paid $4,000.00 for my car about 7 years ago.  Spent $11,000.00 and a few hundred hours restoring it.  You can see the results here:

http://webpages.charter.net/kjessee/my_1968_charger.htm

I could have done it for less $$$ but I wanted new A/C ($1200.00) and Secret Audio Stereo System ($600.00).

[Brock Samson]

i love your car man...
just like they used to be.. 

[Joshs68]

Boy its been a while since I have been on here. I bought this 68 feb or march 05 .Its a 318 3spd manual with a column shift. I have tried to find more info or some production #s but that hasnt been easy . The good news is that the resto is underway now, and boy am I glad I bought a car with no rust, none anywhere!! we were happy to find no hidden surprises under the paint, 1 dent 1/2" of bondo . thats is. I had always thought I paid way too much initially but with minimal to no body work before paint I am real happy. Its getting a low deck stroker with stage 6 heads, and I hope a roller from hughes, and its got a four speed, and a dana. I am saving the motor and 3 speed but I need to find linkage for the column shift . I want to have it so it could be put back one day, if wanted. stayed with the original qq1 blue on white with steel wheels and dog dishes. It should be done +/- may. but the tally about 20k total, but I wont knoe until its home, I will keep pics coming, here it is when I bought it

[tan top]

I paid $4,000.00 for my car about 7 years ago.  Spent $11,000.00 and a few hundred hours restoring it.  You can see the results here:

http://webpages.charter.net/kjessee/my_1968_charger.htm

I could have done it for less $$$ but I wanted new A/C ($1200.00) and Secret Audio Stereo System ($600.00).

real nice looking charger . awesome color combination

[modmidget]

Thanks guys!!

The paint is called Inferno Red.  It's the red that came out on the PT Cruisers a few years ago.  It has a lot of gold metalic in it.  The interior and vinyl top are pearl white.  I thought about putting pearl white bumble bee strips across the back but have decided against it.

[Brock Samson]

i didn't see any int. pics but being pearl white and done so well it's AWSOME! 
good to see ya' here Midget..

[modmidget]

Brock, pictures of the interior and trunk have been added to my web site.  NOte, there is no shifter on the console.  This was a mom & pop car with front bench seat and automatic tranny with shifter on the tree.  I didn't want to get involved with changing the steering column and building linkage for a floor shifter so I left it on the column.

I won't be posting any pix of the engine compartment because I didn't do any work in there.  It's just a dusty, dirty place where I keep my engine. 

Enjoy.

[Brock Samson]

thank you sir, good luck with sellin your nice third gen 440 S.E..

[modmidget]

Brock, I was adding a few more comments to my last post while you was replying to me, so you might want to check it again for more info about my car.

Looks like I'm gonna need a LOT of luck to sell the '71.  I've advertised it in a few publications as well as here and I've only got one offer on it.  A fellow from Oregon stopped by to look at it and offered me $7000.00.  I'd sure like to sell it soon because there is a guy about 1 hour east of here that has a beautifull 1969 Chevy pickup for $9500.00 that I would really like to have.  I was hoping the guy might be interested in a trade but he needs the cash.