Redo or No

[Bobs69]

So guys.  I was told no to redo the same car twice.  Any opions?  I'm thinking this is someone that is thinking about he first investment and whether or not the car will ever be worth the amount you put in twice.


I bought this car..........let's say I was 20.  I'm 35 now, parts that are being made are better........I'm just not sure what to do cause the car isn't the way I want it!

What have you guys done in the past?

[PA Dodger]

I bought my '69 Charger in 1986. I was 17 years old. There was NOTHING as far as replacement parts. What little I could find was very poorly fitting. (Think JC Whitney)  I still ended up with a nice ride. I am now 41 and redoing the car again. This time with the best I can afford.

It was a Plain Jane 318 car that was converted to big block status. All told between 2 restorations I expect to have about $30,000 invested including the $900 purchase price. If you're asking if it's a wise investment...It is to me!!!

Now, if you are talking about taking a restored car and redoing it because it's missing the NOS air in the tires, then that's just moronic, and not a good investment.
Just my  

[Bobs69]

Well, I talking about getting the full floor, OEM syle quarters, proper trunk floor.............want to make sure the inner rocker panels are nice enough to match the new floor............

[PA Dodger]

So , looks like about $2500-$3000 worth of sheetmetal.  That's not too bad (moneywise) if thats all you need. Just make sure you're building on a solid foundation.

[green69rt]

I'd ask what do you want?  A daily driver, show car, race car?  Is it something that you will keep and pass on as a family heirloom?  Do you like to do the work yourself or is it a pain and you'd rather not?  If you're asking will the investment pay off then the answer is probably no.  You will probably never get the money you spend on parts, paint, labor ( would you think about a new car as an investment?)

Just the fact that you have checked out parts, etc makes me think you want to do this, so why not go for it!

[tan top]

yeah i know what your thinking .... when i restored mine there was nothing like the stuff now repoped ......

[Bobs69]

Well greenrt I should wait till tomorrow to respond when I can give it more thought............... I do want to do it......well let me organize my thoughts some more for you, figure out how to post some pictures for you guys.  I'd like to be able to do the work myself.  I almost feel like I'd be quiting if I didn't!

[Bobs69]

In a way I want to do it.  Actually everthing I've been doing in the way of cleaning my garage and getting storage units in is all to do with preping the shop for a big job.  I guess I don't want a world class car that I can't drive, but I'd like for it to be tuff for anyone to know whether or not it's been worked on.  Meaning I'd like to have all the proper sheet metal and seams in the car.  I seen somewhere frame connectors that were made to run along the contours of the floor, I'd put those in, I know its not stock, but it could sure look like it.  I'd love to have the back wheels tubbed out.  I seen a bunch of pictures someone posted of their own car, and he did the inner tubs in such a way it looked stock. 

I don't just want the car to look good.  I want it to be good!

[green69rt]

In a way I want to do it.  Actually everthing I've been doing in the way of cleaning my garage and getting storage units in is all to do with preping the shop for a big job.  I guess I don't want a world class car that I can't drive, but I'd like for it to be tuff for anyone to know whether or not it's been worked on.  Meaning I'd like to have all the proper sheet metal and seams in the car.  I seen somewhere frame connectors that were made to run along the contours of the floor, I'd put those in, I know its not stock, but it could sure look like it.  I'd love to have the back wheels tubbed out.  I seen a bunch of pictures someone posted of their own car, and he did the inner tubs in such a way it looked stock. 

I don't just want the car to look good.  I want it to be good!

OK, now you have some basis for what you want.  Now you need to decide what you want to spend and how fast you want to get from what you have now to what you want in the end.  Frankly, there can be no end to the amount of money you sink in an old car.

Here's my own thinking on my car.
!. It will never be a numbers matching car so don't try to get to that point.
2. I want a solid body and frame so my first priority will be to get those 100% solid.  Your talk of torque boxes and frame extensions is where I'm at right now.  I've decided to install them.  Cheap( relatively ) and no downside if it's not a show car.  You'll always regret not doing the body/frame right if you don't do it now!
3. Second priority is to get a good looking paint job/body work job (good luck, this is really a crap shoot unless you already know someone.)
4. Suspension/brakes comes next.  This is really a personal preference.  The cost can be anywhere from low to out of sight.
5. Engine/trans/rear.  Some real bucks here.  If you can rebuild yourself then more power to you.
6. Finally, interior.  This sounds backwards but think about it.  You can always rig the car to drive somehow but putting in and taking out the interior will drive you mad, especially the dash ( think you won't take it out? Think again, window frame repair, heater box, dash frame repair, AC conversion, there are many reasons.)

This is what I'm thinking about, your case will be different.  Take your time and remember that anything can be redone and don't be reluctant to try again and do over.  Think, think, think and plan, plan, plan.  Take a ton of pictures of what you have now and everything that comes off, and everything that goes on.  Write yourself notes, bag and label everything (not just short labels but really LONG labels) so you'll know where things came from.  I have used two boxes of baggies so far and still have to do the dash and front suspension.

Wow, I had to stop because this is the longest note I've ever done and feel like I'm repeating lots of things listed in other places.  Good luck and don't get discouraged.  This is hot rodding as it should be.