Resto priorities, what matters most to you?

[Dino]

Just curious.  We all know that restoring a car is not for the faint of heart and the empty of wallet...so how do you prioritize AND how well do you stick to the plan.  Those who can spend $50K all at once need not reply, we all hate you.  

For example, I just bought my '69 and it is absolutely perfect for me, I wanted a non matching numbers car that I could enjoy while working on it and I got it.  It runs absolutely perfect and it's in very good driver condition but of course every little part on it could use some attention.  20 years ago it got a new paint job, a new vinyl top, rechromed bumpers, a patch in the trunk floor and the 318 and 904 were replaced with a 440 and 727.  Actually the entire drivetrain was replaced with hd squad car goodies!

My priorities were simple, make sure it's a reliable driver.  Since it runs great but takes a few seconds to start it up when it's hot I will install the valley pan gasket and a carb spacer.  That should do it!
The driver's side header also leaks which is a bit annoying as it takes away from the awesome sound coming from the tailpipes.  I really hope it's an easy fix but knowing headers it likely will be a pain in the neck.  Anyone have some hp manifolds for sale?  I really don't need headers as I don't race.

Also this weekend I will swap the 3.91 gears for 2.94 as 99% of my driving is around 45-60mph and 3000 rpm @ 55 is just too much.  One thing I'll miss is spinning the tires in all gears but that's far from a priority...good fun though.  

Those are my priorities.  There is a lot of work to do but nothing pressing.  I need to hook up the a/c again and fix the heater valve control.  Eventually I would like to replace the interior and reuse as many original parts as possible, which will be a lot luckily.  Some things like arm rests and bases need replacing but there not all that expensive.  Aside from paint, new interior, wheels and some updated things I will also add power door and trunk locks and power windows but those things are way down on the list.  Frankly if I don't do a thing to the car but drive it I'll still be more than happy.

I am trying to stick to that plan...but I do dream of doing more work right away.  I'd love to swap my 14" rallye's for 15" steelies and wider tires and I'd love to restore the instrument cluster and dash bezels because you look at it all the time!  I can do the work myself but I don't want the car to sit for too long.  I need to drive that sucker!

I'm not doing the interior until I can repaint the car as I want to do all the hard stuff at once so I can remove the windshield, dash and interior and insulate that thing properly, it's loud in there!  I'd love to redo the driver's seat though, it's a bit flat after 42 years.  

Oh almost forgot, I need new seatbelts, those shoulder belts are crap!!  Doesn anyone know where to get new seatbelts?  I kinda like the ones XV had but they don't seem to have them anymore.

So what are your priorities?

[41husk]

I start with drive train and brakes then paint and body then interior.

[Dino]

I start with drive train and brakes then paint and body then interior.

Forgot about the brakes.  Mine seem to be working really well but it's a far cry from a modern car.  The previous owner bought the Wilwood 10.25" front disc brakes with 4 piston calipers and braided lines.  I need to get a new master cylinder, booster and prop valve so I can install that stuff.

[Cooter]

Well, I like to get all the PITA boodywork which is time consuming as hell, out of the way first. Then, I tackle the drivetrain..Than, it's off to the paint..Afterall is said and done, then goes the interior...

[64dartgt]

Fix it so I can drive and enjoy it.   

I am not one of those guys who can buy a car, pull it apart and then spend the next five years piecing it back together.  So far everything has been about getting it operational and reliable.  Replaced the fuel system, redid the brakes, out new tires on the Magnums, rebuilt the tranny (had to), swapped in a rebuilt 340 (original 318 started knocking) and had an 8.75 sure grip rebuilt with 3.55's in it.  Got the power windows and sunroof working again.  I also retained all the AC (ex-AZ car) stuff, and amazingly the system was still holding pressure when I got the car.  I also plan to get the interior liveable...painted the faded blue door panels, bought new arm rests, new slapstick handle and new stereo.  Oh, I also had the car buffed so it would scare my Wife less when she saw the sh!tbox...I mean project car for the first time

I also bought a new HF 90 amp MIG to start on the body work next.   Plan is to do what I can myself, including shooting the car in B5 instead of B1. 

[projectanimal]

Dino - we focused on the same goal as you - find a non-matching numbers car that's running and then work on it!   our's needs a lot more work on the interior, but the PO did have the seats redone, rebuilt motor and trans, and at some point some new pans installed (good job by someone  ) and a new carpet thrown down. 
So our list (and how we already started) gut the interior, sand the floor boards and paint them ourselves, sand the under carriage, get some dynomats or some insulations for the floors, install the exhaust and get her running smooth and leak free, re-spray the exterior, and then throw her back together and make her a nice driver!!     

on the fence with the brakes as they are newer drums all around. we'll see how that thing "budget" goes and maybe get some front discs next Spring!   

[Lennard]

I take it down to the core, restore/replace every nut and bolt and I don't care if it takes me 5 years or so to finish it.
When I am done with it, it will be done to my standards and I will (hopefully) never have to replace anything again so I can take on the next project car.

[Stretch]

WOW!

[Charger-Bodie]

Looks like fun!! 

[Vainglory, Esq.]

I realize now that my priorities are completely different now that I have a car to drive than when I was plotting the restoration.  For example, now that I can finally drive the thing I realized that, despite having a fast car for the first time in my life, I drive it like a granny.

I'd put my top priorities as (in no particular order): 1) Looks as stock as possible while having modern updates primarily in the safety arena (seat belts, roll bar, brakes); 2) Exceptional paint and body work because I like looking at it; 3) Reliability, because even though I won't be smoking the tires every day, I'd like to be able to drive it every day.

[Mike DC]

I want the WHOLE car to work.  Not just reliable to start up, but reliable to heat/AC, working emergency brake, windshield wipers, etc.  Electricals HAVE to work.

Nicks & scratches mean very little to me.  Maybe I would feel differently if I ever had a PERFECT car but I never have and probably never will.  I learned how to do decent bodywork but it's more fun not sweat it THAT much.

As for performance, I just want a car that's fun to drive and remains safe/predictable when you push it to the edge.  The stopwatch numbers don't matter much to me.