AUTO
RESTORATION
My
favorite call is "How much for an auto restoration?"
I usually respond with something like "How much
is supper?" It depends on your goal...
The short answer is, a frame of restoration of your
classic, muscle car, or antique car is really expensive.
If the car is in good shape, a low price is $45,000.
That would be a car that is pretty complete, doesn't
have much rust, and is easy to get parts for.
 Restoration
of an antique auto, the price is quite a bit more,
in the $80,000 range for a concourse style job.
Muscle cars are less because they are generally
simpler. Something like a Cadillac, with 6 power
windows, power seats, auto-dimming headlights, will
be somewhere in between.
But honestly, less of the work we do is actually
frame-off auto restorations. Most of the time people
have a budget that doesn't allow for a full auto
restoration of their cool car. I suppose the typical
job is a '68 Camaro with some rust, a bum engine,
and mouse-house interior.
In that case the auto restoration is more in the
$30,000 range. That is the typical job. And pretty
often the customer has so much fun while the car
is with us, the price grows a little bit because
they start adding to the job! Start thinking about
a big motor while your auto is getting restored,
and it's pretty hard to get to sleep nights! An
engine rebuild is about $6,000 when you consider
radiator rebuild, carburetor rebuild, alternator,
new water pump, hoses, belts...a new crate engine
is only a couple grand more, but look! That 450
HP one is only a couple grand more... See how it
happens?!
Most people who call for a restoration of their
antique, classic, or muscle auto, aren't really
thinking of frame-off auto restoration, when it
really comes down to it. 'Perfect' is great, who
doesn't like a perfect car! But there's kids and
houses and savings and all these other things that
get in the way of satisfying the 12 year old inside
us, so maybe a killer paint job, big motor, and
a new interior are the new definition of perfect!
And
to be honest, that's just the right car for many
people. A '57 Chevy that's been with you for a while,
maybe putting a modern overdrive automatic in it,
and keeping the original 283 is just the ticket!
That is about a $3,000 job. We can paint the car
for you, if there isn't much rust, for about $9,000.
And that's a great paint job! You'll be looking
great as you drive around, hit a local car cruise,
or enter an outdoor show. Disc brakes in front adds
a little, and we can install a great sound system
and new carpet while the car is with us, too.
So
defining auto restoration is key to our good relationships
with our customers. I never disappoint people who
have reasonable goals and a reasonable budget. We
like our work, and we like our customers! Wanna
join the fun? Call anytime and let's talk about
what auto restoration means to you! Fiat, Camaro,
Cadillac, Mustang, Caprice, Cord, we love them all,
and would be happy to 'restore' it for you!!
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