The Ford Barn - View Single Post - Interesting read in Hemmings about restoration costs.

77Birdman · 11-13-2019, 08:52 AM

That article and all of the above comments are spot on. Def. cheaper in the long run to purchase a car already finished than to restore one, IF youre paying someone to do so. Some people (like myself) restore as a hobby. Labor is def. the highest cost factor, and even for a do it yourselfer, time is valuable, although it may not have a dollar amount. There was similar discussion on another forum I belong to and it was the general concensis that a min. paint job would cost $20k plus. I agree, again IF you have a shop. I posted a thread that I called my 'cheap paint job'. On my car (70's Pontiac) I have about $3k in product and tools. On my current project I have less than $1k into the paint and everything is done but the hood. Both jobs are far from concours quality, but are at least as good as factory. Not a knock on any pro shops, but it is still possible to have a quality car with a quality finish if you are willing to put in the sweat equity.

11-13-2019, 08:52 AM	#12
77Birdman Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: North Eastern MD Posts: 486	Re: Interesting read in Hemmings about restoration costs. That article and all of the above comments are spot on. Def. cheaper in the long run to purchase a car already finished than to restore one, IF youre paying someone to do so. Some people (like myself) restore as a hobby. Labor is def. the highest cost factor, and even for a do it yourselfer, time is valuable, although it may not have a dollar amount. There was similar discussion on another forum I belong to and it was the general concensis that a min. paint job would cost $20k plus. I agree, again IF you have a shop. I posted a thread that I called my 'cheap paint job'. On my car (70's Pontiac) I have about $3k in product and tools. On my current project I have less than $1k into the paint and everything is done but the hood. Both jobs are far from concours quality, but are at least as good as factory. Not a knock on any pro shops, but it is still possible to have a quality car with a quality finish if you are willing to put in the sweat equity.