Cars & Motorbikes How much to do up old car?

Hi all, I've been looking at some old Australian muscle cars and was wondering if anyone has ever refurbed an old Valiant, Monaro , Ford GT etc?

I'd love to know what to expect regarding costs to take an all original 1970s car and rebuild it.

Cheers!

 

You wont get change out of 50k

 

How longs a piece of string?
Do you want to do it to your taste or just want to be a hoon? If hooning look for one already done, they go for cheaper than if you were to put the work in

 

A bit of both, but I'm not so sure they go cheaper than buying an old bomb and doing it up. They may not be selling, but a lot of them are advertised with a heap of "sentimental value" included in the price tag!

 

If I were you I would try and find one where somebody else has done the work and needs to sell. Could get something good for 60k

 

I've done an LH Torana. Nothing flash. Ran out of money, patience and energy.

 

I've done a few cars.
My next one will be one someone else has done their dough on.. It will cost you double to do it yourself.

 

Depends how much you can do yourself, body condition etc

If you're paying someone to do everything, i'd say MINIMUM 50k but easily 70k + if you want a hot motor (you can easily spend 10-20k just on this).

Like everyone else has said, buy someone else's project as it will save a lot of money and effort.

 

Take the end value of the car, then triple it. Thats how much you will spend.

 

Brother!
I had an lx. Got some gear on then got a work car, once you get a fuel card that's what matters in life!

 

Um, what kind of car is it?

 

Bodywork is where the time and dollars can really stack up, so can really depend on what condition the car your starting with is in also.

I have had mates spend $40k+ on little old datsuns. Currently a mate is doing a kingswood he picked clean original condition and has put way over $50k in motor trans, diff, tubs without even looking at the body/looks side of things

 

Ha. Mine was completely original when I bought it. Bench seat, column shift. Had a 174 from memory. Got as far as the body work done and resprayed, had some dragways and was working on a 350 chev when I gave it up

 

Nice!
Mine was my grandfathers, 150km straight as. 202, 350 holley, extractors, lowered. Started looking at rb30 (Nissan turbo but Couldn't part with the cash
One day I'll get one again, or a kingswood, station wagon!

 

I live with 4 other mistresses which are MrWestminster's cars. They are very expensive and time consuming women. There is a Torana, '48 Chevy ute, a HT Monaro (will be re-restored next year as it's been in a shed for 20yrs) and his '98 WRX.
Aussie muscle cars aren't as expensive as they were about 5yrs ago but they can be still up there, depends on what you want.
You can easily spend $20k refurbing but it depends on the condition it's in and how authentic you want it to be. I have a vintage car and when it's motor dies I won't be replacing with anything genuine but will put in a Subaru EJ20 motor and probably 5sp transmission. I love the car and it's about looks not authenticity for me.
Whatever you spend on the car you will probably never see again but it's an experience owning one and if it makes you happy then go for it. I know that MrWestminster can't afford a real girlfriend as his cars take up all his time and money.

 

I have an old 1984 skyline I spent heaps on through my apprenticeship and after, havent touched it in over 10 years. "one day" I keep telling myself don't know if that day will ever come

 

I'd say if you're not after the experience of doing up a car DIY and to your own tastes just buy one done.

I had a HG Kingswood I picked up cheap a few years ago. The time and dollars involved is something I have to decided to leave to retirement.

 

No wonder drug dealers always seem to have a restoration project car lol