Thread: Realistic prices and where to start

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Since this my first post I'll start out by introducing my self.
My name is Erick Kanter and I own Kanter Performance out in NJ where we make custom vintage mustang parts.
I've worked on and restored mainly Mustangs for the past 15 years.
Now I've gotten the bug to do a deuce coupe.
I've read through alot of the posts here and have gotten alot of good information. This is great site.

Anyways, on to my questions.
What is a realist price range for a 32 coupe, body (fiberglass), chasis, and interior. I'm not worried about the drivetrain or paint.
Most all of the work will be handled by myself so labor won't factor into it either.

Also, is there a good manufacturer or dealer in the northeast here or would going through somone further away be a better route as far as pricing and quality.

I'm just looking for a general price range that I can budget out this project before leaping into it.
I still have to finish our 65 Mustang fastback which is the company show car. So I wouldn't be starting this project till the beginning of next year. Just doing all my homework first.

Thanks for any info or help you can provide.

Welcome to the group Eric...

Obviously they built style of the car will determine the cost of the overall project... A Nostalgia Rod might cost somewhat less than a modern styled Street Rod... Drivetrain aside, another factor is technology, do you plan on running modern components like air conditioning, independant front and rear suspension, modern electronics, EFI wiring harness... These things will have a direct effect on the cost of building your Deuce...

I think it would be reasonable to say that to build a nice 32 you will be out of pocket somewhere between 14-20K for body and chassis components and depending on what style of interior you build it could run anywhere from 2-10K...

That should get you started...

Dave Brisco

My father in law in balt Md does interiors. INdeed, costs run from a little to unlimited, all depends upon what you want!

Sulpted door panels, inserts with logos/flames/patterns, etc, trunk, healdliner, leather vs cloth, etc, etc.

His biz does so well that you have to chase HIM down, and then wait a year to get your car into the shop.

Once in a while i can get a 'christmas gift' from him...the top on my Lincoln, a custom motorcycle seat - little stuff. Getting the leather redone on my lincoln seats, well, he wants paid for that! Oh well!

I will second the 14-20 with your labor, less drivetrain. There are always variables...brakes, wheels, bodystyle, etc.

Thanks for the info so far.
I was in the right ball park at least trying to figure it out on my own.
I guess I'm headed in the right direction at least.

One of my friends just ordered a 32 3w and chassis, It's a outlaw body with a TCI chassis, Everything he ordered, body, fender package, hood, window motors, radiator, grille shell, and a stage III chassis. shipping and everything came to 18,000. he bought it through Yogi's and had it shipped to KC

As a follow up to Rick's post, I ran across a 32 Roadster at a swap meet last weekend that was a Brookville bodied car with a rebuild stock chassis complete with a wishbone suspension and banjo rearend... Would have been great for someone building a period-correct hot rod... He was asking 18K with no engine, trans or interior...

Dave Brisco

Erick, welcome aboard.

A quick answer to your three part question is: Body = $5,000-$10,000 , Chassis = $5,000-$10,000 , Interior = $1,000 - $15,000 . As Dave points out, it all depends on what you value, and what style you choose. You mentioned a coupe body, so you have two style choices with variants within. There is the three window coupe, and the 5 window coupe. They are available in stock heighth, or chopped, and the amount of chop can vary from any of several manufacturers. As far as where each manufacturer is located, that's probably not too important as many have dealers located in your area. Or they will sell you directly, either way, shipping is involved, you either pay it yourself, or pay the dealer. Sometimes you can save a bit on shipping by purchasing from a dealer who may be out of your area, but who is coming to a major rod event (either NSRA or Goodguys) in your area to have a display. Since they will use the body as part of their event display, they often will not charge you the transport cost.

I suspect you've been doing the Mustang thing for a long time, and have accumulated considerable knowledge over time. It's not any different with the rod stuff. Sure, we can help you with some of the particulars, but you really need to do some personal observation and determine a style that presses your buttons. Nothing becomes more frustrating, and costly, than to start a project down one path, only to be influenced later into changing directions. It's getting late in the season now to go to shows and "kick some tires", but that's usually the best place to start. That way you can observe the approaches utilized by others to achieve an objective that appeals to you. I don't know if your primary approach to cars so far has been restoration, or modification. With restoration, the "blueprint" is predetermined by the original manufacturer, and all the restorer need do is follow the original plan. (Not to make light of the dedication to originality, and pitfalls of parts location, and skill of execution necessary). But with hot rods there's an extra step(s) of style planning. The options for execution are endless, and therefore require more planning than even the most demanding restoration. This is not intended as discouragement, but rather information to make the journey more enjoyable, and ultimately more successful. As you become more familiar with rods you come to observe there are pleasing results, and, unfortunately, less pleasing ones, often utilizing many of the same components. It's largely about execution, and only partially about componentry.

Thanks for all the info everyone has provided.
It definately helped me out with how to get started and proceed.
I'll be going with a 5 window coupe, chopped.
I started out doing Mustang restoration back to stock and now have been doing custom jobs which I really enjoy.
Thanks agian and I'm sure I'll have more questions when I get this project started.