Thread: Money to finish my '32 Ford???

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.....Hi Everyone, I was wondering if anyone could give me a rough idea of what they think it should cost me to get my '32 3 window coupe finished. Just trying to get an idea of what to expect before I call & find out. It's being built by a top of the line, reputable shop so I'd imagine that labor would be what; $60 an hour??? $70 an hour??? Anyway, I'll list what is done. It is a roller that has; body finished, frame finished {with all brackets, engine & trans mounts, brakes, lines,etc}, steering is done, radiator & fans are in, hood & grill shell installed, fuel cell & filler installed. So by my thinking {which isn't always accurate} this is what's left to be done; the engine {small block} & transmission {auto}, & shifter installed & drive shaft made. Needs to be wired, gauges installed, gas line installed, seat bolted in, '39 Ford tail lights installed, gas pedal installed, outside mirrors put on, windshield glued in. All parts are either there or will be soon. I'm not going to have the things like radio, a/c, heater, bumpers, & emergency brake done now, just the minimum done to get it going & on the road as a antique vehicle..... Anyone have a rough idea??? If you need any more info please ask! Thanks a bunch everyone! Bill

I don't know if anyone, besides the shop themselves could give you anything but an off the wall guess. You say top of the line shop, so right there that equates to more money. I take it the car is already there? If so, what is their estimate, if even they are able to give one?

So many variables, and these things are usually billed time and materials, so it simply boils down to how fast they are and what components you are installing.

Assuming this car is actually in the shop already, what agreement did you make relative to hourly rate?


Don

Just to add a little bit to what Don has said, those "little things" that are left to be done CAN be quite time consuming to do right rather than just slapping the parts in.

Don jsut got through laying a lot of the wiring in his project and I suspest he's got a good deal mor than just a couple of hours in it. THings like mounting the motor and transmission setting pinion angle etc is also something that is not to be rushed through.

If your having the work done at a top of the line shop with experience doing these kind of cars then they really are your best source for an estimate.

I can come up the hill and give you a hand ,no need for shop to do that work you listed,maybe the pinion angle if thats not already set,but the rest is easy stuff,unless its a space and time factor involved.Puting a windshield in is usually better than trying to get one out intact.Lights ,wire and guages ,fuel line is easy stuff.I just picked up a fuel line bender for my project I would be glad to let you use or help.I also have a engine lift and load leveler for engine installation.Then all you would need to do is get a driveshaft made,but there are a couple of good places here close. Just let me know.

....Thanks all, Yes the car is already there. I talked to the builder today & he's going to finish it @ time + materials. He said this would be fairer to me & him. I didn't ask him the hourly rate because origianly I was going to finish the car but changed my mind. I will ask him though..... So I'm cool with that... Shawn I sent you an email. Did you get it??? Thanks a bunch for the offer of help & if you need any help on anything I'm more than willing to help... Bill

My e-mail is messed up,you can send a pm on here!! thnx and good luck.

As everyone has said previously "there are too many variables to accuratel predict'". That being said, hopefully your builder won't scare the life out of you with his build cost, especially since you don't even know what his hourly rate is. A builder near me has a very reasonable rate of $48/hour.. His rate is lower than many. A finished car will run $30k to $50k depending on body style, motor, trans, paint, etc. The hotter, fancier, and prettier it is, look to doubling the range.

Actually I think you're a very lucky person to have someone like shawnlee28 to offer to assist with many of the little assemblies. It can save you a bundle. People with offers like that don't come along often.

There are too many variables to give you an answer. I have between $35,000 and $40,000 in my '32, and I did most of the work except paint and some of the interior. I usually figure if someone is going to do the work, you can count on totaling all the parts and adding 80 per cent for labor. But in CA, it could be more.

.....Thanks everyone for your replys... Shawn I sent you a pm..... Thanks, Bill

all I was gonna say was..

a kidney or a firstborn child would be cheaper.

No green eyes here. You earned it, you spend it as you find fit. just remember to give a little to charity now and again.

Me, I ride a bike ( 01 indian chief ) and it seems every ride event is for a kid's charity, plus there is the VFW, the DAV, GA sherriffs ass, etc.

Kind of reminds me of the fact that the founder of Woolworth's recently died.

Know what killed him?







wait for it..







nickel and dimed to death.

It sort of goes back to retorical question "how long is a piece of string ?" You will spend what you have to spend so that it is "right on" to you. If you are like me you build em because you love doing what you do, and if other peolpe like your work and your rod wins prizes then thats a bonus.

Oh yeah and Dave reading between the lines, you'r building a "keeper" arn't you ? Good on you.

.....yep I'd forgotten all about things such as fasteners. And now I need to make a decission on powder coating... Thanks again, Bill
oh yeah Firebirdclone, last Sunday I gave $100 bucks to a friend for a Diabetas fund raiser she was involved in....