Thread: Project $ 3 K Is Underway

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Yep, they are worth every penny we put into them........at least in satisfaction and fun, if not resale value. But every hobby costs money. Fishing for example. If you factor in the boat, motor, trailer, gas, fishing gear, ice, bait, etc., the cost of the fish you catch is about $ 1000.00 a pound......but that is not the reason we do it, and you can't put a price on fun.

To use an overworked slogan.......


Cost of hot rod..............$ 30,000.00

Fuel to fill the tank..........$ 50.00

Grin on your face every time you turn the key...............PRICELESS !!!


Don

Don so true not looking at resale just the pure fun i will have cruising a dream . I've had a 57 and multi stangs and the Van faze but i belive its the Hot Rod that will bring out the biggest smile in us.

Now boys,.. don't scare the new guy away from hotrodding with all your talk of money...

Steve - The cost of a hotrod depends on how much of the work you can do yourself, how creative you can be with salvaged parts, and how patient you are. I have just under $7600 in my coupe and, although it would never win the Don Ridler Award of Excellence, it draws a lot of attention wherever it goes and is very reliable (I drove it on a 2400 mile round trip last summer). I used parts from 27 different vehicles so far (some new; some used). I built it fairly inexpensively because I did absolutely everything myself except sew the seat covers (which I ordered online and installed myself). My moto is, "Labor is free when you're workin' for yourself."

Don - Your son's metal work is absolutely beautiful. Is he a welder or sheetmetal fabricator by profession?

Don - Your son's metal work is absolutely beautiful. Is he a welder or sheetmetal fabricator by profession?
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Meangreen

Thanks JR. No, he's a Property Manager/Musician. His twin Brother has exactly the same careers. The fabrication thing is just something he loves to do as a hobby.

Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

The funny thing is how the little things add up. Don

It would be nice to think the "less experienced" would learn from threads like this about how the costs can build. Those more experienced have likely had many opportunities to try to school "newbies" on the realities of cost. Usually in planning the high points are "planned" for, body, frame, engine, trans, and so on. But those "little" things you've listed are either overlooked or not envisioned at all.

Just for drill I tallied up the total for some parts I've bought for the '65 Dodge that should be well into final assembly when I get back to L.V. in November. These are all small things that most people won't notice; steering joint, temp and press switches, damper bolt, and so on. The modest pile came in just under $270.

You are right Bob. I've walked out of the hardware or paint store a whole bunch of times with a small bag that cost me $ 100.00 or more. The other thing that it is good for the less experienced to know about is the investment in tools. Sure, we have all gotten by in earlier times with a 3/8 drill and toolbox full of wrenches, but as you go deeper into this game you realize that the proper tool not only makes the job easier, but more professional looking too.

I would bet the average rodder has 2-3 times the investment in tools compared to what they have in the rod itself. And if you are a serious rodder, it is probably even more than that.


Don

Happy Birthday Don (Oh to be 29 again ) I already called the firetrucks so you can light the candles...........LOL.
Brad

Have a very Happy Birthday and many many more
Ken

Originally Posted by J. Robinson

Now boys,.. don't scare the new guy away from hotrodding with all your talk of money...

Steve - The cost of a hotrod depends on how much of the work you can do yourself, how creative you can be with salvaged parts, and how patient you are. I have just under $7600 in my coupe and, although it would never win the Don Ridler Award of Excellence, it draws a lot of attention wherever it goes and is very reliable (I drove it on a 2400 mile round trip last summer). I used parts from 27 different vehicles so far (some new; some used). I built it fairly inexpensively because I did absolutely everything myself except sew the seat covers (which I ordered online and installed myself). My moto is, "Labor is free when you're workin' for yourself."

J. Robinson- Im not new to cars altogether but I am new to hotrodding of sorts. I recently did a completely rebuild of my 85 z28. Its still finishing up but Im driving it on a daily basis. In the end I only spent about $1400 CDN on it. That gave me a 85 z28 with a rebuilt mildly hopped up 350 chev, rebuilt 700r4 and rebuilt 3.73 posi and a set of very nice 50 series tires for the back. I did all the work myself except for some welding help and tranny help. The rear end was already rebuilt and came with the rolling shell I bought. However I now need a vehicle for the winter. So heres the thoughts.

1986 4x4 long box chev truck. 350 chev. raised 3-5 inches. with roll bar. and big mud slingers. flat black {doesnt scratch while on hunting trips in woods} with polished aluminum grill wheels etc.

1973 Ford Tow truck. It has a big block, not sure size. I think its a 460? Im not a ford guy But this tow truck is sweet! It needs a mild rebuild and its a friend of mine that owns it. Said hed give it to me for my 4.10 posi rear end {good}, 305 sbc {running}, 350sbc block {BAD cond!} and 427bbc {short block, half decent cond.}

Last but not least would be a 30's delievery van I know of which I would put on a S 10 frame put an old chev 8.5 inch 10 bolt under with either a 350 or 305 I have for power and a th350.

I have everything I would need for the truck except lift kit {and the truck lol}.

I dont have any ford stuff, but it would be one cool ride!

I have most stuff for the van except for the th350 but I can get one of those for free no prob.

What do you guys think?

I want to get into hot rodding! lol.

Steve
PS: Not too bad of a collection of parts for a 17 year old eh?

Hey guys, thank you very much for the Birthday words. When I see the number attached (62) it is hard for me to fathom that this is my age, but I guess it is. Where do the years go???????? Oh well, it sure beats the alternative, that's for sure.

Thanks again........made my day.

Don

Oh, I got a little surprise today. Went to the DMV to get my plates renewed for my daily drivers, and I always check to see if my personalized plate "NOTA KIT" is still unused. I haven't renewed it since 2001, and if you don't renew it for something like 3 years someone else can take it. Last time I checked was last year, and it was still not used, but today I found out someone else has claimed it, so I have to find another name for the T. I thought of " I tried to do it for $ 3K, but failed", however you are limited to 7 characters. lol. I'll come up with something.

3k NOWAY......

Yeah, I like that.

Don

Don, Happy Birthday. Hope I didn't open up a can of worms for you when I mentioned what I've spent so far on my p/u project. It could of been far less,but I got tired of searching for original tin,and started buying new reproduction. About the only piece of what I started with that I'm reusing is the cowl,which I still have to cut the tank out of. See what a free cowl has gotten me into? Hank

Thank you Hank. Yep, I know how those free things can get you into a whole lot of money before it's over.

Don

Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

3k NOWAY......

That has a nice ring to it and a belated Happy Birthday Don.