Thread: Project $ 3 K Is Underway

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Don---I don't think you can do it for $3000. That being said, I was wrong once before, but it was a long time ago, and I can't remember what it was about. (I'd paste a smiley here, but don't know how on this new forum format.) I have been building rods since Adam was a pup, and even though I do all my own work I've never been able to do a rod for under $12000. Now everyone will be watching your thread, to see how you make out!!!! I sincerely wish you luck, and if I can help in any way let me know. Do what I always do---start a build book, and record every item you get, what it cost, and the date you bought it.---this will make for a good reference for the true cost, and will make interesting reading when you are finished. The first 3 rods that I built, I tried to keep track in my head, but on a build that stretches beyond 6 months you just forget to many things. I kept a build book on my current roadster pickup, and once the total exceeded $24,000 I hid it from my wife. I hid it so damn good that I can't find it now.---Good Luck---Brian

kept a build book on my current roadster pickup, and once the total exceeded $24,000 I hid it from my wife. I hid it so damn good that I can't find it now.---Good Luck---Brian
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I lost track on my '27 at $ 15K, and I hid most of that from the then-wife, too. One day she beat me home and got to the checking account statement that showed up in the mail before I got home to "cleanse" it. Boy did I catch it big time.

I sort of have my doubts too, if this can be pulled off for $ 3,000.00, but I have got to get my head back to the way we used to do it when we wanted a rod and had no money (I think that time was last week....... ) I will have to resist the urge to build the car with lots of shiney stuff, and go for function over form. I am sure going to give it my best shot. Boy, did I dig a hole for myself on this one, or what !!!!

Thanks for the offer of help. You have already done that with your excellent, detailed post on how to build a truck bed. I bought the 18 gauge steel, and we are building a slip roller to roll the bottom, just like you did yours. That was an excellent way you did it, and it gave me the vision of what needed to be done to build the one for my '39.

I will try to not bore anyone with too many updates, but will post them when I do some area that might prove helpful to someone else who is trying the same thing. It has been nice to get so many kind, positive responses from all of you.

Don

Don- I think you can do it. I am getting ready to do my '50 chevy sedan delivery, and I'm going to try and do it for under 3k like you. You have inspired me to give it a try. So far I have 1k in it before I start twisting the first wrench, but that includes the Delivery (all stock) and my 69 chevy PU I'm going to use as a donor.
I will keep you posted, at least up to road ready or 3k whichever comes first.

I think Don may have a shot at it, but I'm not so sure about doing a full bodied vehicle for under 3K Jim (although I wish you all the luck in trying). The "small" stuff like weather stripping, more complicated suspension, glass (assuming any is needed) etc can add up quickly.

I guess all this rat rod "I can build a safe car for nothing" stuff has gotten more than a few of the more experienced builders thinking along the lines of what it would realistically take to do an entry level budget build. And it's great to see people putting their skill where their mouth is.

I didn't mention it in my earlier post because I didn't want to steal Don's thunder, but I to am doing a budget/entry level build, my 64 Ford. In my case I thought the 64 would be a good project in part because it is all pretty much bolt in (no major fabrication or really special equiptment required). I originally set a goal of $5K for the project, but eventually decided not to put a limit on it, just do the best I could and see how the prices broke out. Mine is a long term project being done as room permits and is currently on hold until the 57 Plymouth is done so I figure I'll get back on it this fall.

I'm keeping track of mine over at http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/jour...ge=1&reverse=1 if anyone is interested.

I think I mentioned in a post a long time ago that one thing I've noticed about people that have built several cars is that we tend to always challenge ourselves to build a "better" car with each sucessive project. As our finiancial status and experience grows so does the quality (and price) of our cars. For me and (I suspect both Don and Jim) I'm having fun doing a basic entry level car again. The challenge is still there, but at this point it has more to do with putting the skills I acquired over the years to use and doing the most with the least.

Way to go, hambiskit!!!! You and I are going to have to start a car club, or at least a new class at the car shows.

You've got the right idea, a donor car. You can get most of the major pieces you need, and modify whatever you can to get the new one running.

Post progress pix. It sounds like a cool ride.


Don

Thanks Don and I will, but Mike might be right about the 3k. I already know that I have to buy at least 3 full sheets of metal for the delivery...I'm going to be close- but I'm not going to cheat.
Bad part is that Larry M. is in this town and if I cheat he'll know it lol.
Looks like White paint on this one.

Yeah Don- the 3k Club....

Great thread!

No way I could come close to $3k; more power to you!

Of course like on monster garage after the freebie values are considered they never come close to their $5k budget

Regards, Kitz

Yeah, it is going to be hard to avoid all the freeby stuff, because all of us have bolts and brackets and stuff just laying around, but we will try to be as honest and accurate as possible.

The guys who build Ridler cars will have no fear, I'm sure, as these cars will be very basic, but hopefully presentable. We'll see what happens, and thanks for the comments.

If I'm not too beat after work tonight, I plan to go to the shop and start to get serious about the frame design and layout of components. I think I'll get the frame on our homemade frame jig, and start cutting for the rear kickup, as soon as I determine how high it needs to be. Trouble with being 60 years old is that after the hectic day I put in, I usually am ready for a cold one and a few hours of sitting on my butt chatting to you guys. But once I get in the groove, I should start getting my second wind.

More pix to follow..................... (This pressure is KILLING ME, what did I get myself in for ????????????)


Don

[quote=Mike P]I think Don may have a shot at it, but I'm not so sure about doing a full bodied vehicle for under 3K Jim (although I wish you all the luck in trying). The "small" stuff like weather stripping, more complicated suspension, glass (assuming any is needed) etc can add up quickly.

I guess all this rat rod "I can build a safe car for nothing" stuff has gotten more than a few of the more experienced builders thinking along the lines of what it would realistically take to do an entry level budget build. And it's great to see people putting their skill where their mouth is.

I didn't mention it in my earlier post because I didn't want to steal Don's thunder, but I to am doing a budget/entry level build, my 64 Ford. In my case I thought the 64 would be a good project in part because it is all pretty much bolt in (no major fabrication or really special equiptment required). I originally set a goal of $5K for the project, but eventually decided not to put a limit on it, just do the best I could and see how the prices broke out. Mine is a long term project being done as room permits and is currently on hold until the 57 Plymouth is done so I figure I'll get back on it this fall.

I'm keeping track of mine over at http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/jour...ge=1&reverse=1 if anyone is interested.

I think I mentioned in a post a long time ago that one thing I've noticed about people that have built several cars is that we tend to always challenge ourselves to build a "better" car with each sucessive project. As our finiancial status and experience grows so does the quality (and price) of our cars. For me and (I suspect both Don and Jim) I'm having fun doing a basic entry level car again.


"The challenge is still there, but at this point it has more to do with putting the skills I acquired over the years to use and doing the most with the least.",
this is the mindset i always used when building something for myself, whether i had the money or not. i believe you all can do it. good luck

Mike: You have hit it exactly. It is the challange and the fun of not having to make sure every component is perfect that is making it fun again. We've all done the ones where we apologize for the slight flaws in the suspension, so to build one that is nice but not perfect is refreshing.

Glad to see you are building one of these, too. The club just keeps getting bigger all the time !

Don

I also think it can be done. The early T model may be the only reason why.

Brianrupnow mentioned the cost of his project - a cheapo 'glass T is a little less complicated than a steel, FF RPU.

I am going to attempt a basic suede project. I am going Saturday to pick up a '29 coupe that has been in dry storaged since '69. It is a mild 60's hot rod....comes with a new set of B-ville fenders....$3k

Looking to keep the whole deal under 10k - primer, iron duke/4speed....

SirSpeedy---If you want to compare aples to apples (maybe fiberglass to fiberglass) this is a glass 27 roadster that I built 10 years ago. It was a glass 27 shell (no floor, no firewall, molded in doors). The rear fenders were glass model A, and the grillshell was glass 32. I paid $3500 for the 4 glass parts. I built the frame myself---I built the Duvall style windshield frame myself---I painted it---I upholstered it---I used a junkyard steering column, rearend, and shifter. I glassed in the 3/4" plywood floor and firewall. I built the seat.----and the damn thing still ended up costing $18,000.

Nice looking project there Mike ! OK- then it's on. I got to hit the groove too Don- but I tell you- the more they holler you can't - the more I want to show I can. Now not only I can, but I'm going to airbrush the whole damn thing, and STILL keep it under 3k.

I'm going to have money left over....

This is a great thread with several great projects going. Back in the early late 70s/early 80s I built a budget '63 Nova bracket drag racer using nothing but used parts. I was a regular at swapmeets and the Sunday classifieds of the Omaha World Herald. Also had a great network of friends and fellow racers to draw from. I got the rolling chassis for $400 and I did the donor car thing too, and highly recommend that as a good way to go. I found a 72 Kingswood Estate wagon that was rusty but had a decent 400 SBC in it. Bought the whole car for $250 and drove it home. By the time I finished parting it out, I had a free motor and almost $500 in my pocket for other stuff. Over a 3 year period the car advanced to increasingly better levels, and by the time I sold it, I had a car that ran low 12s, had a decent "Miracle" paint job and even had a trailer. My total investment was about $3500. Now that includes selling off parts I no longer needed. Of course that was almost 25 years ago, but the concept was the same. It was a not a fancy car and did not attract a lot of attention in the pits, but it sure was fun and it got some win lights. I was doing it that way then because that was the only way I could afford it. I'll quit rambling on, but this is the way we used to do things, and I am sure there are many who still are.

Best of luck to all of you and keep us posted.

Pat

I'm going to have money left over



Gotta save some money for beer.

Don