Thread: how do you spend money on your car?

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Hello
If you are building a car and money isn't around what you do last, or which order you follow?

body paint?
chromes?
new whitewallandexpensivetires?
interiors?
engine and mechanic?

How do you work if you build a car that you know it will take like 1 or 2 years to be perfect but that you want to if possible use during the process?

My opinon only, but if you want it right, you can't really drive and work on. My last car took 3.5 years, frame up, now I can drive without too much worry about a break-down. The current project is at year 2, basicly a year to tear down and two to put back together. I'm sure others can do it faster...
As far as your question:
1. running gear
2. engine
3. body-metal work
4. last minute alignments, mock ups you didn't think of
5. body work,block/primer, paint undercarrige,jambs and firewall
6. wiring
7. interior
8. final paint
9. final assembly
10. get insurance and test drive
I call it my ten step program to the poor house..

My priority list is as follows,

1. suspension

2. engine and drivetrain

3. bodywork and sheetmetal

4. paint

5. interior

6. nice wheels [BLING]

7.stereo

Keep in mind though, I am more into performance and speed than trying to win a riddler award.
My current project is just beginning step 2.............oh boy I've still got so much to do.

my list as follows,

1. engine and all things to make it run good including wiring,fuel system, exhaust etc !!

2. drivetrain ,suspension.

3. apperance <paint, genral cleanliness>

4. interior is done 2 seats no carpet just some insulation

5. whats a radio? oh the open headers gotcha!

6. ???

i'm with gasser!!! the drivetrans is first.. you don't want to put dent and dings in the body if you do it first..

I agree with Sinister.
Suspension first.
Gotta go straight before you put the pedal down.

But then - did you mean what is the ordering, or where is most of the money spent?

On a similar thought, there is an old adage about how much firewood it takes to heat the cabin for the winter...the old guys said to fill the cabin with wood, that is how much it takes. Taking this and applying it to cars, fill the car with money, that's how much it will take to finish it!

That is a fact robot and maybe add a trailer! The guys have it right, from the ground up. I was driving mine in the summer after 2 years putting in alot of hours. I am still working on it and it's not finished after four years but I have been able to keep the expense down (w/wrecking yards) and drive it alot this last year. Patience and planning and determination.

Mine was a basket case so I had to buy chassis and suspension parts to get it to the point where I could move it home. Then I started on the engine. I don't have a big budget so I buy a few things and then work as far as I can. I stay with one area until it's sone such as the brake upgrade or the fuel system. Jumping around from one area to another makes it seem like you are getting nowhere.

Once the engine is done I'm going to the rear suspension then I'll decide if I'm going to change out the steering column to a tilt '79 van or a tilt/tele '74 Vette that I have around. The Vette will require a floor shift.

Then I'll start on the roof and other body work. It had a sun roof and I have a doner roof to use as repair panels. Paint is next to last and upholsery is the final touch.

Tom

I can sympathize brother, I have a 71 Z-28 that some fool put a sun roof in! If want the wind in your hair that bad, get a T-top, or a convertible!

Personally, I have found that anytime I built a car or a boat I had to have every last screw in place before it ever hit the streets or the water. If I didn't do that I would never get back to do any little items I left undone. I've had cars and boats that I did start to use before they were completed, and always put off fiinishing them up because I was having so much fun using them.

Perfect example was my '27 roadster. I put the body in primer and started to drive it. The plan was to get some bugs out of it then blow it apart for final paint. Ended up the car had no bugs, and 7 years later I was still driving it in primer because it was being driven almost every day.

So now I try to have them completely done before I use them.

Don

How do you spend money on your car?

Hand over fist, brother . . . hand over fist. At least it seems that way.

Originally Posted by robot

On a similar thought, there is an old adage about how much firewood it takes to heat the cabin for the winter...the old guys said to fill the cabin with wood, that is how much it takes. Taking this and applying it to cars, fill the car with money, that's how much it will take to finish it!

Mines a truck,with a long bed AND BRICKMAN,,,IF I HAVE TO ADD A TRAILOR,,,FORGET IT!