Thread: Hot Rod on a Budget?

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You must be reading my mind, because just last night I was wondering if a hot rod could be built, safe and well built, for like maybe $ 3000.00. I think it can.

I think I am going to use my latest Ebay purchase to see if that is possible. Here is what I have so far:

'23 T bucket body and frame, bought on Ebay for $ 530.00.

Superbell I beam axle, new $ 190.00.

'40 Ford spindles, $ 80.00.

'40 Ford front brakes, $ 100.00

Model A front wishbone $ 55.00

'35 Ford wire wheels, 4 @ $ 200.00

'57 Jeep steering box, $ 50.00

'99 Chevy Vortec 350, Free (repowered a customers boat, got old engine which is in great shape, at no charge)

'70 Maverick 8 inch rear axle, $ 100.00

Model A rear spring, $ 40.00

Ok, so I would almost be up on wheels for about $ 1350.00, and still need stuff like tie rods, front springs, rear radius rods, radiator , turbo 350, driveshaft, gauges, fiberglass supplies, headers, etc.

To make it safe, the brakes would need new wheel cylinders, lines, etc. and the car would need a million other small parts to hook all the stuff up.

Could it be done for the $ 3000.00? It would be tough, but for $ 4000.00 it is probably more do-able, especially if you only bought things that were a real deal, and waited until they came along.

I'm going to give it a try, and will keep track of all the parts I buy to do it. I have already stored tons of the parts I will need like headlights, wheels, etc, so I will factor what I think I paid for these at the time I bought them.

The car I want to end up with will look like this one, except better done, and hopefully will have the good looking co-pilot that this one has, or a reasonable facimile.

I'll keep you all posted of my progress.


Don

Aaron,

Look in the traders guide's and penny savers I always see good deals in there.

Rocky

Hey Don, check out the T-bucket kits here: www.speedway.com under street rod stuff

Don, you are the MAN, that's EXACTLY what I'm going for, just a roadster instead of a T-bucket

Even if I have to go up to 5 grand, that's not too big of a hit to the wallet over the course of couple of years.

I'm glad you made that post, now I'm even more excited about the possibility of building something on a budget, it'll just take alot of research and alot of swap meets...but that's all part of the fun

Rocky, I've seen some old parts and cars in the local classified papers, that's not a bad idea - I actually like that way a little better than ebay because everything is local, not that many parts around this area though

Here in Pa. I don't normally see any roadsters forsale but there seems to be a fair amount of coupes. About 3 weeks back there was a 1930 with Mustang front end and 9 inch rear and it went for $2,000. I think the guy had a motor and tranny that went with it.
If I had the cash it would be in the garage right now, but all my money is tied up in my coupe

Here are some places I have found with cheaper cars.
http://www.rufusranch.150m.com/
http://www.coololdtruck.com/
may cost some to go get them but a few are worth the trip

That first link is pretty cool, there are some great deals there. It's cool seeing so much history in one place, in original form for the most part too.

Originally posted by Rocky72
Here in Pa. I don't normally see any roadsters forsale but there seems to be a fair amount of coupes. About 3 weeks back there was a 1930 with Mustang front end and 9 inch rear and it went for $2,000. I think the guy had a motor and tranny that went with it.
If I had the cash it would be in the garage right now, but all my money is tied up in my coupe

A coupe is just a roadster that hasn't had the top removed.......yet! :-)~

Can you tell I've been watching the shows on the Discovery channel, Speed Channel, and others?

I set out with a goal of $5,000.00 and I have went past that this winter by $600.00 already and I still don't have paint or bodywork done! It can be done if you get a free engine and use the wrecking yards for everything.

I guess it really depends on where and how you find the parts...for myself personally, I'm not too concerned about the body work, at least not until I get some good driving in and have more time and money to make it look nice

So are there any recommended introduction-type reads for the early era hotrods? Even a parts-interchange list would be monumentally helpfull, if such a thing exists. Otherwise, any cool reading on the subject would be awesome - I already have alot books about the history of hotrods, I guess I'm looking for more of a technical book...I dont know, I think I'm rambling again

Anyway, thanks again for the info!