Hubby is buying a classic car

[formosan]

Sixty something year Chevy impala. All fixed up. 55k.


I'm mad but if it's what he wants. It's his money and he does work hard for it.


 

Now that our children are young adults, my husband wants to buy a classic car and make it like new himself.

[Oliver the Second]

'64 Chevy Impala you say?

[Trump’s Niece]

Bit impractical and a waste of capital, but if it makes him happy... I guess?

You know how these ese's are with their lowrider cars. If I try to fight it, he'll start trying to tell me how to spend my money and that ain't happening lol

[Lokmar]

Now that our children are young adults, my husband wants to buy a classic car and make it like new himself.

I used to do this for a living. I've restored everything from early Shelby Mustangs to older Ford pickups and I've also done custom resto mods.

Buy one already done, just make sure it was done properly. You will NEVER recover the money you put in an older vehicle after doing it yourself.....NEVER!

The thought usually is: "I'll do the body work and paint, myself...I will save a bunch!" The reality is, the experience it takes to properly repair sheetmetal so that you dont wind up with thick bodyfiller all over the car cant be learned without doing it for a career. All the money spent on the materials will result in wavy body panels and a cobby, rough, paint finish, likely with runs in it as well. If its metallic paint, there will likely be stripes and modeling too. The end result is a car that has had many hours and costly materials invested that has to be completely stripped and redone or it will never be right.

The second most common way people get buried in a restoration is they buy a car, realize they cant do the work, and bring it to someone like me. The restoration process usually takes 2 years minimum and our customers NEVER got out the door for under $50K. Typically, they would be $70K to $80K. that was more than 10 years ago prices BTW. They would have a showcar, better than new, but the stress they endured writing those checks, draining their savings, would create animosity between them and us until they picked up their museum quality show car and start winning best of show in their class at car shows right off the bat.

IMO, the best thing someone can do is shop around for a car that is already done to their liking and budget and start enjoying it right away. Its way less stressful. If budget is no limit, you can get a fantastic car, for 70% or less of what it would take YOU to get it done. If you are on a limited budget, maybe get something with some defects you can live with. IMPORTANT: Get an EXPERT in paint and mechanics to look the car over BEFORE buying.

The only cars worth starting from scratch on are things like Boss 429 Mustangs, 1965-1968 Shelby Mustangs, Mopar (Dodge/Plymouth) 426 Hemi powered vehicles or the ultra rare big wing cars, COPO GM vehicles, 454 LS7 Chevelles, ultra rare Corvettes, and other things you see on Barret Jackson Auctions that sell in excess of $200K. Most all of those have already been bought and restored.

[Trump’s Niece]

My husband knows he ain't no mechanic lol. He buying it fully restored

[Brent]

My husband knows he ain't no mechanic lol. He buying it fully restored

And like Lokmar mentioned, I have heard it is expensive. And you may not know exactly what you are getting.

[Lokmar]

And like Lokmar mentioned, I have heard it is expensive. And you may not know exactly what you are getting.

The good thing is, lots of people out there have worked in the industry and anyone with a few years working in a body shop can pick out butchered up bondo buggies. Its always worth it to pay someone like this a couple $100's to save thousands!

[Dove]

'64 Chevy Impala you say?

 That's exactly the car i was picturing.

 The Cheech car. Even light blue lol.

[formosan]

I used to do this for a living. I've restored everything from early Shelby Mustangs to older Ford pickups and I've also done custom resto mods.

Buy one already done, just make sure it was done properly. You will NEVER recover the money you put in an older vehicle after doing it yourself.....NEVER!

The thought usually is: "I'll do the body work and paint, myself...I will save a bunch!" The reality is, the experience it takes to properly repair sheetmetal so that you dont wind up with thick bodyfiller all over the car cant be learned without doing it for a career. All the money spent on the materials will result in wavy body panels and a cobby, rough, paint finish, likely with runs in it as well. If its metallic paint, there will likely be stripes and modeling too. The end result is a car that has had many hours and costly materials invested that has to be completely stripped and redone or it will never be right.

The second most common way people get buried in a restoration is they buy a car, realize they cant do the work, and bring it to someone like me. The restoration process usually takes 2 years minimum and our customers NEVER got out the door for under $50K. Typically, they would be $70K to $80K. that was more than 10 years ago prices BTW. They would have a showcar, better than new, but the stress they endured writing those checks, draining their savings, would create animosity between them and us until they picked up their museum quality show car and start winning best of show in their class at car shows right off the bat.

IMO, the best thing someone can do is shop around for a car that is already done to their liking and budget and start enjoying it right away. Its way less stressful. If budget is no limit, you can get a fantastic car, for 70% or less of what it would take YOU to get it done. If you are on a limited budget, maybe get something with some defects you can live with. IMPORTANT: Get an EXPERT in paint and mechanics to look the car over BEFORE buying.

The only cars worth starting from scratch on are things like Boss 429 Mustangs, 1965-1968 Shelby Mustangs, Mopar (Dodge/Plymouth) 426 Hemi powered vehicles or the ultra rare big wing cars, COPO GM vehicles, 454 LS7 Chevelles, ultra rare Corvettes, and other things you see on Barret Jackson Auctions that sell in excess of $200K. Most all of those have already been bought and restored.

I didn't know this about you Lokmar.....you'd have a lot in common with my husband.