Hmmmmm...what it costs...

[Jagarang]

Just a portion of what has gone into my project. These figures are from the "Restoration Shop" that Frank and Prodigy Customs saved me from.....


95% if this is labor.

The grand total on the list below is $60,060.81

[muthstryker]

so how much money do you have into your car now..? so i know what im getting myself into :)

[Jagarang]

Isn't that kinda like asking a girl her age?

100+ actually

[Madspeed]

so how much money do you have into your car now..? so i know what im getting myself into :)

Heh well I can tell you this much.
I have over 3k in wheels and no tires yet (another 1500)
2500 in sheetmetal 1 1/4, tail pan. roof, upper and lower valience, grill,
5500 + into my wayne due front setup, 1300 in my wilwood brakes (fronts only no plumbing, maste cyl, and no rears yet)

12k + in my 496 bb chev eng that still needs porting and pushrods,

5k in origional purchase of car

Still needs interior (complete), guages, paint supplys body diped and stripped, glass, weatherstrip kit, tail lights, head lights, electrical, 6 speed trans clutch and all the stuff, rear end custom made and the list goes on

and i would say its safe to say I as well need another 30k +
andI do 90% of everything myself. Bodywork eng work trans work rear end electrical ect ect

If you cannot do your own work expect the price to doubble maybee tripple

hope that helps put it into prospective for ya


gl Ken F

atm iI have about 30k into this car

[muthstryker]

you know maybe i need to rethink this whole thing :hmm:

hope it doesnt come down to me selling the camaro and just not doing a pt car at all :/

[ProdigyCustoms]

What Kevin isn't tellin us here is these invioces got him nothing but a painted shell, and body panels, not one of these panels attached to the car, a botched mini tub job that did not increase his rear tire potential one bit, and a rebuilt engine that had to be torn down, crank thrown away, rods thrown away, and rebuilt, again! And for $50k he spent on paint, we now have to repaint it!

The shop was beutiful though, I wished my home was so nice. It is interesting, we had a guy stop by the shop for a tour last week that was interested in having a 69 Camaro built, your typical mini tub, subframed, 18" tired, 700HP Pro Tour Camaro. He was refered by a mutual friend with another shop that does not do this type of work. the potential customer told his friend he was disappointed with our shop, it was not what he expected, we did not even have a sitting area. I told my friend to recomend Kevins old shop, they have a nice seating area, LOL!

It is down right criminal what happened to Kevin, and the intimadation they used to keep the car there, convincing him they were the only ones capable of doing this car, and how lucky he was to have them!

But doin't feel alone Kevin, as we speak another car is being loaded out of a shop that took $20K, bought Quaters and fenders, striped the car to a shell, media blasted the car to bare metal, and told him his $20k was gone, send more money! it's on the way to us.

[colt zantop]

just some more reminders that this hobby isnt cheap and sometimes shops (crooks) like whats metioned above make it even worse.....thank god I havent found one of these shops yet! isnt there laws against that stuff??.... I paid 12k for my car that was "semi" restored with a nice 350, american racing wheels etc....... sold motor, trans, wheels, for 1500.00.....then had it stripped and repainted, new body panels, chrome etc.... total about 6K then another :

4600.00 in wheels+tires
2000.00 in brakes
1500 interior parts(gauges etc.)
4300.00 LS1 and trans (stock)
4000.00 in misc motor parts including headers
1700 in radiator + fuel tank
1200 in suspension (far from done!) :)
+ tons of small misc stuff that adds up like driveshaft,wireing harness, vintage air, etc.! and oh yeah....dont forget labor from DSE for engine work, firewall shave, subframe powder coat, fuel and brake lines ran, fuel tank mounted and some other misc fab work :) dont ask! but well worth it! LOL

Im in mid 60K range.... and still want new rearend and some other misc suspension stuff.... it never ends!!!

[colt zantop]

Matt...dont sell the car...this stuff dont happen overnight....ive been at it for 4 years!!! do a little at a time....then take a break....it will be worth it in the long run :)

[Steve68]

I never had a problem sitting your shop Frank!! I think I sat on Bills goat frame, one of Kevins wheels, my own subframe, leaned against the old red car!! Rather have my car at your shop, that at my own buddies shop!! and I help him sometimes,

Save your car from paint Jail!!!

[Jim68nC]

matt, my first Camaro wasn't PT'd like all get out, i had plenty of fun with it just the same. i am stepping it up a few notches this time around but i'm not a PFC in the Army anymore.

Have fun within your means/ability. Its very easy to get caught up dreaming about all the cool parts out there. (as has been pointed out before) If that don't work for you, ask Bob Johnson to adopt you..:)

[Jagarang]

What Kevin isn't tellin us here is these invoices got him nothing but a painted shell, and body panels, not one of these panels attached to the car, a botched mini tub job that did not increase his rear tire potential one bit, and a rebuilt engine that had to be torn down, crank thrown away, rods thrown away, and rebuilt, again! And for $50k he spent on paint, we now have to repaint it!

I thought the number shock alone was bad enough, and I had blocked some of those details from my consciousness. Damn you and your freakish elephant like memory!

I'm not a well to do oil baron, Arabian sheik, or a pimp guys. I was making about $20/hr for the majority of this build and basically working 2+ hours for every one I was billed. Thats one of the reasons it's taken 15yrs to get the car ALMOST done. I can only work so many hours in a week, so the shops have to hold off on work until I can pay again.

[datsbad]

Yeah this is definately not a cheap hobby . I am not going to go over my cost . I am sure you guys know where i am at without labor .....

I need to sell some stuff, check out the classifieds. 2 cars for sale I own !

[Clean Cut Creations]

This is what you got for a bill? A piece of paper with some numbers on it? What do these numbers mean? There seems to be only a few entries explained. Your explaination will help me better understand your issues.

[Clean Cut Creations]

I just realised that this bill runs from '98-'04.........WTF????
Was your car at this shop for this long? What took so long?
Starting 10/21/98 then NOTHING billed in '02......then 8/19-12/29 in '03....then 1/7-2/12 in '04..........Sounds to me like they let this one sit then slammed it through!
:jawdrop:



(edit: I just reread your above post explaining the time it took to build this car and the fact that you worked 2/1 hrs for hrs billed and the fact that you were making $20.00/hr. Sorry for jumping the gun.)

[Clean Cut Creations]

We did MAJOR panel replacement on this '55 for a customer. We ended up replacing all panels except for the roof, cowl and 1/4 inner structure. The vehicle was dissassembled, blasted, rusted panels replaced, bodywork completed, painted, set back on the chassis, front sheetmetal assembled, glass and outer trim installed for near the mid $40's. All of the work was completed in about 6 months. The customer is having the car wired and interior done at another shop. He will finish the rest of the assembly himself at home. Our shop labor rate is $75/hr + materials.
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[dgumoe]

dollar signs like that are precisely why i gave up on PT and went back to drag racing

[trapin]

I have no idea how much I have into my build thus far and believe me.....I don't WANT to know!!!

I'll figure out the damages when the project's done. Of course, I'll get myself drunk first.

[Jagarang]

I just realized that this bill runs from '98-'04.........WTF????
Was your car at this shop for this long? What took so long?
Starting 10/21/98 then NOTHING billed in '02......then 8/19-12/29 in '03....then 1/7-2/12 in '04..........Sounds to me like they let this one sit then slammed it through!




(edit: I just reread your above post explaining the time it took to build this car and the fact that you worked 2/1 hrs for hrs billed and the fact that you were making $20.00/hr. Sorry for jumping the gun.)


I wasn't in paint jail, I was interred in South Florida's evil paint concentration camp! In fact the project and I were next in line at the "BATH HOUSE" when the allies(Prodigy Customs) rolled in and saved us!

The information in the Xcel spreed sheet is my own personal copy of the bills I was sent. They were billing me on a weekly basis. Any entry you see WITHOUT a second total for the same period is Labor ONLY. The second entries are for taxes on shop supplies.

The saddest part of the "Restoration Shop" story, is that I thought they were my salvation from a prior shop in a not so good part of town. The guy who ran that shop was a friend of mine and trustworthy, HOWEVER he didn't supervise the work his guys were doing. The bottom line on that is that the 80% rear quarters they installed were garbage, with inches of bondo in them to cover a piss poor job. They had to be removed and redone by the "Restoration Shop".

The car was at my friends shop from early 1994 through to the start date of the billings posted above. My friend burnt through $7000 before I transferred the car the the "QUALITY" shop.:hammer:

The horror stories are numerous on my project and I've been burned to many time for tooooo much money to count.

It may sound like I'm a bonehead who deserved what he got, but my real problem is that I TRUST people to do what they say and to do it they way they should.

If I shake a man's hand and tell him I'll do a job for a certain amount, I do it. I'll hold myself to my own standards of quality which likely will be higher than what people expect, since the best form of "advertisement" is word of mouth on a job done right, with better than average results.

My willingness to believe other people hold the same values is where my NAIVETÉ has burned me again and again.

Frank is paying the price for my evolved paranoia and has earned my trust through what I hope will be a lasting friendship and a successfully outcome!

Ranting a bit I think? It helps to type some of this stuff semi anonymously since there really isn't any other outlet.

Think what you may, but I'm just a regular guy, with a dream and a 3500lb chunk of American iron!

:grouphug:

I'm still working up a complete tally including parts and the like. If you guys are interested I could post most of it just for curiosities sake. I know that when I read car build ups in the magazines, I'd always like to see hard numbers and never do!

I don't want to discourage anyone in the hobby with my story.

I truely LOVE every inch of my car. I have been psychotically devoted to it for MANY MANY years, to a fault in fact. Many, actually most, say I'm insane and honestly a complete fool for doing this at what it's cost me financialy, maritally, and physically.

The bottom line is that I've done what I wanted to do to the car, I've enjoyed the experience, would have liked to have done the work myself, and honestly there is part of me that doesn't want to finish the car. I like shopping for parts, trick bits, and neat sheot! I like planning, visualizing, and conversing about it. I wish I had the opportunity to actually learn the manual skill involved with doing what I love, but life has a way of getting in the way.

The car is a joy to me, it's exactly what I have wanted for sooooo many years, and whether or not other people like it or hate it, really doesn't affect my feelings about it. Just ask my wife, friends, family, etc.
!

[ProTeal55]

The cost to have a mainstream "PT" car is way outta hand.
Having to pay $3000+ for wheels is out of control , in my book.

I would love to make my car into a wicked PT car, but I refuse to spend the cash. I bought my car to drive and enjoy, not just throw money at it to make it acceptable to other people.

Thus I am going for the lead sled / custom route on my car. MUCH cheaper in price, and I don't need big wheels & IRS to be accepted..

My 2cents.......:1st:

[BRIAN]

The problem is most guys read these pages and see all the twin turbo and 10K wheel builds and feel they need to do the same to one up the next guy. Most cars are so generic with no creativity but have the must have latest untested parts. 450hp is going to be more reliable than a 1000hp beast.

I just can't understand why everybody needs all the accys and technology in a Hot Rod? Didn't we used to build them by tearing all that stuff out? If you wan't a Porsche go out and buy one. It will be cheaper, more reliable, and hold it's value better. To each is own.


I have about $35 grand total in my last Rambler project. But I did everythin myself except the sewing for the interior. Is it a perfect Chip Foose $500k car? Hell no, but it turns heads from even the best. Cut out all the BS stuff that you feel you must have and build a reasonable car you will use. I do not care who you are there is some hesitation to beat on a big buck show car. I did a burnout within 10 minutes of getting the car out of my driveway.


Sorry you have been jerked around and hopefully you will be satisfied with the end result. You are not alone in the I never checked the totals game. Look8ing for a reasonable "Different" style build? Give me a call.

[BonzoHansen]

This story sucks. Kevin, I hope it works out in the end. I’m sure it will.


As far as amount spent in general, you only spend as much as you want. I learned long ago not to try to keep up with the Joneses. No disrespect to Tito. :)

[rockdogz]

The problem is most guys read these pages and see all the twin turbo and 10K wheel builds and feel they need to do the same to one up the next guy. Most cars are so generic with no creativity but have the must have latest untested parts. 450hp is going to be more reliable than a 1000hp beast.

I just can't understand why everybody needs all the accys and technology in a Hot Rod? Didn't we used to build them by tearing all that stuff out? If you wan't a Porsche go out and buy one. It will be cheaper, more reliable, and hold it's value better. To each is own.


I have about $35 grand total in my last Rambler project. But I did everythin myself except the sewing for the interior. Is it a perfect Chip Foose $500k car? Hell no, but it turns heads from even the best. Cut out all the BS stuff that you feel you must have and build a reasonable car you will use. I do not care who you are there is some hesitation to beat on a big buck show car. I did a burnout within 10 minutes of getting the car out of my driveway.


Sorry you have been jerked around and hopefully you will be satisfied with the end result. You are not alone in the I never checked the totals game. Look8ing for a reasonable "Different" style build? Give me a call.

You think a new Porsche will hold its value better than a classic musclecar? Not lately... Point taken though.

[Jagarang]

I'll figure out the damages when the project's done. Of course, I'll get myself drunk first.

LOL....not a bad idea!


Don't get the wrong ideas here guys.

I'm not whining or complaining about what it's cost. Just happened to have reason to bring out the collection of receipts and having just learned how to add with Microsoft Excel, found myself punching in numbers.

I'd never done this before and have always meant to do it, but found it quite intimidating. The wife also can't find a single real total if I don't even have one!:angel:

After getting started I find it fascinating and interesting.

Thought I might share some with my buddies on-line and still consider it interesting. Now I want to enter EVERYTHING into this horribly efficient little program so that I might horrify myself further!!:naughty:

[Steve Chryssos]

Let's not jump on Kevin for posting these numbers. It takes guts to admit and share that mistakes were made. The knowledge might help others avoid the same pitfalls. We all have made errors in judgement and expeirienced "do-overs". Also everyone has different resources. Those of us without the necessary tools, facilities and/or skills have no choice but to farm out labor. It's easy to see how two otherwise identical vehicles might result in wholly different price tags when labor costs are factored.

[Damn True]

Guys, don't fall into the mental trap of thinking that in order to have an "acceptable" PT car that you NEED to throw down $100k. There are plenty of great looking, hard running cars out there for 1/2 that or less.

If you want to compete for SMOY or the like, well that is a different story all together, and one could debate if a car like that even IS a PT car since few if any get any miles on them except cocooned in a featherlite. But if you want a car to DRIVE and perhaps thrash on a bit at the track or local auto-x you definitely CAN build it for a reasonable cost. It's been done. Just look around here.

Kevin,
I am sincerely bummed that you have gone through this ordeal. To have not one, but two shops burn you for big coin only to have to listen to Frank's I-told-you-so's (kidding) must be a real drag. I gotta tell ya, I have a ton of respect for you coming out and opening up about this ordeal. It takes a big man to admit mistakes, and an even bigger man to use his experience to help others to keep from repeating similar mistakes.

Somewhere here on the site there is a list of Do's & Dont's regarding farming work out. I'd ask that you contribute to that. If more of us that have the chance to learn from your history fewer will be doomed to repeat it.

[colt zantop]

you dont need anywhere close to 100k to build a bad a$$ PT car. some budget builds I have seen blow my mind and makes me regret some things I did on mine but main point is, build what YOU can afford and what YOU like.....
one thing I will do on my next build is buy the tools and do more myself. I have farmed out quite a bit of stuff on my car and Im going to try and do as much as I can on my next build myself. it will save some $$ and I will be even more proud of what I acomplished. :)

[4OfaKind]

Kevin,

Did they charge storage fees for holding your car in their shop when they were not working on it? :scared:

I know what it is like to love cars and not be able to do the work necessary to have them. It's sick that you go to people for :help: and they treat you like this: :wedgie:

Mal

[4MuscleMachines]

You need to do something about it, looks like you have plenty of documentation to back it up. It boils my blood when shops take advantage of people to such a degree as that. We all work hard for our money and they obviously didn't.

[BRIAN]

Dude, You are one of the few that actually keeps the records and adds it up. If most guys would add up all their receipts I am sure they would be close.


Unless you do everything yourself most will me within 10k of your number. Boy, have times changed. Look on EBay for all the car you dreamed of as a kid. Gaurantee you can buy any one of them with spare cash. Yes, I had the Countach poster and they go for about $75k? Been in one though and you are better off with the Firebird.

[speedster]

A PT car can be built for a lot less. Use standard 17" aluminum wheels and decent tires instead of billet or 3 piece wheels. Get what will fit. Brakes could be stock GM from a junkyard later model corvette/camaro/firebird. Front springs are cheap or you could cut down your own. Use the Gulfstrand template to relocate the upper a-arms. A 350-400hp SBC is fine for power. Use the tranny you have. Use the rearend gears you have. Hopefully the car has a decent paint job. If not a simple two tone could give you a good PT look. Paint trim to match. Interior could stay stock. Drop the rear springs with a CE kit. I'm am not saying that we don't all aspire to have a cover car (a great goal to shoot for) but the younger people and people without deep pockets can still hang out with the big dogs and fit right in too !

[speedster]

Kevin -
Man that just blows. You got screwed. :ripped: Glad you had the perseverence to stick with it though. Sweet 'bird now !!! :cool:

[Jagarang]

Kevin,
Did they charge storage fees for holding your car in their shop when they were not working on it?

They were nice to me on that and didn't charge storage. They also sent me a SWEEEEeeeet calender and pen every YEAR!!

[The Rook]

Kind of makes the $20 shipping for my $36 used Ebay spoiler not seem to bad after all. I've just started the build up on my budget, budget, budget, did I mention budget PT Camaro so this is some good information. Thanks all for sharing some horror stories as well as encouragement.

$100K. . . I think I just threw up a little!

[69rs]

A PT car can be built for a lot less. Use standard 17" aluminum wheels and decent tires instead of billet or 3 piece wheels. Get what will fit. Brakes could be stock GM from a junkyard later model corvette/camaro/firebird. Front springs are cheap or you could cut down your own. Use the Gulfstrand template to relocate the upper a-arms. A 350-400hp SBC is fine for power. Use the tranny you have. Use the rearend gears you have. Hopefully the car has a decent paint job. If not a simple two tone could give you a good PT look. Paint trim to match. Interior could stay stock. Drop the rear springs with a CE kit. I'm am not saying that we don't all aspire to have a cover car (a great goal to shoot for) but the younger people and people without deep pockets can still hang out with the big dogs and fit right in too !
That is what mine is all about. It's not done, of course, and I'll spend more on it, but it will take time. I've had mine 4 years and it's taken me that long just to get it to where it doesn't look like a 4 wheel drive!

[USAZR1]

I thought the number shock alone was bad enough, and I had blocked some of those details from my consciousness. Damn you and your freakish elephant like memory!

I'm not a well to do oil baron, Arabian sheik, or a pimp guys. I was making about $20/hr for the majority of this build and basically working 2+ hours for every one I was billed. Thats one of the reasons it's taken 15yrs to get the car ALMOST done. I can only work so many hours in a week, so the shops have to hold off on work until I can pay again.

15 years??? Good Lord! You have the patience of Job,my friend.

It's always seemed to me there is too much one-upmanship on this site and Lateral-G. Some people do have the wallets for some of this stuff but a bunch of us would be better off just getting our cars running w/o all the high dollar frills. Ever heard the old saying,"I've got champagne tastes on a beer budget"?

[67SSDan]

How do you get insurance on these cars WITHOUT the reciepts? Sounds kind of silly, but I thought in order to get it appraised you needed some reciepts to show how much you put into it to make sure the insurance companies don't hand you 4,000$ book value for your 100+K car. It only takes one jack-a$$ talking on a cell phone to ruin your whole day! (or a little old lady who's husband is in the nursing home... as was my case...)

Are people just not getting them insured?

[speedster]

How do you get insurance on these cars WITHOUT the reciepts? Sounds kind of silly, but I thought in order to get it appraised you needed some reciepts to show how much you put into it to make sure the insurance companies don't hand you 4,000$ book value for your 100+K car. It only takes one jack-a$$ talking on a cell phone to ruin your whole day! (or a little old lady who's husband is in the nursing home... as was my case...)

Are people just not getting them insured?

It's based on agreed upon value. Say, you think your car is worth $50,000. Basically, you can tell them your car is worth $100,000 and you will pay for $100,000 insurance which would cost you a bundle and a big waste of money. So don't try to torch it for insurance fraud, they wouldn't be too happy. On the other hand, you could say it is worth $4,000 and only get $4,000 back. You don't need receipts, but both parties have to agree on a value, hence you may want an appraiser.

[speedster]

That is what mine is all about. It's not done, of course, and I'll spend more on it, but it will take time. I've had mine 4 years and it's taken me that long just to get it to where it doesn't look like a 4 wheel drive!

Cool stuff Jim. The personal satisfaction is worth it.

[67SSDan]

It's based on agreed upon value. Say, you think your car is worth $50,000. Basically, you can tell them your car is worth $100,000 and you will pay for $100,000 insurance which would cost you a bundle and a big waste of money. So don't try to torch it for insurance fraud, they wouldn't be too happy. On the other hand, you could say it is worth $4,000 and only get $4,000 back. You don't need receipts, but both parties have to agree on a value, hence you may want an appraiser.

Yeah but don't you have to some how prove that it's worth X amount of $ so they'll agree upon the value? Or will they just sell you any amount you will pay for?

[USAZR1]

Yeah but don't you have to some how prove that it's worth X amount of $ so they'll agree upon the value? Or will they just sell you any amount you will pay for?

Above a certain amount,most companies will require a pro appraisal.

[Jagarang]

How do you get insurance on these cars WITHOUT the reciepts? Sounds kind of silly, but I thought in order to get it appraised you needed some reciepts to show how much you put into it to make sure the insurance companies don't hand you 4,000$ book value for your 100+K car. It only takes one jack-a$$ talking on a cell phone to ruin your whole day! (or a little old lady who's husband is in the nursing home... as was my case...)

Are people just not getting them insured?

The insurance companies won't reimburse you for labor costs:sick:

[ilovefirstgens]

I would be one of those people who went a bit too far, ls1, t56, irs, big disks, hydroboost, rack and pinion, etc.

As of now I am in debt, the car is not running, I have no source of income (college student) and it takes so much time that I don't have time for homework.

Which is why as soon as all the bugs are worked out shes going up for sale, I know ill regret it, but if I keep it and have to work a job while going to school just to keep it and flunk out ill sure as hell regret not having my priorities straight.

So anyone lookin for a 68?

Figure in about 5 years ill be back to the hobby, I just hope by then it wont have turned into people building street rods out of muscle cars....

[68Formula]

ilovefirstgens,
Not one to criticize someone who actually considers an education the highest priorty, but too many people suffer the "I should've kept the car" syndrome.

If you love it, get a job, watch what you're spending money on, and see how it goes. If the grades start to slip, sell it.

If it's really just "a car" and maybe you were thinking of doing a different one in a few years, by all means sell now.

[ilovefirstgens]

Haha yea I have gotten that syndrome before, this is my 3rd classic car (68 mustang 69 charger) and they come and go, as of right now i would have to spend the entire summer working just to get rid of the debt.

And luckily aside from the car I am amazing at not spending money, which is how I could afford all the parts, aside from a sweatshirt I havent bought clothes in almost a year and a half no movies or new gadgets nothin haha, its funny people think im poor because I always wear the same stained and ripped clothes and drive a vw bus.

I love the car but its just not practical considering if anything broke id be without any means of transportation or the money to fix it.

Anywho Ill probably be so scared to brake anything I wont even have fun. Its replacement will be a early c5 convertible, i decided i may as well get my midlife crisis over sooner rather than later.

[twoduners11]

does anyone else think like this?
question: what do i want
answer : roll cage
question: what do i need to get this done
answer : tube bender, notcher (or grinder), welder and tubing
can you see where im going w/ this? it almost always costs less to buy the the tools & materials to do a particular job than to pay someone else to do it (it may cost ya a little more the first time, cause you screw up alot) never the less the tools are YOURS and more importantly the SKILLS you now posess.
im constantly surrounded by "i cant do it" kind of poeple (and that lets me make a relatively comfortable living) dont get me wrong there is nothing wrong with "i dont want to do it" kind of people. they just dont get the right to bitch about the price (and im not speaking of getting burned, thats a whole diffrent catagory)
in short i dont own any cnc based machines, but i do have grinding and drilling machines and aluminum scrap is cheap! and if you think you cant do something just remember a monkey can be tought to speak maybe w/ its hands but it does communicate
thanks for listening
mark:nopity:

[colt zantop]

twoduners11, I never use to think like that and I spent $$ on labor becuase of that..... after going to school (wyotech) and seeing how easy most stuff is if you got the right tools, now I do think like that! plus you get so much more pride out of something YOU did instead of having it done.

[CAMAROBOY69]

Its truly depressing and beyond frustrating when you hear what the other shop did to Kevin. Absolutely wrong!!!! His story is just like the terrifying twilight zone stories you hear of shops ripping the nice guy or girl off for all their money. I dont know how Frank refrained from just strangling them! Lucky for Kevin he found Prodigy Customs to get the job done the correct way.
Kevin is easily the nicest person I have ever talked to. I havent had the pleasure of meeting him in person yet but Heather and I talk to him all the time online in games and on the phone. Talked to him last night again. There is nothing that can be done to make up for the lost money but I think as soon as you take your car for that first ride you will forget about all the frustration you went thru.
Cant wait to see Eternity ripping up the streets!!
:3gears: :grouphug:
Keep in mind everyone, cars can be built for a lot less. Kevin got screwed for many years so the prices he lists are quite deceiving.

[Bob Johnson]

Its truly depressing and beyond frustrating when you hear what the other shop did to Kevin. Absolutely wrong!!!! His story is just like the terrifying twilight zone stories you hear of shops ripping the nice guy or girl off for all their money. I dont know how Frank refrained from just strangling them! Lucky for Kevin he found Prodigy Customs to get the job done the correct way.
Kevin is easily the nicest person I have ever talked to. I havent had the pleasure of meeting him in person yet but Heather and I talk to him all the time online in games and on the phone. Talked to him last night again. There is nothing that can be done to make up for the lost money but I think as soon as you take your car for that first ride you will forget about all the frustration you went thru.
Cant wait to see Eternity ripping up the streets!!
:3gears: :grouphug:
Keep in mind everyone, cars can be built for a lot less. Kevin got screwed for many years so the prices he lists are quite deceiving.
the sad part of this is, there are 20 times as many crappy shops as there are quality ones. Of that 20 times, over half not only do bad work, they are crooks on top of that. It's very difficult to make any money doing this kind of work. Ask me, I've been there. I lost over 100K a year trying to get my shop going. It never produced work that made me happy, so I just fired all the guys and left the shop empty. I only had a few guys in a 10 year span that could actually make you money. Most guys that do good work are so slow, you'd have to charge $100 hr to make money with them. Takes one helluva hard working, talented, knowledgeable owner/foreman to make it work. You better do your homework and ask some guys that have been around a long time in this hobby before you trust your car to someone.

[BonzoHansen]

I would be one of those people who went a bit too far, ls1, t56, irs, big disks, hydroboost, rack and pinion, etc.

As of now I am in debt, the car is not running, I have no source of income (college student) and it takes so much time that I don't have time for homework.That is why I was out of the hobby for a while. Grad school, wife, house, kids. Not to be a **** (you just brought it up first – nothing personal), but you shouldn’t spend what you don’t have, especially at such a young age. I pissed away too much $$ on cars then too, but never fell in debt. But it did keep me from doing cool young guy stuff, like cool vacations and so forth. You are only young once, enjoy it.

ACMike might be right. Keep it, stop dumping cash into unless it needs it. And get an everyday car/beater. I drove my 1993 Civic EX (pre-ricer, thank you) from the showroom floor for 160k+ miles. Meanwhile I had a Trans Am for fun, and later bought the 67 (which then got stored during aforementioned s/w/h/k era. A daily driver is the best – no pressure to finish something. But if you are waaay deep in debt, sell, payoff debt and dream of another day.