TLC show 'Wrecks to Riches'

[Neil B]

I caught an episode of 'Wrecks to Riches' last night. Barry's Speed Shop built a pro-touring style '71 Satellite with a Hemi. What was different about this show was that it documented the parts cost and labor hours to build. They had $55K and 460 hours in the car and it sold at auction for $75K. If you give about $5K to the auction house and to pay for transport and lodging, that leaves about $15K for the 460 hours of labor. That works out to around $32 an hour for labor. $32 doesn't go very far when you factor in California labor and rent/overhead. Why was Barry so happy? Was it for TV effect or is there something I'm missing in the financials?