Complete build cost ?

[Davezz28]

Got a question for you guys that run a shop or those of you that have had a full build done. I am trying to get a general labor cost on a complete build. I know that prices go up and down depending on fab work condition of the car along with many other things.

Let me lay out a scenario to kinda narrow things down. Lets say you own a shop and a guy drives in a first gen Camaro. Car is fairly solid, no major rust, just some small rust outs in the lower finder and rear quarters that can be fixed with patch panels.



GENERAL Cost to
Completely disassemble
Body and Paint (not high end show but straight and good driver quality paint)
Build engine
Built suspension sys (UCAs, LCAs, Spindles, Springs etc to the tune of being able to do track days)
Build brake system
Completely assemble Car (interior, sub, engine, trans….The whole thing)

So a complete build from a running old car to a fresh car that can be shown at a car show (does not have to be a winner) and able to run track days at road coarse.

Now keep in mind I am talking GENERAL LABOR costs, no parts, to build a car start to finish.

Dave

[hotrdblder]

30-40k

[kennyd]

30 to 40 k also

[Davezz28]

Thanks for the responses. I was thinking 20-35K depending on quality and reputation of the shop.....so I guess I was not toooo far off.

Do both of you run your own shops and do this type of work?

[Project69]

Well i did a budget thing and everything myself, and im no where near 20k including the car.

Only thing i havent replaced is the engine, everything else is brand new or rebuilt by me. It can be had for cheaper.

[Davezz28]

Project69, I agree with you that it can be had cheaper if you do the work yourself. I myself do all my own work from fab work, motors, trans, body & Paint...etc. I just consider the cost of parts when building for myself and I usually work for next to nothing for friends. I was just wondering what the labor cost would be on a complete built if you did not have the ability to do it yourself.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

shooot... 35 to　45

[Roger Poirier]

You guys are way off. Try 50-60 grand easy. Sorry my cost include parts.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

yea man.. i wasnt trying to scare slick off if i told him the REAL figures..

You guys are way off. Try 50-60 grand easy. Sorry my cost include parts.

[muthstryker]

i was quoted around 55-60k for what i want done, but this includes the parts and they are some spendy ones at that. my set completion date is my 25 birthday possibly sooner depends on how things go.

[Project69]

Holy crap i feel alot better about how much ive spent so far on my car lol

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

you should, talkin that mess up there..lol

[hotrdblder]

yes i run my own shop, that is a price for what you asked for, as you want the car nicer it goes up, you said a nice driver, not a drop dead show car

[Davezz28]

Hotrdblder, thanks for your response and honesty. I mainly build cars that are to be driven, on the street and the track. I have a couple builds lined up an was just wondering what the cost would be if the people went on the free market to have the cars built.

Below are a couple of cars I have built in the last couple years. The Chevelle get used at the track more than the street and it(along with the skill of the owner) gets around the road coarse fairly quickly for a car that GM never intended to be on a road coarse.

[hotrdblder]

cool, glad i could shed some light, nice cars!!

[drphibes]

It really depends on what you want. The best thing to do is set a budget for yourself and do your research and decide what you can and can't do. It's easy to go crazy. There are so many choices. Be realistic and have fun.

Robert

[J2speedandcustom]

It really depends on what you want. The best thing to do is set a budget for yourself and do your research and decide what you can and can't do. It's easy to go crazy. There are so many choices. Be realistic and have fun.

Robert

Ditto. There is a HUGE difference between a 350 crate motor and an all aluminum big block. Suspension is another big area you can be frugal and update the stock stuff for $1-2k or go completely high tech and it's more like $10k+.

Also you'll spend an easy $5k on the little things like lines, electrical, batteries, gauges, accessories, etc. So it adds up quick make a budget and research all the parts you want on the car and go from there. Dave let me know if you need any help I have quite a few 1st gen build sheets.

[Rolling_Thunder]

if you want a small crate engine installed with a fresh factory suspension resto... maybe 35-40K if you want more exotic things the price can hit the aformentioned 50-60K

[I_work_for_Barry]

I get this question asked all the time at the shop. I have had a hand full of customers come in that only want to spend in the 40 to 60k range and they end up with a 80 to 120k car. The problem is, when the customer sees how the car is coming out they are sometimes overcome by emotion and at the same time they see a car that has no budget with some over the top parts on it and ask, can I get that for my car? and next thing you know it's on their car as well. Same thing with engines. I have a customer with a magnacharged Ls6 and a 6speed out of a vette in a first gen camaro and next thing you know we are doing one in a chevelle. I guess what I am getting at is this. It's so easy to go over budget it will make you sick. Get a plan and stick to it. I have never heard of someone even a do it yourselfer coming in under budget. But if you take your time, hit the swapmeets, and of course www.ebay.com you can do one hell of a job. Good luck.

[MonzaRacer]

HMM so my getting my Monza down and out for less than $5k is a pipe dream,,, we weill see.
Dont get me wrong I see cars that get a lot of work done that in a lot of plans didnt actually need to be done.
Liek i work for Barry said, they see one thing and want it too not thinking its $3k rather than the $500 they budgeted for.
If the car isnt termite ridden and only needs simple outer body work, he can get away with production colors and repop interiors/locally produced custom stuff.
Doesnt get radical with an engine/trans combo and pics the right suspension pieces for the price/performance.
There are several well thought out mods for first gen combined with a set of ShockWaves from ART and a Rear AirBar setup that will completely rock and never break the bank. Labor is also dependent on the speed/hunger of the shop/owner/workers.
I hope to be able to prove my self on my Monza AND prove it doesnt have to be a $50k build to be fast, straight and drivable.
I have never had the cash to trhow at cars and may get looked down on by some people on here but if you give me a chance i can do a lot with very little.
Its part of being hungry to do it and prove it can be done right, in a fairly fast fashion and still work.
And I will not bash any of the shops but sometimes I see projects take much longer and cost a whole lot more than i would have believed, even given some of the mods.
But I have also seen guys build a car in thier driveway/home garage that just blew away high dollar shop owner/operators.
I know of a Camaro one fella did in a single car garage and when he came to a magazine call out several shopowners kept asking who dropped it off and drooled over it for several hours andthe mag photog got many pics,,,the car was done for less than $10k and only took 3 months to build. And the car was a performer.
Later on int the owners life he found out he had cancer and sold the car for $85k plus shipping. One of those amazed shop owners paid for it and had it shipped back west.
I donr know where it is now but it was a drool factor of about 8 on ascale of 10 til you looked at all the mods, then you just ask "How?"
anyway good luck to all.
I am gonna go rob a bank now