[shoe]

Not that I am serious about it...yet, but after a complete floor and trunk replacement I just found yet another problem area. While trying to clean up some welds from the 1 piece floor pan job, I spent a little time under the firewall yesterday, only to find more rust that likely will push me into a complete toe board and firewall area replacement. I found more crap under the cowl vent panel that looks like duct tape and fiberglass, covered with spray paint of course. I live in fear of what the sand blasting will uncover for the rest of the body.

Anyway, I feel like I have invested too much into this 67 convertible already, and with the regular body work not even started yet, the costs could easily climb into the $35k range to finish it right. However, at this rate the car could be nearly 70% replacement parts. Starting to think it's time time to cut my losses at 20k, and just write this one off to "do a better inspection next time" and move on. It is a true RS/SS 'vert, but in today's market I might not even break even when it's done.

-Jeff

[deerhunter]

I would say it depends on what you want for the end to be. Some do just enough to get by while some are doing tons of work. I am not real sure you can ever get all of your money back on some projects. I have a lot of money into mine and might be able to come close to breaking even IF I would ever sell it.

[BrewHog55]

Jeff,
Of course each case is different, but I bought my 68 plane jane coupe for a driver and ended up with the car totally apart after a month.
My case was similar, in that there was a lot of hidden things I didn't see when I bought it.
I decided that I would do a total restoration and do it my way. My costs when done were in the 40K range. I will never get a full return on what I put into it.
It took me 4 years almost to the day to finish it up.
I had a blast doing it, there were lots of times when I either didn’t have the money to keep it going or was getting tired of it.
This car is being driven and I planned it that way.
My suggestion is that you take a break on some of the big projects and do a few of the smaller ones. The key to success is to do a little something every time you get a chance.
Don’t give up, an SS/RS Vert is worth it.
Don

[Zulu28]

When to give up?...... NEVER!!!!!!

How bad is too bad?... Well, that one is entirely up to you...
See the following threads:

Arai's-- http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=126949

6781Camaro's-- http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=146455

cheby2's-- http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=121480

Mine-- http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=140253

and lastly 67speedfreak's thread (this one give's me hope that anything can be saved)--http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=136893

I guess it boils down to how much you want to do and how much you want to spend... if it doesn't work out, I am sure you can off load it to someone here on the forum...

[Zulu28]

btw Brewhog, that is a sweet looking ride you have there!

[6781camaro]

My opinion is that you first have to know what you will be happy with in the end. Do you just want a clean nice-looking driver? Do you want a 100-pt show mobile? or do you want a custom ride optioned out to the max? Etc....

Maybe step back for a while, do some reading on here of other's experiences, woes, complaints, rewards,etc... and come up with an end goal for your car.

Consider budget, space, time, family tolerance for your absences, etc...

hope this helps... I am in neck deep and then some on mine... Lovin' every minute of it.

Here's what it used to look like (running and driving when I first bought it)



and here it is now....and it will only get uglier for a little while before getting any prettier...

[Steptoe]

A resto is about hobby...forget about those TV build progs...
I btought mine 30 yrs ago, in that time after full rebuild and several body builds...and driving daily, I have put nearly $NZ100,000 into it.
The intial build cost me $18000 back in '84.
I would get between $50000 and $65000 now
That sounds like a loss...No
The 'loss' is about $50000 Or $1650 per yr
If I had been driving a japper or a modern car over the last 30 yrs, I would have lost far more than that in the 3 or 4 replacements, and that doesnt include maint etc.

Cost any resto over a short period and means big loss, over long periods huge gains

[jcapps]

I have never given up on a project. If you are building a car to finish rather than buying a done car it will always cost you more.

But it will be done right ( depending on who is doing it) and it will be done to your specs.

I like to build because I know every inch of that car. No crap has been covered up.

I bought this car in primer "ready for paint" riiiiight

Stripped it and blasted it and glad I did. It needs a lot but at least I know it will be done right

[HOGDADDY]

When they have to pry the air chiesel out of my cold dead hands.

[vjp819]

Jeff, don't let the total project overwhelm you. I've run into a lot of the same problems on a 68 that I purchased over 25 yrs ago. I drove the thing 6 years never knowing that several major problems existed. The deeper you get into it the more you'll find. I'm sure you've experienced that already. Just take it a step at a time. When I run into a costly problem that I don't presently have funds to fix, I just move back to areas that I already have parts for and work on that. It helps you feel some accomplishment and keeps you motivated to continue rather then finding a problem and hitting a brick wall until you can work on it. Sure it stays in back of your mind, but going through this myself I'm sure you have parts that you've already purchased ahead of time that you can replace and feel some accomplishment while the major problems wait. Good luck

[Camaros-n-Chevelles]

Your Camaro is definitely restorable. Never Give Up! Unfortunately it is never done overnight. Check out this thread:

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=128478

[captcanuck68]

Jeff...what motor does it have? Is it heavily optioned, ie. power top/sports wheel/am/fm/trans/deluxe interior, etc.? What's the mileage on the od? How many owners before you? Main ques...after considering all the above...how's it gonna cut in to your life style to continue?

capt

[Arai]

Originally Posted by Zulu28

When to give up?...... NEVER!!!!!!

How bad is too bad?... Well, that one is entirely up to you...
See the following threads:

Arai's-- http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=126949

6781Camaro's-- http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=146455

cheby2's-- http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=121480

Mine-- http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=140253

and lastly 67speedfreak's thread (this one give's me hope that anything can be saved)--http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=136893

I guess it boils down to how much you want to do and how much you want to spend... if it doesn't work out, I am sure you can off load it to someone here on the forum...

AMEN! Don't give up....

[bighaas79]

This is just an opinion so take it as you will but as far as I'm concerned a true car guy doesn't worry if you are going to break even or make a profit if you sell it, they build what they truly want, how they wanna build it. If your in it to make a profit your doing it for the wrong reason and you will probably never be happy with it if you short cut it worrying about the profit line. On that note however how much you have to spend, is what you have to spend, don't lose the house just to finish the ride. I only do what I can afford, but on the other hand, I don't have nearly that much in my cars, cause I do almost everything myself. So if you are paying for labor i can understand that the bill racks up quick. In the end you are the only one who can make the decision if it's the way you truly want to go.

[deerhunter]

Originally Posted by HOGDADDY

When they have to pry the air chiesel out of my cold dead hands.

VERY GOOD, HOG!!! I really like this answer!

I just noticed this after posting-my 1000th post! Couldn't have been used in a better place.