I don't have an estimate for you, but if the body and paint are truly in good shape, you're WAY ahead of the game from a money standpoint. Good luck with your project.

 

I would expect $20K. Interior depending on how nice you want will be $5K-$10K alone. It all depends on how original you want to go. Chambered exhaust? Or aftermarket? Lots of variables.

 

Just did the same for the most part for 843K plus parts. Like Keith said the price on parts, if available, are all over the board. Does all your interior need replacing or some can be refreshed.

 

Sounds like a hell of a build.

 

Restoration is a loaded word that can mean many different things. A full restoration, body off frame and stripped and on a rotisserie with all parts replaced usually runs about $80 to $100k.
If you just need a $15k paint job and a $10k interior replacement that is not a restoration but it sure would look nice.

 

I would be more worried about who I trusted it with than the money. Within reason, of course. Research the hell out of who is good in your area. Talk to people, Camaro club, etc.

 

 

Thanks. Don’t want to spend more than 20k but will get estimates from two nearby classic restorers. Electrical, engine, and interior (new skins and pads up front, headliner, dash, column refurbished) are my priorities. Exhaust and brakes I can do myself.

 

Shops typically will not give you a hard estimate. They will at best give you an hourly rate and ballpark # of hours.

That said. GET EVERTHING IN WRITING as detailed as possible and get a commitment of how long they will have your car. A $15K job can end up a $25K job or more and they have your car as hostage until you pay.

 

Where are you located?

 

Northern Virginia outside of Washington DC.

 

Take your budget and double it… 🙂

 

You are not too far from me. I'm on the peninsula. I did everything on my car myself with the exception of shooting the paint itself. There are a few places around here that are not bad, but you didn't mention the engine at first. $20K isn't going to complete your list. You may need to prioritize the list a little.

 

Thanks for the reply. The engine is in relatively good shape, just want it pulled and detailed and the engine bay redone. As for prioritization it would be 1) New wiring throughout; 2) Bushings, shocks, mounts; 3) power steering.

 

That list isn't too bad. 👍

 

Very rough estimate would be price all the parts
Add 20%
then double that for labor.
It’s enough to make a fellow want to learn and develop a skill set that doesn’t leave you at the hands of someone that may not deliver what you can accomplish yourself.
If your physically able to do it…it’s just a matter of will and commitment. 👍
There’s been better times in history as far as procurement of parts, but never has there been such a vast information base, and readily accessible.
Your in the library of thousands of years of experience and man hours spent on more than just first generation Camaros. ( not me I’m just a welder)
Be inspired , and venture into the unknown, these men will guide you along! As long as they are able

 

Very rough estimate would be price all the parts
Add 20%
then double that for labor.
It’s enough to make a fellow want to learn and develop a skill set that doesn’t leave you at the hands of someone that may not deliver what you can accomplish yourself.
If your physically able to do it…it’s just a matter of will and commitment. 👍
There’s been better times in history as far as procurement of parts, but never has there been such a vast information base, and readily accessible.
Your in the library of thousands of years of experience and man hours spent on more than just first generation Camaros. ( not me I’m just a welder)
Be inspired , and venture into the unknown, these men will guide you along! As long as they are able

I totally agree with that !
I've been myself working on a similar project as Kamaro 1977 is talking about...
I am no mechanic, no painter, no electrician and I have no relative in these stuffs.

I only like my camaro and am ready to learn.
I did read a lot and talked around about my project. Being inside USA will be easier as well.

This forum is a great place to start!

Marc

 

Never tell a mechanic or an auto body man that you’re in no hurry. When insurance work comes in for them! progress on your car stops and is saved for a rainy day.

 

First mistake would be taking a classic car to a place that does insurance work. A restoration shop is the only place for a classic.

 

There are several people on this site that are an hour or two away from you. I guess what I'm saying is maybe someone on this site could do some, or all of the work. That may save you thousands of dollars. There would have to be trust on both ends though. Just a thought.

 

From post #14 you have $1800-2500 in parts. Suspension parts have a wide spread for brands and where you buy from. Then 60-80 hours labor, alignment. This is all three harnesses, assumes chassis isn’t completly rusted and you’re going for the power steering that looks right but isn’t down to the right date codes, casting numbers and bolt head markings.

There‘ a couple rabbit holes here, I’m curious why all the wiring needs replaced.

 

 

I don’t do paint.
or body, unless it’s my own.
On these classic cars, I charge my friends honestly by the hour, but we are truly friends and they even help. + parts.
home shop,$50~$70 an hour.
pro shop, double it.
But I am in Ca. So $$$

wiring, unless it’s real basic, it’s quicker in my experience to just start over, as opposed to trouble shooting a hacked up system.

 

I think you could do the wiring yourself, it is really not that hard. (as long as you follow the instructions) I did my 69 and it took about 4 days. I used the American Autowire Classic Update kit. With this kit you will need to install all of the terminals yourself with special tools. You can also get the OEM harness, which should be a lot faster and easier to install. I live in North Va also, so you can borrow my crimpers if you use the Update kit.

 

You said you can do the brakes and exhaust yourself. If you can do that, I am pretty sure you can do most of the rest also. Then it is just $$ for parts. This site has a wealth of information to help you out. Research and planning is key. If body and paint is good, you are way ahead of the game.

 

Thanks everyone. I’m going to do the exhaust and convert the rears to disc myself with a buddy. Still going to have the motor rebuilt, power steering installed, and electrical done. Then move on to the interior. Being a government bureaucrat, I don’t trust myself to do a good job on those, LOL.

 

If you want to save some money, skip the rear disc brakes. Most don't amount to spit and the front does the majority of the work. Nothing wrong with a refresh on the rear drums. IMO, a waste of money for normal driving.

 

All my cars and trucks stop fine with rear drums, fully loaded hauling trailers. I think newbies are brainwashed into thinking rear discs are better or they just want the bling with 22 inch rims.

 

X2 Scott, a waste of money for rear disc brakes, the fronts carry the majority of the load anyway.

 

I have to agree as well. No disk on the rear of any of my muscles cars. I have however taken the money of many that wanted disk on the rear. If it's not a track car, it's a waste of money and time. I still don't get why everyone thinks they have to have rear disk .

 

Don't know guys, I did mine BECAUSE I WANTED TO. Made a huge difference. Of course, no vacuum so no power.

 

Given I’ll only be driving to local cruises and hangouts, I’ll put that $$ towards other projects. So priorities are engine overhaul, power steering, complete replacement of the wiring, and a new exhaust (might as well since the engine will come out). Hopefully that won’t be too pricey a list.

 

For a shop to R&R and rebuild the engine will probably run $8k to $10k.

 

Yep, I see this over and over on this forum. "My car is at the mechanics". Got news for you guys if you are going to own one of these cars you need to learn to do most of it yourself. Most modern mechanics have no idea how to work on these cars. Maybe get an engine shop to rebuild it if needed or get a crate engine but yank it yourself. It is not that hard. Also be aware when it is time to yank it most of your friends will completely disappear.

 

Ballpark R&R and rebuild.

R&R $1500-$2000
Machine work. $2500-$4500 including heads. Plus parts. will vary if you align bore, resize rods etc

Disassembly, cleaning reassemble $1500.
Parts. $1000-$1500. Depends on if you need oversized pistons, new cam and timing set, valves, valve springs, new oil pump and such.

Fluids $200. Fasteners $250. Motor Mounts $100

It all adds up and then there are the unknowns that pop up.

 

Buy a crate motor and a American auto wire harness and be done with it, You don't need a speciality restoration shop to replace suspension components.