Restoration Costs for Classic Cars on Average

The cost of car restoration is determined by the degree of restoration, who performs the work, and the parts and labor used. So, what are the Restoration Costs for Classic Cars on Average? You must have a strategy. If your automobile simply needs a few upgrades and a good paint job, it will cost a lot less than restoring a classic that you found rusting away in someone’s barn. The following are some automotive restoration fees and costs.

Costs of Purchasing a Project Car

This cost might range from the smallest to the highest expense of your project, depending on the condition of the car you buy. Restoration of classic Camaros and Mustangs that are in good running order can cost up to $5,000. If you buy a project Camaro, Mustang, or another model from a junkyard, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100 for a bare chassis to $2,500 for a partially drivable full car.

Finally, a good-condition car can be purchased for roughly $15,000 from a private person or a dealer. You must register your vehicle if you intend to drive it on the street. Overall, lights, brakes, and safety inspections will be an expense to keep in mind if you got the automobile from a junkyard with a salvage title. This could cost several hundred dollars.

Costs of Restoration Preparation

If you want to build a show car, you’ll need to completely strip the frame and chassis of any removable parts. The body and frame media must then be blasted and re-plated. Every nut and bolt must also be cleaned in an acid bath and then replated. Rusted chrome must be removed and replaced with new chrome. This procedure might cost up to $15,000 to complete.

Parts Prices

The majority of your car restoration expenditures will be in parts when completing a thorough ground-up restoration, especially when attempting a show level or factory showroom restoration. The entire cost is determined by the extent of the restoration. If you plan a back-to-basics restoration on an older, well-used car, you may need to replace several pieces that are still in good shape but aren’t original equipment. If you plan to show the Camaro or Mustang after restoration, parts costs could reach $10,000.

A back-to-basics restoration on an older, well-used car may need replacing of various non-original items. Parts costs could surpass $10,000 if you plan to show your Camaro or Mustang.

Restoration Costs for Classic Cars on Average – Costs of Labor

Labor’s charged by all shops, and the majority charge upwards of $75.00 per hour. Specialty shops, such as those that provide bespoke paintwork or upholstery, may charge more or offer a set rate. Many stores mark up the parts even higher. Subcontracting for metal work or whatever else will also be charged at cost plus method.

You’ll pay someone at least $25 per hour to clean and wash parts and $35 to $45 per hour to restore chrome or electroplated parts. Prices are subject to change at any time. Although labor rates normally stay the same for a few years, they are vulnerable to fluctuations due to inflation.

Costs of completion

Painting and any other bodywork can add thousands of dollars to the total cost of your car restoration. If you don’t plan on entering the car in shows, using body fillers instead of labor-intensive sheet metal repairs can drastically reduce the total cost of body repairs. Unrepairable rust requires cutting, shaping, and welding replacement panels.

The cost of body repair might range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. A good paint job can cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to several thousand dollars, depending on the quality of the paintwork, the type of paint used, and the number of coats used.

Restoration Costs for Classic Cars on Average – Restoration Costs in Total

A single shop’s overall restoration will cost you anything from $40,000 to $60,000. Most of this is invoiced monthly or with payment arrangements agreed upon between you and management. Some companies will finance the job on a percentage basis, while others will pay cash upfront. You pay for the parts as they arrive. And then for the installation when completed.

You can save money by completing part of the restoration yourself. It depends on whether you want to participate in the restoration process or enjoy the finished product.

When considering an automobile restoration project, the first step is to figure out how much you want to spend and what quality of repair you want to execute. Once you know this, you’ll know what condition your project car should be in before you start working on it. The values in the preceding paragraphs are estimates to help you determine how much of a restoration you can do.