Chassis Restoration Cost

[Roger D.]

This evening I told my wife I wanted to pull the body off and restore the chassis (1972 350/300 auto Coupe). Her standard question then came out, i.e., "What's that going to cost????"

Ok, I thought, well that really is a good question. Soooo... Can someone throw out some ballpark numbers from their experience assuming:

1. I do all the work myself with the exception of TA rebuild, dipping the frame to remove rust, and any sandblasting that may be required.
2. There is light to moderate rust on most surfaces but I don't believe any components or frame sections will need to be replaced.
3. Replacement of brake and fuel lines.
4. Everything else that needs to be done to a 71k miles car that obviously has never had any previous attention to the underside of it.
5. All parts and finish are to be to NCRS standards.

I know that it really is impossible for anyone to give an estmate with any accuracy having never seen it. But just knowing the ballpark range of costs from those who have already done it would be beneficial.

[Tom L.]

Re: Chassis Restoration Cost

Roger,

Way too many variables to make a meaningful estimate. It is heavily dependent on the condition of what you have and the manner of restoration you select. For example, you mentioned NCRS standards, so do you buy the replacement shocks and paint them gray or do you look for date coded shocks? Do you keep or replace springs? Do you want your ball joints riveted? Powdercoat or paint? How much blasting is needed (since you'll be paying by the hour)? How much work does the differential need? Do you rebuild the steering box? What restoration method to you choose for the drive and half shafts? Do you replace or wire brush and paint your gas tank? Do you replace wiring harnesses? See what I mean?

Then, of course, you have the "while I'm at it" phenomenon that'll have you replacing or refinishing things your not now planning on.

A rattle can and trip to NAPA job could cost a few grand, yet you could spend ten times that depending on the scope of your restoration. I've spent about twice what I've planned on my restoration so far, but I'm having fun doing it.

[Roger D.]

Re: Chassis Restoration Cost

Hmmm... Yea, Tom by your short list of questions (and I get the feeling there are hundreds more like them that must be considered) I am beginning to see. I was just hoping to get some idea of the magnitude of cost I am committing myself to before I actually dove into the project. I love driving my 'Vette so much that I don't want to have it just sitting in various stages of completion while waiting on the next available "funds" to continue. If it's going to cost too much then I'll just have to leave it alone until the prior $ committments (like son's private school and daughter's college) are taken care of.

[Jim P.]

Re: Chassis Restoration Cost

I restored my chassis for judging so I really tried not to cut corners. Sandblasting and painting the frame was about $750. Correct ball joints installed was $400. Differential rebuild was $250. Steering box was about $250. Rear spring rebuild was about $150. Straightening the frame was $200. New brakes all around about $400. The list goes on and on. If you just want to clean it up without rebuilding a lot of the subassemblies you might get away with $2500 and a lot of your own labor. None of the chassis parts are out of sight (price wise) but there is a lot of labor involved to do it right. That's where all your money will go. I would budget at least 6K and hope you don't find any surprises. Depending on how far you take it, the price could easily go well north of this figure. This doesn't even consider the costs involved with removing the body just to get to the frame. Then, of course, there is that illness we all come down with....."WhileI'matititis." Good luck!

[Jim S.]

Re: Chassis Restoration Cost

Roger ,

I just got my chassis back from powder coating and that was the cheapest part of the whole thing ! It only cost $350 to have it blasted and coated. Plus a full day to load it, drop it off ,and reload it, and take it home !

Several years ago I started dismantling it to get it to this stage ! Realize that everything down to the last bolt needs to come off before you get to this stage . Than As others have said, you fiqure "why should I put back on anything old or dirty" ! So you rebuild the motor ,Steering gear, tranny, Rear end ,Power steering pump Calipers,Master cylinder, Trailing arms ,etc.etc. ect. Add new ball joints, tie rods all new bushings,brake and fuel lines,Gas tank,and Wiring harness . Replate all the bolts. Refinish all the A-arms, Front and rear Springs ,tranny support ,differencial support, Exhaust Support,emergency Brake lines ,Clalipers, And drive shafts . Don't forget to replace all Ujointsand shock absorbers!

Now your most likely mostly there. and ready to put it all back together..... Oh wait .... we haven't even started on the body or the interior..

If as you say ,you enjoy driving it and don't want to be down for years I would enjoy it and restore the cosmetic things here and there as you go . Believe me and others When they say a "frame off " is a long and expensive endeavor.


Jim

[Rob M.]

Re: Chassis Restoration Cost

While you at it, why not rebuild that engine (and add another 5k to the figure)???

regards,
Rob.

[Rob M.]

Re: Chassis Restoration Cost

I just got my chassis back from powder coating and that was the cheapest part of the whole thing ! It only cost $350 to have it blasted and coated.

That is a very shiny frame Jim...

Regards,
Rob.

[Dale S.]

Re: Chassis Restoration Cost

Roger, they are only original once. Dale

[Jay G.]

Re: Chassis Restoration Cost

This evening I told my wife I wanted to pull the body off and restore the chassis (1972 350/300 auto Coupe). Her standard question then came out, i.e., "What's that going to cost????"

Ok, I thought, well that really is a good question. Soooo... Can someone throw out some ballpark numbers from their experience assuming:

1. I do all the work myself with the exception of TA rebuild, dipping the frame to remove rust, and any sandblasting that may be required.
2. There is light to moderate rust on most surfaces but I don't believe any components or frame sections will need to be replaced.
3. Replacement of brake and fuel lines.
4. Everything else that needs to be done to a 71k miles car that obviously has never had any previous attention to the underside of it.
5. All parts and finish are to be to NCRS standards.

I know that it really is impossible for anyone to give an estmate with any accuracy having never seen it. But just knowing the ballpark range of costs from those who have already done it would be beneficial.

Little late. But my 67 L-79 was chassis restored in 1993 w/ reciepts for 5K. Given inflation and the fact I bought a 1963 L-76 Convert. in 1992 for 13k. Could be a money pit. But by doing the work yourself will save $.

[Jeff G.]

Re: Chassis Restoration Cost

It's obvious that the parts are a huge variable given that there are choices like used original, NOS, and aftermarket. The time could easily hit a 3-5 year window depending on your determination. Sounds like you need to spend more time with the kids right now.
I just had an eureka idea... Continue to drive this car and buy another frame off restored one! We would promise not to tell your wife...
Jeff

[Brett H.]

Re: Chassis Restoration Cost

I've done many chassis restorations. Estimate approx $2500 for parts if you do "everything". This includes all lines, seals, bearings, bushings, etc, etc.. That's just parts.

[Mike M.]

Re: Chassis Restoration Cost

Count on "Murphy's Law" setting in.
Just a few, taking twice as long, twice (maybe More) a complicated and costs twice as much as planned.
A good example: Rent the movie "A Simple Plan"
Good Luck and HaND
Take a lot of pics and keep us posted

[Chuck R.]

Re: Chassis Restoration Cost

Hi Roger,

I rolled my 68 (then planned driver) into the garage in the spring of 2000

My intent was to perform all the repairs myself short of machine shop work and replacing components that were beyond repair and then enjoy it.

I figured one, maybe two years tops, soup to nuts to git er done.

It's now 2009 and I have just now started on the body work, and there's a ton of it as well.

It's almost comical how life just keeps screwing around with my time line.

My original estimate to get the car on the road, start to finish was $4,000

I'm currently cruising past $10,000 keeping in mind that I've done all the work myself including the power plant re-assembly.

I'll go out on a conservative limb and say that I'll be $15000 to $18,000 lighter in the wallet by the time the shark rolls down government owned asphalt under it's own power.

These machines are like eating peanuts, once you peel the shell off and take that first bite, you'll be staggering down that dark nebulous path that all us good intentioned souls have gone down before you Roger.

When you say "To NCRS standards", you've already blinked and the NCRS grim reaper has it's cold as cash hand on your heart........ and your wallet.

I suggest getting a few vendor rags and for the fun of it start pricing out all of those little things like fuel lines, brake likes, clips, bushings, body mounts, rear bearing assemblies etc and see how fast it adds up, it may help you to better understand how quickly the decimal point can jump on you.

Not trying to scare the crap out of you, just want you to take the rose colored glass off for a few minutes before you commit.

Chuck

[Jim S.]

Re: Chassis Restoration Cost

That is a very shiny frame Jim...

Regards,
Rob.

Rob,

Yes it is. I think it is a little too shiny, but not overly so.

It seems that some of the "Guy's who know" tell me the original coating was pratically gloss when applied and dulled from time and dirt .

I guess we will see how it judges eventually.

Jim

[Steven B.]

Re: Chassis Restoration Cost

This evening I told my wife I wanted to pull the body off and restore the chassis (1972 350/300 auto Coupe). Her standard question then came out, i.e., "What's that going to cost????"

Ok, I thought, well that really is a good question. Soooo... Can someone throw out some ballpark numbers from their experience assuming:

1. I do all the work myself with the exception of TA rebuild, dipping the frame to remove rust, and any sandblasting that may be required.
2. There is light to moderate rust on most surfaces but I don't believe any components or frame sections will need to be replaced.
3. Replacement of brake and fuel lines.
4. Everything else that needs to be done to a 71k miles car that obviously has never had any previous attention to the underside of it.
5. All parts and finish are to be to NCRS standards.

I know that it really is impossible for anyone to give an estmate with any accuracy having never seen it. But just knowing the ballpark range of costs from those who have already done it would be beneficial.

Roger, a couple of years ago a friend and I decided we would estimate how much to do a total restore on his '72. We went through the assembly manual and vendors' catalogs and identified parts to be purchased, rebuilt, etc. and then went through vendor catalogs to get the costs. We used Bair's costs for TA's as that is where they were going. As the project naturally grew we did the same for the engine, transmission, interior and body. Body prep and paint along with interior will wait for awhile due to $$$$$$.

Steve