PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

dmorrison · #3 01-31-2004, 02:39 PM

Having done a 65 Mustang Fastback with my son, it's his car. You don't get your money out of a restoration unless it's a rare car. SSK or Gulwing-yes SLC-no. But a lot of people do the restorations as a hobby. It doesn't pay the bills but they have pride in what they have done. Some guys are a little anal about the restorations. Just go to a cruise night at some car clubs. You would think that it was their first born, not a car. Actually some guys have more time into the car then their first born, or second etc. And they wonder why their kids are screwed up.
We have about $16,000 in his Mustang and could probably get $13,000 for it.

Restoration Vs. Original conditioin. A restoration has had everything rebuilt to OEM standards and using OEM parts. An Original condition car has, in your case, 20 year old rubber, seals, bearings, etc. etc. It old. May be in great shape but everything is old and used. A restoration everything is new and hopefully perfect. To do this cost $$$$$$$$$$.
They say to buy a car by parts cost you 2.5 to 3 times the original cost of the car. Now throw labor on that and you see why some restorations are very expensive.
A restomod. This has become popular in some classic American cars. My sons is a restomod. Holley carb. Performance intake, cam, headers, heads, rollertip rockers. A new T-5, 5 speed transmission instead of the old 3 speed. Front disk brakes, instead of the 4 wheel drum Etc, Etc.
So his car is not a restoration it's what he wants.

Where do I stand?
If its a classic. 300SL Gulwing, SSK or such then ONLY a restoration. If its an American muscle car. Do what you want.
IF you find an ORIGINAL classic, then leave it and take care of it.

Dave