Rare '40 convertible restoration project
- Thread starter Kube
- Start date
rockfla
Well-known member
Kube
You're ability to stay focused and complete this project in 16 month's is amazing....I wish I could keep this post on a calendar or something of the sort as a constant reminder of "how it should be". Beautiful job Sir!!! We are approaching the 7 year mark on our resto project and it's being done by a professional!!
You're ability to stay focused and complete this project in 16 month's is amazing....I wish I could keep this post on a calendar or something of the sort as a constant reminder of "how it should be". Beautiful job Sir!!! We are approaching the 7 year mark on our resto project and it's being done by a professional!!
Kube
Super Moderator
Thanks for the too kind words.
This one has taken longer than these projects typically do.
You know... "life" manages to get in the way of "fun" all too often. Plus, I think getting older has slowed me down a bit. I keep telling myself that's not the case but um, I think maybe it is
V8COOPMAN
Well-known member
It may be interesting to hear any comments that your "professional restorer" might have with regard to YOUR comment above. DD
rockfla
Well-known member
Not sure what your implication is?....BUT I would "LOVE" to hear!!!! Not to hi-jack or taint Kube's post any further!!!!
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Why has that "professional" spent 7 years on your project?? Is he doing it for free in his spare time or something?
How many nuts, bolts, brackets, etc. have "disappeared"?
V8COOPMAN
Well-known member
Using your numbers (16 months vs seven years), you've kind'a made your own point.....comparing your professional's time to Kube's. It seems obvious that your "pro" takes over 5 times longer (calendar-wise) than Kube does. It would just be interesting to hear your pro's rationalization of the comparison that YOU made concerning the 'time' involved. DD
Kube
Super Moderator
Hmmm... I've been a bit apprehensive to weigh in here.
Still, I find I can't help myself.
Professional?
I have never considered myself a "professional" as I do this mostly for my own satisfaction.
Still, each and every one of cars has gone on to score a minimum of 997 points. I'd be curious how that compares to "pro" shops.
In regard to time consumed from start to finish: It's been my experience that anything over 18 months and there becomes a need to freshen parts that were done in the initial phases. That is, IF the desire for high points remains a priority.
As an example, I'd done a '40 convertible about twelve, maybe fifteen years ago. At that time, I had hired "outside" for the paint and body work. The fellow did beautiful work but took two years to complete it. At that point, I took the chassis apart and completely freshened it.
Yes, I realize I am a bit "anal" (I prefer OCD) and as such am most likely not satisfied with two year old nuts and bolts...
V8COOPMAN
Well-known member
Kube….I believe I was very careful NOT to put you in the "pro" category, as you have never talked like you considered yourself to do this professionally. No drama...just the facts! DD
Kube
Super Moderator
rotorwrench
Well-known member
I've had occasion to hear some of the goings on at local restoration shops so I know how things work for them. It can be a slow process mostly due to the money situation. They bill as they go until a customer runs short of funds then it goes on the back burner till the funds come back. Some customers get a few bills and find that they will have to pull the project till they can come up with more funds or find a cheaper way to do things.
If a customers funds are unlimited then the project can go all the way through to completion. I have done some restorations on the helicopters and they can take around 2 to 3-months unless the shop is short handed on experienced help. A one man shop is going to take longer and possibly a lot longer. It always depends on the condition of the project when you start on it too. If a person is going to have a restoration performed by a shop, it pays to get a project that is in as good a shape as they can find to start with. It saves a lot of time & money.
To get a car up into driver condition without a full restoration costs a lot less and takes a lot less time than a down to the nut and bolt restoration job. The only way to save any money at all is do as much as you can by yourself and find the best parts you can but that can take more time than the restoration. In most cases, finding parts can be the part that takes 7-years.
If a customers funds are unlimited then the project can go all the way through to completion. I have done some restorations on the helicopters and they can take around 2 to 3-months unless the shop is short handed on experienced help. A one man shop is going to take longer and possibly a lot longer. It always depends on the condition of the project when you start on it too. If a person is going to have a restoration performed by a shop, it pays to get a project that is in as good a shape as they can find to start with. It saves a lot of time & money.
To get a car up into driver condition without a full restoration costs a lot less and takes a lot less time than a down to the nut and bolt restoration job. The only way to save any money at all is do as much as you can by yourself and find the best parts you can but that can take more time than the restoration. In most cases, finding parts can be the part that takes 7-years.
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Kube
Super Moderator
Well, that's the plan.
Of course the older I get the more I realize the truth to: "Men make plans and God laughs".
Kube
Super Moderator
I was taught many years ago that to restore a car to 90% (900 points) cost 1X. To restore a car to 100% (1000 points) it's double that : 2X.
That last ten percent is what separates the "nice" cars from basically works of art. In reality there are very few true #1 cars.
From my experience, that formula I was taught more than 35 years ago was nearly spot on then and remains spot on today.
Kube
Super Moderator
Thanks Dave.
I really hope to have it there. I like that show. I've attended twice.
After this one is done, I have only one more in the midst of the process. I've promised myself no more until the book is completed.