Restoration Costs
Discussion
Hi all,
I'm looking at getting my hands on a light resto project, something like a Spitfire or MGB.
I have found websites with plenty of parts and have a good handle on that side of things, I am able to do mechanicals myself but I have always had a lack of enthusiasm for carrying out panel work.
What sort of cost would I be looking at for getting the body done by a 3rd party?
Assume no preparation had been done so a little surface rust, maybe a small patch or two on each panel to prep/weld and full prime/paint. I'd probably do a body-off so wings/doors/bootlid/tub.
I've not been near a body shop for a while, can anyone give a rough ballpark estimate of what I'd need to budget?
I'm looking at getting my hands on a light resto project, something like a Spitfire or MGB.
I have found websites with plenty of parts and have a good handle on that side of things, I am able to do mechanicals myself but I have always had a lack of enthusiasm for carrying out panel work.
What sort of cost would I be looking at for getting the body done by a 3rd party?
Assume no preparation had been done so a little surface rust, maybe a small patch or two on each panel to prep/weld and full prime/paint. I'd probably do a body-off so wings/doors/bootlid/tub.
I've not been near a body shop for a while, can anyone give a rough ballpark estimate of what I'd need to budget?
POORCARDEALER said:
Depends on quality of work....you should be able to get a half reasonable job for £2K ish
It's impossible to say without seeing the car but given a decent respray alone id expect at double that I just can't see that figure, unless it's an utter lash job.Different cars but last wk I transported 2 cars from full restos, not million quid exotics but admittedly a step up from Mgb one in current mad market is 200k other 70k ish & both had engine work & running gear renewed & trim etc, were £80k jobs.
As with everything it really depends on the hours required. Sadly for many owners it's the same cost to do the body & paint on a rusty Spitfire as it would be on say a rusty E Type. Only difference would be panel costs.
As a (very) rough guide we'd estimate a Spitfire bare metal repaint with minimal panelwork repairs at circa 100hrs.
Hope this helps. Al.
As a (very) rough guide we'd estimate a Spitfire bare metal repaint with minimal panelwork repairs at circa 100hrs.
Hope this helps. Al.
plasticpig said:
You can buy a new shell for £8k. So that pretty much limits the spend on bodywork.
But then it's no longer the original car - to some that would make it less desirable. How much is a fully restored Spitfire? It might be cheaper to offload the rotor the and buy a MOT and concours example out of the box. Unless there is sentimental value or a real desire to get your hands dirty and enjoyment of the project.
Worth thinking about.
iguana said:
POORCARDEALER said:
Depends on quality of work....you should be able to get a half reasonable job for £2K ish
It's impossible to say without seeing the car but given a decent respray alone id expect at double that I just can't see that figure, unless it's an utter lash job.Different cars but last wk I transported 2 cars from full restos, not million quid exotics but admittedly a step up from Mgb one in current mad market is 200k other 70k ish & both had engine work & running gear renewed & trim etc, were £80k jobs.
plasticpig said:
POORCARDEALER said:
You can spend 20K if you want, depends what your expectation are, and you dont always get what you pay for with bodyshops
You can buy a new shell for £8k. So that pretty much limits the spend on bodywork.POORCARDEALER said:
I have jsut sold a DB6 that needed full restoration, shells not available, where can you restore that bodywork for £8K?
The OP was asking about MGB's. where you can buy a new shell for £8K. If I was wanting a full restoration on a budget then I would be sending the car to one of the specialists in Poland as the labour rate is far lower. POORCARDEALER said:
On a low value classic like the OP mentioned, I can get a presentable job done for £2k, however if it was say a 911 I would use a different bodyshop, and the cost would rise to £3.5K upwards...one thing I have learned in my 28 years of doing this job, is a ALWAYS agree timescales with bodyshops, as 1 month often tunrs into 6 if your not careful.
I'd agree completely about the timscale side. I'd never had a resto done before starting on mine and the bodyshop took 12 months instead of the intended four - and even then it was rushed very badly over the last three weeks (which caused more problems).Cost wise it can rapidly spiral out of control. The bodywork alone on my Quattro cost £12k and it wasn't even that bad, but as you strip the car you find more and more areas that need attention. For me it was also a case of thinking 'well, I've come this far so it would be silly not to get that bit sorted too, oh and that area, oh and we might as well repair that too while we're here'.
I hugely admire the folks who have the skills and time do it in their garage, on a tightish budget, but if you're paying for the labour it really can become incredibly expensive.
Rangeroverover said:
Do you actually want to get your hands dirty, you will find it far cheaper to buy one that someone else has overspent on.
If you want the joy of working on the car then I understand, if all you want is a bright shiny classic its much cheaper in the long run to buy a good one
Fully with you on this one. My Sunbeam Lotus had circa 12k worth of bodywork n paint alone over a yearIf you want the joy of working on the car then I understand, if all you want is a bright shiny classic its much cheaper in the long run to buy a good one
Rangeroverover said:
Do you actually want to get your hands dirty, you will find it far cheaper to buy one that someone else has overspent on.
If you want the joy of working on the car then I understand, if all you want is a bright shiny classic its much cheaper in the long run to buy a good one
Please listen to what he said. If you are skilled and do 90% of the restoration work yourself, go ahead.If you want the joy of working on the car then I understand, if all you want is a bright shiny classic its much cheaper in the long run to buy a good one
If not then it's much more cost effective to buy the best one you can find. You'll save yourself a lot of money and if you want to tinker on it, there's always something that can be improved.
I know many friends who bought a more desirable model that "needs a bit work" instead of a more basic example in excellent condition for the same price.
In the end they all regretted it because the restoration costs were significantly higher than what they would have paid for a perfect example to begin with.
It is so much cheaper to buy a good one in the first place no matter what the cost is ....
I have spent £7k on my range rover classic so far this year and I need at least another £4/5k to make it good, suddenly the ones at mid £20's don't look too expensive.
I also spent £86k on a full Porsche restoration a few years ago.
Safest bet would be think of a number then double it and compare it to a finished one ... mine have both been about spot on this way.
That's not to mention the aggravation and hassle along the way , I will never do a restoration again !!!
Its nearly put me off cars altogether
Phib
I have spent £7k on my range rover classic so far this year and I need at least another £4/5k to make it good, suddenly the ones at mid £20's don't look too expensive.
I also spent £86k on a full Porsche restoration a few years ago.
Safest bet would be think of a number then double it and compare it to a finished one ... mine have both been about spot on this way.
That's not to mention the aggravation and hassle along the way , I will never do a restoration again !!!
Its nearly put me off cars altogether
Phib
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