Hot Rods Do you think you could build a NEW deuce coupe for less than $50k?

Lets see what real numbers are
United Pacific B20000-D United Pacific 1932 Ford 5-Window Coupe Bodies | Summit Racing
Has the filled roof and firewall showing in the photo.
26196.74 That leaves 23803.26 for the rest of the build.
From there it is how wise or unwise you spend your money.
American stamping rails are 843 and lets say a simple frame runs 3000.
That leaves 20,800 to buy the rest of it.
Finding the right cheap drivetrain donor that has a good running engine and trans and maybe a bunch of other parts that you can sort out the engine and trans in before you pull them and then sell off the hulk.
Hunting bargains on the front and rear suspension and having the word out that you are looking for said parts. Painted front end from the guy who replaced it with chrome and stainless pieces sort of thing.

I've got buddies who can do a pretty decent build for little money and then I have a couple who have three times what they spend in a very similar build that doesn't have all that exotic of a parts list simply because they don't hunt down bargains, don't horse trade and don't scrounge. One goes out and finds a running donor rig for the engine and trans and half the time sells off enough pieces so the engine and trans don't cost much. The other buys a used engine that is already pulled for the price the other guy paid for the donor rig from one guy and then goes and buys a trans from someone else because he doesn't want to deal with donor rigs.

I'd say that it can done and the end product can be a pretty decent but very simple ride without a lot of frills. Frills cost money that run the tab up.

 

I think it’s pretty doable if your good at scrounging parts and have time to search for them. I picked up a rebuilt 327 for $300, there are a lot of folks going to LS motors and looking to get rid of old school engines. Other motors are out there with some looking. Thru the years I’ve collected up enough suspension stuff, I can put that portion together with what I’ve got around.

 

U.P. has told us (at my day job) that the two coupe bodies we picked up this year were the last two they'd ever ***emble. They said that they'll still make the parts but won't offer them ***embled. So you need to factor in the body ***embly now too, unless you find one out there. We sold both of the ones that we picked up.

 

Still need a firewall, and grille shell etc to add to that, even if running fenderless and hoodless as a minimum.
Neither are cheap either as repop or original.

 

A lot of folks keep saying “Just go buy a complete car”. While it would probably be cheaper in the long run, many folks with the dream of a early car can’t afford that big a purchase at one time, but could afford to buy a few pieces at a time until they got it completed. Some will say, well, they can’t afford the hobby then, but I beg to differ with them. They can afford the hobby, just not as much or as fast as other better well off people. It’s always been that way, those that could afford the best go fast goodie’s got them, others salvaged the left overs and did what they could. It’s all fun, just some can afford more fun than others.

I wouldn’t have my car if I had of had to go out and buy it outright. I traded another car for it, knowing the work ahead of me to get it where I wanted it. It would have been the same for anything else.

 

I keep seeing body work. If I spend $ 26K for a body there better not be much body work needed.

 

Agreed. I do a lot of research in the meantime.

 

Saying "body work" is more generic. It might conjure images in your head about welding, days or weeks of hammer n dolly, frosting the whole ****in thing in mud (stupid!), but just getting the body in paint will require tweaks, fits, minor dings, blah blah blah. I could estimate 24-30 hours of fit and such before we crack the lid from the primer can. That equates to 1 guy 3 days or so, 2 guys 2 days. Trust me, that ain't **** for "body work" in the big picture. Show of hands, who thinks Henry produced PERFECT bodies in production? Anyone? No, he had ding men and panel fitters bend and twist and fit before it went to paint. Facts. Take em as you will.

 

I would say if you do all of the work including the bodywork and paint yourself along with finding a good deal on a used engine and transmission, it is possible.... 70k would be more like it for a quality build.

 

If you're trying to convince your wife...absolutely you can.

If you're looking for a real answer...I think it would be a challenge.

 

Either way…it was a bad corner to cut!

 

No way for 50k, built 2 before covid and its fallout with inflation hammering the prices, costs of everything you need.

 

Don't forget your 8.3% sales tax, $2,174.33
When calculating expenses, there can be a lot of hidden costs!

 

Saw an OT slammed S-10 pickup truck with 16” Ford wire wheels a few years back…looked really slick. Have to appreciate the Traditional intentions going on there!

 

exactly and that's on every piece you buy, plus the freight company and postman aren't working for minimum wage anymore. of course this is on that original op 's post all new 32, 56's may differ

 

If you are a creative scrounger like I am and you can do most all of the labor yourself then yes I believe that it is very do able. Time and patience are your friends.

 

The OP used the Graffiti coupe as an example.
Then said

folks keep mentioning “quality paint”. Lol
If the graffiti coupe is the bar. Then yes.
That’s not a very high bar.
Some cheap enamel, rattle can the interior black.
High end wheels? Not for Milner.

So yea, a simple running and driving car is achievable for a person doing their own wrenching.
Scuff it down, seal the shell and shoot some cheap enamel on it yourself And you got graffiti quality paint.

 

There’s a few on flea bay right now for 50k and below. Oh, and one piss yellow one for 119k

 

Body 5k
Frame 2k
Front End 500
Rear End 500
Seats $200
Guages $500
Wiring $200
Wheels and Tires 1k
Hood, Grill, Radiator 1k
Gl*** $500
Engine, trans , driveshaft 2k
Total just around15k using mostly good used stuff.
Don't be a 50k ****er, get busy hunting the good stuff.

 

john lee i have to think your being a funny guy, in your mind if you can build 15k 32 fords you would be a very wealthy man

 

Just like in the old days, you can’t afford a 32 grab a model A. It’s traditional.

 

Sure you can, if its a bare bones, barely legal, outfitted with scavenged parts (which usually takes several years), with no labor or outside paid for professional services.
I sometimes look at the ones that are for sale, real or repro and think the prices are outrageous but then after a quick re-think considering what it actually takes to reach the finish line, no matter the level of build, change my mind.
Under 50 Gs in 2022 dollars is going to look like a real bargain real soon. I enjoy looking at the ads in old magazine publications.
Don't let anyone dissuade you from trying. If you enjoy the work, you have nothing to lose. If you go over the budget you can always do a 2022 to whatever year dollar conversion to justify it.

 

Not if you spend over half your budget on a bare body. It wouldn't even be close.

Most of the answers on this post don't address the original poster's question, which was about a quality NEW CAR including NEW OR REBULT parts throughout.

The best way to estimate the true cost of a fairly decent hot rod is to make a complete list of ALL the parts you'll require along with well-researched estimates of how much they will cost...THEN DOUBLE IT. Engines, paint and upholstery, as has been mentioned, are bottomless money pits if you want good work.

Been there, done that, and was still badly over-budget in the end. Good luck!

 

That is exactly what I was thinking...nothing shiny or special...basic mid to late 60s workmanship and have fun when you it all done...just go out cruise around town in it...
Milner was the man for sure...

MikeC

 

Do ya have any pieces already for a hypothetical build?
One reason it would be possible in my opinion is I have at least 3 possible engines and trans that are available. Plus a complete front axle ***embly and couple rear end choices. And would t have to farm anything out.

 

The speedway signature series 32 roadster is $50,800 and change and doesn’t include tax,shipping, engine or transmission. It also doesn’t have roll up windows, fenders or roof of your desired coupe. Some of the ***embly cost should be baked in through speedways volume buying.

 

Total just around15k using mostly good used stuff.

 

Oh, just get real. Your $%K body, if it exists, will need a ton of work. You didn't mention paint, or an interior, or lights or a steering wheel or ....

 

8.3% sales tax on $50k would leave you $45850 to play with. You're already in the hole.

 

No tax on parts you trade for, buy at the s**** yard, already have or given to ya