Who has the CHEAPEST Coupe or Roadster???

Another tip for cars on the cheap...is not to overlook some of the "hidden" values in aftermarket kits out there! I'll show you an example of what I mean here...

Before I wired my car, I called up a few places that sold ready-to-install, multi-circuit wiring kits complete with fusebox, fuses, flashers, marked wire, appropriate terminals and such. Most of them were tailored to accomodate more items than my car will be equipped with, so I listened to a friend who said "Hell, you can wire it yourself the way you want it for alot less than $180!"

Hmmm...let's see!

Here is a list I compiled to gain a pretty good estimate of what it ACTUALLY cost to do it myself:

Fusebox................................................$15
Fuses..................................................$ 8
Fuse holder (HD w/20 amp fuse).........................$ 5
Ring terminals.........................................$ 6
Insulated female terminals.............................$14
Electrical tape........................................$ 4
Materials for junction block...........................$ 7
Plastic zip ties.......................................$ 6
Wire (various colors and gage sizes)...................$30
Plastic flexible wire covering.........................$ 8
Ignition switch........................................$ 9
Dimmer switch..........................................$ 4
Light switches (2).....................................$ 8
Materials for ground block.............................$ 4
Bolts, nuts, washers, fasteners, grommets, etc.........$10

TOTAL.................................................$148

And this tally does NOT include three relays from Kustomscaraudio, light bulbs, battery cables and such.

Sure, I ended up with an electrical system that features just the stuff I wanted it to have, but it's not as neat and complete as a kit would have been.

On the plus side, however, I KNOW it's done better than it has to be (even if anyone ELSE who tried to diagnose or trace it would likely be left baffled!) and that it will do the job reliably.

So...when pricing stuff like wiring kits...don't be to quick to balk at the nearly $200 price tags on some of them...you can't duplicate all they offer for that price unless you already HAVE all the stuff on hand!

(My car doesn't have turn signal, heater, back-up light, lighter, courtesy lamp, or license plate light wiring...it's bare bones and just has what it needs to run and drive...a kit would have INCLUDED such items!)

I have headlights, tail lights, brake lights, gauge lights, fuel pump and basic engine wiring only.

(Just to show you how much a 'total bare bones' wiring job really cost compared to a more complete kit!)

 

Okay let me do my incomplete rundown

I still need a lot but...

30 plymouth coupe body prechopped $300
1951 331 chyrsler hemi $300
full set of weld wheels and 2 sets
of slicks $500
37 ford frame $100
suicide f-end $140
olds rear w/radias rods Free
Ply. dash $10
Ply Grille $10
beer keg gas tank $10
Remote oil filter bracket $2
64 ranchero radaitor Needs repair Free
Other bits and pieces Free

Total $1370 - wow i thought i had 2k invested

 

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the crux of the matter is the small stuff.
I have about $5000 aus. in this so far...

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......you win! I think that's about $13.00 US isn't it?? When I was in Ireland a couple of years ago, the Aussie dollar was only worth about half of the US dollar. I thought that was rediculous. It's cool if I go over there on holiday, but sucks when YOU have to buy something out of the country.......

 

Hey I have a only 2000 in my 32 coupe. It runs and drives , stops and steers. Drivable, no! Everyone asks, Rat Rod? Well no windows(got a windshield now) no floor no door latches and no safety concerned parts. So , yes ratrod.

I started collecting parts when I realized the time is never right. I had started a new family and used pure determination to get started. The body and frame were a labor exchange. I helped set up a chassis for a 32 sedan. I had never done it before, good time to learn. I got the old drop axle and 40 brakes with good wheel cylinders and shoes for fixing a pick-up box side. I bought a good flatty and trans for 500. Forty rear axle and brakes, 100, came with wheels and front and rear wish-bones.

I have had to buy some modern street rod parts because of my lack of experiance. The pedal kit and the open drive conversion, cost as much as a full built flatty and trans.

I have three years and counting in building. I have to buy tools and learn the fab skills, all new to me. I dont have much, time, money or room, but I am learniing and having fun. My family comes first with time and money, but when I have either of those I am out in the garage havin a good time.

I fully intend on makin it road worthy safely, till then I just keep pluggin away. It would be done if I had more time or experience. Or well the big one would be money.

 

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My opinion is that raw determination gets you the same pile of parts sitting in the same spot on your garage with the same picture on the HAMB for four years... At some point you have to spend some MONEY on it.
Sam.

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Aint it the sad truth. Having the funds to spend on a project gets things done quicker by keeping motivation and morale high. You can only go so far with a project without having to spend some coin. Unless of course you can make your own tools, wires, plugs, bolts, and tires. Besides, priorities often get in the way and coin must be spent elsewhere.

Well said Sam
-Dane

 

hiboy32...I dig what you're saying...unless you are building your car for a Discovery Channel TV drama, there is no set date to have it done! Some guys can build a car in a month and throw cash at it quickly...and others need to spread the labor and coin out over a longer period of time.

That's the beauty of a HOBBY...you do what you can do when you want to do it! Unless you're building cars for a living, you don't NEED to dedicate X amount of dollars to the project per month or whatever!

What I did while it was too cold here to WORK on my car was to go to the parts store several times per week and just buy stuff I knew I was gonna need...all that little stuff that adds up! I bought lots of steel tubing, battery cables, a battery tray, wire, hose clamps, terminals, LOTS of metal stock and fasteners, and other things along those lines. That way, when the weather warmed up, I had something to work with and was able to start a few small projects on the car.

(Years of experience has taught me to stock up on "supplies" before diving into the project!)

I also bought myself a drill press for Christmas and it's paid for itself a hundred times over already! There are all sorts of odd brackets, spacers, adapters and other parts involved in this project, and having a drill press made making them FAR easier! Many of these parts will never be seen...hidden up under the dash, in the engine compartment or wherever...but they are vital parts of the car as a whole, from a functional standpoint!

Take your time...take care of your other priorities, and work on your car when you can take the time to ENJOY it! Otherwise...what's the POINT???

(My earlier point was just not to underestimate what all the little stuff will cost in the end...but I don't think you need to set aside a dedicated dollar amount per month or whatever and have the car built as quickly as possible. Everybody enjoys the hobby differently...ain't no right or wrong way to do it...so long as ya DO it!)

 

I don't think it really matters how much you have in it, as long as you enjoy it

 

Getting a roller can be done for little or nothing.I have enough parts around now to make a roller less body.No money spent yet.I think the key to a low buck ride is knowing that the small things will add up and try to get as much of the car built by horse trading,hunting for junked cars as well as doing 110% of the work yourself.One think I know that you can build a $2500 car $20 at a time but when you have to fork out 5 and 600 for big stuff.That is what kills you.I can scam 20 bucks a week from the wife but scaming $600!!Not going to happen.

fitzee

 

thank you Outlaw

The next one will not take near as long but I am sure it will cost a lot more.

 

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I also bought myself a drill press for Christmas and it's paid for itself a hundred times over already! There are all sorts of odd brackets, spacers, adapters and other parts involved in this project, and having a drill press made making them FAR easier!

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one of the best 80.00 I ever spent was on a 12" drill press, sure beats trying to drill holes with a regular drill and I find I can even drill with a not so sharp of a bit to

 

fathack hit it on the head with the freinds thing,but i'll add to that by saying family as well.i've been into bikes since my dad and i sold our drag car in '92{jesus christ i'm old}finally this year,i decided to build this 27,and man,he's been into it 110%.more times than once ive been at a stand still needing a certain part,but with a two year old daughter and a newley purchased home it has to wait.he'll stop over and say,"whats up with the car?"i'll tell him my situation and two days later the'll be a part or something i needed to keep going sitting on my floor....you can't put a price on that ever...my pops rules between him and curly,this thing would still be a pile of parts taking up space...im out,quickrod

 

Sam, for whats its worth I agree with you line of thought. Ive seen a shitload of cars go up for sale in the unfinished section of the classifieds....usually it boils down to three reasons :

1. lack of commitment....ie time, labour, sacrifices
2. lack of money
3. lack of time and planning

Your point about ALL FOUR of these dudes who u tried to help pulling the pin reinforces the above.

When I started my Deuce 3W project, it was with an attitude to do just about everything I can myself to keep the costs down...as it turns out, I have done everything except the engine machining and trim. Chassis, paint, plumbing, brakes, engine assembly, wiring and all the other jobs needed to finish a car in between have been done by me.

Having built other rides in the past, Ive learned....that to build a car properly so that it doesnt look like it has been slapped together takes commitment to STICK to the task as planned and it takes MONEY to do the job RIGHT. Sure there are always exceptions....but cuttin' corners when building cars (as in most things in life) comes back to bite u later on down the track.

FOr example....I learned to weld with an arc welder so MIG was easy....I enrolled in a trade school years ago to learn body work and painting....and so its goes.

A key point I believe is to understand what abilities & skills you have - then work accordingly. I dont my ride to look like someone "practiced on it" coz in the end its a rolling ad for the quality of work I/we do.....period.


PS....its funny how a lot of "gearheads" arent around to lend a hand when needed but are always around when your ride is finished !!

Just my 2 bob...

Rat

 

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Money is a big issue... if you can't swing a couple hundred bucks a month to dump into your hot rod... don't even bother starting one because your efforts will end in frustration... likewise, if you aren't willing to learn how to weld by hanging out at someones house and learnig... or taking a class at the JC... hang it up and buy a running car...

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think 38chevy454 broke it down pretty good...

money, time, skill... if you are missing money, youll need either more time, or have kickass skills... missing the skills, youll need either tons of money, or plenty of time to work. it goes on and on...

talk is cheap, thats why so many people can do it..

 

I am saving litterally every receipt for the build of my 35 including bolts, weld wire, sanding and grinding discs.....litterally every single receipt. Im in it for about $6500 and its actually close to running (probably another 2k tops for running).

Way I figure it, I wouldnt have bought that weld wire if I was to buy a built rod, so I really want to know where Im at.

Oh yeah, I havent paid to have a single person do any WORK other than the engine machine shop, and the $8 to flare my brake lines, and the $120 to shorten and respline my axles.

 

Yeah, like Grimlok and I can bitch about money spent on toys? Kevin, how much do you have invested in bicycles? Last time I checked it would take10-15 grand to replace all of mine!

Money is not the issue, having fun is. But to naively think that you can build a kick ass car for $1500 is absurd!

Knowing now what I didnt know 5 years ago, I look back at my ideas and aspirations on my Touring car and laugh! And I did not step into this project blind, I was raised around cars/racecars/shops/bodyshops.

Like several have said, you can put a rough "beater" together for a few grand. And you will have fun with it.

 

I might have ya all beat....


Body = Free
Rear End = Free
Rear Spring = Free
Front Spring = Free TO me, came in a trade of my Dads... Robbed it from him.
Frong Axle = Free from Dads parts again, but it was dirt cheap somewhere else for him to have it.
Front Bones = Gift From Dad
Rear 36 Raidus Rods = 50$ for the Whole 36 Ford 2door.
Frame = 65$ in 2x4 Suare Tube.
Motor = 50$ supposed Runner + 100 dollar camkit, and 50$ Gasket set.
Header = ?50$ in Mandrels and another 25$ mandrel for turnout.
40$ in SHacles to Pete and Jakes
40$ Master cylinder.
Front Bearings for 56 Ford Hubs = 50$
Front and Rear brakes = 50$
Windshield = ~10$ at an farm auction i think.
t Gas Tank = Free from a good friend.
Silver Metal Flake Steering Wheel = Gift from Dad.
Radiator = Free From same good friend.(dunno if its good or not yet.
Intake = 30$ for the whole marine 6banger that had caught fire and sank. i curt off the water cooled exhaust.
and probably 150$ in other stuff(hardware and misc junk)

I know it sounds like i got alot from my Dad, cause i have, but most of it was stuff we wasnt going to use and was just laying around taking up space, and came in partscars, cand other things he got while in the process of gathing stuff for his A. THe T spring he was originally gonna run in his A, bit he got a posies A spring.

So that adds up to what? 760$ so far? I havent bought front tires for it yet, and i have a set of like new 750-16s for the rear for the kelseys that i have that cost me nothing also.

i think the license plate is gonna read LFTOVRS, as most of it is castoffs from other projects..

hehe here ill add some pics.. Even with one with me in it.

 

i dont think some people are getting it, most do tho... the way i understood the original intent of the post was, "building a cool hotrod for under $5k"... most of the replies were saying "nope, cant be done" and is geared towards over ambitious beginners..

try building one from almost nothing... minimal tools, skills and a pile of parts... there is one guarantee, a price tag of over $5k

no one is saying you cant build a pile of junk modified for $3k or less... its obvious it can be done...

how about a NICE *in progress* piece with an interesting motor, and some details... coupe, or sedan?

 

Here i htought i just posted that. That is my Project for less than 5grand so far, hell less than 1grand.

Granted it needs WIring yet, Headlights/Tailights(still no idea what to do for tailights.)

but i figure all of that should come for a heck ofa lot less than 4grand.

Aaron

 

OK, I was holdin out...I want it to be very clear that I think my situation is an exception. My father-in-law (Aisle7) and friend Eric (ThirtyTwo) did 99% of the work and part scrounging (thanks!!). I wish I could say I did more but credit is due.

Several parts were fabricated by other friend on work trades (Gary and daughter - doors and exhaust). I think we are slightly under $3k on the car now. It is on the road and pretty sound. There is still alot of work to do on it inlcuding body and paint, probably another $2k when it is complete.

 

Well, mine is not one of those car bodies or the cheapest but I’ll throw it in anyway. If you want to keep your cost down be willing to put in a lot of your own time and sweat. On my current project I’m using a lot of left over parts from past projects or saved parts from parts cars. I also happened to get the truck for free so that helps! Removed parts sold, $490. Out going cash, $4035 - $490 = $3445, time = a whole lot. That has me this far but not drivable.



Getting ready to spend another 1500-2000 or so to get me on the road, brakes, motor/clutch stuff and other misc stuff. Currently blown a part for finish body work, paint will come later. It may not be traditional, except for doing it all myself, but it’s mine so I can do what I want.

 

[ QUOTE ]
I might have ya all beat....


Body = Free
Rear End = Free
Rear Spring = Free
Front Spring = Free TO me, came in a trade of my Dads... Robbed it from him.
Frong Axle = Free from Dads parts again, but it was dirt cheap somewhere else for him to have it.
Front Bones = Gift From Dad
Rear 36 Raidus Rods = 50$ for the Whole 36 Ford 2door.
Frame = 65$ in 2x4 Suare Tube.
Motor = 50$ supposed Runner + 100 dollar camkit, and 50$ Gasket set.
Header = ?50$ in Mandrels and another 25$ mandrel for turnout.
40$ in SHacles to Pete and Jakes
40$ Master cylinder.
Front Bearings for 56 Ford Hubs = 50$
Front and Rear brakes = 50$
Windshield = ~10$ at an farm auction i think.
t Gas Tank = Free from a good friend.
Silver Metal Flake Steering Wheel = Gift from Dad.
Radiator = Free From same good friend.(dunno if its good or not yet.
Intake = 30$ for the whole marine 6banger that had caught fire and sank. i curt off the water cooled exhaust.
and probably 150$ in other stuff(hardware and misc junk)

I know it sounds like i got alot from my Dad, cause i have, but most of it was stuff we wasnt going to use and was just laying around taking up space, and came in partscars, cand other things he got while in the process of gathing stuff for his A. THe T spring he was originally gonna run in his A, bit he got a posies A spring.

So that adds up to what? 760$ so far? I havent bought front tires for it yet, and i have a set of like new 750-16s for the rear for the kelseys that i have that cost me nothing also.

i think the license plate is gonna read LFTOVRS, as most of it is castoffs from other projects..

hehe here ill add some pics.. Even with one with me in it.







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I don't think you're hearing what people are saying dakota, my friend.

You have tweny things on your list of parts there... last time I checked... a running car is made up of more than twenty components... which means there is SHIT LEFT OUT on your list...

Sam.

 

Thought I might float ya some quotes from The Man Himself (John Buttera!) one of my two car building HEROES!

1

"Does this type of car fit your lifestyle? Will it interfere with your family, your social obligations, even with your ability to make a living? Will local conditions like weather, roads or vehicle codes foul up your plans? But most important, can you afford it? I'll bet that nine out of 10 cars don't get finished because the builders ran out of money before they ran out of enthusiasm."

2

"You must have a plan, a finished car in your mind. Don't do it in pieces, or a piece at a time. Once you've started the project, you're committed. Meanwhile, don't build an albatross, a car that's obsolete before you're finished, a car that's boring. Keep it simple, subtle and slick. A car, not it's parts, should stick out. And if you don't finish it, that's because you don't like what you see and that tells me it isn't your favorite car."

3

"Know your area of expertise and and your areas of weakness. Then do a cost analysis. What you have to do is to figure out what you can and cannot do. Find out how much it's going to cost you to farm out what you can't do, then double that amount. True, you can save some money by cutting some corners, horse trading or coming up with some good deals, but if in the end you cannot afford the car, return to numbers one and two-and look for another favorite."

Those were just a few bits taken from an article I dug up out in the garage tonight while searching through my junk trying to find license plates for Tredboy. I read the whole article in the forgotten, dirty old issue of Hot Rod standing at my toolbox an hour or so ago, and it seemed to jive well with what's been said in this post already, and my own views on building cars in general.

There was much more info in the article relative to basic car building, but those dealt somewhat with the cost factor, so I thought them most appropriate to share with you here!

 

LOVE THIS this makes me want to build a t off of the touring back i got from MotorManiac and 'borrow' some scrap stuff off of my dad.
Thank you MotorManiac.


Also just talked to a guy today who is building a Lotus Kit car for $500.

 

haha, its like talking to a BRICK WALL...

ok... i built a 5000hp flathead racer for 5 PESOS... then i flew to the Mars in it and shat on that stupid alien head these new age faggots keep pointing out...

BEAT THAT...

 

I had my truck parked out front of the shop I work at.LOTS of people asked how much....I tell them $9000 (a little less than I have in it).They ALL act like I am a NUT.These people think that they all can be built for nothing.I told a few if they could do it cheaper go for it.Sorry for the rant..........

 

Lotsa Stuff left out? Hmm

Sam if you go through whats on that car, in those pics, i didnt leave much out that cost me anything. Just thinking about it, only thing that i left out that really cost anything was the 100$ driveshaft/ujoints that i had to have made.Everything else i either made myself, or was given to me. Hell the Rod ends used in the 'bones were a gift to me that i got on a shop tour from a guy i didnt even know all that well when i mentiononed i was going to have to buy them.

i honestly for sure have less than a 1500 In that entire car, at the very most. But i have had acess to alot of stuff that 99% of you dont have in your backyard and in my part of the country. Advantages to NOT living in Socal.

I know i have some money to spend on it coming up, but it isnt going to be alot more, a couple thousand dollar should get that car driveable i hope.

 

And for "SHIT I LEFT OUT" ....

I was listing the things that cost me Money up front.

i know there are more than 20 parts to a car, granted i am only 25, but i started my first rod when i was 13, and was driving it in Highschool. I am not some moron that has his dad build all of his stuff. I have a college degree, in Machine Tooling, and have worked in Fab shops for most of my Career so far. I know what it takes to put something together.

and Sam, there is no intentional leaving of stuff out here just to sound cheap, if you think that. this is Honestly what this car has cost me. i have had the luck of being given alot of stuff, but around here there are actually old wrecking yards and Farms that still have Tin and older cars stil on them that you can get for little or nothing if your lucky for parts. i live 15 miles from the best wrecking yard in the midwest i would guess. and he has 225 EDSELS. no lie. 60 Acres of 30-70s everything, and he specializes in edsels and 50s Fords. even has a 56 Crown vic GLASSTOP, couple of 54 glasstops, a 56 merc glasstop, alot of lincoln stuff, when was the last time you saw a NOS Super Marauder Intake from a turnpike cruiser the 410 HP one with the Cast Alum air cleaner NOS IN THE BoX laying on a shop floor? Saw it a month ago there, Intake to Aircleaner.


Saying it cant be done is going a long ways.... saying it cant be done in Socal, that i can believe.

~Aaron

 

Hey what do you guys think of this?
My brother Timmy built this roadster last year while he
was still going to college. Total cost at around $4,900.
I can break it down for you guys tomorrow (it's late and I want to go to bed right now). Let me know what 'cha think...