built this for just over 5k and i hade a great time building it. 32 hupmobile. free 6 cylinder free rear axle. most expence was metal , tires, gauges, paint, radiator.
I bought a '63 Buick Electra 225 a few years ago for $750. It was super original, it had low miles, in pretty decent shape for sitting out in the OK sun for what looked like a really long time. It was running and driving, albeit on less than the 8 cylinders. I took it home, did the tune-up thing, did the brakes, and put some duals on it. I probably had $2,500 in it when I sold it. I could have done it cheaper, but I had a guy in town do all the brakes for me. Anyway, yeah it's very possible to get a project you can drive for under $5,000. But you have to get it in your head, you're not going to be driving a '32 Ford coupe for that kind of money.
I bought a clapped out rusted 48 Plymouth business coupe for $200. Spend almost another $100 getting it home. (Do I have to add in the cost of my truck? ) Several years ago I bought a 90 Dodge Dakota pickup from a friend for $100 to be used as parts, he needed it gone. I ended using that truck for over 2 years before I parked it when the clutch went out. i disassembled the coupe and sold of several parts to some HAMBers and a few parts locally for $5 per part, so I probably made $50-60 back. I am using just the body shell, what didn't sell and what I'm not using went to the scrap yard, where I made about $200 back (the scrap yard is 10 miles round trip from home (feel free to add the cost of that gal of gas if you want.) I have also disassembled the Dakota. I'm using the frame, front and rear suspension, engine (V6) trans (5 speed) and rear axle. I'm also using the truck's floor pan, firewall, seat, steering and wiring. The box floor was good as well so I'm using that as well and much of the odds & ends. I cut off all the flat sheet metal with my plasma cutter (i already owned it, and I'm welding everything together with my 251 Miller that has been here over 15 years) to reuse. i sold the rear bumper for $75, the pair of tail lights for $10, the tailgate and straps for $50, and the topper shell for $20. Who's keeping track? I've scrapped the cab roof (less the roof skin) and the box sides (less portions of the skin) and other stuff I knew I wouldn't need, if I thought it might come in handy, its still here, and probably made $50 more. I bought a 4' x 8' sheet of 18g metal ($54) so far, but I don't think I'll need any more sheet metal. I have the body shell attached to the frame and basically enclosed at this point. I will need to buy a couple pieces of glass, 1/2 the windshield (though I'll probably replace both sides @ $50 each) and 1 door vent window ($25). I'm using the door latches and window lifts from the Dakota doors. I will need to replace the clutch ($250 from NAPA delivered to my door) and will replace all the brakes, brake lines and fuel lines (really, I think I can buy everything for $500-600). I'll probably rebuild the front suspension as well, just because. Don't forget I was driving this truck when the clutch went bad and it still yard moved. I'm probably going to put new tires on my plow truck and put those 2 year old ones on the coupe. I think I'm going to have more in the title then I do in the build, I'm thinking I'm going to all in around $3,000. The cheapest way to build a car is to find a good starting point, finding a doner with as many usable parts as possible, and being able to put it all together. Gene
I bought my truck in running condition for $1500. Did a frame swap onto S-10 frame, the frame was $300. Got a 85 Cutlass for $50 and took the wiring harness, fuse panel, tilt column and brake pedal out if it, then traded what was left for a Camaro rear axle. Took the engine (230 straight six) and trans out of my Nova which was a gift, so no money there. The steering wheel is a $15 ebay piece, the seats are 3rd row seats from a suburban I got for free. The rest was odds and ends that I spent a couple hundred on this stuff. The visor was a gift from my wife (around $200 on ebay). So I have just over $2200 in it now. I have all the stuff I need to put air conditioning in, I spent about $500 on that stuff, but haven't installed it yet. It will eventually get painted and a set of wide whitewalls, but I will still have less than $5000 in it.
This 40' Chevy was built in my shop for less than 5000 total. Took a lot of help and donations on parts but it can be done.
FREE in 1962, but I've got $280.00 in cowl and door media blasting fees. 354 HEMI cost $400.00, I could have a roller for under five grand.
I'm into mine for 7K right now, i have been gathering parts for over 6 years. It will come together this spring, 27 T tudor with 4" chop, 53 flathead on a boxed A frame. Everthing is old school, no new parts except tires and brakes.
I rember a few years back I read an article about a low budget built car. Really rad car got tons of press. The only thing was this. It was built by a guy who ran a professional shop (well known), had the tools and parts "just laying around." I felt like the whole thing was "just lying around." How many us out here in our little garages and driveways working with Walmart tools really have this kind of access? Budget builds mean different things to different incomes. Five grand to me may be different than it is to you. If you got the tools and skills then yeah five grand is doable but then to if you don't five grand will be like ten grand way out there. I feel you best be ready to work. Cars and trucks go for all kinds of prices. I've seen alot of rust go for big bucks and I don't know why.
I built this '49 Fleetline for under $5K. Also will have less than $5K in this Biscayne when done, including paint. (Hopefully soon) You can do it. Just need to be patient when buying parts etc... Good luck,
Any one interested in a budget build social group. Warning like the low rider group it would be open to O.T. builds with a traditional slant as well if thats ok. Give me a yeah or neigh as I dont want a group with 3 people thats just a waist of band space.
I have around 8 grand in my avatar so far, including purchase price and shipping...it's pretty solid, and my driver. I expect after paint, I should be around 12k...maybe a bit more. It was running and on the road for about 6... of course, I'm sure I'll spend more money on it the farther it goes on... I don't let having a budget deter me from enjoying it now, but, neither will a let it keep me from pursuing my goal for it over time. I have a specific "hot rod budget" per month, and I have to stick to it, and do, however, as far as what I will ultimately spend on a car, over a long period of time, I won't place a cap on that.
I built mine on a budget took a little over 3 years ...build by myself with very little help from others.....when it was red it was in amuzin cruzin mag. first issue busted knuckles section
every car ive built (22 total) has been uinder 3500. but im VERY lucky to have a dad that ran a pretty big body shop for 20 years before i ever built my first car, so i have access to about ever tool in the world, and that saves alot of cost right there.
got a real nice 63 4dr biscayne , nice original car very nice driver. bought a couple of yrs ago for under 4 grand. its not a roadster but it is reliable, looks good, fun to drive , and fairly old . they are still out there, just have to be patient and keep your eyes and ears open. remember that some cars are not worth fixing even if they are free. most of the time it is better to save up for something solid than to buy a 500.00 piece of crap.
I did a search in the social groups and there is no budget build group but there is a recycled rodder group. What if we move there as it looks kind of dead any way. Saving band space.
I am going to try putting my '34 truck together for under 2,000. Got everything except a trans and solid frame and so far I've yet to buy anything. Its a rust bucket but it was free. Just make lots of friends at shows and never say no if someone wants to get something out of their shop!
I started a build of a 59 ford f100 and only dreamed of having a budget to work from. The truck body was in fairly good shape but there wasn't much else to work with. All the work is being done by myself and in a driveway. Its been a real experience and a heck of a lot of fun. Thats what its all about. I am a member of the HAMB and eventually will post pic's of my truck. But for now, she's being put together on a shoe string and prayer. I am always looking for good ideas and cheaper ways to do things. Always appreciate feed back from others with similar situations. Thanks Lo'Gear
You know the great thing about real budget builds is usually the cars or trucks come out with personality. So much of what we do is dictated by what everybody else is doing. So when a person has limited funds and equipment they learn to do things different therefore helping out the next guy. Low budget doesn't mean crusty peice of crap it just means work within your means. I'd like to see some beaters and drivers built solid and on a budget. So I know there are more out there, so lets see'em.
The Jalopy Journal
