$5,000 TRADITIONAL Rod, can it be done?

Wrong Jim Dude. You are thinking of Jim Rizzo...that's not JimA

 

My bad sorry bout that .My apoligies to RIZ

 

I've got a start on a less than $5 grand pile. I rescued a '33 truck cab for $400 and am working on a $500 rolling '34 chassis. Now if I can talk one of my dads friends into selling his Pontiac 421 out of an old hydroplane. As already mentioned, I agree it comes down to time, being in a hurry always costs more. Some wannabe "gold chainers" cast off workable original stuff, cause they want to be driving it by next week. Its just a matter of patience and being in the right line once in awhile.

swdobbs....

 

Jim, give me a call, bring $5000.00 and we will do it!

 

This is also a concern of, TIME IS MONEY!

If you have the time to search swap meets and gather part, you can really save a huge amount of coin. But itll take more than a few years to gather the parts.....well for most people. I know for a fact that Root had the tires for his T for more than a few years, and the body well before that before actually building the T. It would also help to not have any other life, like children in cheer and gymnastics and dance and choir and a full-time job and back to Army on weekends.

And I would venture to think that not many are counting tools and expendables.

Me personally, Im even saving the reciepts for grinder discs, gas for the welder, tools needed, and everything I would NOT have to buy if I just got something off e-bay.

Personally, Im over $6k on the 35 counting expendables, but not tools. Its close to drivable around the block, but its more high dollar than I shouldve made it.

 

This has been a good thread. I've read all the reply's. I'm not sure we can settle on a yes or no because we don't agree on the definition of TRADITIONAL. If traditional means a ride like an AV8, it would be hard to do for $5,000. A friend of mine has over $3,000 in his flathead alone. I built a "traditional looking" 26 tub-satin black, red steelies, mexican blanket upholstery, hairpin radius rods, rectangular tube chassis with a smallblock chevy and early aluminum valve covers, etc. It's been on the road and driven hard for over 7 years and cost of construction was close to $6,000. I am now building a 26-27(steel) modified-split wishbones, again tube chassis, steelies, smallblock with old trim and cast iron manifolds, 8 3/4 Mopar rearend, 29 grille shell, skinny tires but radials, alot of old timey parts. It looks traditional but obviously isn't. This car will be licensed, driving and safe(I'm a corporate safety officer by occupation) for about $3000.00. It will be at Indy next Summer. So, build what YOU want, make it safe, and drive the hell out of it. Excellent thread. Sam

 

Gregg. sbc in the 50's yes (later 50's), auto's ?? probaby not as common

Klaz,,,, I agree you with. Hey nice find for $4500...

 

[ QUOTE ]
what i think would be cool is buildin an FED under 5 grand sure w/ that much of a budget you probably couldnt put a blower on it but i bet it could be done if you built the chassis yourself, motor, painted it yourself and picked up some old "junk" at a swapmeet/get lucky
In fact that'll be my mission in a few yrs...build an FED that would resemble the Dragmaster Chassis yet still meet requirements and just run a 301 in it. Gear it right and get the weight distribution down you may be able to run in the low 11's............ZIIIIIIIINNNNNGGGGGGGGG!!!!!

JOHNNY

[/ QUOTE ]

I was thinking of the Grassroots challenge the WHOLE TIME I was reading this thread! After seeing some of the cost breakdowns on the GRM site, these lists PALE in comparison! They want to know down to the penny every nut/bolt/lubricant/etc was put in your car. "Buddy" deals and freebies factored in at fair market value, etc. And yet, there are still 10 second cars, beautiful show machines, and wheel lifting auto-x'ers built! Although since the cost of tools ISN'T included, it's typically the big wallet boys that do well in that competition. I'd love to build a $5k hotrod AND a $2010 or so GRM machine one of these days, but time/space/and most importantly tools are leaving me at a severe disadvantage right now. There isn't much you can do with no garage.

 

YES: There is a book "T-Bucket Roadster on a Budget" , by Chester Greenhalgh that shows how to build a nice roadster cheaply. Order it from Motorbooks International. Even if you're going higher scale car this is still al great help.

 

this subject has been beat to death... let it die.

 

It most certainly can be done, I've done it. But as previously mentioned not overnight and with alot of networking and ingenuity. I have to do it that way out of neccesity, but that is half the fun. Thats how rods were built originally.

 

Two things:

1. All the freebies and 'my buddy gave it to me for nothing' stuff is great...but it doesn't apply to everyone.

2. It really is about what you can do yourself. If you happen to have nearly every tool you'll need from past projects and builds, you can build a car cheaply.

All that BS aside, I intend to have $7500 in my 'A pickup when it's complete. I may come out well below that, but I'm leaving a cushion.

 

If you don't mind drivin' a clapped out POS that may or may not get you home and you don't mind the cops lookin' at ya queer and messin' with ya 'cause they think your drunk on account of it wanderin' around a bit and you don't mind not knowin' whether you have enough room to stop without leavin'1/2 a block and 1/2 a lane to spare, $5000 is probably doable.
Especially if you have good pals and plenty of good junk layin' around to begin with.
Buuuuutt by and large I think the idea of a trad. rod under $5000 starting from scratch today is a beautiful dream.
t.

 

Since this was first posted I finished my Touring, minus interior ( I do own the vinyl) I did everything on the car witht he exception of hone on the engine and short block build ($800) and the tranny rebuild($300). I havent itemized this week but am real close to 7K. This includes real paint, real cheap paint.

 

So, with the remainder of the interior costs (I'm assuming you aren't an interior guy?), and the costs you just mentioned on the engine and tranny, that's about 8K. Did you figure in ALL of your costs in chasing parts down? Costs like gas and wear and tear on your other vehicles going to swaps, junkyards, and supply houses, plus phone costs, postage (sending out money), etc. etc.? If not, better tack on a bunch more money-- gas and wear and tear is not cheap. I still think that many people leave this stuff out when telling others how cheap they got it done (not saying anyone in particular here). And I do agree whole-heartedly-- the resources/parts available to you have just about EVERYTHING to do with building something for 5K. Most people don't have the right parts given to them free/cheap. I do not think a 5K ride that looks good and is reasonably safe and reasonably reliable is obtainable for 95% of the folks out there. For 95% of the people, I think that building a cool, safe, and reliable ride for only 5K is wishful thinking, as in "impossible and unrealistic for the majority of the people" IMHO

 

Ok, you are right, let me add some disclaimers. I work in a rod shop and pay cost for parts. I can use my paid time to order my own parts (within reason). Sometimes the pieces I need fill out a stock order to get free shipping for customers. I get a little "float" from the shop as long as my ticket doesnt get to big or too old.

As for interior, yes, I do know how to sew, and will tackle it myself. I do plan of farming outthe front seats to Fatlucky. I had a blast doing my tonneau cover with my mom. I love my mom

I also agree about the 95% of the population comment. I could give all the little pieces of steel and shit parts I used to many so called "street rod builders" and they would scratch their heads. Let alone a guy that just found the HAMB and never has done anything. I am not doing this to brag or toot my own horn, Remember, if you can do it, it aint bragging.

I just want guys to understand what it takes to build a cool,reletively safe, good looking car. If I built my touring and finished it to the level we do on customers cars, it would cost 40-50K. I built it for fun, and learned doing it, lots of little mistakes that I wont do again.

 

Quote, quote, re-quote. I,I, me, my, mine, and ego deluxe.

 

I'm going to try to have mine done for under $5000. BUUUT I do not count the soap I use for shop towels ,electricity to run the compressor, ect.
I do figure when I buy a donor car and sell the rest the $ go in my race car account at the bank. I don't buy lunches or beer or private dances with that $.
My tools over the years have been Birthday or Fathers day presents ect. I buy almost everthing used or make it my self. I figure my time is worth nothing ,I can wake up tomorrow morning and I can have a bracket made or nothing accomplished ,it's up to me.
My personal rule is never have more money invested than what I can sell it for.I never fall in love with any of them.I enjoy building and driving(or racing )them.

 

Jesus H. Tap Dancin' Christ. Are we accountants, or are we hot rodders?

Steve.

 

Don't forget to add all the times you have to take the wife out to dinner just to keep her happy.

How do you calculate wear and tear in? Do you do the same for tools... garage .....marrage?
Clark

 

I don't agree w/ adding those costs in the total price at all. This is a hobby & part of the fun is getting the stuff to build your project. If you want to figure in those costs, you may as well figure up the hours you spent building the rod, too- then figure what a shop would have charged you for the same amount of hours. No one could build a car for less than 15K if figured that way!

For someone building a car in their garage, figure in what it cost to actually buy the parts & supplies. Everything else is just gravy.

 

You are just mad because YOU didn't revive this old dead thread, right?