Building a car for less than 10K.......

Thanks for all the kind words guys!

EVIL

 

The roadster in my avitar is being converted into a hot rod. So far, including the 454, and 4 speed, and new axle to get the car up off the ground, I have about $7,500 in it.
Go to my personal thingy and check out my project pictures so far.
Eventually I'll learn how to work this thing. Thanks, Mike

 

Im about 4500k in so far hopefully going to come in under 10 k
I still need
radiator
distributer
flywheel and clutch
carbs
and the torque tube to T5 adapter from Hamber Crazydaddyo

 

so far i got 200 bucks into mine it will end up round 3-4g's if i can do it with that much imagine what can be done with 10

 

I'm building a little modified and have the following. The front half of a 26/27 T touring body, A frame, good running 454 motor and trans, motor mounts, 37 axle w/front disc kit, 9" w/new rear brakes new wheel cyls and new drums, all gauges, steering column and La Carra wheel, vega box, Lokar 23" swan shifter and other misc. So far under $1550. Yes it takes longer to do it that cheap but I have the 41 to drive in the meantime. So I take advantage of deals when I can and wait when I can't find the deal.

 

Nothing like doing the work in-house when you have the talent. cant include your hours in the cost- its a labor of love for most of us. I plan to roll my 55 chevy 3100 down the highway for 2 grand out of my pocket, but it will be rough- just the way i like em. Took the truck in trade to paint a friends 33 willys drag car- the rest will be home-scrounged parts, and since I own a speed shop, the engine will be pocket change.
Pic below is the Maxton Special, although it hasnt seen the track yet. total investment- 64.00, a case of beer and a weekend in the shop. shes seen a couple hundred shakedown miles on the highway.

 

I think you guys would be surprised at how much you incur with 5 dollar runs to the hardware stores, drill bits, sawzall blades, argon, welding rod and all of your consumables. I have a box I throw all receipts in and then add it up at the end of the build. You'd be surprised.

 

That's what swap meets are for. Stock your garage like it is the hardware store. Never p*** up the opportunity to buy in bulk what you're referring to as consumables. When I need steel I do the same, I may need only 1/2 a stick of square tubing but I'll buy the whole thing as I know that sooner or later I'm going to need it. Plus you've saved a trip or you have it when you need it on the week-end

 

It can easily be done...but ChevyGirlRox is right on...safety and details...don't skimp on safety and all of the little things add up quick but 10K is very doable...good luck

 

I have a tubing rack. It comes in handy.

 

haha thats exactly why I dont save those receipts

 

It can definitely be done. My '56 Plymouth wagon project has roughly $2,500 in it at present, and that includes a rebuilt, zero-mile '69 440 engine that I've had for about four years! I also have all four wheels I plan to run on it, seats from another car, a new auto converter and a big-block 727 ****** (it needs a rebuild, definitely!), and some other parts. Might have one of my '48 Chevys traded on some body work. So, at the end of the day, I should have about $6K in a running, driving wagon, painted in epoxy primer/sealer (for now!) and ready to hit the drive-in with! By the time it is actually a finished car, with paint and complete interior, I'll still have less than $10K in it.

 

not at all...i actually added 'em up once. Added 15% to the next budget for "misc".

As for the 10k goal,perfectaly doable. Remember..if you see a fairly complete vehicle (new arrival) in the wrecking yard, start at the front & work it over, nuts, bolts,brackets, etc. Fresh s-10's are a prime target

 

Me too. If I HAVE to go to the hardware store for a bolt I'll buy twenty of them. Thanks, Mike

 

My budget was 10 grand till I got my Desoto engine rebilt!Had to buy my wife a new truck to keep the peace,do I have to add that to my budget too?

 

.........we interrupt this marriage for hotrod building season.............

spouses interference will not be tolerated.

come on- living on the couch aint that bad- its kinda like camping!

 

I might just p*** the 10k mark when my current project is done. It's a '32 5W, so I think I did pretty good.

 

Having a place/way to store extra necessities is a real plus when stocking up for the future. I aquired these a few years ago and it's really nice to be able to have things sorted out. I have my bolts sorted not only by diameter and lenght but also co**** or fine. Nuts are sorted by size and co**** or fine. Washers and otherfasteners are also sorted. I have over 80 of the grey drawers. These can be found at swap meets, surplus sales. The black tower was bought when a local parts store went out of business.