Watts: I have a 37 I did over a 5 year period. I have NEVER added it up although I have and "idea".
Now for my panel. Just TODAY I bolted the engine and tranny onto the chassis and the worst is yet to come...meaning body work.
So far I estimate I have just under $4000 in it. Now bear in mind during this time I have purchased and have in my attic, NEW radiator, bumper, door handles, weather strippings for all doors, windshields, gaskets,glove box, hood emblem, restored guages with one new guage and new speedo head in speedometer,ordered lot of new rubber bumpers,both new floor pans, outer driver side cowl panel and inner cowl panel. purchased two used but nice front doors. I've changed the torque tube to a 56 pumpkin,all new brakes and lines, purchased a set of 15" 6 lug wheels, sent $75 for sand to blast chassis but not counting the $225 pressurized blaster, bought a nice used remanufactured engine with 15,000 miles. Also a new 600 cfm carburetor that cost me $280.
I bartered for a lot of things. A 350 tranny that I just put a new filter and pan gasket, bartered on a grille, "begged" a fellow bolter out of some additional parts,bartered for some brake drums,new type motor mounts, bartered for a rear cross- member,bartered to get my inner to outer cowl panel repaired, and a "few" other pieces AND I'm still looking for some more like running boards.
Now, I have not paid one dime for any labor but the worst is yet to come. I cannot do body work and my body is in sad shape. I've got my son to help strip most of one side so far but much actual body work is to be done. I'm figuring around $6000 to complete the body work and paint. I have had the front fenders blasted by someone else but I have done the rest...after paying $50 ech to get the front ones blasted and treated I figured I can do it!
Spent lots of dollars on paint, cleaner, media for my cabinet blaster, grease and oil.
OH MY GOSH: after typing all this I may have a lot more in it than I thought. I have given my wife all the receipts and ask her to put them in a spread sheet with where the stuff came from, the part # and how much it cost. I may be in divorce court soon.
So, watt, does This answer our question????? I figure around $15,000 by the time I'm finished in actual cash. I've already been working/piddling on this thing for two years and figure maybe two more.
I have taken advantage of swapping a lot of stuff but I have also taken advantage of JimCarters discount sales to Stovebolters. Last December he offered a 25% discount, and this past April he offered a 15% discount and if you contribute to the Stovebolt you can get a 10% discount all the time. I have saved several dollars using the discounts and just put the stuff in storage. The "rubber stuff" I keep in the house where its a little climate controlled
It will still depend on what YOU want to do but it also depends on the condition of the vehicle you are working on. Like 2many2count says....buy good metal ect and in the long run you'll come out a head. Sorry for the looong response but he asked for it!!!!
Edit: I forgot about the new e-brake cable, new water pump, new starter, and new fuel pump,new plugs.....and the list goes on!
