Cost of restoration

[Blocker]

For those of you that already have restored their Sandmans and are willing to share - would you like to guess or tell what kind of dollars you have invested in your car?

Also for those that are in the process of restoring, what do you plan and think you will be spending?

If you're not comfortable in sharing what your restoration budgets are or have been then that's OK, I'm talking about restoration not purchase of the car.

Me I'm looking at putting in about 20 to 30k into the whole process, I hope to come out with some change but if I don't it wont bother me that much. That's bare metal factory original restore, with a couple modern conveniences for the personal touch.

[agr071]

i had an article from Street Machine in the early 90's, which gave an indication on how to build a $10K streeter, so i base my builds on this.
I just can't seem to remember where it is now.

[stickthis]

My HZ Sandman ute has cost be about $25k. But its not factory and much of the work was done years and years ago back when a VS 5L was worth 5k + etc etc.

My HZ GTS (current project) I have estimated 30k min. But its an every nut and bolt job. So I'm thinking more 40k. Long term project this one lol.

[jennie285]

Well already we have spent approx. $2000 on fixing up brakes renewing door locks, and ignition, generally going over all the running gear.....Because it has the wrong motor, gearbox, and all interior, etc. we expect to spend $7000 on the motor, $800 on a gearbox, and clutch, $8000 on soda blasting and body prep, panels which we have cut off a wreck in Forbes $800, $8000 on painting, which also includes Decals, body parts, and will prob spend $2000 on the interior, radio, hoodlining, seats, console....we have also have to renew the exhaust whatever price that is.....

You can add that all up as if I do it will scare me:sick:

The Red van's budget is $2000 on brakes, and running gear, oil leaks, etc. $600 on exhaust, $10000 on soda blast, body prep, paint, and decals....$2000 interior, $1000 rego.....Grill $90, vent, and small items, $10....whatever a new bumper is, and Rodney spent about $100 on paint etc. for all the underneath....labour done by us.....

Plus what ever two air conditioners which are intergrated into the air vents cost

This is really a ridiculous load of money to spend...but it will be worthwhile when done....and we will enjoy them until we have our licenses taken from us coz we are old and a risk on the road.....

i might add these figures don't include purchase price....so maybe the $42K to buy Windsor blue sandman from old matey at Euchuca, was a dam good deal.......

[HZSandman]

Ignoring the cost of the van to start with and transportation to Melb. Also the van was moslty good to start with. The engine had had work done and the body was rust free and painted already, although we have had it painted from the front doors back.

I have kept a spreadsheet of everything which is probably not a good idea. Bit scary when every few dollars gets added in.

I also managed to recoup a fair bit of money ($4,500) on selling excess bits and peices I either got in bulk lots when I purchased things I needed or stuff I took of the van.

Had a few good wins along the way. Best example was selling a GTS clock without the little knob for $232 and buying one for $50 with the knob.

With the wins comes the loses. Had to get the carpet redone after shit job by one trimmer. Bought a few wrong parts along the way as well that were for different models etc.

Could do it all cheaper 2nd time around and would be much more willing to try more for myself next time. Couln't this time as we do not have a garage at home. Going to build a new house soon so that will fix that problem but then we will have no money to indulge in anther van.

Well here goes:

Description Cost
Cigarette Lighter $29.00
Scuff plates screws $5.40
Window winders $19.38
Window winder springs $6.00
Mirror gaskets $35.04
Grease remover & Vinyl paint $25.98
Arial $19.99
Black Dash $150.00
Glove box $50.00
Front Passenger Seat $20.00
GTS wheels + Chrome rings + Centre caps + GTS wheel nuts $611.00
Pillar trims - black $4.50
sun visors x 2 $4.50
handbrake grip $16.30
Re Chrome Scuff plates $120.00
Carbie - 4 barrel, electric choke, HZ with emission control $370.00
Arm rest re-trimming $41.50
Air Cleaner $60.00
Suspension $3,500.00
Decals (beware of fan, Air cleaner set, tyre placard) $72.00
Bonnet cable $10.00
ERG Valve - Wrong one $20.00
Mirrors x 2 exterior GTS $250.00
handbrake cover $36.76
Ash tray $-
Radio $-
ERG Valve $16.50
Heat Sensor $5.50
Wiper Water Bottle $5.50
Kick panels $41.00
Interior auto trimmers - headlining $400.00
Take tyres off rims $15.00
Chasis Welding $500.00
EGR Thermal Switch $20.00
Armrests - Repo $140.00
GTS Mirrors x 2 Painting $50.00
Interior auto trimmers - carpet $120.00
Mechanical Repairs - mostly engine $4,587.00
Reproduction GTS Wheel centre caps $220.00
Door Trim Clips $20.00
Paint Wheels x 4 $350.00
Floor Mats $50.00
Pinchweld - Black x 13 metres @ $5.20 per metre $67.50
Wheel Allignment and tyre fitting $97.90
Guages Repairs (Speedo and Fuel) $424.60
headlight switchs (3), Cigarette lighters (2), Handbrake grips (2) $56.00
Exhaust replacement $519.80
Carpet - Redo poor job by Olympus $150.00
Matress for rear $550.00
Seat re-trimming x 2 $770.00
Console Unit $65.00
Boot Console HZ - repo $35.85
Power Steering Unit $250.00
New Battery $162.00
Clutch Pedal Pad $8.50
Brake Pedal Pad $8.50
Bumper Bar (Rear) Bolts $24.20
GTS Steering Wheel $250.00
GTS Clock $50.00
Weld in Windows and Quarter Panel Repairs + Respray Paint $4,616.00
Decal Set $550.00
Rechrome Bumperettes $160.00
Trimming for Cargo area $1,600.00
Decals Fitting $140.00
Fix Parking Brake and Window + other mechanicals $360.80
Power Steering Arms (short) $64.00
Wheel Nuts - GTS HZ $49.95
Rechrome HZ Wheel nuts $40.00
HZ GTS Horn Pad $29.99
Power Steering Rebuild $200 box, $200 Pump $400.00
Power Steering Pully $80.00
Power Steering fitting $220.00
Power Steering Belt $18.00

Total: $23,836.44

[HZSandman]

Adding it all up it would have been a better idea to buy Dan from Ocean Groves fantastic Green HZ Van which sold for $37,000. Best one I have seen.

Not nearly as much enjoyment and feeling of owning the whole process and the finished van.

[Blocker]

Not nearly as much enjoyment and feeling of owning the whole process and the finished van.

That's exactly right for me anyway the joy of the process and yes having to pay for it as well.

[mook]

I don't know if this is going to help, but my feeling is that if i spend good money now on paint and panel its something that will last a lifetime if well cared for. This is good as i don't have the skills or time to be able to chip away at that aspect of the restoration.

So I am opting to spend less on everything else that i feel that i am capable of doing and slowly restoring or replacing individual parts once the car is up and running. I hope this makes sense. But it doesn't hurt to spend a bit on exterior bling. You don't always have to open your bonnet..

Also be prepared to take your time especially when it comes to finding the right parts for the right price.

eg i found my two rear GTS chrome 15 x 8 rims on ebay for $140 NEVER FITTED and in new condition.. Then when i had to get the fronts made they were $280 each plus the cost of the two original rims.

Also when selling items on ebay be very clear (photos as well) with your listings, make sure they end at a convenient time eg sunday arvo. and answer all questions, and help where possible to arrange delivery. You want that part that you are selling to look as good as possible. EBAY isn't all bad.


At the end of the day you want something that you are proud of and happy to drive around but not be to paranoid to ever take it out. as thats what it is all about!

[GTS]

I'm up around the 20 - 22K mark so far but I have 99.9% of what I need to finish it and cant see any other big expenses coming up other than rego and CTP. I think...hope...it should be on the road for around the 25 - 26K.

[ozbox]

i had an article from Street Machine in the early 90's, which gave an indication on how to build a $10K streeter, so i base my builds on this.
I just can't seem to remember where it is now.

now i know why you so friggin tight....do the sums on what 10k in the 90s values to now....:lol:

in the early 90s gold was 400 bucks an ounce and now its 1200 bucks an ounce.