In a message dated 05/08/2000 7:17:54 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
kennkim@netzero.net writes:
<< I have been adding up prices on restorative work on a TR-4A
IRS.........with me doing most of the labor. I don't mind this as I was
willing to take 3-5 years to do if necessary as the results would be
worth the wait & effort.. This would include body, interior, brakes, and
a full motor rebuild. but, I have got to wonder if it wouldn't be quite
a bit cheaper to just buy one that was majority restored. Or.......is it
that I am going to end up buying something that just looks better but
needs a lot of the same work in the end. What do you think on the
subject.
TIA
Ken >>
Having been at a restoration project on the TR4 since 1985...First take a
hard look at how much real spare time you have, how "mechanical" you are, and
how committed you want to be to the restoration.
In my case, I usually put 50-60 hrs a week in at work, and have all the usual
honey-doos of married home ownership to contend with.
I really wish now I had bitten the bullet and bought a fully restored car. I
think others on the list will concur that many home restorers will spend
$15,000.00 on a complete restoration of a car you may be lucky to get
$10,000.00 for, and that does not count labor.
Take advantage of the sale of a well completed project and spend that spare
time fixing little things like new turn signal lenses and rechromed bits.
There will always be plenty of maintenance items and repairs necessary on a
30 year old vehicle, no matter how well it was restored.
Just my opinion..
R Houston
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