How Much? How Long?
Cost of a Restoration
The short answer is, it depends.
A total body reconstruction and drive line restoration or replacement can cost over $100k. A simple rust repair and full body repaint could be closer to $10k. The best thing to do is contact us to discuss exactly what you need, then we can tell you what it will cost.
BUT, we know you're looking for a number that's realistic but not a huge range, so let's go over the average project that rolls into our shop. Most East Texans have a complete car that's got quite a bit of rust (floorboards are see-through, quarters are perforated, vinyl roofs are soft, and windscreen corners are bubbling). It's not uncommon to come across some rodent-damaged wiring, and owners typically want to get away from resistor wiring, ameters and generators and upgrade to new wiring, gauges and higher amperage single-wire alternators. The interior typically needs a complete replacement. But the mechanical bits are all there and a simple rebuild (rings, bearings and a valve job) will do fine. We typically end up installing a new AC as well. In a scenario like this, you're going to end up investing about $25k in your vehicle.
How long does it take?
A nut and bolt restoration of a classic can take a long time. In some cases, we'll need a car for a year. It's actually pretty easy to dedicate 2,000 hours to a car that needs everything. In most cases, we can renew a car in less than 1,000 hours. If all your vehicle needs is a repaint, tires and brakes, then you should have it back, looking like new, in about a week! If you've got a car with several rusted panels that's been sitting for a few years, expect to leave your car with us for a few months.
Component Examples
If you want your car back on the road, but aren't ready for a full restoration, here are a few examples of what kind of expense you'll encounter if you decide the Rosy Wrench should make some repairs for you. These figures are average representations. Each car is unique, and you'll need us to get our hands and eyes on the vehicle for an estimate, but these ballpark figures will give you an idea of what we can do for you.
- Engine Rebuild - $2500
- Transmission Rebuild - $2500
- Body Repaint - $3500
- Interior Overhaul - $3000
- Modern AC Install - $3000
- Complete Brake & Suspension Replacement - $2000
- Carb to Fuel Injection - $2500
- Premium Stereo Installation - $2000