COMMENTS - 72 GT Resto Thread

[jlthunder]

Hmmm. Looks like a trend here. My 7 year old kid also loves the headlights. Everytime I demonstrate them, all of the kids say "COOOOOOOOOOOOOOL" and all of the adults just stop in their tracks.

Congrats on the roadtrip. Now it is time to enjoy the car.

Jeff

[jvandyke]

Let's see, all 7 year olds love GT headlights. I love GT headlights. Therefore I'm 7. My wife wouldn't argue, even if the logic is bad.

[jlthunder]

Then it is agreed. We all act like 7 year olds. I'm good with that

[hallgeir]

Absolutely.

[Stanley_P]

Could you at least give us a ball park number?
$10,000 - $15,000, $15,000 - $20,000.?
No one (that I know of) has ever had an Opel completely
done. It would be nice to see if more of us can
afford to have it done. Your not going to scare us with
big numbers, we all pay taxes?

Stanley_P

[jlthunder]

Originally Posted by Stanley_P Could you at least give us a ball park number? $10,000 - $15,000, $15,000 - $20,000.? No one (that I know of) has ever had an Opel completely done. It would be nice to see if more of us can afford to have it done. Your not going to scare us with big numbers, we all pay taxes? Stanley_P

Check out this thread http://www.opelgt.com/forums/2a-body...-bodywork.html

FYI, I was in the 8,000-12,000 range(5 years ago). I didn't do any body work but I did the entire interior(minus headliner), installed all of the chrome, lenses and flip out windows myself. My body was not blasted down to the metal, but there was extensive metal repair with new metal(rockers, etc). I also did the front and rear suspension myself. I hope this will give you an estimate of what this threads project final cost was.

[newman27]

Originally Posted by Stanley_P Could you at least give us a ball park number? $10,000 - $15,000, $15,000 - $20,000.?

Originally Posted by jlthunder Check out this thread http://www.opelgt.com/forums/2a-body...-bodywork.html

I'm still working on a final post to the PROJECT thread that will address the total cost to a degree that I haven't determined yet (meaning I am still thinking it over). However the numbers above and that poll are way short, I will tell you that much...

Matt

[Phoenix]

A full resto like Matt's isn't for the faint of heart or wallet. Almost every single thing on Matt's car was redone. A lot of paint jobs aren't taken to the bare metal and a lot don't have as much metal work let alone body work. Everything was professional done and there were a lot of expensive parts upgrades thrown in. It's a very subjective matter. Don't forget that most people won't have every metal part powdercoated.

[neuropel]

Originally Posted by newman27 However the numbers above and that poll are way short, I will tell you that much... Matt

Of course! I'm guessing the cost of the GT is comparable to the price of the Solstice - but given the two cars I know which one I'd want to drive!

(and I don't like convertibles!).

If it's what you want, it's money well spent...

Todd K.

[jlthunder]

Originally Posted by Phoenix A full resto like Matt's isn't for the faint of heart or wallet.

Exactly. If you have to ask, then you probably can't afford it

[Stanley_P]

Originally Posted by jlthunder Exactly. If you have to ask, then you probably can't afford it

But we all like to dream a little. I may hit that lottery!

[hrcollinsjr]

One of the reasons for not giving the price is that some will think it is worth it and others might argue that Matt is an idiot for spending that much. He is definitely sentimental about the car that's for sure. You might get a comparable "looking" restoration for half the price, but.... Did you start out with a better body, did you want every rusted out place replaced with new sheet metal or is a fiberglass patch and plenty of bondo okay, powder coat or paint parts, a good chrome plating job or an great one? There are soooo many variables. Each restoration job will vary sometimes considerably. Are you wanting someone else to do all of it or are you going to let a pro do the work that you can't do and you'll hunt down your own parts and finish the restoration yourself?

I thought the powdercoating was overkill, but it looked sooooo good and it's durable so it will look good years from now. Oh, and as I must remind all of you, Keith insisted all along that this isn't a show car.

Whatever the cost, if it didn't break the bank, it was probably worth it. I don't think Matt has touched down yet, just look at his posts.

Harold

[RallyBob]

What everybody tends to forget is that labor costs what it costs. Whether you spend 500 hours on a Ferrari or an Opel, if the same guy is doing the same quality of work, the price will be the same.

You do it because you want to do it, regardless of the car's true 'worth'.
I mean, who the heck would spend $10k on the engine of a $1500 car?(guilty as charged).

I remember about 15 years ago visiting a restoration shop, and they were restoring a Volvo P1800. The owner had about $45k into the restoration job. Was the car worth it? No, market value at the time placed the value at about $6000. But the owner had the car since new, and decided he wanted to keep it forever, hence the complete overhaul at 300,000 miles. So to him, it was worth every penny, since where else are you going to get a 'new' one?

Matt, congrats on fulfilling your dream.

Keith, congrats on a job well done, and helping someone else fulfil their desire to own a 'new' Opel GT once again.

Bob

[opelenvy]

And as far as the WOW factor goes, you put that same time and effort on a 'popular' old car which one will get more attention at the car show/gas station/grocery store? My money is on the GT. In any condition these cars draw so much attention. I have never seen one that looks just as clean as that brand new Solstice sitting next it. You think he will be restoring the Solstice in 20 years?

[BQS4]

A lot of us are old enough to have been there when GTs and all were new, myself included. But, to get the attention the GT or any well restored car gets, is a wonderful feeling. Most of ya'll have seen my Sportwagon. It doesn't have the sexy body lines a GT does, but, when done right, it will grab attention too. This week I'm on vacation at home, and I have to take my kids to school, one at a Elementary School and one at a Middle School. I can't tell you how many kids turn and look at the car when I drop off or pick up my kids. Even the parents, with the mega dollar SUVs, luxos, and whatever look and stare.
Just like Bob states, the money spent is not equal to the cars worth, but, the appreciation factor is priceless!!!

[namba209]

I'm not going to say what I've got in Willit?, you can do the math, I'm afraid to. But it's been $500 a month for a whole bunch of years, and my credit card is still not to zero. I like what's been said about restoring old cars, my neighbor has a 50 chopped Mercury, and a 32 Ford roadster, now that he sold his 36 Ford Tudor Sedan. When we both go driving, it's the same thing. Thumbs up, Ohs and Ahs, along with the Wow. Is it worth it? You betcha. Would I do it again? You betcha, next time with the monza, and it will probably cost a bunch more. But having two very unique cars back in some semblance of being new and getting the accolades the receive, that's what it's all about. It's called pride of ownership.

[newman27]

First, thanks all for the kind words and encouragement. Second, I can completely understand why people would want to know the exact dollar amount. I would be curious too. However, as many of you have posted so well in different ways, what I spent on this particular car is probably not going to help others much in figuring out what they need to spend on their particular car. There really are too many variables and every car is unique. In fact, posting the total cost for this project might needlessly scare off some from pursuing their dreams. So, I'm not trying to be evasive or create some kind of mystery here. Rather, I want to post something that might actually be useful for people to know instead of throwing out a number and saying that is what it will cost you to have your Opel restored. I'm just sentimental about my cars and especially the GT so it was worth it to me. Others may think I'm completely nuts . I'll have more to say in the PROJECT post I am working on but have been so busy that that may have to wait until the weekend...

Matt

[GoinManta]

WoW... ! This is the first time I noticed this thread.. (OK So I was lax recently with the restoration of my Kadett and other things)...

What a great story and the detail... so your restoration is imortalized for all

Looks like the destination was worth the journey..

Congrats.. look forward to seeing it at a future show.. (Maybe Carlilse ?)

Dallas... want to loan me the Rotiserre? THat or I can bring the Manta down to you ..

[neuropel]

Truly an awesome thread...

Just a comment on your wishlist:

“Wish List” What would I like to do next? Here is my very short list of things that I couldn’t afford but hope to get to someday (in no particular order): NOS Gas Cap and Key Just Dashes Dash Front and Rear Sway Bars Lowering Springs (to reduce wheel well gaps with stock rims) Cold Air Intake (using the Weber carburetor adapter)

With the overall cost you have in the car at this point, none of these items should make you wince. I'd say go with the suspension modifications next since it will make the car even MORE fun to drive! The $1000 dash (if you include shipping it's right at it) is crazy if you're happy with the dash cap. The NOS gas cap is a nice cosmetic finishing touch but something you can afford to wait on until the right one presents itself. And for the cold air intake, perhaps that could be a good winter project for you to add your own personal touch to your car.

I hope I get a chance to see your car someday. Great job at the writeup!

Todd K.

[hrcollinsjr]

Matt's Wish List - Questions and Answers

Sway bars - Seating on Keith's shelf
NOS Gas Cap - Again, seating on Keith's shelf
Lowering Springs?
Cold Air Induction?
Matt's Car?

Wonder how long it will take for the last three to show up in Cookeville.

Harold