OT: Classic Car Project

[Mountain Bronco]

So the Car thread got me thinking about a project I need to get moving with. I have a 1967 Mercury Cougar that I inherited and it needs some work. I got it running a couple of years ago and drove it, but then life got in the way and it has been sitting for a while now (not to mention siting for the 10 years prior to me getting it). I am sure the hoses and such all need replaced and it will take some work and parts to get it running (Carb is probably hosed, radiotor clogged up etc....) The body is in decent shape with no dents, minimal rust on bumpers, but the rag top needs completely replaced and there is rust where that used to be. Would also love a paint job, but could wait on that. There are some interior tears in the leather, but I don't know if those parts are patchable or if the entire interior seat covering needs to be replaced.

I don't have the time to do this work myself and the skill is probably lacking for a quite a bit of it as well. Anyone know anyone in Colorado (preferably Western Slope) who would do this type of work and not cost a fortune?

Is thinking I could get the bulk of work done for 5K wishful thinking?

[Drunken.Broncoholic2]

It always costs a fortune when dealing with older cars.

[DENVERDUI55]

You should just sell it if you are worried about cost. It costs a fortune to do the work yourself and to have somebody else do it yeah just sell it now.

Yes you could probably get the work you are talking about done for 5 k but then other stuff will constantly pop up. Old restores are usually just money pits. I have had a few 69 bronco, 79 CJ type vehicles.

[Drunken.Broncoholic2]

You should just sell it if you are worried about cost. It costs a fortune to do the work yourself and to have somebody else do it yeah just sell it now.

Yes you could probably get the work you are talking about done for 5 k but then other stuff will constantly pop up. Old restores are usually just money pits. I have had a few 69 bronco, 79 CJ type vehicles.

Yep. You get what you pay for. Go cheap and it will end up costing more to fix the work that was done. No one with credible skill gives a set price on a restore. Estimates are exactly that. Once into a restore more problems pops up which is more money. It may look straight but 9 times out of 10 there's body work done underneath that paint, leading to stripping the car down to bare metal. Big bucks.

[OBF1]

A half ass restoration including new paint, interior motor work will cost you a bit more than 5 grand. I do not know a lot about western slope paint shops but my little jeep cost 3500.00 for paint and another 2500.00 for a complete interior/carpet/stereo upgrade. Depending what motor work you need that can also hit you up for another G.

I highly recommend if you are going to keep the car and really enjoy driving her, spend the money to get it done right the first time.

[Quoydogs]

Yep. You get what you pay for. Go cheap and it will end up costing more to fix the work that was done. No one with credible skill gives a set price on a restore. Estimates are exactly that. Once into a restore more problems pops up which is more money. It may look straight but 9 times out of 10 there's body work done underneath that paint, leading to stripping the car down to bare metal. Big bucks.

A cloth and magnet will find any bondo Just a little FYI

[Drunken.Broncoholic2]

A cloth and magnet will find any bondo Just a little FYI

Not always. You can knock on it and use magnets but you don't always know until you start sanding down the layers of primer or possible other layers of paint. It could just be a thin filler, or several inches of nasty bondo. I've seen restores that needed to be stripped just months after being restored due to faulty prep work.

Not a good idea to lay paint down on another persons half assed repair. You'll be dealing with shrinkage and bubbles forever. Or until it's stripped.

[kamakazi_kal]

money pit.

I'm rebuilding a 71 Honda CT 90 and the parts are a killer to find and expensive when you do.

proceed with caution my son.

[Powderaddict]

money pit.

I'm rebuilding a 71 Honda CT 90 and the parts are a killer to find and expensive when you do.

proceed with caution my son.

Nice! I like those old CT's, how far along are you on the rebuild?

[broncosteven]

Take it to The Counting Cars guy and get some horns and skulls painted on it.

I bet they can do it for $35k

[Mountain Bronco]

Take it to The Counting Cars guy and get some horns and skulls painted on it.

I bet they can do it for $35k

HA, they look like they do great work, but ya, no horns and skulls for me and I don't have that type of budget.

Sounds like it is worth it to save for a couple more years and have it done completely and right.

Thanks for the input.

[Mountain Bronco]

Not always. You can knock on it and use magnets but you don't always know until you start sanding down the layers of primer or possible other layers of paint. It could just be a thin filler, or several inches of nasty bondo. I've seen restores that needed to be stripped just months after being restored due to faulty prep work.

Not a good idea to lay paint down on another persons half assed repair. You'll be dealing with shrinkage and bubbles forever. Or until it's stripped.

Nice thing is that my Grandmother owned this thing since 1972 and drove it sparingly (50K miles total) until it was passed down to my Mom (who just left it sitting for 10 years )and now I have had it sitting for 5 years, so other than the first 4 years of this cars life I know the complete history. Not worried about body repair and bondo as it literally has the original pain job still on it. That said, who knows what the interior, engine etc... will take and I do understand it can be a money pit. My dad redid his 42 Willys jeep and it was about double the original estimate.

[crush17]

Take it to The Counting Cars guy and get some horns and skulls painted on it.

I bet they can do it for $35k

So cheesy, yet entertaining.

[Drunken.Broncoholic2]

Nice thing is that my Grandmother owned this thing since 1972 and drove it sparingly (50K miles total) until it was passed down to my Mom (who just left it sitting for 10 years )and now I have had it sitting for 5 years, so other than the first 4 years of this cars life I know the complete history. Not worried about body repair and bondo as it literally has the original pain job still on it. That said, who knows what the interior, engine etc... will take and I do understand it can be a money pit. My dad redid his 42 Willys jeep and it was about double the original estimate.

That's huge then. Got lucky there

[kamakazi_kal]

Nice! I like those old CT's, how far along are you on the rebuild?

Only about 2 weeks in...... Just got it back from the powdercoating.

It was orange and yeah I changed it, the reason we lost the superbowl IMO.

It's now flat army green with flat black trim (rims and such)