23 replies to this topic

[christolx]

Hi Guys,

 

i am a fairly new member to the forum, and i'd just Just like a little advice on rust repairs to my 76 SL LX Torana Hatchback.

 

I initially had my dad and a good mate of mine (both boilermakers) on board to undertake rust repairs on the car, but they have both been strapped for time over the last year and progress has not taken off at all.

 

The car has rust in all the usual water collecting areas, windscreen channel, radiator support, both doors (have purchased new skins from rare spares to be fitted) c pillars left side being worse off, both rear quarter panels, both tail light buckets need repairs (new buckets made up by Torananut), hatch sill, roof has a few dents and and the boot floor has rust areas also. Anyway just a quick summary of rust areas.

 

i have had a number of quotes on rust repairs for the car. The first one being from a panelbeater in the Jandakot area who will remain un-named - quote of $10,000 for rust repairs. The car started off there and as soon as i witnesed the poor quality of work i was forced to pay out for the sub standard work, to get the car back. This was a bit disappointing but at least i escaped with only $1800 down the drain. 

 

The next quote is from a panel beater who has worked on a number of hatches here in Perth, i guess you could say the quality of his work that i have seen stood out as being very high quality work, but at a quote of $20,0000+ i just could not justify spending that much as i have just built my first house and money doesn't come too easy atm.

 

The following quote i have received is $3000 to have the car dustless blasted and primed and with a quote of $12,000 rust repairs. so total of $15000 

 

 

So basically, my question. Being new to restoration does it sound reasonable to spend $15000 on rust repairs plus $10,000 purchase price of the car to have a rust free shell for $25,000? then i am getting quoted from most places $20,000 for paint! 

 

i am a bit uncertain if i should bite the bullet and spend the $15,000 and get the rust work done. I would just like some opinions, as i know a well finished LX hatchback (SS Replica) will be worth around $40,000 when finished, and i am hoping to eventually have the car completed for around that target in time. I would appreciate if anyone on these forums had any contacts for rust repairs in WA? or could even just give me a little piece of mind about the $$ i am spending on the car.

 

Many Thanks

Christo

 

 

[UCgazman]

Try these guys - http://www.thehammerworks.org/

[Bigfella237]

Welcome to the world of restoring cars Chris!

 

Those quotes don't really surprise me, I would hate to have to quote someone to do a whole car worth of rust myself, it's one of those things that can turn into a really big job really quick,

 

Too late now of course but the cheaper end of the market is much better suited to those who are set up to do the work themselves, if you need to pay outside trades then you're typically better off to spend more money up front and buy something that needs less work, if that makes sense. Labour is the dearest part of any build if you're being realistic about the value of your own time.

 

Anyhow my advice is, if you're going into this with a final sale price in mind then stop right now, sell what you have and recoup your money, the only way to make money is to cut corners and you're not doing anyone any favours.

 

On the other hand, if you're doing this because you've always loved Toranas and you plan on being buried in it, then don't worry about what it's worth to somebody else, only what it's worth to you to have it done right.

 

But getting back to the repairs, not knowing your situation you may be better to have a go yourself? If you spent a quarter of what you'd pay someone else, you could set yourself up with all the gear you need and still have it once you're done (it's amazing how handy a MIG welder is when you have one).

 

Instead of relying on your boilermaker mates to do the job, get them to teach you how to weld instead (teach a man to fish and all that)?

 

[Shiney005]

$10,000 for rubbish work is obviously poor form. However, it does sound like it will be a big job, so to get it done properly, then $30,000 to $40,000 for panel and paint doesn't seem too far out of the ballpark these days. It will be completely stripped and put on a rotisserie by any panel beater who is worth his weight. Keep shopping around though.

[Ice]

Try Farrace but they wont be cheap either

[Potta]

Have a look at some of the build threads from Mike Catts, Sibhs, Dirtbag and plenty of others and see how much time they put into their bodywork.

 

Then multiply that by whatever a panel beater charges an hour and it soon adds up.

 

I don't know how some of these US shows totally rebuild cars for $10k or whatever, its either bull$hit or half assed or their staff work for free.

[UCgazman]

I don't know how some of these US shows totally rebuild cars for $10k or whatever, its either bull$hit or half assed or their staff work for free.

 

Or they send the bill to Discovery channel...

[sibhs]

I couldn't and wouldn't pay those prices!
The real enjoyment from a restoration comes from doing it yourself, learning as you go.
I was a total beginner and had a great time with a pretty good result.
Surely if you started yourself your dad or mate would end up helping.
I wouldn't help someone unless I see them having a go and putting in some effort first.
You just need the room, money and a supportive partner.
Marty

[Ice]

If you find one thats good at his job thats another story

[lx308]

There's also what you don't see that can cause more cost. If you can see rust on the outside there's gonna be heaps more you can't see from the outside... I would take quotes with a pinch of salt as I'm sure you'll spend double of those prices you've been quoted for rust repairs.

[christolx]

Thanks for all the input guys,

 

Bigfella237 unfortunatley in WA there are never hatchbacks for sale...and if they are they are definitely at a premium. It seems they come up a bit more often over East. This car was the best i could find in 12 months of searching. I do understand restoring these cars are about the love, i am in no way looking to make money on this project, i just want to make sure i am spending the money well. Unfortunatley i do have a budget to work to, and perhaps it is not large enough at the moment for the project. I have a MIG but need to get a new one that has a gas set up as the repairs attempted with a gasses mig do not weld very clean and just does not cut it in my opinion. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

Shiney005 - Yes definitly agree, i guess its just about patience till i find the right person for the job.

 

Ice - Not a big fan of Farrace have not heard many good things about them recently.

 

Potta- yes, i totally agree the amount of panel work those guys have put into their cars is a lot of hours and unfortunately hours = time and time is $!

I think panel work is probably the most important part to invest in, I agree those resto shows come up with costings that just seem to be so unreal

 

sibhs - yes, i do agree putting in some more work on my behalf would likely get things rolling, i have the car in a double garage, and no partner so that makes that bit easy! 

 

LH - SLR330 i do agree it's a very time consuming process, the panel beaters that have come out to quote the car have given me quite detailed explanations of why the cost is high and i do see the work and the price tag.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. So from the above comment, lx308 you $15k for rust repairs as a fixed and final quote not bad? 

[lx308]

I would just be worried that if they find more issues than they quoted on then either the price will go up to fix them properly or the quality of the repairs will be less to keep the job to the quoted price.
I've only restored 2 Torries, a LX hatch & currently a XU1, neither of the guys that did the panel work would quote because more often than not someone gets burnt somewhere.

[Ice]

Some of you guys wouldn't last 2 seconds in a business seriously
power water materials doesn't come for free when you have a business to run
its called over heads

[Bigfella237]

I reckon fifteen grand is a cheap job, I have no idea about current rates but a panel shop would have to be on $100 per hour so that's only 150 hours.

 

I've never been brave enough to add up the hours spent on a resto but I'm pretty sure it'd be a LOT more than 150?

[lx308]

The guy that did my XU1 retail hourly rate is $77 per hr. He's booked out at least 12 months ahead... I've seen jobs he done in excess of 500 hrs, panel & paint prep only & most jobs would be minimum 300 hrs I reckon.

[dattoman]

can rent you a rotisserie  for a  months to have a go doing it yourself

[christolx]

I can date i just don't have a good MIG. Or the expertise to do it properly. I have had a couple more quotes from quality panel beaters here in WA both quoting 20+ Paul Noone And Rob from Bare Metal Resto's in Chidlow. Both have experience with Torana Hatchbacks and both really high quality work. Unfortunatley a bit out of my price range. The car is getting blasted to make sure there are no extra surprises and should be going to Brad Khose at StunninG FX who has done some work for me on a previous car. Hopefully find a middle ground between perfection and value...

 

FIngers Crossed!

[eyepeeler]

Try Reaper Customs

[dattoman]

Yes Clint - Viper here on the forums - Runs Reaper... they have been doing some good work

Might pay to give him a call

[christolx]

Thanks, will give them a look in 

[r2160]

I have two suggestions for you.
1. 20k buys a lot of tools . . .
2. I appreciate how much work can be in repairs. Have you thought anou5t breaking it down into a lot of small jobs. Perhaps get X done now then do other things while you save up for the next step. That way you can at least progress on the car and keep within what you can afford.