C

Classic Cars

— Restoration, appreciation, and the open road
64 members Created Apr 2026

My complete body-off restoration cost breakdown — nothing held back

My complete breakdown of what I spent on my 1966 Mustang fastback restoration, rounded to the nearest hundred dollars, because I think this information helps people plan.

Purchase: $18,500. Body and paint (shop labor + materials): $14,200. Engine rebuild (parts and machine work, labor done by me): $4,800. Suspension rebuild (parts, labor done by me): $1,600. Interior (all components, labor done by me): $3,200. Electrical (complete harness + alternator conversion): $1,800. Miscellaneous (hardware, rubber, trim): $2,400. Total: $46,500.

The car has been appraised at $62,000. The math looks favorable until you account for the 1,400 hours of my labor at any reasonable rate. Do this because you love it, not because you expect to profit.

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