[TR] To restore or not restore, that is the question

Dave1massey at cs.com Dave1massey at cs.com
Wed Sep 21 06:30:43 MDT 2011


In a message dated 9/20/2011 8:09:42 PM Central Daylight Time, 
XJ6SOVEREIGN at aol.com writes: 
> I haven't been on here in a  while. I have a 54 TR2 (rhd) that I  bought 
> around 8 years ago. The car needs a total restoration. The sheet metal  
> work 
> was started a few years ago but then stopped, new floor pans, inner and  
> outer rockers, etc. were replaced. I really can't afford a professional  
> restoration on it and even if I could that cost would far outweigh the 
> value. I  
> guess my question is if I do a lot of the work myself excluding body and  
> paint(which I know is 50-60% of the restoration cost) what's a realistic 
> cost?  
> I'm guessing around 15K and up, so I'm not sure if I should sell it or try 
>  
> and restore it to the best on my abilities. I already spent around $3,000 
> in 
> parts for it 8 years ago and another $3,000. in labor for the sheet metal  
> 
> work that was done so far. So I have around $7,800. already in the car, 
> and 
> the motors not correct I think it's from a Vanguard. The engine has a  
> single Solex carburetor on it. The car originally was exported to  
> Singapore 
> and was there until the late 70's until it was shipped to Texas, and  sat 
> and 
> it was never titled in the U.S., so it would be a cool car to  restore 
> with 
> it's history.
> Any advice or comments are appreciated.
> 


Never ever ever undertake a restoration expecting to break even.  The 
numbers never work out.  The two reasons to do a restoration are 1) sentimental 
attachment to the vehicle and 2) the enjoyment of the process.  These are 
plenty good reasons and there are plenty of us foolish enough to do this which 
makes for some pretty good bargains when it comes time to sell restored 
cars.  

As for what will it cost to finish the restoration?  How much you got?  
That question has a multitude of answers based on what kind of job you want to 
do.  You can get a $1000 paint job or a $5000 paint job.  What is the 
condition of the drive train?  You can do a full rebuild of the engine and 
transmission or just freshen them up since they may be in pretty good shape as is.  
Leather interior or vinyl?  Wool carpets or nylon?

And then, what will the car be worth when you are done?  What is it worth 
as is?  I have no answers but don't expect to get your investment back out.  
Some of it, surely, most of it possibly.  All of it and maybe some profit?  
You would have to get really lucky to pull that off.

But the restoration process is a rewarding activity in its own right.  You 
get a sense of accomplishment, you gain an appreciation of the level of 
effort and detail it takes to build even a simple car like a TR2.  You get to 
buy and play with new tools.  You enjoy the camaraderie of others in the same 
hobby and you can share notes and tools with your new friends.

And taking a car you restored yourself to a car show and winning an award 
is priceless.

Let's just hope the UARS satellite doesn't hit it.

Dave


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