Restoring older cars. Is there any money in it? (gaskets, motorcycle, Japanese)

[StealthRabbit]

Resale at a premium is definitely specific vehicle dependent.

For the most part, the vehicle has to be a special interest one, and the availability quite tight. I can't imagine that to be to be so for such recent cars as you mention. When I think 'Restoration', I consider something that has been living in a barn, shed, or pasture for about 50 yrs. And YES, there is A LOT of money to made in the auto restoration business. usually people specialize in a certain make / vintage. Popular with my friends is restoration of WWII jeeps and equipment. The most money seems to come from 1930's and 1940s. Though 1960's and early 70 muscle cars seem to bring a healthy price, if of collector quality.

My interest is in restored Semi trucks, they are very cheap compared to cars.

[Huckleberry3911948]

as long as rich fools drop gobs of money on old junk cars there is money in car restoration.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry3911948

as long as rich fools drop gobs of money on old junk cars there is money in car restoration.

Some of my friends have taken their 'retirement' money out of Stock Market and real estate, and now buy collector cars, for a decent investment return.

[Fighter 1]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

Some of my friends have taken their 'retirement' money out of Stock Market and real estate, and now buy collector cars, for a decent investment return.

Yes only the older cars are worth putting a lot of money in. I just put a bid in on a 1924 Hudson 7 passenger phaeton, its 99% there , needs total restoration from the ground up but in the end It will be worth about $250,000.00. Having been in the auto body business for 34 yrs and the fact that I can do all on the restoration my self, mechanical , body and paint , even the upholstery will keep the cost down quite a bit. I also bid on a 1924 Ford Tall-T, 1 1/2 ton truck that is the same way 99% there , good metal, not too many parts needed to restore it. Just lots of tender love. .

[mdand3boys]

Vehicles from the 1980's on will be extremely tough to maintain in the future because of the numerous computer modules that are in them. For example, some of the newer Cadillac's have upwards of 40 different computer modules. What will happen when you simply cannot replace the module?

[frankgn87]

incorrect. The Grand nationals, Trans Ams, Corvettes, Mustangs of the 80's are well worth full restorations.. and their values are going up every year.

Originally Posted by SpeedyAZ

There is also a difference between "restoring" a vehicle and simply "fixing it up". Restoration means big $$ and generally it's a waste of time restoring ANYTHING post late 1970's.

.

[frankgn87]

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

I think they have same attachment, they're just not old enough yet to be nostalgic about their youth.

Bingo. Its at least a 20-25 year slope to worthless to being of value to the person who could not afford one as a kid new but now can and wants then restored to original to recapture youth..

[Deez Nuttz]

Well sideman, it really all depends.....if you can find a mechanics special that typically sells for....we'll just say $2000 street value....and say the $200 starter goes out before you came to look at the car....and said owner "just wants it gone" and is willing to let it go for say....$1000....then yes you might be able to profit $800 if you buy and install the starter yourself. Not going to make you rich but a nice chunk of change you didn't have before.

However if you mean a full on resto....probably not...it really all depends on what you're doing. As my uncle, and others have told me...."you almost never get back out of a car what you've put into it"....and they are right. I had to experience this first hand not once, but twice.

(Makes me wished i would have dumped all the money I blew on my hot rods over the years into the one I have ow that is sentimental/will never sell for any reason.)

[SpeedyAZ]

Originally Posted by frankgn87

incorrect. The Grand nationals, Trans Ams, Corvettes, Mustangs of the 80's are well worth full restorations.. and their values are going up every year.

I beg to differ on that. And notice the OP said 1990's and 2000's...NOT 1980's. Read more carefully next time.

If you're talking the 1980's then yes, there will a few (not many though) that will be worth some bucks in the future. The Buick GNX would be one, I'd love one of those.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by mdand3boys

Vehicles from the 1980's on will be extremely tough to maintain in the future because of the numerous computer modules that are in them. For example, some of the newer Cadillac's have upwards of 40 different computer modules. What will happen when you simply cannot replace the module?

And PLASTICS... having been a career "plastics engineer"... I will stick with METAL for my 'restoration projects', I think the Vinyl dashes appeared about 1960. That pretty much nixes any yr 2000 projects for me.

I carry a visible identification mark on my forehead of hitting a FIRM metal dash while (as a wee child...) standing in the front seat of Grandpa's 46 Chev while he was towing a fertilizer wagon home from the local Farmer's Co-op.

It's that FIRST stop-sign heading out of town that will catch you off guard.
I never remember GPa stopping there before OR after...

IIRC, my mom was not totally impressed. I think she had provided that joke of a car seat the hung over the frt seat like a carhop tray. (GPa and I thought it was a pretty stupid design)