low-buck?
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low-buck?
Posted: September 01 2004 10:48 PM
 
Jan Schneider (aka storm) [ View ] [ Email ] [ Car Ads ] [ Blogs ]
Lafayette, New Jersey
 
Since it has been slow around here this week, lets see if we can stir things up. In the September issue of Street Rod Builder there is a 46 Ford sedan that is featured as being a low buck car. This vehicle has moulded fenders, leather interior, crate engine, air, etc. The paint and interior was farmed out. Granted, this is a very nice car but I doubt if it was built for under 30k. My definition of low-buck would be a car for 15 to 20k without a lot of chrome and polish, nice (not custom) paint, and safe to drive. Any thoughts on this?
 
 
Comments
 
Posted by storm  -  08/07/2004 12:45 PM

Shine,



To a point you are 100% correct. There is no way a builder like yourself even with your low shop rate can build a car for much under 50k and have any profit in it. A hobbiest skilled in building and willing to do some smart shopping at swap meets can come in under 20. I think more than magazines your problem is that many of the people that go to the proffesionals for a car have no idea of the amount of labor that goes into building the highly detailed vehicles that come out of your shops, they have no idea of the cost of materials for paint and they don't take into account the costs for incidentals. One thing that would help you would be if the magazines would put some dollar costs to the cars they feature. One good thing about this hobby is there is a place for everyone. For the people who have cars built, the people that farm the work they can't do to proffessionals and the ones that build their own. The most important factor is the final result should be a safe dependable vehicle that will provide enjoyment for the owner.
storm [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Lafayette, New Jersey
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  08/07/2004 08:15 AM
this is 2004, a low buck car is 30 to 35 k. leather interior in a sedan will run you 5k+ easy. i'm a builder and my worst enemy is magazines. you want a 20k car , hit the junk yard and start shopping. buy you some acme paint and get after it.
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by gman0046  -  08/07/2004 08:31 PM
To me "Low Buck" is a thing of the past. The cars that used to be $10,000 are now $20,000, the $20,000 cars are now $30,000, the $30,000 cars are now $40,000. Everything it seems has kicked up at least $10,000. Occasionally you can still run across a beater or I guess nowaday's the correct terminology is Rat Rod for less then $20,000, but it better be buyer beware as far as safety and reliability is concerned. To me "Low Buck" is now a $20,000 to $25,000 car. The guy's like Shine, Carpro and Leon that build cars for a living, know better then anyone how much it costs to put one together. There are no free lunches, do the math, I believe the parts alone for a bare bones, no frills, glass 32 Ford highboy would come in between $20,000 and $25,000. One of the most expensive items is the windshield frame alone that comes in at $600.00. Parts are not cheap and don't forget to figure in the expendable items they are not cheap either.
gman0046 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Anchorage, Kentucky
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  08/08/2004 09:55 AM

i'm going to build the 41 low buck. i'm going to do it in projects so anyone can see whats up. it will take far more man hours than to unbox and install. but we'll see
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by Rods & Customs by Leon  -  08/10/2004 01:32 AM
As a builder I have to keep my prices cometitive with every other shop out there so I watch prices and labor rates quite well. At this time there are a lot of shops punching out cookie cutter 32s like they were choppers or something,

Yes you can build a car pretty much as cheap as you want so if you build a 10k or 15k car, thats what you will have. And I would love to see the "smile" in that windshield after a 3000 mile road trip,if it makes it. I have several complete price list for various glass cars complete and finished if anyone would like a copy just E-mail me. It shows very well where every dollor is spent, labor included.
Rods & Customs by Leon [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Highlands, Texas Charter Member since May 2004
 
Posted by REBORN55  -  08/08/2004 07:00 PM

I agree with what everyone is saying. I bought mine to have fun with. If I paln on spending a lot of money I would put it into a tri-five(just my personal preference). I know what it take to build one and what it costs. Mine was built by someone who does all of it himself and when he sells something, he usally loses money because he does not recoup his labor. MY gain-his loss I guess. What he sells are well built, dependable street rods that will take you anywhere- He likes Mopars, doesn't have the overhead most of you guys have, so his costs are down--mine is roomy enough for the most part and drives great and that is what I was looking for. I would love to have a 39 Chevy--but if you equip it the same way as my Dodge then we are no longer in the low buck ride.



I take my hat off to all you that build them--I may try one one of these days but for now I will try to stick with my low dollar cruiser.
Ken [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] De soto, Illinois
 
Posted by orphans2  -  08/09/2004 01:00 PM

This month's Rod & Custom is featuring part two of a rod build for under $10k. So far they have about 5K invested in a roadster. Nothing fancy, no ifs, irs, pretty much basic thus far, probably will be rat rod hot rod than show hot rod. but could be fun.



My 34 Plymouth needs minor body work, little chips and dents, and needs a new coat of paint, but drive train and interior and glass is done along with MII Ifs and Vette irs and stainless steel exhaust (all except the smithys). With the additions and repairs that i have made including new wheels and stereo system, I still have less than 20K in it, including purchase price and taxes. Previous owner wanted something larger for his family and his wife was ragging on him to sell it, I just happened to be there at the right moment.



Don't know original total cost to build, do know they paid over 2500 for the vette irs (got some of the receipts from former owner). Car was built about 15 years ago, or more, and with todays prices and labor rates, probably would cost well over $25K to build as it is now. I know that I wouldn't want to do it even if I could. Lot of work in these things and you either do it yourself over many years or hire a pro builder to do it for you in a relatively shorter time but at a much higher cost. If you gotta have one now, better buy a nice finished one. Usually cheaper and quicker.
orphans2 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Stewartstown, Pennsylvannia Charter Member since November 2001
 
Posted by bigdude  -  08/08/2004 04:55 PM



guys we have rode this horse before.Sure you can build a cheapo....... but dont expect a caddy,out of a vega. Try getting parts for some of those cars.They werent popular then , and not real popular now .I like em all but lets get real on this, you get what you pay for period--and that is the bottom line. And as long as parts arent flying off the damn thing going down the road so what. If some one can build one for under 20,000 good for them,I bet they didnt need someone to build a motor-do an interior-or paint the carfor them.Ive got friends that cars look like they were painted with a roller, but they also dont expect to get 30,000 out of it when they sell it.
resident know it all [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Three Rivers, Michigan Charter Member since January 2004
 
Posted by q1ap  -  08/08/2004 04:56 PM

Ok, here's my low buck 2 cents. A buddy who is a car club member, pro. car builder and shop owner, let me use a small corner of his shop (after I cleaned it out and stored some stuff at my place). He started me on the body off and streetrodding of a 35 chevy coupe, Artie did the designing, fabricating. I did all the grunt and muscle, he's the brains and talent, I wached and learned from him and did what ever he asked me to. It's my car and I was involved in every aspect of building the car. After a crate motor and rebuilt trans.(350/350) interior, paint, some shiney stuff and everything that will make it stop and be safe and comfortable, not including $8500, the price of the car, was an additional $20,000. For a total of $28,500. and that was 2 years ago. The build took 18 months of weekends, after hours and in betweens. If you can afford to have someone build you a turnkey car.....great, but if your on a budget, you better have a lot of friends and be willing to get dirty! I don't know about the pro. car builders on this site, but my guy dosen't have a pension, benefits paid vacations or a college fund unless the shop provides for it. Streetrodding has become an expensive hobby as everything has, just look at a car magazine add up the prices and see what you come up with to build a car. I don't get it, you'll spend $30-40,000. for a new car and expect to build a vintage car thats safe, reliable, comfortable and nice to look at for under $20,000. Just my 2 cents.
q1ap [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St. Augustine, Florida
 
Posted by gman0046  -  08/10/2004 08:49 AM
Leon, great meeting you at the Nat's and glad you made it home without any major problems. There's been so much discussion on this site regarding what you can build and for how much. You are definetly right about those "cookie cutter" fibreglass 32 Ford's , they were a dime a dozen at the Nat's with most of them for sale. I think everybody and their brother are building these things for the purpose of selling them. I sure would like to see your price breakdown.
gman0046 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Anchorage, Kentucky
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  08/10/2004 12:58 PM
in 1980 how many folks had 12 to 15 to put into a streetrod? the same deal today is 35. everytime a 15 k car ia brought up it's an old car with new paint maybe. remember we're talking about building a car today, not finding a deal on a 25 year old hotrod. you can spend 4 hrs in the wrecking yard but i cant and wont. dont like fire ants. i am going to build my 41 with a donar car but i'll show how man hrs eat up any savings on parts.
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by Rods & Customs by Leon  -  08/31/2004 10:13 PM
I know the whole Social Retard thing all to well, I have an extreamly hard time remembering peoples Names to thier faces, I know more people by what they drive than thier names,
Rods & Customs by Leon [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Highlands, Texas Charter Member since May 2004
 
Posted by awsum34  -  08/31/2004 09:46 PM
The guy probably had alot of favors owned him
awsum34 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Overland Park, Kansas
 
Posted by Willys33  -  08/31/2004 09:43 PM
Just went back and re-read this thread and several others. In some cases there is something missing. It's called craftmanship. I know not everyone is mechanically gifted (?) or have the time like I do (?) or the resorces (welder, air compressor...) but there should be some things that each level should take on themselves. Don't automatically ask who sells a radiator mounting bracket for an Airflow...time to build one yourself. Hand in hand goes the question of "how bad do you want it?". I spent two years building my present ride and in so doing turned into a social retard. Hope the meaning of this doesn't get misread, just that it's a mechanical world and (I think) you should know what is going on under your seat.
Get off the trailer and drive [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Alamogordo, New Mexico
 
Posted by gman0046  -  09/01/2004 10:27 AM
I can vouch for Nick32Vic, I have seen his Dad's car and it is definetly not a Rat Rod. It's a way cool 41 Ford Convertible. A lot can be accomplished if you carefully shop for parts and are able to do most or all of the work yourself. If you have to pay for someone else to do your work you can forget about Low Buck.
gman0046 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Anchorage, Kentucky
 
Posted by Nick32vic  -  09/01/2004 12:40 AM

Im too tired to read all these replys cus there all so long. but heres what i got to say.



When my car is done i bet you 10 bucks i will have less than 15 in it.



My dads car has less than that.



Are they "rat rods" -I think not. If you say they are, then i know your wrong.



Nick



Edit:I just read Willlys33 post, he is very right. we do almost all of the work ourselves on our cars and we dont go buy something we can easily make or something we can get cheaper if we shop for a month.

Nick32vic [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Cottage Hills, Illinois
 
Posted by alexande  -  09/01/2004 10:48 PM

ithink low buck would have to be under 25 to make me happy. to me, low buck is under 10grand!!!! anywayz... those who have the money can do what they please w/ it,& those of us who dont have it will streach every penny to get a car as nice( or, some of the time, alot nicer) than the rich guy w/ the laid back attitude.





alex w.

alexande [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] tuscaloosa, Alabama
 
Posted by carpro1946  -  08/07/2004 06:44 PM

Pretty hard to do. Car to begin with 5 to 15 grand. Engine 500 to 1000. Trans 200 to 1500. Suspension changes 500 to 2000. Shifter 200. Paint 1200 to 1500. Interior 2000 to 5000. Wheels and tires 750 to 1500. Misc 2000. Glass 500 to 1000. And on and on and on. Parts are expensive. Pretty hard to build a car for under 20000 unless you already have the car.
carpro1946 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] hebron, Maryland Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  08/07/2004 07:04 PM
you can do it for 20 but you'll have to do the lions share of the work.once again guys like cpro and me have to pay for beans and taters out of it so we cant compare with a home builder.you can build a cheap car cheap but you cant copy the stuff in the mags. we're talking hotdogs and steak, depends on what you want. BUT i've yet to have someone come into my shop for hotdogs. componants in a car run fromm 5oo to 1ooo. count them up. doesnt take long to hit 20k in parts. you can do it out of the junk yard but you aint gonna build it with new stuff for 20. if you list every piece you buy for a car you will understand but who counts oil or fuel line or clamps or nuts and bolts or a case of trans fluid. to build a 32 coupe high boy with no frills will cost you 24,700 + in parts. i've done the math. but then i build new cars because your family will be riding in it. theres a big difference . as far as mags go they are just marketing bs with pretty pictures.
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by REBORN55  -  08/08/2004 02:32 PM
I know many of you may disagree with this, but in my opinion you can still get a low buck street rod if you buy something other than a Ford or Chevy.. If you buy something in the Chrysler line you can still get into some of the late 40's street rod for under $20,000--I know--I have one. Not show quality, but still looks and drives well, but I would not be afraid to drive it anywhere--70-75 mph-cruise on, A/C on and listen to tunes. Just my .02
Ken [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] De soto, Illinois
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  08/09/2004 08:45 AM
i went back and read a bunch of the old treads on this and found something. everytime cars for 15 to 20 are brought up it's either labor free or a bought car. i can buy 70's streetrods for 12 to 15 but would'nt drive them home, when folks come here to ask about the cost of a rod they are usualy talking getting one built. they dont need us to find out what all the pieces cost. dont confuse them with i bult mine for 15k , i can buld a car cheaper than most because i do 100% of the work but i dont work for free. i doubt anyone wanting me to build a car wants junk yard parts on their car and i'm not too crazy about feeding fire ants. lets keep it seperated here. when we tell someone it'll cost 30 to build a nice driver we're crooks because they've heard i built mine for 15 from some hojo that does'nt count his labor or his brotherinlaws paint or swap job interior. all i ask is be truthful in what you claim.
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  08/09/2004 09:12 AM

you can buy one but you cant build one. thats the prob. you can buy a car much cheaper than you can build. someones losing money everytime.dodges , plymouths and chevys sell for far less also. but you cant do a frame off on a car for 20 unless your a builder doing all the work and not counting labor. i've seen cars sell for 6500 that had been drove for 20 years. i just feel we're confusing new folks that dont realize that theres a huge difference. remember they are reading the magazines and looking to build the glitter queens they see.
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  08/09/2004 09:36 AM
got most of the dash together, going to pick up the 200r4 today so we can set the motor in. using the power steering box so i have to cut down the stock colum to fit. the dont tell you that when you buy it. we'll get some new pics up today. hope to send it home next week so i can get the chevelle going. have a 66 chevelle coming to paint so i have to get caught up on stuff. hope to start the 41 project soon. it will be as low buck as i can stand but i'm building it to sell so it has to be high and tight.
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by Crazyhorse Rod Shop  -  09/01/2004 07:24 AM
no coment
dont poke the porchdog........he bites [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] BLUFF DALE, Texas Charter Member since March 2003
 
Posted by REBORN55  -  08/09/2004 08:53 AM
I realize what it takes to build them. I know you guys don't work for free and I would buy one from you or have you build one if I could afford it. The only thing I am saying is that sometimes you can buy a quality and safe driver for under $20,000. But then I am only speaking from my experience.
Ken [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] De soto, Illinois
 
Posted by REBORN55  -  08/09/2004 09:17 AM
As usual Mr. Shine you are right. Confusion can be misleading. Ougth to start a seperate topic--Buying vs. Building. How is the 55 coming. You sure had it looking good.
Ken [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] De soto, Illinois
 
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