Classic VW BuGs How to Budget your Vintage Beetle Restoration
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2024
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Here is a short video that gives you a general idea on what a typical restoration will cost on a VW Beetle. I also mention the latest costs of our "Build-A-BuG" program www.classicvwb...
Info on the 2018 NY Vintage Air-Cooled Treffen HERE www.classicvwb...
How very rare for anyone in this industry to be humble and straightforward. Chris, my hats off to you! I admire your knowledge and willingness to let the RUclips world partake in your endeavors. While my pockets are not deep enough to have my '63 Beetle head your way I can assure you if ever the day comes that I am in such a position I would, without hesitation, reach out to you and your team. God Bless.
Wow thank you so much for those words, very kind of you.
Maybe I misunderstood, $45k and that’s not counting for parts. Once completed it’s not even worth half of that. I understand the quality of service but there’s a point ($$$) where a person has to realize that it’s just stupid to spend that much. I love beetles, but part of the reason people restore these is nostalgic and the affordability.
Very true, as with most classic cars, the resto costs far out weigh what the car is worth in the end. This is one of the first things that I discuss with a new client, I always bring up resto costs to value. Most clients that I work with understand the huge gap, and most still sign on due to sentimental values and nostalgia.
So he said 45k or 4500???
You can get a fully restored Beetle at those auctions or at Bring a Trailor for like $15 to $20k. Cause that 45k to 65k yeah naaa.
@@nycsestore those are usually fully fixed up, not fully restored. Engine and gearbox full overhaul, body off nut and bolt restoration, full interior redone, full quality paint job, all are really expensive.
Rare honesty, no apology required. This is how things are. I can see 15k for paint and body, body work eats up a LOT of hours . Just masking alone through all the various levels of prep, seal, prime, base and clear can easily eat up 40 to 50 hours. Now people say "how can it take 40 hours of masking? well, it does. I recently finished a complete rebuild, and I mean complete, on a 1980 Camaro. I kept a log of my hours...3000, that's right three thousand hours of labor, over 4 1/2 years. I still haven't mustered the courage to start adding up the receipts. Good on ya Chris.
Thank you my friend.
Keep in mind people....there is 2080 hours in a 40 hour work week added up all year. Chris indicates that he outsources all bodywork. I have a friend that does body work and makes a VERY GOOD LIVING! I don't know the bodywork skill set, but I have often heard him say how he gets 100+ hour workweek and only work 1/2 or 1/3 that based on his experience/shortcuts, shop equipment, etc....In other words, its not actual, but what a shops manual says and therefore what you end up paying! I am not suggesting its a scam...auto mechanics base their pay on this as well and other trades too. It's the American way I guess.? I have a question: if you are doing a full body off restoration on a vw bug, what the hell are you masking off for a full week of work? Perhaps the coats of primer, paint layers, clear coating from getting in all the nooks and crannies in a front window grove that may effect installation? IDK...seriously. You are spraying fenders, hood, trunk and main body......what are you masking or in need of masking???
Hey Keith, book time is used to estimate and perform collision repair work. Conventional body shops that do a lot of insurance work operate this way. Restoration shops are totally different. They charge for actual time.
When reality smacks you into next week lol
I would rather pay 40 to $60,000 for a 40 year old Volkswagen, a car that will actually be on the road in another 40 years then throwing it away on a new Volkswagen or an Audi. Buying new cars is a complete waste of money, unless you don't know how to pop the hood and check your oil and adjust your ignition points.
I drove a 72 Super Beetle from 1980-83. Pizza delivery and college commuter. Great memories, but there is no way in hell such a car is worth anything close to $20 grand unless you make a race car. It's simple and pretty rugged, but they are crude by today's standards. A/C unit? Heat? Defrosters? Forget it! Fun to drive, that it was, but I wouldn't buy a decent old bug for a toy today for more than $6-$8k. For $40k you can buy a Mercedes!
It doesn't matter what you would pay. People are paying high dollars for older Beetles and over a hundred grand for the busses. That is what they are worth
50s to early 60s will grab 25000 easy bud
you want to update the aint numbers and parts ... its gone way up
I know two guys that spent $200,000 restoring old cars and they don't look nearly as nice as your VW's.
I appreciate that, thanks so much.
Just finished restoring mine but didn't need to get involved with the forward firewall. Now I have squeaks and creaking noises. Any thoughts ? I can hit ya up through your website if that helps
where are the noises coming from?
@classicvwbugs I pin pointed the front noise to be right above the tunnel at the footwell and the back sounds like it's both lower corners. I replaced the floors, and the corners including rear well and bolt stripping . I might be able to locate the back and solve it but the front is throwing me for a loop since I didn't work that center at all.
A great video full of the harsh realities of doing a first class restoration. I enjoy all of Chris' very informative videos. I hope to drive my restoration project to Haverstraw, NY in 2019
43000 in labour umm...........
That's what you charge Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld or some elite athlete. Just saying....I guess this is one way of paying for shop fees in NY.
Thanks for the honesty! Restoration is very expensive. Most people don’t understand that when they get into it. Majority don’t have the skills needed. Thankfully I can do most of it myself. You and your dad do immaculate work!
Looking at selling my 1969 Type 1. Original owner & not restored. Runs very well & only replaced items as they wore out. Was painted in 1990 & still looks like new. Trying to get a price figured out. Any ideas?
I like the old bug you have in your shop the convertible one.
15k for a paint job? Thats insane.
It's body and paint. If you have floors to do, heater channels, quarters, shock tower areas, luggage, any structural area to do, and you have a body shop do that metal, and want a show room quality paint job, for sure it can cost that much. If you don't want show quality, of course that changes. To some people, it's high, no doubt.
Right?!? I have NEVER heard of a 15K paintjob. LMFAO! Then again a sucker is born everyday.
You gotta get out more then. Hit up shows, you will be amazed what people pay. Been doing this for ten years, worked on hundreds of bugs, it is rare for a bug, but it can get there the more of a basket case it is.
Here in California paint jobs pretty much start at 5k and only go up from there
For sure, call up Lenny or call up Koch, they can tell ya too.
Guys give $15K plus parts and I’ll give showrooms Bug 🤔....
This humble and honest, yet informative video really is useful. I'm in South Africa and I want to build a Convertible, but we never got them here 😞
Not to sell, to keep
Honesty. I love it. Thanks for the breakdown. Stings a little. Lol
Superb Chris, you pay for what you get. If you want the best then it will cost. There is always people who want a show winner for peanuts. Great video
From Peanuts to 20k is a wide gulf. There is plenty of room in the middle for a reasonable price... hyperbole.
Hello Chris , I need help. Hehehe This is quite embarassing. I just bought a standard beetle, and its lowred. I want the height back to its original. Can you make a video for it hehehe. I have no basic mechanic knowledge.
That is something I will look into.
@@classicvwbugs thank you! Hope to see it soon :)
Great video Chris. I think its wonderful that you find your customers before you start restoring a vehicle. Most people do it backwards. Funny you mention that labor is a 100/hr. I recently restored a 33 year old ATC, I have an excel spreadsheet like yours, with cost of parts and hours of labor. After selling for a profit (luckily) I made 3 bucks an hour. LOL, oh well it keeps me out of trouble I guess.
45 grand for a beetle ROFLMAO. my 64 is only worth like 12,500
Near me about $5000, but it’s cheaper to rent a compressor AFTER you have everything ready. Maybe have about 500 bucks tied up that would be a $5000 paint job
Chris, great video! Thank you for sharing your insight on this. I think you are right on as far as real cost when you include hours, materials, parts. It adds up fast.
Are you looking for help. I love beetles. I have a 1956 beetle that was my grandfathers baby. Now i got it and its my first baby. Looking to work with you if your interested.
Very interested, where are you from?
And what does a restored Bug sell for in the States? Your cars look stunning!
All depends what year or model you are after. The 50s models will surely do better than the 70s.
Great video. Great advice.. Its hard to believe those numbers. If you put it on paper then it becomes reality. You are absolutely right about labor costs. We over look this alot thinking that labor becomes the saving factor. Everyone needs to make a living. Without some of these out sorced vendors our cars would never turn out so we can enjoy them. Most important tip is find and buy the best car to start out with
You are dead right!
My first car was a '72 Bug. I loved that car even though it was beat up and ragged out when I got it. I loved its simplicity. 55/4 A/C, accessible and easy to fix engine, and the economy to own. Insurance was cheap, it didn't guzzle gas, and it was truly the funnest car I've ever owned. If I had the money to spend I would restore one to like new condition without the expectation of selling in a heartbeat. I personally think cars come with too much today and I wish some manufacturer would build a truly bate bones car or truck and sell it for half of what new vehicles are selling for.
Thank goodness i know how to do body work on my bug. Also my buddy is painting my car. So i guess im saving alot there. Thanks for the insight on this subject.
yeah that is huge man. Expensive in some places, like here in NY.
@@classicvwbugs Doug's bugs sell a kit of bolts for the whole car all stainless still allen head type for 250 bucks. I know OEM parts are better but it is almost cheaper to buy new parts and weld them on compared to sanding, rust treatment, dent work etc. Keep up the great videos, I watch yours and bug me dvd's to work on my 65 vw, stayed tuned it's gonna be the nicest looking vw bug in the states. :)
The numbers totally make sense Chris, you are taking a 40 to 50 plus year old car and bringing it back to far beyond what it looked like coming out of the factory. I feel your craftsmanship deserves the amount you charge. Try to find any concourse quality car for $40 to $60 k! Good luck with that.
I appreciate that Norm, thank you.
Best thing is to NOT go to mexico and get a mexican bug. 1st off those beetles are not worth anything yet, 2nd, most states will not pass inspection for those cars here in the states. So what do people do? They hack off a VIN from an older beetle to put on the Mexi. Devalued even more.
Fan of your videos, ive learned a lot watching them. I appreciate the free knowledge. At 9minutes 55 sec, what paint color is that? Its beautiful. Looking to paint my bug dove blue but this is really nice. Thanks in advance
which color?
At the 9:55 point in your video, what color is that bug?
I'm in Long Beach CA and I just asked a shop how much for paining my clean 67 bug in and out, they want between $4500 to $5500, and I'm removing all the rubber and chrome and door windows. In 2000 I had it painted and it was a good job for $1000. Is that normal?
I have an idea. I am a fan of old bugs like you but I don't think they're worth what you need to charge for them after you restore them. You need to move to Mexico where you can buy and restore old Bugs for far less than you can now and them truck them back to the US for resale. That is what you need to do to make your business really sing. Buy me a steak when you make your first million, will you?
Yeah you should be able to do that for a couple hundred bucks just Scuf it up and paint it right? Its a really solid car we have all seen those
So what you’re saying is, don’t do it. 🤣 jkjk
I understand the passion for these guys far outweighs the cost. Some of us just can’t put a price on the journey. Great video Chris
I like your restorations. I'm not one for lowering or huge modifications. I owned a '68 which I bought in '71 for $1100. It was a good deal and it was my first car. I still to this day drive a manual.. I had that car for 7 years and it took me everywhere back and forth to the west coast and to Florida. . The only time it broke down was when the points closed and it wouldn't start. It made me a lifelong VW guy. I now have an 1994 Audi S4 which is a great car.
15k for a paint job + bodywork + metal welding.. that isn't bad at all.. it's not a deal but it's not a rip off.
Mark Villanueva you missed 40k of labor
@@jerrygomezjr601 any restoration shop that purports actual hours should be charging only for hours worked. Do business with people you can trust.
I my option the best way to not exceed your budget on a car restoration is to watch a video like this which gives you an rough idea of the costs evolved and set that as you minimum budget which is what I going to but I will make some excel spreadsheet so I can add up the total cost and number of hours, days, weeks mounts and even years it toke to fully restore to a show quality restorations
Ok, how about ballpark cost for parts if I were to find a 73 in solid Southwest condition and just wanted to go over and redo all wear parts and age wear/seal?
It's not expensive to those that can afford it,besides, it's a ton of hard work and parts to make the car brand new, most people just don't understand that.
Thanks for the look into the way your run your figures Chris. Wow can't believe that your show is coming up again! That year went fast. Hopefully you can get some nice footage to share again, would love to see!
Great job Chris. Do you mind sharing your spreadsheet template?
Just mark up top on a new sheet, Purchase price, shipping, Parts with dates, Labor with date, Body/paint, Misc
I get it, was just thinking since you have already have a checklist of parts it would be helpful for the community. Me as a beginner don't know all the parts involved. Thanks again and Happy Bugn Friday!
Honesty, not bs or fluff, thank you for that, wish our state and federal government would try that sometime.
Why would anyone pay 45k for a "bare bones" bug??? pick up a beetle for 1k spend 5k in restoration learn as you go and boom! even if it takes you a year to learn how to do everything.
Sounds like you are 30 years off the market. So you are saying 6k total and you have a restored bug? so a 1k bug is gonna be super rock solid right? This is not 1984.
My 1973 Super Beetle cost new off the showroom floor: $2,208.53. 2019 and I still have it. $30,000 to $40,000 to restore it? I don't think so...
I just bought a 1972 standard beetle as my first car for 5,500. No major rust and almost brand new engine.
Hi from Ireland I love your videos and hoping to visit your shop next time I’m in New York regarding to the cost of it - I don’t understand all the negative comments if you have the money why not I have 72 cabrio and I bring it to Czech Republic for total restoration still nothing cheap if you guys want cheap go to the Walmart buy your self a bike and pedal a way 😎 Chris I honestly hope that your business going up as look like you really enjoying what you do best of luck 🍀 and thank for all your videos
Very cool man, thanks for the feedback. Would love to meet ya someday.
I saw you on the news here in Los Angeles I think Fox or KTLA a while back. You were doing a segment on beetle restorations. Great to see your doing well. You contacted me about an oval I had awhile back, I was so flattered to hear from you, since I was familiar & learning from your youtube Vids. Thanks Chris your the best.
That's very cool man, thank you! Do you still have that oval? =o)
Perfect timing for this vid, as I actually had a paint question for you. Do you use single-stage or basecoat/clear coat for your restorations? Seems like the former would be more original, while the latter would have a nicer appearance.
We always go base coat clear coat, makes it PoP more! =o)
I just got a notch so ive been all over RUclips and your videos are awesome!!
Your videos help me restore my 64 vw bug thank you so much
Way too much. That’s how much
Do you do any custom restorations?? Or is every bug factory stock as it looked when it came out
Sure, take a look at the 70 convertible we just finished, I painted it with a mini BMW color with a two tone black with espresso tweed interior. We do a lot of that, but still keep the stock height with stock motors, I do not lower or anything.
Wow,
The 78 Cabriolet will have to wait some more!
Great info.
JC Whitney, I remember those days!
Go to Mexico it's a whole lot cheaper.
Where at in Mexico? Do they do quality work?
Great Video Chris. Keep up the good work!
Hey Chris you should open a shop here in cali, I'll work with you, would love to learn how to restore bugs..😁
Thats cool? Maybe Franchise? =o)
@@classicvwbugssounds good,
First
nice video!
yeah it all adds up.
Also if I were to restore an old bug I wouldn't want anything but a Super Beetle. The McPherson strut front end is MUCH better than the old one!
McPherson struts are specifically the reason you don't. Plagued with vibrations at different speeds, bushings going bad. Low pressure gas shock is all a beetle needs in the front
@@doginu I disagree struts are easy to replace and they work better that is why VW added struts to the Beetle in the first place. Super Beetles drive better than standard Beetles. Bigger trunk too.
The drive you seem to like is from the 160lbs added to the front. Loss of about 4 mpg. But what would I know, I do this for a living. I don't post videos, I wrench. I'll put my 56'Drag Bug up against Super Beetle. (o\|/o)
@@doginu I wasn't talking about drag racing, and the SB has a larger engine as you know, so of course it's a little thirstier. The SB is better, hence it's name.
@@wsbill14224 the best beetle for a daily driver is the 68-69 1500cc standard beetle with factory front disc break but if you want a super beetle you could surely get a newish one built in South America just before they stopped production for a good price with a good 40 years of life left before it needs restoration or even better rust treat all the problem spots before they even rust
Agree with the cost. Most people dont have a clue. They think restoring a Bug is not a big deal. Times have changed. Restoring a bug by yourself is a nightmare.
This is a great and very informative video. It really gives the potential customer an honest idea of what they are getting into. Good for you to do this.
Restore your bug in Mexico!