Originally Posted by BlueOvalRage

I try to do my builds as cost effectively as possible without cutting corners and sacrificing my vision for the project in the name of just getting it done cheaply. I save a few bucks where I can to make it easier to spend a few bucks where they're needed. One thing I don't do is keep receipts for parts and build-related stuff on my projects anymore. I tried that once and after I added it all up, the bottom line sticker shock nearly scared me away from working on cars and trucks altogether. When you add up the bill and find out you've got almost $20,000 tied up in a 40 or 50-year-old vehicle that still needs paint and some other misc. tidbits to be finished, it's way too easy to let your mind start thinking about all the other stuff you could have done with that pile of money instead. It's a lot easier to swallow when it dribbles away a little here and there over a couple years.

I guess what it all comes down to for me is that very few if any of us are hanging out in this forum to keep our daily driver on the road so we can get to work every day. This is a hobby and hobbies are expensive. What do golfers tie up in clubs and greens fees? How much do avid sports fans blow on tickets, beer, and hot dogs? How much do coin or stamp collectors have invested in their collections? At least when we're done, our investment has left us with a useful, enjoyable automobile to tool around in. You can't put a price on your labor either. You really can't even call it "labor". All those quality hours spent out in the shop putting our rides together help us stay sane and escape the drudgery and worry of the rest of our lives. It isn't important to me if my project is only worth 2/3rds of what I put into it when it's done. The fun and enjoyment I got out of building it has already made me filthy rich!

Originally Posted by Cody_1948

My non running 1948 F1-$200
Cost $10.00 to gett it runing...
=$210.00....