Best Auto Repair in Medicine Hat, AB

As we are just getting into to the “car” season, I thought that this message about the realities of the car building and ownership would be a nice reminder of what it takes to take a car that needs a restoration and getting back on the road. nn The days of the 10K paint jobs and $2500 motor rebuilds are LONG GONE. n n This article was written by my long time friend and client , JF Launier from JF Kustoms. nnCAN YOU HANDLE THE TRUTH?nnThe true cost of building a hot rod.nnSo you are going to build your dream car? A one off, custom piece.nnLet’s look at this for a minute before you start.nn Here is the simple math to building a custom car. nnIt takes at least 1,500 hours to complete the “average” restoration . Lots of nicer cars are more like 3-5000 hrs . So let’s just say you’re an average guy who will take on 200 of those hours yourself. That leaves 1300 hours for the professionals. nn The “average” but decent engine, after being gone through, will cost you $15k Once you add your carb, pulleys, alternator, wires, distributor, headers etc., etc. You can add $7000. to the total. You’ll probably be into a tranny for $6,000, plus the driveshaft and diff which adds another $4,500. “Average disk brakes $4500 . You’ll need tires and wheels for your One Off piece so add $5,000 for that. Power Brakes, brake lines Add $1,500. Don’t forget new glass, rubbers, plating, custom gauges, the steering column…$3,500, + $10,000 + $1000 + $1000. respectively. What else will you need for your dream build? The regular interior is going to cost at least $10,000. nn Let’s say you want something special , the sky’s the limit but let’s say $15,000 for something slightly better out of a catalogue . Install is $5,000 . The exhaust? $2,500. What about the bells and whistles, the gingerbread so to speak…another $10,000 . Before you even start there will be the cost to sandblast the body and chassis $2,500n n Let’s total this for kicks: $94,000 (before taxes of course!) So now let’s add in the 1300 hours that you have to pay someone for labour, at $150 per hour. That is an additional $195,000 in labour costs! Your total is now $289,000. For an “average “ restoration . nnNothing that will win big car shows . n n Now you’ve modified your design and want to shave all the handles, add $2,300 for parts and labour. You also want bigger brakes because one of your buddies has told you how awesome they are. Just add $5k . Now don’t forget that cool stereo system with 8 speakers and 1 amp, no DVD though, costs too much. Add $2,500 for the system and $3,000 for the install. Well folks, we’ve passed the $300,000 mark and that isn’t including the $5,000 that you paid for the body in the first place.nn Do the math. To have a very unique car will cost you $500,000 and up. Every great car in the industry is well into the 7 digits it’s just a simple equation of hrs vs dollars . If this upsets you, get over it! It is easier to do a little math and not start that project ball rolling than it is to stop it halfway through the bodywork and have $150,000 tied up in a car you can’t sell for $40,000.nn “Maybe you are the guy who should buy a running, driving car. Add a really hot set of wheels and some graphics to personalize it.”nn From the builder’s side of things, it has become increasingly difficult to quote on jobs as the details are constantly morphing and changing throughout the build. n nI don’t want to sound like I’m bitching but talk to ANY professional in the industry and you will hear the same story. We all “donate” countless hours to your builds so that you can have your Dream Car, hours of sweat and labour that we don’t, or can’t, bill out. n nWould you go to work for 6 months without pay?nn So you still want your dream Custom Car and the $300,000 re-mortgage of your home doesn’t scare you? nn Be very careful about who you choose to work on your car.nn Some body shops may tell you “We’ll use your car as a fill-in.” This simply means that your car will likely sit in their shop for the next 2 or 3 years. By the time you get it back, all those custom mods you paid for might have become outdated and your enthusiasm for the whole project evaporated. nn Any collision repair shop worth a salt is usually very busy doing collision work and insurance claims. Your car will sit idle in a corner until the apprentice needs a make-work job.nn ALWAYS ensure that the people you involve in your build are car enthusiasts. Only someone who loves this industry and enjoys their craft will keep themselves up to date with current trends. I’m sorry but pink and teal stripes are no longer “in” and an enthusiast won’t be able to help himself from getting involved in your project, preventing you from making costly mistakes.nn Most people in the aftermarket custom car building love cars. If you are dealing with someone who doesn’t, be very aware.nn One last thing. The car is painted, the wheels and brakes have been installed, the motor runs. You take your car for upholstery where they tell you that you may need a second mortgage before you’re through. nn But you are still happy because in three weeks you’ll be driving your dream car. n nThree weeks pass and they tell you the carpet is in but they’re still working on the seats and door panels, oh and the headliner too. After a couple more weeks they run into supplier issues . Bad upholstery guys are as bad as bad body shop guys so pick a good ones and give them some space when they need it . Be great full for their efforts as they likely have a line up of eager clients behind you . Even the best of us professionals can’t control everything ! nnThe best way to address this is to plan for it before you start. It always takes longer than even the professionals anticipate. Take the simple math from earlier on and add 30% to the cost , as it seems there’s no ceiling on parts costs these days . Take your timeline and double it. If you stick with your build, your dream, you WILL have an incredible and unique piece of art that you can enjoy and cherish.n n One of my buddies always says, “Hey, if it was easy then everybody would do it.” Which is exactly why Chrysler sold so many PT Cruisers, it was easy. Try to keep yourself excited about the journey that is car building and it will all be worth it. Cars are the coolest form of self expression.nn Remember it’s not the car you drive; it’s the car that drives you.nnAuthor: JF Launier of JF Kustoms, Osoyoos, BC. Owner and Builder of the Revision, a 1964 Buick Riviera, winning the Ridler Award in 2014...