Ernie
You are probably right. I think I was much happier thinking I actually was going to get this done for 8500, and with my memory I would have thought for sure I was in under budget.
The one good part of discussing this, and posting costs like daveyboy did is that when tire kickers think you should settle for $15,000 for a restored ww2 Dodge it would be like asking GM to sell their vehicles for parts cost only and let the workers just be happy with pride in workmanship without pay.
I realize there is an upper limit to the "value" of these things, but my original thinking of $15,000-ish was fair has been modified heavily by maintaining the spreadsheet. I can understand why the guy who is selling the $18,000 WC that was restored some years ago is asking that price, and I am beginning to believe he is a bit under priced.
Now u understand oz!! It's a costly endeavor to
Restore one of these, well any truck.
I'm glad I kept accurate records of my costs on the wc12, otherwise as time fades the memory, I would have
sworn I never spent that much!
But I did.. and I still put money into it , albeit not like when I was in the restoration stage.
I still upgrade and or replace or rework here and there, so the "restoration" really isn't done yet. It continues. And maintence is always a factor as well. Like oil changes. Recently took wheels and tires to be balanced. (Oh the highway ride is sooo much better) stuff like that always pops up.
I am also always on the lookout for good new or NOS parts for it to hoard away. Like the brand new Carter carb I recently found. Wow. What a nice unit. I'll keep it for the future should I need it.
Then there are the small things like pioneer tool straps, which I bought. NOS leather straps from early ww2 for it.
Then I wasn't happy with the gauges I had so I spend the $$ for new reproduction units. Really added to the dash look.
What I'm saying is whatever I "thought" was my so called final cost during the restoration, really wasn't! I'm still putting money into it.
Still it's a great truck. I don't mind spending the money but it is still money spent and I should be recording it!!
Now like you wrote, it's when it's time to sell where do u price it? I mean my costs are just material and parts. I haven't included one penny of my time. What's that worth? Something I would like to think should I ever sell it.
But then if you even threw a few dollars per hour rate in the final cost, you would put the truck out of a reasonable price range where other comparative trucks are selling at
On your truck: I can't believe your gonna sell it once it's done! You gotta keep it just a little bit and enjoy!
Though the thought of selling mine crosses my mind at times, especially since the power wagon bug hit the collector world and these trucks lumped into the power wagon category are fetching all time dollars!!