The road map to a novice car build

Poetic Justice · 24-09-2019, 02:44 PM

So I would make no secret of the fact that I don't have any mechanical or technical know how when it comes to working on cars.

I like cars.

I like to drive cars.

I want to own a cool car... (coolness being in the eye of the beholder, surely).

So I bought a 97 Fairmont, my third of these. It's slightly modified, though not really powerful enough however the power stakes can be left to later down the track.

The body of the car is... in tact, but in bad need of a major redo.

The interior... is well, 97esque. Grey leather. A little drab, but in general presentation that I just like. Perhaps it just needs a different colour.

So what will it be?!

I guess what I am actually here to ask is this:

Is there a specific order in which you should build a car?

To this I mean, I'm not going to pull my car off the road completely to overdo it in one go because, let's face it, like many I don't have the funds to achieve all this at once.

In no short order, I'd like to achieve the following:
* Show presentable paint
* Custom show interior
* A detailed engine bay
* Decent enough ICE
* Enough power to say that my Jeep SRT isn't the outright king, but perhaps no more than the Jeep itself.

Obviously these things take time.. but in the interest of still trying to somehow manage the ability to drive the car during summer times and have it off the road where necessary it would be interesting to know which is the best order to do things.

> Do you build a motor before doing an engine bay?
> Should the body be done painted before you entertain an engine build?
> Is there a point to trying to have the body done at the same time as an interior given it has to be all a part?

What is the simplest process?

Pics for attention:

simon varley · 24-09-2019, 03:41 PM

a respray is big money, so if your first priority is for it to be presentable, then give it a really, really good detailing. It will be a lot of elbow grease, although a good DA buffer will pay for itself. I think you will be surprised how much nicer you can make the exterior with just hard work.

Custom interior is again big money, bit if you want a refresh, then consider just removing the seats and carpet, and giving them a damn good clean. You could reupholster which won't be ridiculously expensive, but then may loo wrong with old and faded hard trim. The hard trim can benefit from some good old elbow grease too

Personally, I'd do the engine and engine bay at the same time. Once the engine and trans are out, it is so much easier to get the rest sorted.

Decent ICE should be more or less plug and play with minor mods to the factory stuff.

I'm new to this too, despite working in the auto industry for years. My Mk1 Escort has taken 5 years (family gets in the way) and that's for just mechanical rebuilds. I made the decision not to go full ground up resto as I really wanted to drive the car. It still looks ratty externally, but mechanically its as near to 100% as it will ever be

Poetic Justice · 24-09-2019, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by simon varley

a respray is big money, so if your first priority is for it to be presentable, then give it a really, really good detailing. It will be a lot of elbow grease, although a good DA buffer will pay for itself. I think you will be surprised how much nicer you can make the exterior with just hard work.

Custom interior is again big money, bit if you want a refresh, then consider just removing the seats and carpet, and giving them a damn good clean. You could reupholster which won't be ridiculously expensive, but then may loo wrong with old and faded hard trim. The hard trim can benefit from some good old elbow grease too

Personally, I'd do the engine and engine bay at the same time. Once the engine and trans are out, it is so much easier to get the rest sorted.

Decent ICE should be more or less plug and play with minor mods to the factory stuff.

I'm new to this too, despite working in the auto industry for years. My Mk1 Escort has taken 5 years (family gets in the way) and that's for just mechanical rebuilds. I made the decision not to go full ground up resto as I really wanted to drive the car. It still looks ratty externally, but mechanically its as near to 100% as it will ever be

I'm not adverse to spending money.. I would have thought the paint will cost an easy 5-10k eventually, and around 5k for a custom interior.

I'd have to take some photos of the paint work... imperfections as well as things like chrome trims which have aged - and not to mention the usual black rubbers around the windows that seem to be an issue with all E-series and you can't replace them.

simon varley · 24-09-2019, 10:13 PM

ok, so my personal opinion is that if you are going to paint a car, there is no point at all in doing half a job. that means imo a total strip down, prep and paint, in which case you are more or less committing to do everything in one go!

if you make the paint job the last thing you do, you can then do the other jobs one by one. It does mean you'll have to take the engine out a couple of times, and the same for the interior, but at least you'll have the car to drive in between.

I'm sure there are plenty of other opinions.

Crazy Dazz · 24-09-2019, 10:30 PM

#1 Priority is being sure you have the right car to begin with. The project will cost the same regardless.
Make sure the car is straight and as rust-free as possible. Proper rust repairs is where the money can start to add up. Obviously pay special attention to a car that's not original as you don't know what may be hiding
don't pay for stuff you're going to change anyway
where possible, keep it simple. If you want a V8 Manual on Gas, try to buy one, rather than an automatic 6
Interior should be the last thing, as it needs to come out for a respray
engine bay detail should also wait till after the respray. Personally I would have all the mechanical mods done and sorted, then disassemble for the respray and detail.
Pay attention to interior pieces that won't be re-covered, and make sure they're in good nic or you have access to some that are
If the body is straight and you like the original paint, consider what can be done with touch-ups, cut-polish, and then a professional respray of the clearcoat
if you opt for a full respray, don't skimp, nothing worse than a poor respray

Citroënbender · 24-09-2019, 11:43 PM

Dry fit everything.

Sar4890 · 24-09-2019, 11:50 PM

Or alternatively purchase a car that is done already.It may cost more from the outset but if it is a quality job major costly things like the paint and panel work are already done and you can spend your money on doing the individual touches that make it yours. Ultimately buy the best you can afford and sit down and make a plan as to where you want to go from there.

**PG2** · 25-09-2019, 12:29 AM

Make a list of parts that you need. That way you can keep a lookout for opportunities to buy stuff at the right price.

Regularly scout your on line places like EBay, gumtree, forums etc but also swap meets and your old fashioned wreckers including self serve wreckers.

Also, if your going to do the work yourself build up a decent tool box. You may not be able to afford top of the range but try and stay away from the cheap nasty stuff. The right tool for the right job makes a job so much easier. Once again, look for opportunities for good deals.

roKWiz · 25-09-2019, 07:52 AM

My only advise would be if its not a ground up build and its already registered keep it in rego while doing the work.

ebv8 · 25-09-2019, 09:14 AM

does't really matter the order of attack but keep it registered
as soon as its off the road it will sit for years waiting for more cash
at least if you drive it you can justify spending extra on it
my HX is 4 years off the road now, plan was to get rust done and rego but wife wanted a full respray, got screwed over by a painter and its now parked in my dads shed while he builds it

however i'd first do what is most important
maybe engine and body at the same time
do you need ICE if the engine sounds good?
do you need a fresh trim? your tints will hide the trim to a point

**Cav** · 25-09-2019, 10:07 AM

Get PG2 to give you a hand, obviously.

Poetic Justice · 25-09-2019, 12:16 PM

Thanks for the posts guys, very insightful.

I am not unhappy with the motor and performance at this stage.. so I think the body and paint needs to be the first go, I suppose!

In light of this.. how do you then decide who to use to help do the work?

When it comes to body and paint I obviously want a professional to do it. Do I simply look to a local panel beater who does work for my work (a car dealership) or should I be out on the hunt for someone who specialises in builds? Obviously one will be more costly than the other, but will the difference in job be that vast? How is one to know?

Any recommendations for body repairs and a respray in Melbourne for this car?

ford71V8 · 25-09-2019, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poetic Justice

Thanks for the posts guys, very insightful.

I am not unhappy with the motor and performance at this stage.. so I think the body and paint needs to be the first go, I suppose!

In light of this.. how do you then decide who to use to help do the work?

When it comes to body and paint I obviously want a professional to do it. Do I simply look to a local panel beater who does work for my work (a car dealership) or should I be out on the hunt for someone who specialises in builds? Obviously one will be more costly than the other, but will the difference in job be that vast? How is one to know?

Any recommendations for body repairs and a respray in Melbourne for this car?

Car shows.
Talk to people there, chances are high you will find a number of owners that have done what you are thinking about.
If its local shows, you will learn who the go-to guys are in the area

ebv8 · 25-09-2019, 12:25 PM

that's the hard part
i got quotes from $2500 to $25000 for a simple respray only (no body work)
you would only need a closed door job i guess so look up facebook market place for local one man band painters
be careful though "trust nobody"

do lots of cold calling and take a day off work and visit all the painters in your area for quotes

**cs123** · 25-09-2019, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poetic Justice

Thanks for the posts guys, very insightful.

I am not unhappy with the motor and performance at this stage.. so I think the body and paint needs to be the first go, I suppose!

In light of this.. how do you then decide who to use to help do the work?

When it comes to body and paint I obviously want a professional to do it. Do I simply look to a local panel beater who does work for my work (a car dealership) or should I be out on the hunt for someone who specialises in builds? Obviously one will be more costly than the other, but will the difference in job be that vast? How is one to know?

Any recommendations for body repairs and a respray in Melbourne for this car?

Most panel shops deal in collision repair and require turnover. They will have little interest in a respray on your car.

Some places will take it on as a fill-in between jobs. Cars end up staying many months or even years and it ends in tears.

If in Melbourne, speak to these guys. Not cheap but quality never comes cheap.

https://www.facebook.com/PrestonPanels/

Be very wary about over investment in your project car. The money you can potentially spend will far exceed what it costs to buy a good example.

Citroënbender · 25-09-2019, 01:48 PM

It’s a project with major financial outlay, it deserves thorough planning.

Bear in mind the cost to do this is not going to be that different to (say) building up a replica of a “halo” car. Which if you ever decide to let it go, will have far greater retained value.

Poetic Justice · 25-09-2019, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cs123

Most panel shops deal in collision repair and require turnover. They will have little interest in a respray on your car.

Some places will take it on as a fill-in between jobs. Cars end up staying many months or even years and it ends in tears.

If in Melbourne, speak to these guys. Not cheap but quality never comes cheap.

https://www.facebook.com/PrestonPanels/

Be very wary about over investment in your project car. The money you can potentially spend will far exceed what it costs to buy a good example.

Certainly an acknowledged point, though in my times I've never quite seen a show(ish) EL Fairmont before... certainly not one with a decent paint job and custom interior - so the option of buying something is not really an option.

I'll start to have a look around for a painter.