Quote Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter
It'll be interesting to see if any "green eyed monsters of envy" raise their heads and start criticizing you guys for what you've spent. Both lists are pretty realistic, and compliments to you Dave for including, for example, oft ignored cost items such as fasteners, along with a few others. For years I've run into folks who have a novice's distorted view of what it takes to build a car (happened more in the Cobra replica arena than rods however). The more "focused" of these folks most likely had a legal sized tablet where they listed their expected costs for the "major" items derived most likely from catalogs and websites (more recently). When you try to tell them that they've missed a lot of "little" items, and that their swag of "miscellaneous = $500" wasn't even close there was obvious expression of disbelief. Most often underestimated are paint (yeah, Dave's $2000 if you count every piece of sand paper, every drop of gun wash solvent and so on is very realistic), upholstery, and drive train components (even a fairly complete crate motor is going to easily take another $1000-2000 depending on what complete means). When you tell them to double the dollars and triple the time they've estimated they look at you like you're on a bad trip. On rare occasions a few have come back and with hat in hand say, "man, turns out you were right...............I just couldn't believe it."

Sure, projects like Don's $3k show a car can be done for less, with his considerable experience, skill, and willingness to "scrounge". The bottom measure is they're cars of different market segments, not measured in monetary terms alone, albeit they both fall within "hot rod".
Bob, et. al.
This is a one time experience at this point in my life. This particular car has most of the bells and whistles that anyone could ever want on a roadster.

I worked for General Electric for 41 years, starting in a factory job, finishing college to become, ultimately, a Project Manager for new power plant installations, retiring in 2005.

While I have built other cars, they were made up of hand me downs and junkyard finds. They were done that way because my job required that I traveled internationally, sometimes for weeks and even months at a time. I raised a family, have 10 grandchildren most of whom think I'm more than a bit screwy for "making a car". I also have a wife that doesn't begrudge me the money spent.

I am well aware of the fact that this project has taken on a life of its own, and have no illusions that it will end at $40K (more like $50K) when it is as done as it will ever be (are they ever completed?). Can you build a car for $3K, yes, just not this one. Maybe the next, but...

So, let the green eyed monsters of envy rear their ugly heads - it's my car, my hobby, my sanity. And these forums help keep it fun.