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Seasonal pricing deals

hickslawns

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Seems like every year about this time there are some killer deals to be had. Not sure if it is because it is winter, or if maybe I just have more time to look?

You get the Barrett Jackson TV shows along with some other big auction shows. FB Marketplace and Craigslist always seem to have some bargains. Then there are the restoration shows. Brings out the desire to buy, build, resurrect, and create.

I feel I have a good enough overall vehicle background. I feel I have a good enough network of resources to make these projects happen. I feel like I have good vision to do some builds. I also recognize I do NOT have the experience to do it AND make money at it. These shows inspire me. They inspire a lot of people. Thus the reason there are so many partially done projects out there. I have zero doubt I could get some builds done. I also have zero doubt for the time I'd have in them I would make better money as a greeter at WM. Haha

Maybe one of these days I'll hit the lottery and pursue this passion. It wouldn't matter if I profited or not at this point. . . .

Am I alone here? Anyone else feel this way? I know some guys here dabble. Motorbreaker has mentioned some toys. Don't get a username like that by driving a Prius. Clay has done some Jeeps. But is there money to be made on a Jeep after all the labor to build? Not much. I love the VW bugs. They are "easy" builds. Not much money to make on them when done. Similar to Jeeps. I think the guys making decent money are specialized. They have specific cars they KNOW inside and out and stick to them. Think Joe's FIL. Unless you have pockets to roll out $10-15k , sink another $10-15k, to finish a $40-50k car (with a tiny crowd of perspective buyers), I'm just not sure you can make a ton restoring cars. Curious as to others input.
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
Deals come this time of year because of tax returns. Once my kids start to leave the house I’m going to get into square body GM trucks. I’d like to build a crew cab short bed with a p-pump motor on 38’s. Or a slammed crew cab dually with a turbo inspired 502 and air ride. Neither with the idea of selling, but I’m sure those projects will make me want to build a Hellcat Jeep or something else.
 
I think that buying, restoring, and flipping cars is really hard to make a buck at. You would really have to buy the vehicle right and hope you don't have to put a ton of money in it. Most of the guys that I know that do it, just really do it because they enjoy the restoration project. I think that for the most of them if you added up the hours of work, a greeter at Wally World would make more money.

I think to really make money, one would need to concentrate on unique or rare vehicles. The issue with Jeeps and VW bugs is that there is a ton of them out there which the supply keeps the price down.
 

hickslawns

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I think you and Giles are confirming what I'm thinking. Giles would be up for some restos but realizes he would keep them. Whatever you lost is just the cost of enjoyment if you ever sell. Cspot- I think the rarest of rare, high end cars, and a few other niche markets do exist. Most of us don't have the pockets to roll that kind of dough into it. I do believe it would be extremely difficult to make a living at it. Maybe the exception is a guy with a body shop who does some on the side. The body work tends to be the most expensive often times. They have a slight advantage over the DIY guy or someone farming out the rust repair/paint.
 

hickslawns

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Ohio
I think to really make money, one would need to concentrate on unique or rare vehicles.


Yes. Unfortunately, unique or rare come in just a few forms. Already restored, very expensive but under the money with a bit of room to flip them. Or. . .rougher than rough, still expensive but "possibly" obtainable by the average guy. Still too much money to round up the parts and do a complete restoration for the average guy.

Yet, I'm still drawn to this. I missed out on one earlier this week. Honestly figured it was a scam. "1980 Corvet" is how it was listed. "Needs breaks work $3800." I realize a 1980 Corvette is not an ultra high end Corvette but not as common as a Bug or Jeep and more obtainable than a 63 Vette. Depending upon miles, body, running or not. . .there was room. If no cracks or major fiberglass repairs and if you could get it fired and running I'd think $5-7500 would be pretty doable. If it cleaned up well $10-12k isn't out of the question. If it was a Stingray, probably take it to the next level. On the flipside, you could have dropped $3800, then another $1500 on tires and brakes, likely a battery, maybe got it running to find a bad transmission or maybe don't get it running because the motor was locked up. Definitely a gamble if you want to dabble in stuff like this. As quickly as this Corvette disappeared, I'm guessing the pictures of what "appeared" to be a solid car were accurate and someone is the new smiling owner.