How much to spend?

[ckd out NW]

Just purchased numbers matching 1978 Trans Am.  2W87KBL L80 motor, main options: WS6, C60, AU3, A31, Y90, N33, built in Van Nuys,

I found it in "running condition" with the interior exhumed/boxed, AC pulled, heater core pulled, seats were blue but with time they are now closer to grey....gauges all work!

Body tag states "A51W11LW11U" From what I have learned it was "cameo white" with a blue velour interior

Title is clear, no major damage other than the usual rust in/around rear quarters behind the wheel, floor pans are showing some small holes, nothing crazy, trunk is ok

Glass is original("soft-ray"), doors are in good shape...power windows/locks work...

Enough of my rambling

Looking for feedback on "How much to spend?"
I know this is an obnoxious question, but I have put together more outboard performance boats than cars in the last 20 years

Neighbor has a nice lift so I will get a solid look underneath later this week
Have an engine stand and cherry picker, not afraid of engine work

How much should I invest in getting the body "restored" ?

Thanks
John

 

[Wallington]

All to do with condition, body and paint. Good paint that needs redoing is the same as bad paint and every panel different etc. Otherwise, it's just tinkering, doing work yourself like reinstalling interior and trim. Decide interior colour early on so everything matches and also paint and decals. Not all trim options are available new so check that also. Upholstery is same as paint. Fairly good trim that is getting replaced costs the same as bad trim! So don't paint too much more knowing it will still be tossed, of course it's nicer to drive or use if not as bad, but still.

[Oldsschool79]

I agree with Wallington and just to add, set your goals. Are you looking for a weekend cruiser to run around town or show quality. When I found my '79 it was rough. I set goals and a budget and it came out pretty good. Not show quality just a good fun car to drive whenever I want. Well as long as its not winter with road salt. I guess bottom line is how much work the body needs, expectations for the powertrain ect. Either way make it enjoyable not a headache.

[roadking77]

Welcome to TAC John! Sounds like a nice car, and white is my favorite colour for a Trans Am.
Your question is kinda like asking what is the best colour?
It all depends on your end game. If you want to 'fix and flip' for a quick profit my advice would be to sell it now for whatever you can get out of it. No sense in putting any more money into it. Basically saying, If you think you will be making money find another hobby.
On the other hand, if you want to end up with a really cool car to cruise around in, then by all means forge ahead
If youre asking how much does body and paint cost, I dont think anyone can answer that question but you can easily have 25k into a car before you know it. Paint is running $400 a gal. minimum these days and so on and so on. I prefer to do as much of my own work that I can so my labor cost is only my time lost in the shop (which is a real number if you really think about it).
I have been working on my TATA for about 5 or 6 years now and I would estimate I have $15k into at this point. Its almost finished. If you send it out to a body shop there is a great chance they will have the car for several years. And make sure they are reputable and have a good business. So many stories of guys getting ripped off. The good ones are usually backed up for quite some time. Keep as much of the original car as possible, glass, trim etc. Reproduction parts are not as good and the real stuff is getting harder to find every day. I would rather restore a good used part off the car than buy something new if possible.
Post some pics up and start a restoration thread on here. There are lots of knowledgable guys here that will answer questions.

[stros]

Welcome to TAC!  I’d recommend figuring out your long term vision for your project now before proceeding.  I thought I’d just do minor tinkering and keep it as original as possible, but realized I was better off resto-modding it with new, modern parts - instead of buying a bunch of questionable reproduction parts.

I also didn’t think I’d have the car that long, but then realized I enjoyed the Trans Am so much that I now call it my lifetime car.  By making that realization I stopped worrying so much about how much I was spending on it😀.

That being said take a look underneath it as well as dig into the mechanicals a bit to see what shape everything is in.  If it’s all original you’re going to likely have a lot of suspension work to do as all of the rubber bushings tend to be shot on original cars.

[gm muscle]

Welcome to TAC! Lots of good advice here. Hang on to as many of the original parts as possible. Often times the reproduction stuff is not as good as what originally came with the car. If you're looking to restore this T/A for yourself, then spend what you can afford. Many of us here have been spending what we can, when we can over a long period of time. I have had my T/A for 32 years and still don't feel like I am finished with it...perhaps never will 

Post pics of what you have.