Hi guys,
I'm trying to get a handle on costs to build a Cobra.
I did all my panel fitting and then found someone to finish the body work as well as paint it lexus indigo ink pearl with viper silver stripes (looks metallic white) for a very reasonable $3,500.00.
I did a lot of checking and you can pay anything from $3.5K to $15K.
All the painters I talked to (except the one I picked) said to stop any bodywork immediately as they would undo everything I did so they can do it to their specs so they can guarantee their work. Made sense to me.
NC Painter said they would do all the bodywork and paint for aroud $5,500 but it would take about 12 weeks. (I think). They've done some Hurricanes and also do good work.
http://www.worshiponeinc.com/
Blue Moon Motorsports in FLA wants $15K. They do excellent work and quickly once they get the car.
http://www.bluemooncars.com/bmm-cars.htm
Your decision just depends on your wallet and calendar.
Hope this helps.
Dan
Eric
I didn't know you were in PHX, very cool! I'm in Tucson BTW.
Anyway, I'm sure our club president Mike can point you in the best direction for paint/body work in the area. I know he just had Gordon Levy do some work on his car to fix some chips and it's Gordon that Mike may send you to. I think Gordon was the original painter as well on his car. His shop is in Maricopa now.
Here's how to get a hold of Mike if you'd like: mikec@holsum.phxcoxmail.com
Here's Gordons site: http://www.levyracing.com/
There's also this for your viewing pleasure: http://www.azcobras.com/
A couple of guys here in Tucson have sent their cars to "BatMan" in CA. High dollar paint jobs but WoW!
Here's "Batmans" site: http://www.millercustoms.com/
If you talk to Gordon, tell him I sent you. He's a good guy as is all of the PHX crew!
Be talking to you I'm sure!
Larry
Eric, You can pay as much as you want to...$3500. to $15000. or more. I found most places that do custom work here in Lake Havasu in that range for body and paint.
I'm using Havasu Customs here, Brian Newton is good, he also specializes in all forms of fiberglass work and custom boat graphics. I'm around $6000. for everything including whatever striping I want.
There is The Bat Man in California, (Jeff Miller), he does numerous cobras and will do the job for $6000. complete.
Many of the shops in this town wanted $10000. to start...way out of my budget.
Anyway, best of luck, Bill ;D
A friend who has done Cobra replicas has a general guideline--a street paint job runs about $5K, a paint job that would be good for street/show events runs about $7.5K, and a show-only quality paint job is priced at $10K.
BTW--I just spent a couple of hours at the Hurricane factory in Lee's Summit last week and was incredibly impressed with the way the Hurricane bodies come out of the mold.
I had my paint and body done by Hurricane and am very pleased with it. It tacked another 3-4 months on the wait for delivery, but it's nice having it done up front knowing that when I get done with the mechanical part of the build, I get to drop the body in place and I'm on the road.
Check with Mike Arps for current price and timing.
Dan
Lots of great info! Thanks, guys. I was guessing at around $5,000 -- it's nice to see I wasn't completely out to lunch!
If anyone else has anything to add, please do...
-Eric
QuoteI had my paint and body done by Hurricane and am very pleased with it. It tacked another 3-4 months on the wait for delivery, but it's nice having it done up front knowing that when I get done with the mechanical part of the build, I get to drop the body in place and I'm on the road.
Check with Mike Arps for current price and timing.
Dan
QuoteEric, if you do check with Hurricane regarding this service, would you please post your information in this thread?
Count on it.
Something to consider! :-/
Getting the bodywork and the paint done prior to building your car is a great idea and saves you time later on but there are some things to consider.
One is the fact that it may get damaged during shipping. It can also get few scratches in it when your securing it to the frame and installing other parts. Another is what if you make a mistake with a drill or are required to re-fit something. Another is what if your not happy with the paint color or the quality of the work? Lastly, there is the potential of cracking the side panels when your installing the body. :-X
I Know....Doom and Gloom..but these are potential things that can happen if your not really careful and take your time.
As I said, just things to consider, I live out in AZ so I considered these issues prior to ordering #1072. I also found several things on the body that had to be changed by the body shop and finished prior to painting.
I'm sure all the guys that had Hurricane paint their cars are very happy and glad they made that choice, but I figured it wasn't a good one for me.
Anyway, that's my two cents, Best of luck, Bill ;D
I agree with Bill. I think you have to consider the possiblity of damage to the body if it arrives painted. Bear in mind that you have to take the body off and on twice during the build and there's a fair mount of flexing and twisting each time.
Matt
Bill and Matt are right on the money. I know it keeps things cleaner to paint the body first but, I've restored many cars and painted the body off only once. I would never consider doing it again. I'm in the final build stage of my Hurricane and the next time the body goes on, it will be the last time. I have however, installed and removed it 3 times already. There are just too many adjustments and modifications that need to be done before it is even in primer.
Jim
This is somewhat of a disappointment, guys.
The painter I am using as well as NC Painter said they will need the body on the frame for 1 or 2 days to true up the hanging panels and make sure everything fits correctly, then they will take the body off and I can take the frame while they paint the car. When they are done painting, I will bring the frame back to them and they will install it back together to make sure everything is aligned and perfect.
Many have had the body painted off the frame with great results, Ryan being one of them and his car looks awesome. If a good high quality paint is used, it can take the flexing of putting the body on.
Just my $.02
Dan
Doug,
Every car we paint here at the factory is done off the frame. As Dan said, you have to do the panel fitment and bodywork with the body mounted to the chassis to get the proper alignment and gapping. After the bodywork is complete, we take it off the frame and paint it. As you would expect, you do have to be careful putting the body back on, but it should not be a problem if you take your time. We recommend that you have several (4-6) friends help you do the final installation so you can take your time. The side columns on the dash support structure is the main tricky spot during the install as you have to pull out slightly on the body sides as you install it.
Rich.
All valid points. When my car (HM1066) arrived painted, it was completely assembled, i.e. attached to the frame, panels were perfectly aligned, etc. I really hated having to pull it all apart to start the build because it looked so nice; but I did without causing any damage. I've since suspended it from the ceiling of the garage, and have scattered the loose panels around the house, under beds, in closets, etc. Any place I figured they'd go untouched. I marked the mounting spots on the frame in hopes of being able to put everything back with the same alignment so I would be left with fine tuning only. Rich's recommendation for four extra people is a good one. I may be whistling a different tune after I reinstall the body, but based on my experience thus far, having the car painted up front has been a positive for me.
QuoteEric, if you do check with Hurricane regarding this service, would you please post your information in this thread?
Doug, and everyone else:
Just got back from K.C.
As you probably know, we have been tweaking the interior space to get every inch we can: dishing the wheel wells for legroom (another customer suggestion), raising the steering wheel angle to get it off your lap, larger footbox for smallblock motors, double dropped footboxes, etc. Every inch we can get makes the car available to more and more folks as well as making it more comfortable to drive. This is an example of a simple and innovative modification with no real downside. We appreciate the suggestion Jim and future customers will thank you as well. I promise you a deal on your next Hurricane (everyone should build 2 I think!) ;D
You mean have to stop at 2. ;D I retire next year and if I don't keep busy in the shop, my wife will find stuff for me to do and I don't think it will be as much fun as building Cobras.
Jim
QuoteYou mean have to stop at 2.