My Summary to date - I think classic cars cost more than guns and they break more often.
1955 Pontiac Star Chief Custom Catalina Hardtop Coupe
V.I.N. Code Information: K855Hxxxxx
K: Built at the Kansas City, Kansas plant
8: 28 series - 124” wheelbase (183.5” frame length)
55: 1955
H: Hydra-Matic transmission
Fisher Body Data Plate:
STYLE No: 55-2837SD (1955, 28 series 124” wheel base, 37SD: Catalina Coupe Custom)
BODY No: BK 6140 (Kansas City body production number 6140)
TRIM No: 272 (Ivory and Copper genuine leather)
PAINT No: 61 (Fire Gold on White Mist with Fire Gold wheels)
TOP: Ø (for convertibles)
ACC: Ø (factory). Options and accessories: Hydra-Matic transmission, Vogue Two-Tone Paint, Power Pack Carter four barrel carburetor, power steering and brakes, dual exhaust (custom), dual antennas, and original dealer installed ‘Pontiac’ brand air conditioning. As a Star Chief, the car has nearly every accessory listed under the Basic, Convenience, Appearance, Comfort, and Protection Groups: under-seat heater and defroster, direction signal, radio and antenna, back up lamps, tilting rear view non-glare mirror, oil bath and air cleaner, full flow oil filter, glove compartment lamp, mirror -visor vanity, luggage compartment lamp, ash tray lamp, instrument panel courtesy lamp, hand-brake signal, under-hood and trouble lamp, outside rear view mirror (pair), lighted hood ornament, no-mar fuel door guard, windshield washers, latex foam seat cushions, E-Z eye tinted safety glass, front bumper grille guard, and bumper wing guards. 32 total options and accessories.
Date Mileage Service/Parts Cost
1. 6/21/2014 87,336 Purchase $20,000
Tow to Boston from MD $1,200
Registration, fees, tax, ‘55 plates $1,350
Previous Owner performed a frame-on restoration:
• Undercoating: $400
• Tires: $750
• Headliner: $550
• Custom correct leather interior: $3,400
• Chrome work: $1,800
• Car Cover: $400
• Paint and engine bay detailing: $3,600
• Rebuilt engine: parts (mostly NOS) $2,800, labor: $2,500 ($5,300)
• Custom exhaust: dual pipes and tips: $365
• Transmission overhaul $650
• Total: $17,215
End: 8/22/14 87,336 First overhaul
• LOF w/additives: $58
• Remove and rebuild wiper motor: $300
• Repair lights: $95
• Inspect AC (still needs under-dash blower motor): $95
• Install seat belts ($365): $380 ($745)
• Repair heat controls (still needs heater control valve): $95
• Washer pump switch: $47.50
• Repair heater blower motor: $95
• Repair RF parking light assembly: $95
• Inspection sticker: $35
• Transmission service; adjust front and rear bands: $195
• Total: $1,916
8/24/14 87,461 Parts order
• Rubber door bumper, 2 chrome lock pulls, 2 wipers, ignition and door lock cylinders with original style keys, glove box and trunk lid lock cylinders and original style keys: $199
8/25/14 87,500 Fix back up lights and turn signals Ø
8/26/14 Used ignition switch $27
8/28/14 Door flappers $239
End: 10/10/14 Second Overhaul:
1).Air shocks installed
2).Transmission rebuilt; 1st gear burned up
3).Hood ornament installed
4).Wipers installed ($43)
5).New vent window gaskets
6).New lock cylinders; doors, glove box, trunk
7).Back up lights repaired and reinstalled
8).Eliminate some body rattles
9).Replace right rear brake line
10).Repair horn and relay
11).Install door flappers
12).Repair emergency brake circuit
Total parts: $1,636
Total labor: $2,982
Grand total: $4,720
End 6/20/15: Third Overhaul
1. Sublet carburetor repair $221.00
2. Repair dash and hood ornament light $332.50
3. Replace brake line, bleed brakes, repair headlight switch, remove dash cluster to repair high beam indicator light $380.00
4. Labor to remove seat and replace heater and defroster cores, and heat control valve
5. Labor to remove windows and install new felts
6. Repair reverse light
7. Sublet to repair door panel, install package tray and trunk divider $375
Parts:
• 3 year replacement battery $125.00
• Brake line $10
• Brake fluid $12
• Heater core $398.11
• Defroster core $295.36
• Heat control valve $293.69
• Heater hose and clamps $18.50
• Coolant $26.00
• Socket $12.12
• Driver’s window RR channel felts $45.69
• Package tray and trunk divider $86
• Bill for Round 3 87,816 $3858.30
YTD my services: $12,744
Prior Owner Services ($17,215)
My Total Investments: $32,744
Car is appraised at about $50K
What's left:
*wiring harness to fix the electrical gremlins; interior lights, trunk light, under-hood reel-out light, E-brake light, air conditioner, washer pump, and other odds and ends. I hope not more than another $2K, but the wiring harness will be $5-600 itself.
I cleared about $14,000 with the insurance settlement from the first '55; so excluding the cost of buying this car, I've still about $1500 left plus the $3500 I put into the first one before it was wrecked.
T
TMI?
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