Buying a used race car vs building own

[doglover44]

I understand that buying a used car will be less expensive but I want a Chevy Corvette C3 coupe but I never see those race cars for sale I would rather take 2-3 years building a race car. Has anyone here built there own race car ? how did it turn out ?

[buzzinhalfdozen]

I've built all my own cars and several for other people. How they turned out is debatable I guess. I've never spent more than an afternoon at the track making adjustments on any of them so I guess they serve their purpose. I've seen alot of VERY nice cars over the years many home built, so it can be done, it does require some talent. Only you know your abilities you may want to stop by a local chassis shop if you have one and ask some questions, look a little at whats involved in doing a car. Joe

[Jeff Lee]

No matter what your time / labor / cost estimates are, even if using the best pencil, spreadsheets and opinions you can find....x3 all of them!
But I would still rather build my own car.

And if you buy used, buy it after seeing it run!

[doglover44]

Does anyone know anyone who deals with Corvette C3s ? and what should I know about millage on a race car ?

[GEORGE PETERSON]

It might cost more, but there is nothing like having a quick and fast race car and the satisfaction of knowing you built it yourself. Otherwise you'd better get used to people refering to your car as "whats his names old race car".

G Peterson
D/S 4448

[Mike Taylor 3601]

I agree with Joe,Jeff and George and now my 2 cents, I wonder how many times people buy a car,then by the time they get it the way they want it,did they save anything?
Mike Taylor 3601

[Terry Cain]

Originally Posted by doglover44

I understand that buying a used car will be less expensive but I want a Chevy Corvette C3 coupe but I never see those race cars for sale I would rather take 2-3 years building a race car. Has anyone here built there own race car ? how did it turn out ?

Email me direct.

[Tim H]

Originally Posted by Mike Taylor 3601

I agree with Joe,Jeff and George and now my 2 cents, I wonder how many times people buy a car,then by the time they get it the way they want it,did they save anything?
Mike Taylor 3601

Wow, how very true in my case !

[Philip Saran]

I'll throw in my $0.02.
When I bought my Duster 2 years ago I paid more for it than any other project
car I had ever had, even my stock eliminator Duster back in the 80's, I think I
got blinded by the yellow paint, shiny wheels and the BB under the hood.

Of course it had no safety equipment, it had been a street/strip car, so now I
have about $10K in it and all the safety stuff and it is just about ready to race.

Would I have been better off buying a truely "turn-key" proven race car....yes,
would it have been as much fun/aggrivation....no. Did I have enough cash to buy
a turn key proven race car at the time.....no, story of my life.

[Mike Taylor 3601]

Phillip, Sounds like my life story make it or buy a part at a time with too much time in between parts most of the time.
Mike Taylor3601