From what I've read it can take from 2 years to 7 years to finish a car. My question is if your doing a frame off restore how long will the car be in the garage? I plan on doing all the frame work, mechanical work and having a pro do the body and paint. I plan on taking the body off the frame and take the body to the body shop on dollies. I will do all the suspension up grades and drive train install myself.

Ok... lots to consider here.
I expect 2 years on my '65 - probably because I've worked on Chevelles for many years and pretty much know what I'm doing. Sounds like you are doing the same as I am. The biggest limit to the time it takes is a) How much time do you have to devote to it? and b) How much money do you have to keep the parts and pieces coming in a timely manner? It is a pain to have to wait 10 days for a special brake line or something that you missed...

I figure 2 years.

Good luck and post pictures. It is always fun to watch the progress on any Chevelle.

A car can be done in a year if you have the right attitude, time, money and the right body shop. Attitudes have a way of going south during a project because you "and" the body shop guy realize what a money pit you have. Takes us about 2 years because something always seems to sidetrack us. I'm starting a 65 convertible soon and I'm going to try to turn this one in a year but I've cheated because I took the car to the body shop one piece at a time and have the body work all done. I'll take the car on a dolly and maybe, just maybe this one will not linger in the body shop.

Well I like to think I'm pretty handy I wrench for a living. My body man says it will be year at least until he can start on it. But when he starts it will be done right and quick. Its funny you brought up money. How do most guys finance a project like this? I'm think in a home equity loan I just can't save 30 grand before I start. something always comes up and puts the chevelle on the back burner. I've had this car for 18 years. Tired of waiting

Two things you will always find yourself short of: Patience and Money. The biggest challenge with the first one is overcoming the emotion "I have about had all of this ***** I can take." It will come several times before you are through. That is when you back off and get away from it for awhile. You will be amazed how that thing that was strangling you will fall into place.

I just wish all this support was around when I did all of mine. Even though you you can buy 'em built cheaper there will always be something missing.

Good Luck.

For me..... this is one reason it will take two years. I have been collecting parts and pieces for several years before I started on the car. Then, it is just a monthly expense that I watch. So far, since March '07, I have spent about $7500 and I have a rolling chassis..... no engine or tranny but a real rolling chassis. (You can see where THIS is going, eh?)
I am fortunate to have a wife that really LIKES cars... she drives an Acura RL but is looking a the the Chevelle as her personal hotrod. She gives me input and askes questions all the time... which I enjoy.

Now, I am ready to work over the body as I decide which engine/tranny combo I want to use. Add $10K right there..... body work quote is approx $5K and misc stuff will add more.... but I have most of the parts for the interior and it has been paid for.... years ago.

My biggest problem is the MONEY THING:D Don't have much! Do yourself a favor don't take on other projects at the same time like I did:) 2 Years I think is very realistic! :hurray:

I started on mine April 19th, 2006. The day before my sons first birthday :D Since then I've completely stripped the car down, pulled the body off the frame, and am just starting to really get into it.

Now that I've done all I can that doesn't cost anything, the saving process starts. Save up and get a part. Repeat.

Main reason I'm not farther along (other than money) has been weather in a non-temp controlled garage, and lack of free time. I'm shooting for 2-3 years.....if I'm lucky.:noway:

Oh yeah... the weather. At my age, I like 75 degrees......
SO that means I can work on the car about 20 days a year.... times.....two years of work..... I should have it done in April 2021!

I kinda started in '98 but it sat for 5 years. It was pretty much taken apart in 2 weeks time before I moved, then it sat. I did the home equity loan, built a shop and started on my car. I media blasted it myself in the summer of '06, for under 200, primered it for under 50, and already had the drive train done.... but then bought new bolt ons for the engine. Then I put the sheetmetal together and sent it to the body shop this past March, and it is a week from being ready to shoot with paint. They replaced the drivers quarter (with donar car) and passanger lip replacement (new made in USA), had all the doors, fenders, trunk hood all fitted. Just under 5k for the paint. 3k for trim parts, interior, wiring, 1.2k for engine parts 200 for used trans, and I figure another K for miscelaneous parts to put it together. I did EVERYTHING except the body work. I had already done the suspension and frame before this restoration along with disc brake conversion. all in all I assume 13k+/- and basically 1.5 years or 10 years depending on how you look at it. But its almost there yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees. I think Aug this summer will be a driver. I will post pictures in my own post later.