Am I Crazy or Is This the Going Rate???

[70_440-6Cuda]

This seems CRAZY expensive - am I missing something?  And what can it cost to restore an original in decent condition?

Non AC Heater

[Slotts]

$800.00 - $1200 to restore.

[70vert]

Definitely crazy, I would blow off heat at that price! But then I'm in Houston and never use it anyway 

[ec_co]

Dang!! I have my restored '70 box all packed up since I'm going the Vintage Air route. I thought about selling it to recoup some cost, but I just can't bring myself to getting rid of anything it was originally born with. It is tempting though

[torredcuda]

"this is an over the top ultra crazy amazing piece that has been completely rebuilt and restored. the very hard to find heater box THAT HAS BEEN COMPLETELY GONE THROUGH AND MADE LIKE NEW includes an nos heater core, rebuilt fan motor powder coated motor bracket with every detail down to the screws and rivets exactly as they are supposed to be.  .."

I`m sure you can find a decently restored one for a lot cheaper or do it yourself for even less.

[70_440-6Cuda]

I thought so - I mean I guess if you dont have a core, and it is all restored maybe it makes a little more sense, but that is A LOT of money....

Will have to see how F-ed up mine is when I get to that point - would be nice to drop in something done, but not for that scratch

[Katfish]

Having sold on eBay, the price has to be higher for 2 reasons.
Fees and taxes

At that price, eBay gets $450 and taxes could be another $750.

I'd bet you could get that locally for <$2000, which isn't crazy.

[70_440-6Cuda]

@Katfish very true - that is exactly why I do not sell there anymore - you have to make things so expensive to be worth it they never sell

[EV2RTSE]

Having sold on eBay, the price has to be higher for 2 reasons.
Fees and taxes

At that price, eBay gets $450 and taxes could be another $750.

I'd bet you could get that locally for <$2000, which isn't crazy.

Yeah the ebay fees are totally nuts anymore. I've dealt with the seller on some e-body stuff on and off of ebay, I bet he'd work with someone interested in buying it privately. He's on some of the forums, more of a b-body guy I think. 

Good unbroken original non-a/c heater boxes are really hard to find, but broken ones can be repaired to look like new again. I think there are some posts on some of the forums on how to redo the fiberglass on a broken one.

[7E-Bodies]

@Katfish very true - that is exactly why I do not sell there anymore - you have to make things so expensive to be worth it they never sell
[/quote

It's referred to as "FeeBay" for a reason.

[dodj]

Well...a DMT heater box rebuild gasket set is about 2 bills. Do it yourself and save about 2500 bucks.

If you are concours kind of guy....well...you gonna pay.

[MoparLeo]

What is the cost difference to rebuild a car and to "restore" a car ? Probably 10X more.
Looking for rebuilt parts you go to Autozone. To buy restored parts you go to a restoration specialist. Big difference in product and time/parts to complete.

Just be more selective in your wording.

[torredcuda]

Ge a quote from these guys, I`ve heard they do good work - https://mrheaterbox.com/

[70_440-6Cuda]

What is the cost difference to rebuild a car and to "restore" a car ? Probably 10X more.
Looking for rebuilt parts you go to Autozone. To buy restored parts you go to a restoration specialist. Big difference in product and time/parts to complete.

Just be more selective in your wording.

I understand the time and costs associated with restoring something ... My point was more about the overall price of embody anything, and is this where we are now?  Everything decent over $2k?  I posted in another thread about a grill with an asking price over $2k... Makes trying to restore anything damn near unobtainable and you are left with the option of buying aftermarket parts that inferior quality and accuracy. 

I am not taking anything away from the work that is being done, but I am certainly at the point of WAY over spending to bring my car back to life because I want the quality of original where I can get it

[MoparLeo]

If you really want to compare pricing, What would your car cost right now to produce. Could you buy it for $3500. ?
So adjust pricing to today's dollar.
 You are comparing a mass produced new item 50 years old to a hand built item today.
 Minimum wage in 1970 here is California was around $1.65.
You could get the materials to do it yourself and practice on a broken housing before doing the real one.