How Much Does a Full Restoration Cost at Auto Art Restoration?
Short Answer: A full, complete restoration at Auto Art typically runs 500 to 1,000+ hours of labor at a flat $100 an hour. That puts most complete projects in the $50,000 to $100,000+ range, with parts billed separately at cost. The exact number depends mainly on how much rust and fabrication the car needs. It also depends on the finish level you’re targeting — driver quality, show quality, or full concours.
Owners considering a full restoration usually have one real question they’re afraid to ask out loud: how much is this actually going to cost me? Too many shops dodge it until the car is already apart and the number keeps climbing.
Auto Art Restoration is based in Marion, Kentucky. Founder Cecil Henry publishes the shop’s actual rates and typical ranges before anyone ever picks up the phone.
Here’s exactly what a full restoration costs at Auto Art, what moves the number up or down, and where your project is likely to land.
What Does a Full Restoration Typically Cost?
A full, complete restoration at Auto Art runs 500 to 1,000+ hours of labor, billed at a flat $100 an hour. That puts most complete projects in the $50,000 to $100,000+ range before parts, which are billed separately at cost.
Here’s how that compares to smaller projects, based on Auto Art’s own published rate table:
| Project type | Typical hours | Typical labor cost |
|---|---|---|
| Partial / specific repair | 40–150 hrs | $4,000–$15,000 |
| Paint only | 80–200 hrs | $8,000–$20,000 |
| Metalwork / fabrication | 100–300 hrs | $10,000–$30,000 |
| Complete restoration | 500–1,000+ hrs | $50,000–$100,000+ |
| Custom build | 800–1,500+ hrs | $80,000–$150,000+ |
All figures reflect labor only, at $100 an hour. Parts are billed separately and vary too much car to car to estimate here.
What Drives the Cost Up?
Rust and structural damage are the single biggest variable in any restoration budget. Surface rust is manageable and usually doesn’t move the estimate much. Rust that has eaten through floor pans, frame rails, or rocker panels means fabrication, and fabrication takes real time.
Parts that no longer exist are the second major driver. When a part can’t be bought, it has to be made by hand, and custom fabrication is skilled, time-intensive work. The older and rarer the car, the more likely Auto Art is manufacturing pieces that haven’t existed since the original factory run ended.
Finish level and scope changes matter too. A concours-quality finish, where every panel gap and paint depth reading has to be perfect, takes far more time than a driver-quality result. Changing direction mid-project, like a different paint color or added fabrication, also adds hours fast.
What Brings the Cost Down?
A structurally solid, rust-free car is the biggest factor in keeping a project on budget. If the metal is already good, that time goes into restoration work instead of rust recovery.
Owner-sourced parts can meaningfully reduce cost too, especially on well-documented models. If you arrive with a verified, correct parts inventory ready to go, Auto Art’s hours go toward the work itself rather than sourcing.
A clear, decided vision from day one keeps a project moving efficiently. Clients who know their finish level, scope, and priorities upfront let Auto Art plan accurately and execute without interruption. Indecision mid-project is expensive; deciding early isn’t.
Limiting scope to what a car actually needs also keeps a budget in check. Not every project needs a full, ground-up restoration. Sometimes a well-scoped partial repair or a quality respray is the honest answer. Auto Art will tell you when that’s the case instead of upselling a bigger job.
Why Does Auto Art Publish Its Rates?
Cecil Henry, Auto Art’s founder, publishes the shop’s rate and typical ranges before anyone ever picks up the phone. The reasoning is straightforward. A classic restoration is one of the largest discretionary purchases most owners will ever make, and it plays out over a year or more.
At $100 an hour, Auto Art isn’t the cheapest option in Western Kentucky, and Cecil doesn’t try to be. Every hour on the invoice reflects real, skilled work, and the finished car is meant to show it.
That transparency also means owners can plan realistically before committing. Knowing the range up front, months before a wrench ever touches the car, is what lets a family budget for a project this size responsibly.
What Should You Do Before Budgeting Your Restoration?
A full restoration at Auto Art runs 500 to 1,000+ hours at $100 an hour, landing most projects between $50,000 and $100,000+ before parts.
The real variables are rust, parts fabrication, and finish level, and Auto Art walks through all three with every owner before work starts.
Auto Art Restoration has built its process in Marion, Kentucky around this kind of transparency, publishing real rates instead of making owners guess.
If you want to see how your project would break down, use the estimate tool on our pricing page. Or reach out directly, and Cecil will respond personally within 48 hours.
FAQ
Does the $100-an-hour rate include parts?
No. Parts are sourced and billed separately at cost, and Auto Art discusses them with you before ordering anything.
How long does a full restoration take from start to finish?
Complete restorations typically run 500 to 1,000+ hours of labor, which usually stretches into months once scheduling and parts lead times are factored in. Timeline depends heavily on the car’s condition and how much fabrication it needs.
Can I lower my cost by sourcing some parts myself?
Yes, especially on well-documented models where you can line up verified, correct parts before work starts. That lets Auto Art spend its hours on the restoration itself instead of parts research.
What’s the real difference between driver-quality and concours pricing?
Driver quality means the car looks great, drives great, and holds up to daily use, at meaningfully fewer labor hours than concours work. Concours quality extends that same standard to every hidden surface, fastener, and finish, which takes significantly longer.
Will my estimate change once the car is disassembled?
It can, especially if hidden rust or missing parts turn up that a walk-around couldn’t reveal. Auto Art builds this into the published ranges and will always discuss scope changes with you before proceeding.
