I reckon it's cost me best part of two grand from stripping the tub off last June and deciding on a new chassis, to getting the fecker back on the road a couple of weeks ago.
In the last three years since I bought it It's cost me 4 1/2 grand including the original purchase price, I reckon I'll have spent 5 grand on it by this time next year if I get a decent respray. When I renew the insurance I'll get the value altered to 5 grand. I doubt very much if I'd get that if I came to sell it, an reckon 3 to 4 grand will be a bit more realistic. But that was the whole point of doing it up in the first place I haven't any intention of selling it, ever. It'll be parked in my back yard as a garden feature when I'm smelling of **** an mints.
If you can't see yourself keeping the vehicle then I'd go for patching it up, specially if your a half decent welder or can get welding done on the cheap. An if it's too nackered for that, get shut of it.
As far as getting a galvy chassis is concerned then it all depends on how long you intend using the vehicle. A painted chassis will last 15 to 20 years or more depending on how it's looked after. So if your over 50 then it's pretty much pointless getting a galvanised one cos you won't be driving the ****er by the time it starts falling apart 2nd time round.
