Cost

Many people ask me how much the car has cost; I think they like to compare it with how much another car would cost to buy, irrelevant thought that may be, it's a fair comparision.

Since the first car was free, and the second car $200, things appeared to be off to a low-cost start. However I resolved to keep all my receipts - or try very hard to - so that one day I could figure out how much it really has cost.

Of course a few receipts (eg. about twenty from K-Mart!) have been lost along the way, unfortunately. Some items did not have receipts attached. These have all been allowed for.

I might point out at this stage that, once upon a time, I used to spend lots of money, over $3000 in six months, on my computer when I was a wealthy sixth-former. Of course now I spend less time fixing things, I no longer have that sort of money to spend. Or do I? Anyway only a few hundred now get spent annually on the PC.

As of 19 April, 1999, I have hence compiled a list (date order) of all recorded expenditure (the actual total is likely to be higher, since many bog-and-paint items were discarded with the first car... as were those items marked 'not used'.

Expenditure on the entire Princess Project

Date Merchant Item(s) Amount
   30-Dec-97 Repco 				Haynes manual $42.95
   31-Dec-97 Lucas 				Oil pressure switch $7.20
   13-Jan-98 Lucas 				Brake light switch $6.35
   16-Jan-98 BP Whitiora 			Contact set $5.25
   19-Jan-98 K-Mart 			Fibreglass Repair Kit $21.95
   27-Jan-98 Mobil Clyde St 			Suspension jackup (not used) $30.00
   28-Jan-98 Budget Tyre Centre 		185 x 70R14 tyres x4 $240.00
   26-Feb-98 Riverlea Wreckers 		Misc. parts incl seats (not used) $100.00
   28-Feb-98 Mr. Minit 			Fixing locks (not used) $33.40
   28-Feb-98 Placemakers 			Vinyl Restorer $25.90
   1-Mar-98 Dick Smith 			Central Locking, Alarm $159.90
   7-Mar-98 Driving Sound 			Sony 3-way speakers $129.00
   7-Mar-98 Repco				Ados F2, foam dbl-side tape $17.90
   10-Mar-98 Mitre 10 			Connectors $2.85
   18-May-98 Hamilton Brake & Clutch		Rear wheel cylinders, 500ml fluid $69.70
   17-Jun-98 Repco 			Valve Grinding materials (not used) $14.30
   13-Aug-98 Repco				Sony CD Tuner $399.00
   15-Aug-98 Partnership Auto One 		Cast iron paint, Hammerite, cleaning brush $35.86
   27-Aug-98 Automatic Trans Ltd 		Converter test, 8L fluid $73.00
   27-Aug-98 Automatic Trans Ltd 		Overhaul gasket set, 6L fluid $235.00
   3-Sep-98 Michael Tuck Motors 		Austin Princess x1 $200.00
   4-Sep-98 Automatic Trans Ltd		Pump overhaul, shaft bush, thread inserts $111.43
   17-Sep-98 NZ Post 			Licensing $157.75
   21-Sep-98 Automatic Trans Ltd 		Clutch plates x6 $37.80
   29-Sep-98 Caltex 				Brake fluid $8.00
   29-Sep-98 Placemakers			Vinyl Restorer $12.95
   13-Oct-98 Repco				Air filter $28.65
   13-Oct-98 Repco 				Head Overhaul gasket set $102.65
   29-Oct-98 Van der Drift Motors		CV joint boot, grease $27.70
   3-Nov-98 Hamilton Carb Shop		Overhaul kit (SU HIF6) $58.30
   3-Nov-98 Placemakers			Vinyl Restorer $12.95
   6-Nov-98 Repco				Spark Plug remover $9.95
   17-Dec-98 SKF Bearings			Oil seals, grease for wheel bearing $28.73
   19-Dec-98 Glenn Horn Automotive		Brake Calipers, big end bolts, front light lens $100.00 
   5-Jan-99 Repco				Sandpaper, primer $17.95
   5-Jan-99 Partnership Auto One		Applicators, spray filler, Tektyl $30.35
   7-Jan-99 Partnership Auto One		Lights, grommets $76.30
   11-Jan-99 K-Mart			Spray putty, degreaser, primer $31.85
   13-Jan-99 Automatic Trans Ltd 		Second-hand kickdown cable $40.00
   26-Jan-99 Autodec 			Carpet, underfelt $130.00
   28-Jan-99 Classic Components 		Ring and Bearing set $153.00
   8-Feb-99 Repco 				Cut'n'Shine $10.45
   8-Feb-99 Repco 				Alternator V-belt $14.80
   26-Feb-99 Cash Converters 			Rockford Fosgate amp, wing mirror $152.00
   4-Mar-99 Automatic Trans Ltd 		Kickdown cable $84.37
   5-Mar-99 Aerial House			DC cable, connectors $14.30
   26-Mar-99 David's Emporium		Fur-effect textile $30.00
   8-Apr-99 K-Mart				Underbody Sealer $15.95
   10-Apr-99 Partnership Auto One 		Spray filler, Mask tape, Loctite thread repair $36.00
   19-Dec-99 Apex Brake & Clutch 		Fixing accelerator cable $20.00
   misc Repco 				Gasket cement, oil, filter $75.00
   misc K-Mart 				Primer aerosols, underbody seal, filler $120.00
   misc Private sale 				Honda Accord seats $180.00
   misc Driving Sound			Component Speakers $99.00
   misc Private sale 				Sherwood Amp $100.00
   misc Private sale 				12"" sub $120.00
   misc Autolink Supplies 			Paint to date (15 aerosols, 2 litres) $369.00
   due shortly Auto Revamp 			Paint and panel work $870.00

Grand Total 						$5,336.69

I wasn't too sure that I wanted to reveal this figure. It's approximately double the forecast I've held for so long.

Fortunately the car is not white, and slightly lighter than an elephant.

As many of you will quickly point out, this sort of money buys a 'classic' car, like a Fiat 124 twin cam sports coupe, or a 'modern' car like a late 80's Toyota MR2, or a Honda Prelude... or a large hatchback, or a van...

Or at the end of a year's work, you have a custom-built, reconditioned Austin Princess. Resale value? About $500...

Further Breakdown, and not of the nervous variety

First 'free' car total lost expenditure - $192.55

Total Cost of Stereo - $1010.30

Automatic Transmission - $581.60

Engine - $153.00 (eternal thanks to John at Hamilton Cylinder Head and Engine sevices!)

Finally of course, we have the time invested. This amounts to very-roughly-and-averaged-out:

- 3 months (Nov, Dec, Jan '98-'99) 6-hour days 3 * 30 * 6 = 	540 hours

- 6 months (Jan-Jun '98) 10-hour weekends only 26 * 10 = 	260 hours

Total 													800 hours

At my usual rate of $20/hr this would be $16,000.

I'm sure the people I charge for electronic repairs at $20/hr would be delighted if I gave them a similar discount as I gave to myself here... I seriously do not believe I missed out on work available from existing opportunities.

Otherwise I guess I could have financed myself into a new BMW...

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