Almost every auto lover fantasizes of locating an incredible car hidden away in a barn, garage, etc. and purchasing it for a song and a dance before restoring it. It serves as a distraction from the routine of daily life, but like most fantasies, the reality is considerably different. If you have never attempted something, such as restoring a long-stolen car, you may not be aware of how quickly prices soar and frequently exceed your initial, modest predictions.

A 1967 Shelby GT500 is still worth a lot even in poor condition. Jerry Heasley discloses that this specific one was sold for $65,000 in the video that is part of this story. That might sound absurd, but keep in mind that it would easily get $200,000 in mint condition. Suddenly, even if you can’t afford something like that, that price doesn’t seem that high.

The cost of the car doesn’t end with its purchase. The new owner must select what condition he wants to aim for and why before beginning the restoration. Without a clear purpose in mind, you can’t just start restoring a car and expect it to turn out good.

In this case, the new owner has decided to keep the Shelby GT500 as original as possible. He’s respecting the past, but that comes with complications as well as advantages. For one, the paint isn’t exactly in mint condition, but it’s not as bad as you might suspect. There are other cosmetic issues and a ton of mechanical problems, too.

However, the original details in the car were pretty amazing. One standout was that the OE wood steering wheel was pretty much intact, something you don’t see too often these days. And while the ’67 Shelby GT500 is definitely impressive, all that work to make it look good and keep it original comes at a steep cost, in this case to the tune of $76,000. Since the owner had the financial means to pay for everything right away, the restoration work only lasted from February to June, so it was quick.

Check out a deeper dive of the restoration work in the video.