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.

Even in bad condition, a 1967 Shelby GT500 is worth a considerable amount. In the video included with this article, Jerry Heasley reveals this particular one was sold for $65,000. That might sound insane, but consider that in top condition it would easily sell for $200,000. Suddenly, that price doesn’t seem so steep, even if you can’t swing something like that.

The cost of the car doesn’t stop just with the acquisition. Before starting the restoration, the new owner has to decide what condition he wants to shoot for and why. You can’t just start restoring a vehicle without an end goal and have it turn out well.

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.