SixBanger, I bought the car in the spring of 1987 as a 6cyl/4-speed O/D Sunrise. The original big block swap was in 1989 with a VERY tight budget. OK, basically no budget. A lot of the parts (like the engine) were gotten from a local yard on the barter system.
Fast forward to 1996 and the Car Craft Summer Cruise in St. Paul. On the way home, drive started slipping and then was non existent. Drove the last 20 miles home in 2nd gear.
In 1997, before I had done much of anything, I bought a house and that took all my time. Never buy an old house that needs "some TLC" by the way.........At long last in the winter of 2002 I finally started on the project. It started as an overhaul the trans and do a little body work and paint touch up but that led to the next thing, and the next thing and well,,,,,,,,you know how that goes! A winter project turned into over 10 years and WAY more money than I ever intended on spending but it was all worth it. To be honest, I have no idea what the total is, don;t want to know and it doesn't really matter anyways. I now have the type of car I've wanted since I was 16 and it only took until I was almost 50 to get it.
This isn't meant to be bragging or boasting but except machine work on the block and heads, replating the bumpers, and upholstering the front seats, everything was done single handed out in the garage. Give credit where it's more than due, my "wife" did some detailing work and a few small parts (the upper control arms are all her) also. She was also the one who kept me motivated and made sure I never called something done unless it was perfect. Great woman and I still don't know how I got so lucky.