http://www.egarage.com/videos/no-longer-a-job/

you said it.

For me, it's achievement in doing something new to me or simply completing a goal. Learning a new skill or taking a different approach with a skill and the whole build process are enjoyable to me. I build for me and me alone. I do appreciate any accolades I receive on my work but I won't be happy if it's not what I wanted or to my liking. I'm more turned on my the older cars than most new cars from a styling stand point but the engineer in me loves the new performance technology. So I'd like to blend them together to make a car that I enjoy driving and caring for. While I do enjoy the many and vast styling aspects found in this particular segment of the car hobby, the driving pleasure is what I'm after the most. Of course, from there the decisions get hard as to which direction to go with parts selection in order to achieve that goal.

I'm done with Conestoga wagon stiff suspensions. I like a car that handles well but I'd rather not have to have kidney dialysis after I've driven it. I agree with Jody, full frame cars ride so much better than sub frame cars, in my opinion. That's what I want anymore in a hot rod, pro touring, muscle car. I've finally figured out that the "cutting edge" is always dust on a distant horizon. I've gotta go with what I got. LS3, 6 speed, big brakes and nice wheels and tires and I'm satisfied. Toss in convertible and I'm golden.

I will admit, though, a balls to the wall big block blower 32 hi-boy with fats and skinnies still gets my blood pumping.

I recently 'finished' my second big build (HunkoMetal, then TOW). What I have learned about myself through the process of building both of these cars is that I thrive on the thinking, research, planning, acquiring, and building the car. I love the end product, and I've been very proud of both of these cars. But as I sit here right now without another 'project' in the planning stages, I realize that I long for that again. Meaning that I enjoy the process of the build perhaps more than the final product, no matter how well it turns out.

When I step back and think about this and how it applies to other areas of my life, it's obvious to me that this is what drives me in general: the challenge of building something, of solving the problems that come up, and the satisfaction of overcoming them. I do this in my career as well, completely unrelated to cars, but one full of challenges which must be overcome.

In both of my builds, I wanted to build something different, something that not everyone else was doing. With HunkoMetal, I sought out and purchased the Martz subframe since at that time, hardly anyone was doing anything aftermarket (this was before/around the time that the DSE subframe existed). I actually spent a lot of time planning and discussing an IRS for that car too, but at the end of the day, it just wasn't practical given my skills and budget.

With TOW, I chose the JRS front and rear setup. Again, it was different than what most people choose, and I like doing something a little different and having to solve the problems. But in both cases, I wanted to build a car that looked the part and performed the part. Hunokmetal was a little more 'raw' with its 377ci small block that revved to 7500 at the drop of a hat and it's 4.56:1 rear gears. My style and desire to drive something like that has changed, so TOW is much more 'practical', and I had a focus to build a car that I could get in and drive anywhere with the convenience and comfort of driving a more modern car. I accomplished this, my drive back and forth to Dallas for the GG show proved that to me!

There's a style of car I like, and it's what I wanted to replicate while still doing something slightly different. I've built several Camaros, but I'm glad I chose a Firebird for this project to be a little different while still retaining most of the body lines that I love.

Every time I look at the TOW I smile a little, being proud of what Eric and I accomplished with her. But like I said, I'm feeling a bit 'empty' without the next project in the planning stage. Right now I don't have time to dive into a project anyway given other things going on in my life. But I look forward to things slowing down so that I can start the next plan... Will it be another PT car, or something more specifically track focused, or perhaps my first actual Hot Rod (something I've always wanted to do), I'm not sure.

I like so many types of cars and car builds. I want to build one of each but thats not realistic.
For me my next build is a bunch of stuff that been in my head for years all crammed in the same car.

- something that stands out very few people build -----check
- old school custom look-----check
- vintage motor correct for the car-----check
- bigger wheels, tires and brakes with a look to match the theme---check
- custom chassis and suspension built to ride and drive as well as a modern sports sedan-----check
- modern electonics and custom fuel injection----check
- plenty of passing power with forced induction -----check

To me this will be the ultimate car and will do anything I will want to do.

For me it's the combination of transforming a car and the look of my customers face when they finally get to see their completed project together.

Also the challenge of coming up with an idea and figuring out how to make it work.

I have always been one to have see to believe. There is the right way, wrong way and MY WAY. I have been blessed in a few ways:
1. Having the ability to learn about anything mechanical. If my toilet breaks, I fix it. If I need a sidewalk I pour it. If I need wiring done, I ask a freind to teach me. If I want a body cart, I build it.
2. I like to use my skills above and beyond the average. I don't just restore a car, I add custom touches that people don't see every day.
My build "PROJECT IMPULSE", is a 77 Impala. I have raced and hot rodded it since I was 16. It was my first car. So tell me, who else has grafted 69 Camaro gills in a 77 Impala? Who even does a 77 Impala?
http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/...pse10162a4.jpg
http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/...psaa532607.jpg
I don't want regular door gaps, I must have perfect door gaps. I won't settle for traces of an air sander in my body work. That is why the car is hand sanded with blocks. Can I do perfect metal work? probably not but I keep improving and learning. oneway or another, I will get there because I want it that bad. Will the car take me 5+ years? Probably, but unless I am trying to make a living at it, that's not the point.
All in all what makes me do what I do an be summed up in one word....PASSION. Why else would we do it? It certainly isn't for the money. What we spend on these cars we could easily by a new Vette or two. However, ANYONE can goy buy a new Vette. They make thousands of them. However I can assure you that you will not find two cars like the cars we build that are identical. It's the only way we can truly personalize our passion. This is what motivates me. I am so blessed to have a place like this to see that other people are just as motivated, passionate and maybe crazy as me.

I want to inspire others. I want someone to say, "Because of you, I didn't give up."

I just like the peace and quiet of walking out to the shed and doing stuff -- don't care if it's my car or someone else's…

Since I really don't know how to do anything -- I just like impressing people with all the tools I have.

Its a very good question and a very good topic. Out of the ordinary so to speak.

Good variety of responses.

What I like about this site is this common denominator we all share. The ideas behind everybody's responses are the same. We are all "car" guys and a few gals. My wife and i have a large group of friends, no car guys in the group. bummer for me, but oh well. So i've gone other routes, finding this site was one of them. I love coming on here everyday and seeing the different ideas, builds, opinions, budgets. Its all here. Fantastic.

To the original question. I have the most in common with Steve's (Keefer's) answer. To make the most out of a build, to refine it, drive it, use it. Try to bring up the modern points of a newer car, while retaining the classic style of the older cars. Today's cars just dont do it for me (well for the most part) in terms of styling. But I love there power, comfort, handling, fuel mileage etc. So blending that into an older car is what in my opinion "touring" is all about. I still dont understand "pro". To tour with the car, tour tracks, tour countryside, tour car shows, tour to the local market or too cars and coffee. Life is a tour, enjoy the most out of it!!