Yeah, great article that covers the sense of “hows and whys” of car projects. I’ve built many through the years. The most recent one I finished was for my brother, which I started in 2000. No joking. It’s an 87’ Chevy 4wd stepside, that he bought new. He even custom ordered it through the dealership, exactly like he wanted...can’t do that anymore. It took 18 years because he was financing it all, and he raised 6 (six) kids during this process. So I would do what I could, when he had some cash, and pull the cover back over it and push it in the corner when he didn’t have cash. It never got off track, or project creep. It turned out exactly like we discussed 18 years ago. He was realistic going in, and so was I, about budget and time frame. No hurry, no rushing, no changes. It worked out for him in the end, just as I promised him. The first trip out of the shop for him was bliss. And I could not have been happier for him.
Most folks read these forums and most likely feel that a “project car” is easy since everybody’s doing one, right? Unrealistic expectations, and lying to themselves about budgeting eventually catches up, and the project gets sold off, leaving a bad taste in the mouth of the owner. I personally hate to see it happen. I know there was a “dream” attached to the project at one time, that’s been lost along the way. Life happens, as Mary said, and we all know too well.
I feel that a lot of these situations could have ended different with proper consultation, or perhaps even letting a shop do the work for them. But then there are the other builds that should have never been started in the first place.
|