Can it be done??? - Lateral-g Forums

porkchop · #1 02-03-2010, 04:40 PM

O.K. guys here's the deal. At 45 years of age I'm tired of sittin on the side lines,or being a bench warmer. Its been at least 20 years since Ive taken a car to a national event. So here is my plan. I have a clean 70 firebird but does need quarters and rearbody panel. Do you think I can completely tear down this car do though build. Im talking up on rotissre fixing minor issues under the car udercoating then reassamble.I have all parts for it already.I thinking working on it in the evening and weekends about 15 hours a week give or take a few.Goal is colunbus G.G. Please no jokes about really clean but needs quarters and rearbody.lol About 22 weeks till columbus. thanks guys, Mark

Musclerodz · #2 02-03-2010, 04:47 PM

good luck since full quarters or tail panels are available for that year. 80% quarters sort of fit. Anything is possible with enough determination

tgvettes · #3 02-03-2010, 04:49 PM

I say that depends on how good of a mechanic or how many good friends that are willing to help you with the project you have. anything is duable. 15 hours a week for maybe 15-20
weeks is probably not enough time. I think you need some outside help.

Tonny

coolwelder62 · #4 02-03-2010, 04:52 PM

Good luck!! It took me 7 months to build my car start to finish.And my car is not not great.I spent about 20 to 25 hours a week.

BlackenedRR · #5 02-03-2010, 05:21 PM

Best of luck!! I say stock up on beers and pizzas, invite the boys over as often as they'll come help and give it a go. Even if you don't make it, should at least have some good fun and good stories to tell about the mad thrash...

TreySmith · #6 02-03-2010, 05:27 PM

Shouldn't have no issue. I have seen some nasty cars transformed with only a few days work. I watched my friend do my car in one day.. I worked on it nearly every day for 3 months and then my boss yelled at him and the next day it was finished. I was like wow...

Do you know what you are doing? If not I would recommend outside help. It's easy once someone shows you what to do for a few days.

**GregWeld** · #7 02-03-2010, 05:52 PM

Nope --- figure a year or more... because there's no way you'll get out to the garage 15 hours a week every week... and it's easier to tear stuff apart than it is to put it together... and sometimes life gets in the way... and sometimes you just don't get much done... and some weeks you get a whole bunch done. But the reality is that there is always WAY more work than you expect - and sometimes you are waiting on parts... and sometimes you can't find the parts... and sometimes your buddies come over to help but end up just drinking your beer.

You should take on the project - just don't set an unrealistic deadline. Doesn't sound like you've been working on these for the last 20 years -- so there's the practicality of knowledge - skills - tools.... etc. Treat it as a hobby - enjoy the "process" -- the hunting and the gathering -- the friends you're going to make (#1) and the pride you'll gain when you complete each step of the process.

DRJDVM's '69 · #8 02-03-2010, 06:27 PM

Can it be done...maybe...probably not.

My recommendation....unless you are a guy that thrives on pressure and deadlines, dont try and do it this way. It will take it from being fun to making it "work". Setting unrealistic goals and deadlines just makes it a " I have to work on it" to "I want to work on it"...and thats no fun.

Take what you think it will take....and then double it and add alittle more.

But too each his own....some guys love this kind of challenge. Not me.....

RECOVERY ROOM · #9 02-03-2010, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Nope --- figure a year or more... because there's no way you'll get out to the garage 15 hours a week every week... and it's easier to tear stuff apart than it is to put it together... and sometimes life gets in the way... and sometimes you just don't get much done... and some weeks you get a whole bunch done. But the reality is that there is always WAY more work than you expect - and sometimes you are waiting on parts... and sometimes you can't find the parts... and sometimes your buddies come over to help but end up just drinking your beer.

You should take on the project - just don't set an unrealistic deadline. Doesn't sound like you've been working on these for the last 20 years -- so there's the practicality of knowledge - skills - tools.... etc. Treat it as a hobby - enjoy the "process" -- the hunting and the gathering -- the friends you're going to make (#1) and the pride you'll gain when you complete each step of the process.

What he said

Rick D · #10 02-03-2010, 06:29 PM

Listen to Greg!! Can it be done sure, if you have everythig already and you don't need any custom parts. My old shop built a 69 chevelle in 16 days and scored 997 out of 1000 at Chevy Vett Fest. BUT the car was painted already, the frame and ALL suspension and drive train where in the frame. There where 2 of us working on the car in the day time and 1 at night. The last weeks push we worked a couple 20 hr days. So CAN it be done yes but I think it would be much better to take your time build it right the first time (it's much cheaper) and enjoy your self and the friends you have and the new ones you will make on your car building journey. Remember it's a hobby.