Lateral-G. What motivates YOU

[INTMD8]

I was thinking about the various builds detailed here, how much thought, time, effort and money goes into them. This made me curious about what motivates you to build what you are building.

So the question of course is what motivates YOU to build the car you are building?

After doing several cars that had drivetrains and suspensions leaning towards the more racy side of things, I've realized that I personally enjoy a car more when I sacrifice performance capability to comfort.

That being said, is your ultimate goal some type of compromise as well or are you after the highest performing fastest cornering car you can build?

After answering that, have you rode in/driven/experienced in some sort of way the type of car you are trying to build or do just believe the end result of your car will be what you expect based on your component selection?

[GregWeld]

Wow! Excellent thought provoking questions!


I'm dying to see some of the responses. It will take some soul searching to come up with HONEST answers.

[Rick D]

I was thinking the same thing Greg! Very good question Jim.

For me it's about building a nice balanced street car that can hit a track day here and there. I also am building my on a budget as most are, it always seems that just when I get to where I'm ready to buy some more parts that I need the money for something else Yesterday I had to pay for my playoff tickets for the Bears??? Really their 6 & 6 on a two game slide with the Cowboys coming to town

Oh well next month!!!

[Mathi]

Building your own idea of a car is just great. A pro-touring car is no showcar but a real driver.
For me a pro-touring car is a car when you look at it, you feel already the power without hearing or driving the car.

So, that's something that really attracts me in Pro touring!

[snappytravis]

What honestly motivates me to build, Is the personal gratification I get from that drive down the street when people stop and stare at your car, Young and old. It is a mental challenge from stainless brake lines, to wiring. How to charge battery when it's in trunk and not in front of car anymore.

My car is a 69 Camaro, with art Morrison chassis. I would love to get it to the track someday. Really it will probably be driven on the street more then track.

I am doing all the work myself. I am in Riverton Wyoming and you don't just go to the local shops and ask for advice for a project like this, most people scratch there head. I have done the frame install, bodywork, and engine, and electrical.

I don't think it will ride like a Cadillac, More like my F350, I would like to put a little more to custom side interior for road trips.

I would like to thank Greg Weld for answering my questions I have emailed him. I would also like to thank the guys on the forum for there replys. It saves me time and frustration having great sources for advice.

GW,, He often doesn't answer straight up but makes me THINK!

[coolwelder62]

What motivate's me. Is the desire to keep building better. There Is a small part of me that is never happy with the car I just finished. I always feel like I could have done a better job. I get a car finished then sit back and ponder over it. I see little thing's that had if I would have done a little different would have made to a lot nicer,cooler,better.So the answer to me is start all over w/a new plan.

[camcojb]

Originally Posted by INTMD8

I was thinking about the various builds detailed here, how much thought, time, effort and money goes into them. This made me curious about what motivates you to build what you are building.

So the question of course is what motivates YOU to build the car you are building?

After doing several cars that had drivetrains and suspensions leaning towards the more racy side of things, I've realized that I personally enjoy a car more when I sacrifice performance capability to comfort.

That being said, is your ultimate goal some type of compromise as well or are you after the highest performing fastest cornering car you can build?

After answering that, have you rode in/driven/experienced in some sort of way the type of car you are trying to build or do just believe the end result of your car will be what you expect based on your component selection?

I'm actually going the same direction as you. My last build (64 Chevelle) opened my eyes to how much better the full frame cars like that ride. With the right parts that car still handled extremely well, but was the most comfortable car to drive of all the muscle cars that I've built. The older I get the less tolerance I have for an uncomfortable ride, loud exhaust, etc. You know, all the stuff that didn't matter in high school. I will be selling my 73 Camaro project soon and at some point start looking for another Chevelle.

I also agree with the whole horsepower deal. While it will have at least 500 hp or so, I'm not going to chase the 1000 hp twin turbo deal either. I want something that's a lot of fun to drive, doesn't break, and looks good.

[65_LS1_T56]

Originally Posted by camcojb

I'm actually going the same direction as you. My last build (64 Chevelle) opened my eyes to how much better the full frame cars like that ride. With the right parts that car still handled extremely well, but was the most comfortable car to drive of all the muscle cars that I've built. The older I get the less tolerance I have for an uncomfortable ride, loud exhaust, etc. You know, all the stuff that didn't matter in high school. I will be selling my 73 Camaro project soon and at some point start looking for another Chevelle.

I also agree with the whole horsepower deal. While it will have at least 500 hp or so, I'm not going to chase the 1000 hp twin turbo deal either. I want something that's a lot of fun to drive, doesn't break, and looks good.

Jody, this makes me happy as Malitude was such an inspiration to me. What I loved the most was how simple and clean it was. What really sold me was the stance. Although I appreciate the beautiful twins and power it must have had, I agree the ~500hp mark makes more sense. Looking forward to what you come up with!

For me what motivates me are the challenges along the way. I'm an engineer by trade and love finding a problem, and designing and building a solution.

I am a part-owner in a small engineering company and the best part about my job is that I still get to go in the shop and get dirty, get slivers and cuts, work with my hands. My car is nothing special at first glance, but that's what I want everyone to think. I want people to actually look for the changes and solutions that I've made.

I'm in a position where I could have wrote a check and had a car built, but from day one that was not going to happen. I get too much satisfaction in doing something myself. Like others have mentioned, if I don't know how, I'll learn new skills along the way to figure stuff out. I wanted to be able to tell someone (honestly) that "yes, I did that".

Lastly, my motivation is like Rodney stated, the people. The events I've been to, and it's only been 6 now, the people are so great. I've met a lot of new friends and hope to meet a lot more next year.

[Rod P]

What motivates me?

driving

friends

building

driving

friends

building

driving

friends

mostly friends

and more friends

[Flash68]

Originally Posted by INTMD8

I was thinking about the various builds detailed here, how much thought, time, effort and money goes into them. This made me curious about what motivates you to build what you are building.

So the question of course is what motivates YOU to build the car you are building?

After doing several cars that had drivetrains and suspensions leaning towards the more racy side of things, I've realized that I personally enjoy a car more when I sacrifice performance capability to comfort.

That being said, is your ultimate goal some type of compromise as well or are you after the highest performing fastest cornering car you can build?

After answering that, have you rode in/driven/experienced in some sort of way the type of car you are trying to build or do just believe the end result of your car will be what you expect based on your component selection?

Great thread. Nice to see this question posed and the various answers. Some are obvious as heck and others not so much.

Being one of those 3 trillion 1st gen Camaro guys around here I've been trying to take a less traveled path for a variety of reasons. It's full of compromise and shifting more towards one end of the spectrum than most "pro touring" cars, but I always say the proof is in the pudding when it comes to driving your car.

I became really interested in Trans Am vintage after attending the Historics at Laguna Seca a couple years ago. And even though I don't watch NASCAR, I wanted to incorporate some of their tech in my car and especially the engine system. When the engine/head combo became difficult to accommodate a realistic pump gas scenario, I opted to go E85 as I don't see many PT Camaros running that.

The list of trying to be different goes on but you get the idea.

I have rode in and driven a few other very nicely done PT Camaros, but honestly they were too tame for my taste. I want loud, nasty, raw and not a daily driver type of car. Performance has become the clear driving force for me, but yet I will drive it on the street as much as humanly possible for me. I just don't need to do Power Tour with it.

When I go to an open track day (where not many PT cars are present) I want to be able to hang with many of the track cars and late model Vettes there. I like the Optima type events, but I really enjoy the value and track time of a simple open track day of 5 sessions of 20-25 minutes.

I've enlisted enough help and advice from good people so I am pretty confident that the finished product will certainly satisfy my appetite. Heck, it might even scare the begeezus out of me.