Long term project vs lifespan?

[SSLance]

For years and years all I had to hot rod was my daily drivers, that meant whatever I did to it on the weekends had to be road ready by Monday to get me back to work. I'm certain it was the same for many of you.

When I finally got to where I had a dedicated fun car, I spent the first 4 or 5 years with it off the road a large part of the time restoring\modifying it for better performance like I always wanted to do with my daily drivers. Once it was "done" I found that it sat int he garage covered up most of the time because I didn't want to clean it back up after getting it dirty driving it.

The lightbulb finally went off and I started driving it...a LOT. Since then when I do plan upgrades to it, I try to have things bought and planned out well in advance to make sure it's only off the road for very short times. It only took me 3 weeks to transplant the T56 in the car for example...start to finish. The whole suspension was swapped out twice last summer, without missing a regularly scheduled local SCCA autocross event.

I've found that being able to drive the cars regularly motivates me to keep them on the road. I like working on them in my home garage as much as anyone, but I like driving them when done even more.

I live vicariously through others on the board with their long term custom built car projects...thankfully get my fix that way. Then I close the laptop lid and go for a drive.

[fleetus macmullitz]

Jim,

Maybe if you price it out by the pound... it'll look better.



Seriously, how long do you estimate before it's drivable?

[INTMD8]

Great responses guys, I enjoyed reading them.

I can relate to all of you but somehow Donny was able to type out my exact thoughts LOL.

Don't get me wrong, I really do enjoy working on this stuff, fabricating parts, welding but I sometimes get to thinking, man, I'll probably have 5 or 6 years into this thing.

Probably doesn't help that I recently moved and do not currently have a functional work space. I need to get back into work mode so I don't have time to think about this stuff.

[mfain]

I don't know how to fix the time problem, but the $$$ issue was easy -- I just throw the receipts away and bury the old/installed new/never used parts in a storage shed. I started working on my "project" in July, 1975. Here I am, 39 years later, laying under the car in 110 degree weather welding in the last modifications to my FORTH front suspension. I thought I had it nailed at 3, but Ron Sutton threw a monkey wrench in that. When people ask me when it will be done, my standard answer has been "about 3 weeks". That answer doesn't hold up well anymore. I haven't faced up to the lifespan part of the equation, but I'm only 67, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Pappy

[Wissing72]

I feel the same way, I have had my chevelle since '92. Planned it out, then changed those plans countless times. I finally got it finished up in March, I sold my El Camino in January to help fund it.
Of all the cars I have had, I kick myself for selling my rusted out 69 camaro that needed everything. The main reason? It was an unfinished project. I like the planning and build part, after you drive it its "used" and the main accomplishment is gone.
All of the cars that I have finished and sold I don't regret selling. But I wish I still had that damn camaro, and now with the Chevelle done I feel like I am missing something.
My wife asked me that on the next build to not go so damn overboard so that we can have more fun, do more cruise in type events and less of the judged shows. At least she gets it, or maybe just lets me have my way with it.
In this hobby, we are a guarantee for a therapists retirement.. LOL
Now to go on the project hunt.............

[Lenie]

Originally Posted by dontlifttoshift

Wecome to the club brother!!

Most people on this forum have some sort of project A.D.D......some of us are afflicted way worse.

Don, this is sooooo true!

[Lenie]

Originally Posted by dontlifttoshift

Deadlines come and go. Weld shows up in your thread to tell you how many cars he has finished since you started

This was my favorite line of the whole quote, had me laughing my azzzzzz off!!!