I was conflicted when I originally read the article before this thread popped up. I tend to do most things on my car myself, with a lot of advice\help from friends here and in other places. I'd call my car "built not bought"...
But at the same time when it came time to refresh the bottom end of the engine, I didn't hesitate to take it to a specialist. Could I reassemble it myself after all of the machine work is done...? Probably... But why not let the guy that I hire to do the machining also reassemble it? It's what he does for a living, is very good at it, and could do it with his eyes closed while I'd be reading instructions the whole way through. Who is going to do it better?
Sometimes when out of your league, it's smart money to pay and expert.
So I think the label is harmful though...not a chance.
__________________
Lance
1985 Monte Carlo SS Street Car
IMO the conclusion of the article is to perhaps rephrase it Built not Bought Built 100% by someone else.
The main question posed "is it ruining the hobby?" To that I would have to say NO. I like to build and when finished I end up selling to build another. So having the guys willing to lay down the green is a good thing for the hobby.
I've seen guys almost duke it out at car shows because a owner/builder was ticked a owner/buyer won a award and he didn't. It's the car being judged not the people so may the best car win.
I saw this article posted on Facebook the other day.This was my reply
Ruining the hobby? No it is not. The opposite I think. Those of us that have truly put in the time to build a car really do deserve more respect. We put in the time ,the stress,the overtime and late nights,the B.S from friends and family.
That being said I'm not going to disrespect someone for buying a finished car. That doesn't make them any less of a car person. I have talked to many people that bought their car and know more about it then I do. Sometimes you don't have the talent or space or time. I get it. But they won't know the real joys and tribulations and the relationship that is built over the build from a bucket to a badass.
I have stories about the cars I have built. Not something you can say when you buy a car.
Your point about how most of us just put cars together and not really build them because we don't make are own tires and panels is just stupid.Sorry man but it is. It's the builders that drive the industry. It's the builders that spawn sites like Lateral-G.net and Pro-Touring.com and so on. It's the builders that push the cars they built to the point that they need better parts to "bolt on" on their time and dime.
Ruining the hobby? No
Does anyone who can afford to buy a car or pay to have one built really give a **** about the opinion of someone else? Or would they choose not to out of fear of being judged? I think not.
I can't wait for the day I can pay someone else. I know it will turn out better, faster, more comfortable, more reliable. That matters to me because, guess what, I'm a car guy.
I don't care if you built your car or bought it, so long as you enjoy it. What does bother me is "that guy" that walks around every car show bragging about how bad ass his car is but yet drove to the show in a $200 beater because somehow his bad ass car is just never quite finished. That is just one reason I no longer attend car shows.
__________________ Steve Hayes
"Dust Off"
68 Camaro
Speed has never killed anyone. Suddenly becoming stationary, that's what gets you! "Jeremy Clarkson"
A ridiculous discussion that will come to a result about the same time as the presidential debate. Who are you to judge someone else and their involvement in a hobby? My philosophy should reign, bull.
There are plenty of circumstances where someone would buy a car vs. build it even if they have the skills.
Not much, Jeff. Just enough to not give a crap if someone builds their car or buys it. hahaha
I don't know about the home builders but I"m building one right now so I'll let you know! I'm not driving one nail either. Maybe I should quit my job, buy a trailer to live in, alienate my family, and build it myself. Wait, I don't have a f'n clue. I think I'll stick to what I know and let a pro do his job.
That is actually a real good analogy when you think about it. I know home builders that swing hammers all day long yet they always seem to have trouble selling their homes... And I know home builders that never even pick up a hammer and their homes always sell pretty quick. Who is doing it better?
Even if a car builder isn't cutting, welding, bolting, spraying or whatever on their own car personally...they are the one making the decisions on what or how to cut, weld, bolt or spray and those decisions can be just as important as the actual work being done in a lot of cases.
__________________
Lance
1985 Monte Carlo SS Street Car
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
Maybe I should quit my job, buy a trailer to live in, alienate my family, and build it myself. Wait, I don't have a f'n clue. I think I'll stick to what I know and let a pro do his job.
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