Projects Opinion Poll:Built or Unbuilt

Okay I have been following the inexpensive Craigslist/Facebook marketplace post since it was started and there has been some discussion of price points and value for the money so here is the deal, what would you prefer to get……a clunker that needs a bunch of work for cheap or spend the bucks and buy one already finished or close to it?

 

I voted the third option; but I need to clarify… I want something that needs work but already runs and drives. I don’t know if I have anymore full on builds in me.

I would take on a stalled project if it was over half done probably.

 

My Last Retirement Project Showed Signs Of Lasting Longer Than My Retirement...Voted # 3....

 

I found out early in life that I don't focus long enough for a full on project, so #3 for me.

 

I already have so many #1s that I have been saying no more projects. Then last month I bought a #2 from the H.A.M.B. Classifieds, still trying to get it transported to me. So right now I must vote #2. After this #3 for sure, I promise.

 

I'm definitely a #1 guy. A huge part of the whole hot rod deal is the build. That's where the real satisfaction lies.
I have friends that bought already built stuff, and that's fine....for them. Some of 'em win trophies at local cars shows...for the work someone else did.
I've had two major projects over the last 25 years. An OT drag racer that was rescued from oblivion, and built up to be a fast street legal racer (9.70 @ 143) and also show worthy. I've won numerous shows and a lot of races with it. All a result of my own hands and skills.
The second is my current ride, a 1965 F100. It looks cool, but has far too many exterior imperfections to win any awards. I'm ok with that. I built it to drive. Last May, wifey and I did a 3500 mile road trip in it. From a non running derelict destined for the crusher, to a dependable road machine that can be driven anywhere, any time. Again, a result of my own hands and skills.
Too me, that is an immense source of satisfaction and pride.
But that's me. I think a person should do what they find enjoyable, and within their own skillset to build, or maintain. It's all about having fun.
If it ain't fun, then why bother?

 

#4, a car that’s complete that’s nearly to my liking.

 

I go for project cars, ideally complete, always with a title.
"finished car"...would always seem to me, to be somebody else's car.

 

Due to poor life choices which left me with limited funds, it has always been a build from junk process.

 

in todays market... the more you do, the more the car cost in the end.... if you like working for free that is..paarts are sky high and cars are going cheep... most stalled cars have the same story.... they 50k invested over the years... and no one will give them 15k and they say... not putting any more time and money in this car.... my 58 is that way... close to 30k in it so far ..and can't get an offer.... so I'll just keep in the corner with a car cover....who ever gets it when i'm gone gets it for free and won't worry about putting a few bucks in it...like my other cars... I have 5 cars with crow toe americans... some one will get one of them.. and say.... all I had to do was chaange the wheels.. look how bad ass it is now....lol
that and changing goofy stuff back.... like painted bumpers on a 58

 

thats too cool!!!

 

I buy project cars, I don't care that I lose money....not that I have a large excess of it. At 81 I need a reason to get up and go do "something". I felt pretty good that the current project was able to be driven a few miles home. All of the rest of them came on a trailer and barely rolled off For what it is worth, my wife encourages me to do so, she has seen me with "nothing to do" and evidently it isn't a pretty sight. I usually have very deeply tinted rose glasses as I make the purchase

 

The first thing that's driven every car I built was stumbling into a roller that was bad enough to make it cheap, and make it too much work for many guys. I like that as it gives the the chance to get into a body style I want, and time costs me nothing, and the parts are usually easy to make, or buy reasonably. Plus the best part of adding another car to my place is building it. I'd never want to buy a car done, or even mostly done. No fun in that.

 

I personally go for the #1 choice because it gets me out of the house and out of my wife’s hair LOL. Although if I start building something other than a Shoebox Ford I might would like a stalled project. Right now I have way too many parts for the Shoeboxes and still have a few I would like to own I’m gonna have to stick to the “clunkers” for awhile

 

I probably was part of the instigation for this unfortunately.
I've helped with start from scratch builds, done my own restore and modifys, and recently got a mostly together project. I am limited to doing minor stuff since I don't have a full shop now.
Many people here do have the space, equipment and ability to start from bits and raw material. They tend to enjoy the process. Others either don't have that or prefer to get something already close to or exactly what they want.
The 'finished' result varies greatly, too. Some are happy with what to others would be a cast-off.
Others are fine tuning every bit, seeking perfection. This applies to both the hobbyist who is all about the garage time and the person who wants a nice unique driver and can't or won't build themselves.

It has been seen that a careful build can be cheaper, but most of the time it ends up costing more in the long run to build, even without labor added. If you consider a $500 project and the cost to bring it up to the 15000 finished vehicle, you are already loosing money in most cases or you would see many more speculation builds. But this is in most cases not basic transportation, so it is a luxury that comes out of discretionary funds. A hobby, not a career for most.
There are also the great people that specialize. They focus on a particular part, system or skill and develop the knowledge, skills and inventory to support their passion. Without them, built or unbuilt would both be less viable.

 

That is me thanks to my dad and his love for the Shoebox Fords. Well over 50 years worth of collecting and buying NOS/NORS parts, parting out cars and just hoarding anything that we could find. If I could find a couple of ‘50-‘51 woodies I could build them for just the price of paint and upholstery, I have everything else needed including two sets of wood for them. One is NOS and the other set is what came off my car when it was in “Walk the Line” that my dad and I made for it when I was in high school. Not that I need another woodie but it would be nice to have one I could sell to foot the build for something else, or hot rod and drive the crap out of it!

 

Build when I was younger, but now I'm not buying or taking on any more cars. I've thinned my herd of cars, boats, and guitars down bigly. I have no plans on another vintage car build or even ownership for now. Just gonna drive the shoebox I have till I die. Maybe one more Chris Craft some day. We'll see.

I'm just too busy with work, busting my ass to make my house like new, and pretty much my other full time job of my kid's love for baseball. I probably do more baseball than anything now. Two hours a day usually. I'm a little league catcher/coach that moonlights as a food scientist/car and boat guy/musician... Lol. Even the band will probably be done now to focus on the kid and pitching. Also, health challenges make a lot of car work difficult at the moment.

So I'm #3 now, but I'd have been a #1 if you asked me not too long ago...

 

Lol, WE buddy. I am Also guilty.

 

One addendum:
If it's a make/model I have experience in, I'm more apt to jump into more of a project because I know what I'm getting into. For a while I bought a few cars that were all different and it was a new learning process all over again. So for me, the smartest project cars would be:

39-40 Fords (or any early Ford could pass because of the similarities)
37-38 Chevys
pre-66 VW bugs

I still have parts laying around in the stash for each of these categories.

 

I will be the first to admit that I have a problem and all 3 of those choices end up being the same thing to me.

1. Clunker - I will tear it down to the bare frame and do a full rebuild.
2. Stalled Project - I don't trust any one else's work, so I will tear it down to a bare frame and do a full rebuild.
3. Finished Driver - I don't trust any one else's work, so I will tear it down to a bare frame and do a full rebuild.

Hell, I am currently in the process of rebuilding a car I first built 25 years ago from the frame up because I don't trust that jack ass's work either...

 

That’s Funny!
Dan

 

If it ain't fun, then why bother?
Exactly - To each his or her own!
Dan

 

Im a #1 guy, at best. I prefer to start with something that is irreparable, and see if I can make it into a car. I guess I am in it for the challenge.

 

Young and poor...I was a "build the clunker" guy.

Middle age and a bit older with some $...I was a "nicer clunker/unfinished project" guy.

But even today, having plenty of $, I still wouldn't buy a someone else's finished car.
Now that I'm an old, fat and decrepit and realize I have no more "builds" in me...I better just keep the one I have.

 

Depends on your age, ability and facilities to restore, parts availability and current condition of vehicle.
With today's high labor rates and time required, it makes sense to "buy one done".

 

I like to start with a clunker. This way I can do what I want to it. The cost never gets out of hand because I do mostly everything myself except for any machine work on the motor. I am 77 years old now and I still do everything that I did when I was younger, just a little slower. Being retired, I have plenty of time, so I do not have to rush. I have been looking around for an affordable 57 Plymouth 4 door sedan to make into a daily driver to use year-round. If I won a trophy in a show with a car I bought that was 100% finished, I would drive to the guy's house that did it and give him the trophy.

 

Buy according to desired results/skill/parts laying around/budget

i like junk so i drive junk

 

For me, it's all 3, and it totally depends on the car.

A 57 Chevy has been on my bucket list of cars decades, so my Nomad will be a total build from the frame up. This will likely get a new chassis and a load of new sheet metal, and will be a nut-and-bolt rebuild. I want to push myself to put together the best car I can with the resources I have.


My 61 Olds wasn't meant to be project but turned into one. I started with a complete car that looked great but needed a ton of work. I then proceeded to gut the car mechanically, and rebuild it from there. Then I restyled aspects I didn't love, and commissioned a friend to do the paint. When all was said and done, I improved the car in all aspects and am left with a great car to enjoy.


For certain car though, I'm not at all opposed to buying one done. I've been sort of jonesing for a first gen Corvair, but I'd be a fool to restore one. They don't have enough value to justify it. Just buy a nice one done and enjoy it. I've also been looking for a Squarebody K30 crew cab 4x4 to replace my later model GMC that I hate. It doesn't make sense to buy a project. Just spend the money and get what you want.

I also bought this 56 Olds several years ago, got it running, and haven't touched a damn thing since. No problems buying an essentially done car here. This could be my favorite "old car" I've ever had.



That brings me to this quote.

I can't disagree with this statement enough. Every car is built. The only difference is whether the person who built it also owns it. And don't think for a second that folks who buy finished cars, or contract out certain aspects of a build, didn't do the work. They worked to earn the money to pay for the car or to pay the builder/painter/engine builder, etc., so that they can have it and enjoy it, and that counts, too. Without these people, the hot rod economy grinds to a halt. And while they shouldn't take credit for actual work they didn't do, they are also still deserving of whatever accolades the car garners. They did the hardest part: paying for it.

For what it's worth, I would agree that if you did the job yourself, that it does make something perhaps a bit extra special. Specifically that you're able to do something hard that most people can't accomplish. However, it also often raises a philosophical question; is it better to do marginal work yourself so you can say you did it, or to pay for professional work that is substantially better? Personally, I don't believe in moral victories, and I'd prefer the latter

 

I like to start with a good "stock" car or truck and modify to my taste from there. If not that, I like to buy someone's 50%-75% done project if they haven't done anything too ugly and tough to reverse and build to the end my way. My Mercury is the only car I've bought "done", and it won a few shows just the way it was when I got it, but then I changed the wheel covers and tires, spruced up the Nailhead and everything under the hood and changed a few parts on it, took out the Audiovox tape deck and got a custom old school chrome stereo from Retro Sound, blah blah blah.....next on the list is to get rid of the '90s cloth interior and go back to some tuck and roll white vinyl inside. So it was "done" but it wasn't "my done".

 

Nothing wrong with buying a finished car. I’ve seen many beautiful cars atcar shows with a sign stating who did what
Engine built by so and so
Paint and body by so and so
Etc etc etc
These people are honest and ethical, taking credit for someone else’s work is just wrong however I don’t believe it is very common, at least I hope not.
I prefer to do as much of the work as possible myself knowing full well I’m not building a show winning car.
Dan