How much money behind your build?

I know this really is a question that should not be asked. Right up there with how much money you make, how much is in your 401k, etc.

But I was wondering if I was alone in my ventures into building cars.

90% goes towards bills and expenses, and I end up with about %10 of fun money, which doesn't always include my fun projects (ie cars).

I betting I'm not the only one out here that waits paycheck to paycheck to try and collect enough to purchase parts for the next step and get things closer to done.

I really try to save up enough to make the purchase keep me busy through the next month, but it hasn't worked out that way lately. Things are finally starting to turn the corner, but I feel I do more sitting and staring than actually working on some things.

I guess this is pretty much off topic, but it would be nice to know that I'm not alone is trying to work my way through the build(s).

-Mark

 

My project has been unfunded for the last four years...the trucking biz gets the recession first and we saw it coming in 2007...

I buy when i hit a home run on a load and keep busy...might be a few extra bucks that I can hide for my stuff....

 

I bought most of the parts for my current roadster project with cash from the sale of my last car. I did sell a few guitars and another stalled project that I had to finance the initial project purchase. When I was rolling high with cash from my sale, in addition to the parts I needed for my new project, I also bought a pile of other parts that I didn't really need. But I knew they were good deals and I could make some money on them by selling them off along the way. I'm almost finished with my roadster and I still have some extra parts lying around to fund my interior bill. I will say that took me several years of scrimping and saving to build my last project so I DO know exactly how you feel. I also think it helps that my wife is VERY understanding. I don't know if any other woman in the world would be as tolerant with me spending so much time, energy, and money on some silly car.

 

Make alot of parts, so not much money in buying, as in time which is probably worse.

 

I suppose, when I get past the engine and trans, it's just wires and body work. Until later on when the interior comes into play.

I'm just caught up on the engine/trans for two of them and can't seem get ahead with all of things I have going on right now.

I do have to admit, the latest recession didn't really affect me at all, but I'm just a little too deep in dept to see the light just yet.

 

Actually, that's one of the better ideas that I've heard. Work on what you can vs what you would like to.

There's lots of bodywork to do on one of them, and I think I'm too focused on the drive train.

 

All my life I've kept my car money separate from my life money...you know what I mean.

So I've been able to work my way up the ladder if you will. Same thing with tools. I don't get rid of them and I buy the best I can afford.

I'm never upside down on my projects (not including my labor of love!) and I trade a lot which many times is better than paying cash for something.

I'm gunna start selling some of my projects......so I can buy more stuff for my projects!!

Fun huh

 

I have a few dollars a week direct deposited into a savings account that I use only for parts and my guns. When I am not buying a new gun the money goes towards parts. I have a tough time finding enough money to fund my 2 passions.

 

I'm actually considering selling one of my first collectibles to fund the rest of them, but the wife says no, and I agree. I'd have enough to finish the house and get a good start on one of the cars.

I just have a hard time selling anything I want to keep, only to fund something else.

 

My newest project costed me almost nothing from a dollar standpoint because I traded labor for it. I've been collecting parts here and there but most of what I spend comes from the sale of things I wheel and deal for. I have a rule where my cars are concerned. I do not take money from our household. I'm self employed so if I work on "personal time" its my free money. We do a lot of disaster work (ie: fire, flood, etc.) so insurance companies call me out in the middle of night a lot to secure a house after a fire and such and when things like that happen whatever I make goes to the cars. If I do a little cash job on a weekend its car money. First and foremost the family comes first. But my wife also knows that I make a lot of sacrifices and work a lot of hours throughout the week so she can stay home with our kids that she always surprises me with cool stuff rather it be some parts I've been wanting or a tool that I need. And she doesn't even complain about the "junk" piled on the side of the house or the oil stains in the driveway or the time I spend on my hobbies. So to answer the question I spend whatever I can sacrifice without sacrificing.

 

a dollar here a dollar there it all adds up over the course of a few years. I'm always working other jobs for hot rod money

 

I did the exact same thing. When I needed a chunk of money for something like interior, top, chrome, etc I worked a second job, mostly during the winter months, and saved up that money till I had enough to pay for what I needed for Big Olds.

 

I try to make it pay for itself. Sometimes gathering a bunch of $$$$ can be addicting and you lose focus, but when you step off and say "...shit I got enough to finally..." then things get done fast. I don't like to pick at stuff a little at a time. I'd rather have a knot so I can move forward and fast with no worries. I'm currently finishing one up that will pay for 1 project car and perhaps a kitchen. All of this is aside from my daily grind.

 

Your not the only one. I'm building changing my truck one piece at a time. Kinda like the Johnny Cash song only it is costing me a dime. Luckily I"m able to write some of the things off that i do to it as a business expense for advertising. Nothing beats having a rolling business card.

 

I too try and keep my car money away from my family money. At first i took a loan to buy my first Model A but from that first car until now i've had to work over time to get extra money or work on other guys cars to get extra car money. I sold my Roadster just before i retired and that helped me pay off bills and buy my new house and build my nice garage. For the first time in about 30 years i didn't have a nest egg of car money for my hot rods.. After i retired i started working on cars and building up my car fund. My mom and dad passed away a few years ago(bless their hearts) and left me a little money and with my savings i was able to buy a new '33 3 window but like all cars it needs money thrown at it so i'm off to the garage to work on someone car...........

 

Been building my 56 Chebby for about 10 years now.Put about a grand a year in it average,some years not too much. I buy parts for my future projects whenever I see them for a good price and store them away for the future.That helps keep down the cost somewhat as parts are constantly going up in price.Its a hobby for me,a pass time,so I am in no hurry to finish anything.I usually sell one if it gets finished anyway.

 

I've never touched a dime of household money to do a project. In fact I've added to the houshold budget with extra income from doing outside projects. I've been fortunate to have accumulated a nicely equipted shop that can take on specialized automotive projects for others as well as my own.
I never know EXACTLY how much I have in any given car as I accumulate the parts over a long time, squirreling away things as I can afford them and when there is a need..............there they are.

Frank

 

everything on my car either came from trading labor for parts or selling extra parts or flipping a old car..when birthdays and christmas come around i always say i want car parts....if it wasnt for ebay my car wouldnt be where it is now.....

 

The best thing I ever did was stop buying those mainstream rod mags and I quit looking at all the ads for the things "you just have to have"... that and no credit cards made the hiobby much cheaper.

being able to build a car without any 1-800 parts is a joy...

 

if money is tight i find myself snooping around my garage for "shit" i can sell to fund whatever my current project is. every dollar adds up. i found myself wanting different wheels and tires for my chrysler a few months ago and it was "hey what's this?" a few dozen craigslist adds for misc. harley parts, BS parts that never made it onto the last project, or just something i haven't seen or needed in 3 years later and BAM-gratification.

 

'bout 4hundred bucks. And it shows....

 

...All of it...

Shhh!

 

My 54 F100 project has been 11 years in the making. Now I'm doing metal work so it is a time issue.
Getting rid of the credit cards in 2007 has helped free up more money also.
Another savings measure is buy parts you need in advance, you can look for bargains, when you wait to you need them you'll pay way more for them.

jim h

 

Right now, nothing. I can hardly afford to feed myself let alone build a car.
Sad thing is, a few year ago I was a private contractor over in the Sand Box. I could afford to spend between 8-1,000 bucks a week. Those days are long gone though as to is the cars I built.

I'll just be in the corner crying............................

Doc.

 

I'm not absolutely sure what it si that you are asking/complaining about. But if it helps I'm not independently wealthy either.
I don't suppose that a percentage of my paycheck goes to buy parts, if I need something I tell Mrs. Beaner and we find the cash. We've always done it that way. I am pretty frugal on some things so that I don't have to be frugal on others.

 

Who the heck knows . . . I am always looking at stuff that I believe is rare or undervalued, some I use on one project, some sits in storage for the "right project", etc.. I think the real kicker is all the time involved . . . don't even want to know, but I'd rather spend my time on constructive hotrod work - than pissing a bunch of money and time away on expensive "hobbies" like golf, boating, etc.. At least my projects go up in value over a 5 year period -- even with an economic downturn (try that with a boat!).

It takes me years to build a car -- if I'm starting from frame up. It almost HAS to take years, it is the only way I can afford certain aspects of it. I always have a backlog of things to do that don't take a lot of money -- just a lot of time. That way, when money is short (as it has been this last year), I concentrate on fabrication, welding, prep work, paint work, etc.. --- save the buying of expensive parts or outside labor for when I can afford it. There is no way I could build my latest project in a year - even if I had the time, as the money has to work it's way into the project . . . a little at a time.

 

$500 so far.

That was just to get it shipped to me.

 

I don't want to talk about it!!!......... but the bill on my roadster is 5 figures and I did all the work except the upholstery and tranny my self

 

Hell . . . at least you didn't say "6 figures" -- there are guys in that boat, but they don't tend to do much work themselves.

It amazes me how much money some guys spend on a car -- mostly because they have a pro-shop build it. I'm not saying it isn't worth it . . . if you can afford it, go for it.

I just can't imagine convincing my wife that "we're" going to spend $150,000 for a custom Brookville based roadster - that in the end, isn't much different than 50 other guys doing the same thing. Then explain to her why we need to sell it for $100,000 to do it all over again. I'd get my nuts cut off! She puts up with my hotrod life because she loves trad cars, knows I love it and trusts that I'm making mostly good decisions.

The good news - the guys who pay the Pro-Shops and spend a lot of money, help fund the manufacturing of high-quality parts . . . which helps the DIY guys like you and I. Plus - I learn things from the Pros - things that would take too many mistakes on my side to learn the hard way . . .

 

I used to detail cars at home for my car money but about 2 years ago people started cutting back on things like that around here. Then I started doing small handy man stuff for freinds and family. Now I save up scrap metal of any sort. I keep 5 gallon buckets to seperate them. And I dont drive around looking for stuff. Just whatever comes from home projects and family/freinds projects. Yould be surprised how much stuff people throw away that could be recycled. It takes awhile but $20 here, $30 there. It adds up.