Another thread had a post that got me thinking... I absolutely love the building process. From the planning to much of the minutia. I'm driven to see a project through to completion, however looooong that may be. Patiently (sometimes not so patiently) plugging away, looking forward to the day I turn the key. I often go to bed and fall asleep thinking of a solution to some suspension issue or a bracket or....Inevitably the day comes, I turn the key, everything is alive, I'm stoked and yet there always seems to be a lackluster, bittersweet type of feeling looming overhead. Here I am, making the maiden voyage and something in the back of my head is asking me, "is this all there is?". Is it car guy bi-polar disorder? On a happy and excited index scale of 1-10 I'll typically be at 8 or 9 but why not 10? I love the build and look forward to "that" day but will always fall ****er for the process every time.
the 10 comes from putting miles and miles and smiles on the project!.....I'd call it the payback for all the hours spent in the build
I know what you are talking about. I usually grab one of my friends that have been involved all along the build and then find a back road and boil the hides. That's when it hits ten for me, after that it's just a drive. but it gives us both something to talk about for awhile.
I think you're on to something.... If you quickly sell a completed project just to restart the process on a new project...then you really are missing out!
I really don't understand finishing projects, once it gets to the 75-80% done point I move on to another, cars, home remodeling, yard work, what's the point. A finished car gets costly, registration, insurance etc, and for what, 6-8 weekend drives per year? Just looking at the stuff, working at my pace is what I enjoy.
It's hard to make one moment pay for months or years of preparation...surely that's a guarantee to make that moment as anti-climactic as possible...I lose patience with my cars after the thrill wears off and things keep breaking down, especially things you fixed and the parts store garbage goes to **** on you...don't put too much pressure on the one moment, live in it and breathe in it as it's a fleeting emotion and soon to be a memory...
whoa, I thought that only happened to me, I keep telling my family and friends that it is more fun to build them than to drive them, before I'm finished one build I am already thinking about the next one.
I would like to think that I would be able to drive the labor out of each build that way I could just recoop my cash outlay. When I was younger this happened more than it does now. Now I look at everything as a commodity, and cash talks. So I guess being honest with myself, I do enjoy the build a little more than the drive nowadays.
I thought I enjoyed the build more until I didn't have nothing to drive. Then when I got one to drive I want to build. Huh go figure.
The build is where all the p***ion is. that's just the plain truth. But getting to drive the car after building it just completes the whole experience. I guess what I am trying to say is that without the excitement of finally getting to start it up, the build is nothing. I mean the whole reason for the construction (at least in my case) is to drive her, balls to the wall, once completed. Without that anticipation, you would not start the build to begin with
I get you 100% - actually started a similar thread a while back ***led 'post-build depression' or something similar.
I'm the same way .I have come to the conclusion that the build journey is the creative part of it. for me its the journey thats a 10. then driving is just a 9.99
I know exactly how you feel. For the past I don't know how long we have been devoting every Friday and Saturday plus one or two nights a week to work on my Son's rpu. Now that it is for all practical purposes done, I feel like I am left with all these extra days to fill. So I guess the only solution is more projects ! Luckily, I have my own rpu to build, plus a Fox Mustang I am swapping a 351 into, then there is the Capri my other Son Don is building mini tubbed with a 460 Ford in it, and he also has his 46 Tudor Ford to do, and a Model A tudor in the loft. Finally, Dan will never be satisfied not having a car to build so he is thinking about doing a T bucket for himself. Yep, the only fix is to have more projects to do once one is done. But first I am going to take a nap. Don
I get that feeling too. I think it's like sending a kid off to college. You spent all this time raising (building her). Now you'll just hear from her (drive her) every once in a while. You miss the raising (building) her part. I get it.
Even as only a spectator, I've experienced this. In the early to mid '60s, when I was just a young boy, one of my schoolmate's dads restored a few late '50s - early '60s Corvettes. He'd drive 'em as he worked on them, with primer on 'em, and lookin' kinda rough. I'd watch as the latest one would morph and progress...until all of a sudden, it was done and looked like new again. It'd be beautiful, but I was always thrilled to see the next one come along. And the process would start again.
Also, I build each of my cars for a purpose. My 58 Chevy Apache (rebuilt 3 times) is my truck, and I use it as such. My 64 Thunderbird Mild Custom (Finished up about 2 years ago) is my daily. I'm currently building a 29 Modified A, That's gonna be the one I burn tires in all weekend. If you build each one with a function in mind maybe you will enjoy them more. .... Maybe.
First drive total elation. After the build can a bit anti-climatic compared to the anticipation, of what needs to be done, what is done, what you are getting done. Once completed, a new/different appreciation for your efforts comes from building memories/experiences in the car.
Building is definitely more enjoyable for me. Although I do enjoy having a finished (mine are never finished/finished) car it's the creative challenge getting one of these old relics to a drivable condition that turns me on. The '32 sedan will celebrate 12 years on the road this summer and I'm already looking forward to getting it out of storage and returning it to daily status but the 40 year '32 5w project is the one that turns me on................the planning and eventually the building is what still occupies my mind the most. Frank
I enjoy building them, and will gladly sell any car at any point along the way. There"s always more to build. I seldom ever even drive a car I build . I like it that way.
I agree creating something form nothing is definitely a rewarding process that when finished can be quiet a mental letdown. There are no more problems to solve ,no more goals to reach but I also find that driving it can be just as rewarding. When your cruising down the road and everything is ticking off in perfect unison ....That's just the icing in the cake. Knowing that you've done something that most people can't and it all works perfectly can also be a source of great satisfaction.I guess what I'm saying is that I enjoy the **** out of both building and driving something that unique and one of a kind. The best bet is to have one to drive while your building another that way you can satisfy both appe***es .
I enjoy the process immensely. Being a lifelong under achiever it gives my withered ego a small boost whenever I complete a certain part of a project. I just have to stop comparing my efforts and end results to much more talented builders I see everywhere. When my son who checks my progress constantly tells me something looks good, it makes my day. When I do manage to get one drivable I enjoy it as well.
That last line sums it up for me. I'm into my first Hot Rod build at 54 years old. I have waited my whole life for this. Some days I go in the garage and work at a nice easy pace. Sometimes I go in the garage with a couple beers, and stare at my Offenhauser dual quad intake with AFB's. I told the wife, I dont know what it is but I get a kick out of that rusty old T and the parts I've ac***ulated for my build. I do intend to finish it but driving it on the street doesn't really matter to me. I can't wait to take it down the dragstrip.
Having recently finished mine I have to say your comment really hits home. I do enjoy driving mine and wouldn't give it up but it doesn't take the place of building, especially with kids and now grandkids interested. I never thought I would start another project but I'm quickly finding out I really miss it. Hope all of you have the same experience! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=505349
Yep, it's the journey not so much the destination for me. However, since i'm going over and beyond on my current OT project, i've promised myself to keep this one and enjoy it for a while. I'm going for maximum gain on this one - doing upholstery and everything myself, prolonging the process_ _ _ _
your normal. always drive what you build most rodders including myself wont take a second look at a trailer queen. the fun is in the build the thrill is in the drive.and the satisfaction is seeing the finished ride and the approval looks from other rodders who know what youve acomplished.hell yeah...........
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