This past year has been rough on the wife and I financially, we both let our jobs twice no insurance so all her diabetic supplies were paid out of pocket. Thankfully we were blessed with new a job that encourages me to use the machinery there to help with my projects, and some HAMB friends that have been helping me out along the way. This past week I've been thinking about what I got my self into with this car, and how much work it's going to take and lately I've been getting discouraged, and frankly a little jealous over the progress you guys have been making on your projects. With all that being said what are some big projects that you guys took on that eventually worked out? Sent from my XT1710-02 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Glad things are looking up for you.Life and health always commands front seat.Pretty cool your job can help with projects,thats a plus.Try to not get discouraged.I'm sure for most of us progress is not a steady or fast happening.
9 years and every spare cent I could s****e together. Was going to build it to sell but snowballed and wasn't going to let some other tool get the credit after all the burns, blood and bruises I had into it.
Glad things are looking up for you . All I can say is all the little task's add up..choose a little part of the project to tackle in your spare time, it all adds up. Make a list tape it to the wall ,check it off as you go. Good for the mental health to take you away from the stress of everyday ****. The old cliche ..Rome wasn't built in a day ****..better think about finishing my 57, Its only been 8 yrs
This stuff takes dedication, especially if you dont have money to throw around, If you want it, you can do it just do things that you can a little at a time but stay with it, try to accomplish something every week no matter how small. Ive let several cars come and go but got a lot more accomplished on the ones that I truly desired ....Any pics of your project?
I did start a project thread on this site called one piece at a time. Mostly questions and ideas and a little progress. Sent from my XT1710-02 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
keep at it, bought a 40 cpe in 1977 that had belonged to David Pierson in the 50-60's. i have a flthead dragster and a friend said i should paint the cpe blaCK TO MATCH THE DGSTR, took the cpe apart 1978 to paint, that lead to complete redo, just got it on road couple years ago, going to have exhaust redon this week. another complete scratch build car i started in 1990 just got it home jan this year still needs a fuelpump. bought a 34 rdst in 2001, finaly have all the parts i wanted to build my 1959 hi sch dream car. running out of MANGO seasons.
Glad to read things are starting to pick up. Hope all is going well with your wife's health. Look after each other the car will always be there. All the best for the future.
Looks like you were on the right track if you want that car bad enough. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/one-piece-at-a-time-47-ford-coupe.1052468/
I find the best way to do a long term project is to do a little bit each day. It doesn't have to be major construction stuff. It can be things like stripping and painting a part that you plan on installing later on. The big stuff is always going to seem overwhelming. Hell look at the size of the companies that originally built the cars we love, and we don't have anywhere near the resources they had! Also, recognize when you need a break from working on it. The only person who feels the pressure to finish it is you and sometimes we don't give ourselves permission to let the deadline slip when we need a break. Heck I had one car I did in 2 1/2 years. Another took me almost 14 years and I never did finish it as it wasn't really what I wanted so I traded it for what I did want. My current build I am 4/5 years into and just about done with it. You'll get there!
As has been said, Do a small thing every day. No matter how small it seems, even just going to look at your project will help. It'll get done. Hang in there
I have two long term projects.A 62 Ford Galaxie xl 500 I started in 2005,and a 56 Ford Victoria in got in 2013.My daughter p***ed away suddenly in 2010 @39 yrs old and I have been trying to pull myself out of the gutter ever since.I have quit drinking so that's a start!
I honestly think most of us have experienced similar setbacks when it comes to our projects, wither it be health, work related or financial it becomes easy to get frustrated & loose interest in the project. I too have been in your shoes and due to unforeseen cir***stances my project got stalled for more than 7 years, but I tried to not loose sight of my goal and eventually I did succeed and finish the project. Don't give up and hang in there, with time and determination you will get the project on the road. HRP
Im glad the gr*** is looking a little greener on ur side. I have a question/suggestion. Is THAT car the one you really wanted? Some people build something they goy for free or cheap but they are never happy with.. Can u sell it and start fresh with someting better even if u have to travel? Btw.. I learned that trucks are easier to work l than cars...not as much floor panels and u can still drive a bedless hoodless truck.. Good luck on ur endeavors.. Dont give up
You've forgotten, it's a hobby, something you have p***ion for, it's not getting the project done according to others timetable, it's enjoying the hobby and being part of the overall picture. Keep at it and be glad you didn't have to sell it. It will come together.
Thanks for the encouragement guys. I've always struggled with patience, and building a hot rod is always been something that I've wanted to do. I guess that I'm worried that if I don't make any progress that I'll loose interest.
When building a hot rod patience is something you learn, waiting on a day off to go looking for parts, waiting on some spare money to spend on the project and a thousand and one things that life throws at you. As I said earlier I have had long term projects and been fortunate enough to have all the stars align and eventually get to drive and enjoy the cars. HRP
Do it one piece/section at a time; start on a door and finish it; do another door completely; do the trans; do the brakes...you get the idea. Always amazed the people that start on many things at once and seldom make any progress. You will feel a sense of accomplishment when you finish small items.
Never quit! Early 90's I pulled it apart. It was supposed to be a six month project. Life happens and I kept at it a little at a time. Swap meets would yield parts that I couldn't use till years later, but I had a plan. Twenty years later I finally drove it again. Well worth it.
My best advice is to keep working on something solid, don't take long breaks. To get my Ford running and driving was a 23 month marathon after I lost my wife to cancer. It kept my brain out of the dark places. In that period, I missed 6 weekends due to the shop being too cold or being sick... or a bad snow storm.
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