Who's got the longest running car build?

I was thinking how much time I don't have to work on my roadster and now it seems to be going on a couple years. I was all fired up at first and got a bunch of work done and then the time started to disappear on me. The wife and I had a baby, between being Dad and work and what seems to be everything except working on my car. I don't and can't seem to get anything done. I'm still collecting the parts I need, about 97% complete (and some I don't need)... Now I have no space in the garage because its filled up with parts so whatever time I do have I can't barely get in the garage. I need some time and space.......So whats your story?
Lucky

 

33 Plymouth coupe-5 years.

 

dont know what his current name is but at one time it was 48hemi i think? im preety sure that cars been in progress for at least a decade

 

Ray says, "Even I can see this is gonna be a pissing contest."

 

I'm extremely embarrased to say the last time my 54 Chev was driven was late '97. Too many different turns with the direction of the car and my own personal direction. I have been thrashing this last year though and have gotten:
Engine and trans in
Rear suspension in
Floors repaired
frenched headlights, tailights, doorhandles, gas door, etc.
nosed and decked
driveshaft made and rearend installed
custom radiator mounted
Body work 95% done...
I've forgotten what else. Desperately trying to get it driveable by the Lua for the Lowdown, but might not make it. I've worn on the wife and kids' patience and I've been trying to make an effort to spend more time with them. Even bought a old little boat recently (which is another new project).

 

I'm certain you're right. I'm also pretty certain you beat me if I remember a post from this morning. Life takes some "interesting" turns sometimes, I'm just glad I did hold on to mine instead of selling it (which I thought about MANY times)...

 

Uh, I've got a 35 tudor sedan thats been under contruction since 1987. I managed to keep it thru a divorce, 2 moves, raising 4 kids and sending a kid to college. It should be driving without an interior by the end of this year... I HOPE!!!!

I gotta say in my own defense that I have been working on it a lot lately.

 

What's up Lucky? I got 4 years in my Pontiac, although I have driven it on and off, still far from done. I have a 8 month old and I understand your shift in priorities, That speaks volumes about your character, a good thing.

 

I started working on my 57 suburban in early 1998. Still has a long ways to go. And I make a bit of progress every year.

 

I've got an "in progress" '59 VW with a fiberglass tilt front end, a roll cage, and a type four motor that I've had for around 15 years. I've drug that thing more miles than I've driven it, and it's been in storage for the last five years. I do seem to buy parts for it at least once a year, and one day, when I'm an old man, and I can finally drive the silly thing around some little kid will pipe up and say "hey mister, where'd you get that antique car?" And I'll laugh and say that I traded a hat and a butterfly knife for it.

HAHAHAHA.

 

Does not starting even count? Between fixing my daily drivers, my family's cars and essentially working for free to help my folks the last 5 years.....I picked up the 60 ragtop t-bird in 98, now have 90% of the parts. Just sent the extra engine in for a rebuild/checkup. The Cord, well - been collecting the few missing parts over the last 6 years..... good thing I found the HAMB before I did something stupid and went back to stock/removed the flattie!

 

12 years on my 68 Cougar until I sold it last winter.
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Are they ever "done"?

 

Our vintage NHRA Comp Eliminator C/Altered '68 Rambler American restoration/update has been going on since we rescued the car from back in 1989.....only 17yrs and its getting close!

I've also got a 1970 Boss 302 Mustang restoration thats been in the works since 1990. I sold the car to a buddy of mine about five years ago but I'm commissioned to finish the resto.......I've been lucky so far - he's been pretty patient.

-Bigchief.

 

I'm considering when you can drive it from building it from ground up, its done!

 

Chopped my Falcon in 1984. I've hung on to it thru 2 divorces 5 or 6 moves, followed me thru a few body shops, it was hit by a tree in an ice storm. It's had 4 different motors. I drove it about a week when I got it, and once 15 years ago when I moved into the house I own now. (no glass no exhaust no lights no plates!)It's been for sale, but isn't now, nor will it ever be as long as I'm breathing. It's waiting for me to stop doing other peoples cars, and cars to sell. It'll happen.

 

Started my T tub in 1980, finally got it on the road in 2004. Built a lot of cars in between, but the tub just never got finished. 24 years. An old friend of mine bought a 1965 Pontiac Parisienne convertible new in 65. Proceeded to start customizing it with Riv hide away headlites, changed the hood, different grille, custom rear end treatment and custom upholstery over the years. Went into primer in 65 and still has not been painted. He still has it. I think he wins. Pat.

 

If repeated starts count I think I'm in the running with El Toad,

I began the first time in '70. Sold'er to get married (the first time), started over in '89 and sold'er again in the middle of a two year depression during the early part of my second marriage. Picked up another one late last year and it looks like I'm going to make it this time. I mean, it IS about flippin' time I finished'er after all...........

 

Over 8 years to build my A

baught 2 homes, started a business, build a shop, had our first kid, WOW were's the time go?

keep plugin away and then it all comes together!

 

But how many other cars have you built in that time?

 

oct. will be 3 yrs. for the 50 plymouth but i've been in the mood lately. It's gets a little frustrating when your just learning how to weld. Here are some pics. the floor and trunk are pretty much done. the motor should be going back in this sunday or monday.

 

It has to be 3wLarry with his kool coupe

 

Pulled my 37 tudor apart in early 98, for a quick 6 month rebuild. Still apart in the shed as of now. Hope to change things this year.
Michael

 

I've got a 50 Chevy sedan delivery I've owned since about 1989 or earlier. I put it on a Grand National frame, then stopped. Built a firewall for it, then stopped...on and off. I keep changing my mind...now it has a Vette rear end, and I think I need to put in a Vette front to match! Might as well get a Morrison frame at that point!
Even have parts collected for the engine...dual turbos, fuel inj.
It's in the shed now...I should pull it out again this summer, and chop it!

 

I bought a small shed to put my parts in, freed up a ton of room in the garage. I lost interest in my Fleetline for some time, I went hot and heavy on it then nothin'. I always had some lame excuse, then one day I dedcided to do something, ANYTHING! I got to puttering around with some parts, and now its getting closer.I try to do something everyday, I don't spend hours, even a 1/2 hour is better then nothing. The engines been out and done since Sept. 2001, and the rear end is in the process of being rebuilt now.
You just need to get your ass out there and do any little thing on it. Determine to do something and see it through til' tis done, hell just pulling the brakes apart, cleaning, and a little paint makes you feel like you've accomplished somethong. Its amazing what some gas, a rag, whire brush, and spray paint can do.
Pull everything out of the garage one day and clean it and organize the car and parts, that helps to put things in perspective to.

 

Bought 54 F100 in Nov of 1996 from original owner in Az been working on it ever since.
Lot of doctor bills the last 3 years have keep me from finishing it.
But now working on geting r done

 

A guy in our club has had a Willys coupe for about 20 years. Still not finished & never does anything with it.

 

24 years on my '40 tudor project. I have never driven it yet.

Now I'm thinking about changing around some of the things I did 20 years ago. Will it ever get done?

 

28model a i bought new...still workin on it!!
i do have a 70 amx dad bought new thats been down since 76.
havent touched it in 11 years, well, other then stooped at my mother in laws and talkin to it in the garage there.... all thats left is rebuild it from the ground up and ill be done!!!! then theres my 53???model a sedan???59 impala???shit...im off to buy some scratch off's!!!!

 

I just took over Dad's project... a 31 Chevy that he started in 69...

hey... the wood is all new and almost done...

I hope to have it done in 2018.

If I push it.