Hot Rods How do you plan to finish your projects with rising costs.

Not making this political, but what strategies can be done to get out projects on the road? I have used take off radials instead of period correct bias plies. Easy fix later when possible. Paint optional unless from a spray can or by brush. Maybe some Deere blitz black later. Mismatched front and back rims. Extra searching at the u pull it and making brackets instead of buying them. I don't skimp on safety but rock auto and other online sources save big. The ability to jump in the truck and drive a distance for a special part doesn't make sense now..
How are you affected?

 

With rising costs. If you are still working, hopefully your income goes up as well. As well as everything you own is worth more too.

 

I was hoping you guys were going to surprise me with a big all-hands session in my garage.

 

Well , I am building/fabbing/ customizing so ac***ulating time to do all the above is the biggest obstacle. Selling some of my stash on here now and then clears a few inches on the floor and rafters. Ac***ulation of needed items/material is focused closer to home then running four hours away after something I want because it shiny .

 

Because you asked, I've been taking a break from completing. Started in the fall of 2020 before the winter of Covid made things worse. Before that and up to it, a steady stream of making progress.
Now...Everything is at a stand still gathering dust. I'm calling it the wasted years.

On the bright side, it's holding up well.

 

It's a hobby, you work on it when you feel like it, and it should give you some joy and satisfaction.

 

I bought almost everything when prices were low.

 

Charge forward! Lots of good deals to be had...ive been buying stuff low when i can find it and selling or bartering to fund my projects and things have started moving faster!

 

I have put off some of the more spendy purchases, and am focused more on labor intensive tasks (which used to get put off on big builds). Lots of custom fabrication I probably could have bought solutions for a few years ago. It actually makes this car feel more like a part of me, instead of a 1(800) ride.

 

Keep checking offer-up, craigslist etc. I bought my 350 for $40 off of craigslist, a 1999 suburban pullout. Building
over a long term allows saving for those items you must buy. I am retired, but kept my contractors license and do
some smaller jobs which gives me some $$ for things for my truck.
The biggest factor would be to pick the right wife.

 

I just need time, good weather and a third hand now and then. With at, near or over triple digit weather, my shop is like a sweat box. I set up a 10x20 HF thing, but I have my kids project under it to ward off the sun while it sits and I can get cooler weather to finish the damned engine.
But I agree, cost is a factor. Heck, since I don’t buy a large quality, I’m paying (after taxes) 30 bucks and change for a bale of hay for the horses.
Good thing is most stores still sell cheap beer

 

This. I will probably never finish any of my projects, and I’m ok with that.

I have enough projects in the works that I can always move on to something else if I hit a budget breaking point on whatever I am working on

 

I'm very pleased......I finished mine before all of this started!

 

Well, in my 85 years, I doubt there has been a time without rising costs. One foot in front of the other. Pace yourself.

Good luck

Ben

 

Being born with a "silver s****" in my mouth (and incredibly handsome), all I can do is look down on the rest of you poor shmucks that can't afford the better things in life. Being poor probably ****s...I wouldn't know.

 

I do a lot of buying and selling, so I'm the junkie who supports his own habit by also being a dealer.

 

When you're old and cheap and you just can't wrap your head around some of the stupid prices people are asking for complete junk these days and simply WILL NOT pay those prices...
Well, nobody else has any other choice but to comply with my 1970s budget. LOL

 

I always do projects on a budget no matter what the economy is doing. I have never seen the need to spend a lot on this old junk to have fun. I typically fund projects either by doing some side work or selling off stuff I don't need.

 

I've got a plan.
I'm gonna lead all the flippers to the edge of a very high cliff. Tell them, "Hey look down there... guy must not know what he has! Deuce parts for a dollar!"

 

I retired a few years back which now gives me the time I always lacked. Money is the issue now. I started a small business that only requires 20-30 hours of actual work per month. That money is dedicated to my hobby. Luckily I have collected a lot of parts over the years but the big ticket items, engine parts, suspension parts and paint are still awaiting purchase.

 

Simple, if you can't afford it don't do it.

I want 3 deuce but a single 4 barrel will get me on the road, I want mags but steeliws will do for now, it's all a give and take game, remember it's just a hobby.

 

Money has always been an issue with my builds, so I've always done all my own work, and tried to buy used where it didn't matter on the parts. I'll continue to do the same in the future whenever possible.

 

Not that much different for me. I've always been cheap, er, frugal, and don't buy high dollar items too often. I made an exception with my wheels and tires, I knew what I wanted, but I still shopped around for the best prices. I repurpose stuff, use stuff I've saved for years, and make stuff when the need arises. I plot out my moves, then start collecting what I want. I buy stuff off eBay a lot, Rock Auto is my go to for most all of my parts needs anymore. If I can wait a few days on shipping to get stuff to me, it's usually cheaper than the local stores. I still use the local guys for small items like belts and hoses, but everybody else has the same parts like alternators and starters cheaper with shipping, so why not save a few bucks? I do most of my own work, I did farm out the transmission rebuild and the new driveshaft because I'm not equipped to do those things. Everything else is fair game, including body work and paint. I figured out a long time ago, if somebody else could do things, I probably could too. Only person I have to please is myself.

 

I've always been a cheapskate, so now I've saved up so much money by scrimping in the past, that I can afford to buy whatever I want.

weird how that worked out.

 

I think the key is to do all your own work or at least as much as you can since your labor is free. Make as many parts as you can and look in every nook and cranny to find old junk you have lying around that you can repurpose before going to the store. Keep in touch with your old friends since they are retired and would like something to do.

 

I'm retired. I'm comfortable, probably better off than when I was working and had a young family. I build cars the same way now as then. I do all my own work. I save for big ticket items. I shop carefully. I don't break the budget on stuff I don't really need, and don't dip into necessary expenses for a car project.

 

The one thing that has made it possible for me to buy cars and work on my cars is to never buy myself a new truck. I bought my daily driver with mega low miles and told myself that when I paid it off I would then keep that monthly payment to buy me stuff and for big projects. I paid it off and built my shop. Paid it off and bought my 49. Then built the wife a huge master closet…etc… I take really good care of my daily and it should go another 10 years easily. I also do some trading and flipping. Works for me.

 

I've always worked on my projects like I have a deadline. Which I never have had. So I'm just slowing down. Taking my time and focusing on making each section as nice as I can which in turn makes me need parts less often so the money is there when I need it. I had made up some idiotic "due date" in my head that as soon as I let that **** go it was fun again and I didn't worry about the money.

 

Same as always, work on it when I have time and money. I'm not on a schedule and there are times I don't want to lay out a couple thousand for something I need or want.

 

Ten years ago the Chief came into my office and told me if I would go home and never come back to the Department, he would send my pay check to my house! Well, I took him up on that! And since I have no house or car payment , I can afford car parts! Well, I could a few years ago! Now…. they will just have to wait! Because the price of beer is going up , too!






Bones