Featured Art & Inspiration Build threads. We need more of them

So one thing I've noticed repeatedly is how small of a percentage of active users have any build threads. I honestly think that's sad. Build threads are a good way to get attention of potential new users on top of helping keep the owner of the thread motivated on their project. There ARE a lot of build threads. But the number of build threads is like comparing the population of a big city(threads) to the population of the country it's in(total active users). Think about it. When it was still commonplace to buy car magazines whether hrm, osr, kkd, street rodder, whatever while you were interested in the technical and how to articles the first thing you read was a feature car story. And usually zero'd in on that particular rag as a result of the feature cars on the cover. While the technical is most definitely important....I myself have benefitted from those many times....I think more need to do the build threads. Even if it's just explaining what was done on a finished car with some pics thrown in. That's a key point on how to help draw in young blood. And I should know. There's a 15 year old member here that lives in my house lol. And a build threads on a certain red 56 Ford sedan is part of what got her excited to join.

As for my "art and inspiration" category I simply didn't know what to put this under lol

 

I’m a big fan of build threads, always enjoy checking out what people are up to in their garage, there’s some real talent on here.

 

I agree with you! Maybe, even with what I do to my '47 here and there, I could do a "build" thread of it.

 

I couldn’t agree more, that’s why I started a thread on the 34 I’m building for my wife and have encouraged several others to do one.

I will say though, unfortunately the feedback I often get from others when I encourage them to do a build thread is how negative the hamb has gotten.

its not all the time by any means but there are definitely some folks that seem to have forgotten that we are a family here.

 

Agreed. I do them for everything, even the new shop. It helps document the process and plus when you forget something, you have a picture reference. It seems I never get finished, but I try. It gets depressing seeing how many I have going with little progress.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/dust-bowl-speed-shop-world-headquarters.1306720/

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/the-mild-custom-transformation-mamas-55.1119265/

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/the-legrange-produce-tribute-truck-build.936696/

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1956-f100-mild-custom.1277849/

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/roothawgs-390-cadillac-build.1029384/

 

In that case let’s umm, get it together. Hehe.

 

Yep, build threads are at the top of my list. Jeff Norwell's 57 Ford #2 thread really got me going on my project. I have a build thread but Jeff is a much better writer than I am.

 

I'm working on it.
Be sure to tune in!
Same Hamb time...
Same Hamb station...

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/rickybops-1931-plymouth-3w-business-coupe-build.1326024/

 

Are you looking in the build thread index? There are lots of old ones and some new ones as well.

 

Now that we have an Off Topic section, I see the opportunity to show what I've been doing. However, I am of the mindset that I don't want to show anything until the car is done, because I don't want the pressure of having to keep up with other people's demand for more pics and progress. So many times I dig into a build thread and get all inspired, only to find out that life stepped in on a guy and for whatever reason he quit on the thing or even sold it before completion. (Anyone remember Hot Rod magazine's "New angle Anglia"? They had all this focus on an Anglia project, but it died a quiet death. No closure!) So I'm feverishly working away at a slightly off topic rod that some guys will probably think is interesting. Been at it for nearly 4 years, and, true to form last winter life stepped in and I got a major health scare, so I had to stop working on the thing for a few months. But I'm putting in about 20 hours a week on the thing ever since, and I've documented every step with detailed pics and a daily notebook log. Hopefully, eventually I will see the completion of my project, and I can spill my story.

 

I like having the build thread. When I post, it feels like a milestone for me, I actually accomplished enough to add on to the thread and moved a little closer to my goal. Mine is slow going, it’s 12 years old, and I think if anyone is actually following it, they are used to how slow and stupid I am.

 

I thought about a build thread but decided that the time between postings would be too long, I'm old and slow and live where the weather gets cold and limits my garage time. Started my Sport Coupe in the early 2010 and set it aside and several other projects including my son on his projects. Finally on the streets in 2020, would have been a long build thread. I started on a Roadster Pickup a little over two years ago and now have a complete chassis but waiting for better weather to start on body work.

 

I had one going but decided to delete it. Often we are our own worst critic, and I received a few private queries about why it disappeared. I try to drop in basic updates here and there.
The positive feedback was almost universal, it did push me to get out there more, and I got some very useful help on some things.
It was also OT and growing too fast, I had unappreciated feedback, I was not happy at my own pace of progress and mainly it was a bit too public for someone who is adverse to having their private life online.
I'd say the general feel of the HAMB is milder and less negative than 10-15 years ago, so that is a plus if you are hesitant.

 

It can really difficult to document a “build thread”.

Sometimes the more I’m deep into a project, the less I talk about it. Sometimes not.
It’s really difficult to take photos and compose. That takes a lot of time.

Sometimes I think the secret to a really good build thread is to finish it, and then post a build thread.

Expect a as it’s happening project thread to go silent for long stretches of time. That’s how life is.
Expect a project thread to just end mid stream, again that’s how life is.

Personally I believe we can benefit and contribute to all the above. I believe as car guys we want to see it.
We may not even comment or even punch the like button, that’s does not mean we’re not interested or do not want a poster to contribute.

So sometimes, probably most of the time “crickets” do not mean lack of interest. Sometimes the readers just waiting for the next post. It’s your project thread, they don’t want to hijack it.

I’m getting older, I guess we all are. There was a time when there was a lot of chops being busted. It really was not mean but it was ahhh.....spicy.

Sometimes a little spice is OK.....

Now I try to always be a light.

Yep folks actually working on their cars is a good thing.
No joke, I almost posted a thread about changing a rear tire on my stockish‘51 Ford coupe.
That could actually benefit somebody. IE....maybe putting it in the weeds is not the greatest idea.

 

Whilst I enjoy a build thread, personally time is precious!!

what ever time I get to spend working on my car I have to make the most of it doing work not taking progress pictures sadly.

happy to read others for sure

 

I have one coming up, will be not to long.

 

I started, does that count?



https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/cripes-not-another-32-roadster.963108/

 

I ran out of play money on mine, that took away the motivation. Now all I do is list stuff for sale, and pay for reservations for future events. I'm very happy, looking at other peoples cars is something I've been doing for about 70 years now.

 

Sometimes life events get in the way. I’m idling mostly, collecting bits and bobs for the whatever project. Why just today I was in the local hardware store and got a few bobs for the front suspension. I’ll be ordering a new front spring to go with the 37 v8-60 tube axle this week. Serious work will begin again in a couple of months, god willing and the creek don’t rise…

 

I too love build threads, doesn't have to be a complete car, even small simple things like brackets etc.

I like things that make me think or reevaluate my ways...

I started many build threads, from small things like brake line brackets to a complete frame....

...

 

I have a couple but I’ve been driving them lately instead of working on them

 

I like build threads. I do them to point a GIANT finger at the fact this shit doesn’t have to be expensive, require lots of special tools or a massive shop.
I build cars out of cast off crap, marketplace finds, scrap, and junk. I like to share ideas, learn new things and have fun challenging myself along the way. I hope it’s interesting for others to follow along.

 

Problem I have is that I start a thread and then the car gets back burnered for awhile and progress stops. Maybe I should do build threads on cars I am building for others instead of my own stuff. Customer cars get done in a year or so. My stuff, well... Maybe next year.

 

Technically two of mine are for other people. The 49 Oldsmobile thread I started a year ago is for a buddy once he's ready to get started on it. And the Chevy truck thread for my step daughter. If you're doing the work you're doing the work

 

The other caveat is that everyone sees the ultra high end stuff and thinks everything else is sub par if not finished to the highest standard. I always say AMBR, and Ridler cars are great, but a driver that has a few shortcomings that average people can afford to drive are way more fun. Make it safe, make it presentable, and have fun. Unfortunately the critics all want full metal finished metal work, flawless paint, perfect gaps, and the bells and whistles that go with a fancy interior or they will tell you how you do everything wrong. The first 80% takes 20% of the time, the 20% to finish to a higher standard takes 80% of the time. Make a huge difference if someone is paying for a car that they want to enjoy versus being a perfect show piece.

 

Here is mine, enjoy https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/blowing-this-thing-apart.1257505/

 

I have a few abandoned ones because we haven’t worked on them. Do those count?

 

I didnt say anything about staying on a project.

 

I just started one because it is almost done and I am pretty sure I can finish it. To me it would be to much pressure to start one at the same time I start the project.
More than once some of my half done builds have been sold.

 

The rules here say no electric cars, but really, the project is stalled at the moment. When I get back to it, I probably could document repairing the rusty bits.