Featured Projects Do You Ever Just Sit and Appreciate Your Project?

No one. NO ONE!! Can see how awesome your car is except you. Really. You remember what it was, worried about the 100's of things you fabricated- assembled. Will it all work??? All they see is the completed car- especially non car people-" yeah so what... it runs and drives.... no big deal..." No one else can really appreciate it but you.

 

Yes,We all do.

 

My 49 has been on the road since June of 22, and got painted in May of 23 (I built the truck and did the body work, my friend sprayed it, his "body work" is better then mine).

When I sit and look at it, I already see the tell tail results that 28,000 miles and 3 full winters of use have inflicted on it. I also see all the things that I should have done differently, but will probably never change. I know what it looked like when I started, and I know how much work I have put to it, its come a long way from its rough beginnings. Fortunately, from my perspective, it was never perfect, nor was it ever intended to be. I knew what its fate was going to be, before I started the build.

The truck is bright blue, and stands out when its parked or in traffic among the modern stuff, pretty much every place it goes. The truck is not show quality, but the few shows its been in (mostly to support the things the shows support) have drawn positive remarks from many show goers.

For me, the most important admirers are those in the general public, they are more forgiving of imperfections then car people are (including myself on my truck). They tell me all the time how well I've done, with admiring looks on their faces, and they have no idea what I started with.
That, my friends is as good as it gets. Their opinions of my truck means (almost) more to me then my opinions of it mean.

I still spend a lot of time looking at it when its parked someplace, I still really like it, but I don't just sit and look it very often. That probably wouldn't be good for me.

 

Make it better? Time for you to get another project, the one you've got is perfect.

 

I do it all the time.

 

I live one county from Bourbon County in Ky . If you ever get a change to visit , take the Bourbon Tour . Very enjoyable time . Fun fact “ George Remus “ is buried a stones throw distance from my home . Google and have some fun reading . He was the true “ Great Gatsby “ . The cemetery where he rests is in a town of approx 1200 people .

 

I like to take pics as I walk back to the car.. lol

 

Sometimes I like to drive over to the gas station, get me a coffee and doughnut, then sit outside at one of their picnic tables, and gawk at my own car. I especially like it when other people pose with it, and take pictures.

 

Oh yeah that’s how I build them in my head first and then get building. Plus a few drivers to enjoy and admire and projects to stare at

 

Well, yeah, I do sit and admire my projects. (I call it pre-living the experience)
And
When they become finished cars, I drive through town and admire my cars reflection in the shop windows too.

I believe I am a lucky man.

 

Back when I was building my Model A pickup many years ago, I sat in the truck and imagined I was driving it, it never moved but in my mind I traveled thousands of miles. HRP

 

I hear you about black paint Billy. Here in NC we are having pine pollen snow storms and black is like a magnet!

 

I love reflections . Wife took this going down interstate.

 

My old truck.

 

There was a day towards the end of my build while I was working on wiring my gauges when I turned and the sun caught the valve cover chrome just right, and I had the ‘ah-ha’ realization that when I first purchased my home I stood in my backyard garage and told myself, “someday I’ll be in here building a hotrod,” pretty cool when you realize the dream came true.

 

Oh yeah I think we all do it. Just mount one bolt and sit down relax and enjoy

 

My dad taught me.
And my brother...

After working so up close with something for a while, as we do, it's good to step back and take an overall look. From every angle.

He said that to my brother and I when we were out in the yard washing the car. And we did what he suggested.

Of course, after he left us alone, we had to take things to a ridiculous level. Running around the car, throwing our bodies on the ground and rolling around as if we were Big Time Wrestling referees. Gotta look at it from every angle, don't cha know.
Silly shit. LOL

 

I took my dashboard, dash insert and steering wheel upstairs and set 'em under the TV for extended viewing.

Sure, so I could just look at 'em. But also to allow a vision to form as far as what I might want to do.

Helped me to realize that I need a different steering wheel.

 

Sure, I’ve done it. Gives me a chance to make sure I have the look I’m going for.
Problem now that I’m getting up there in age, it’s easier to want to sit and look as opposed to working.

 

I call it Marvelling

my dad would just stand and stare at his mustang in awe that he owned such a beautiful car. One time I asks mom what dad was doing leaning on a broom staring at the car and she said he’s marvelling.

I do the same, with my toys.

Doe anyone else sit in their car in the garage and make engine noises ??

 

100 years ago I went out with a girl whose father was quite elderly. A serious man. Old guy from the old country. Lithuania. Holocaust survivor. Retired model maker (artist) at GM. He had made a lot of the furniture and lamps in their home. Half their basement was his woodworking shop. Almost every evening he would go down to the basement, lean up against the bench he had built and drink part of a six pack. Just kinda hangin' out, surrounded by his stuff.

Donna mentioned it one day.
"He just stands there."
I didn't really understand.
I kind of wish I had.
Now I do.

 

Don't forget air-shifting the 4spd.

Once again, it proved to be beneficial. Functionality wise.
First time I banged second gear, I hit my elbow on the seat frame.
#%÷@?+%#!!!
Realized I need to do something different. LOL

 

I don't sit in the truck and make engine noises, I turn the key and listen to the motor make its own music.
If I'm really into it, I'll open the garage door and take the truck for a little drive. We have a really nice city park with a great drive along the river. Its about a 20 minute round trip from home. My wife and I cruise that park nearly every time we leave the house.
The fall view of the river drive through the windshield of my truck.
This is the way I like to marvel at my truck. Every trouble free mile reminds me of where it came from and what I have accomplished.

 

That certainly looks like a drive worth making!

Lynn

 

Sometimes I sit and wish for Spring, and sometimes I ponder, would it be okay to make it a 4 wheel drive. Naaaah, just wait... Sooner or later it's bound to warm up...

 

Nice, @gene-koning

I look forward to when my engine makes engine sounds and I don't have to. LOL

 

Build one as a 4 wheel drive! I'm pretty happy mine is a 4x4. I get to enjoy it year a round.
It might not last as long as it could, but at 68, I may not need it to last as long as it could. I've already lived longer then most of the male family members on both sides of my family.

 

When I was getting ready to put the body onto my coupe, I spent a long time sitting and staring at the rolling frame. There is something so cool about that stage of a project - you can see all the detail and hard work and the first drive is so close.

 

That is a thing of beauty!

 

There's plenty of reason to stare at that frame. It's gorgeous.