I Build them !,a hot rod is a extension of you,thats why every hot rod is not the same,it should have your personality,taste etc.,,i build allot of cars for others,,and i come to figure out that most of my customers cant do it themselves,sometimes age and health has a factor,sometime they would hurt themselves with a screw driver in there hand!,some dont have the forsight ,imagination but they do have the $$$$ .,,,for the most part you have your builders that live,eat and dream hot rods(me),,for me its my job,my hobby and my passion 24 -7,,,for the buyers its a trend,or re living the past,or is financially set to relive the life they could not have,,,,thats my opinion,,
Why do I build... well I could get all philosophical and aesthetic about it, but fuck that! I feel happy when I'm even around the shit. I have a hard time seeing why some do the things they do so in most cases I avoid the headaches of someones mistakes. I do it because I'm trying to raise my own bar. I do it to keep my edge. I do it because I can paid to do it. I do it because I like a challenge. I do it because I like to try something I learned and to watch someone apply what I taught them. That look is worth more than any amount of money when they get it right. I do it because sometimes I'm told I can't or couldn't. I do it because I'm a bit competitive. I was exposed to the world of hands on unconventional automotive work at a very young age. Antiques, racers, customs and hotrods. I lasted 1 month in a corner service garage and less than 6 months in a dealer body shop. Not for me. A skill to be sure but in the end same/same. This whole mindset is that thing you have that makes some people look at us like we're from another planet. "I like it like it is..." or "I'm not sure I want to change the...". "Why would you bother to chop it? I like it like it is." "Oh no, I would never do...". I never was that guy to accept what is or leave well enough alone. If it can be better then go for it. Afraid? Buy a Prius.
So after the build the "challange" of the project takes on a differant persona as in, its over,sell it,move on to the next?When I completed my last car,I kinda felt like that.You know...,whats next??
It is just good therapy.If I have a bad day I just spend time working on one of my projects and all is forgotten. Figuring things out is a big part of it. I love a challenge when it comes to a build.
Because there's just too much sewing involved to building the perfect woman, also you have to buy used brains and you never know what you are getting. Many have gone past the sell by date.
I once justified my car habit to a girlfriend like this- "Would you rather have me blow $300 on the car this weekend, or blow $300 on coke and some hookers this weekend?" When I put it to her like that, she never bothered me about spending too much time in the garage or cash on the car again. On the other hand, she's not my girlfriend anymore... so maybe you shouldn't put it to your significant other exactly like that!
the challenge and end result....i picture myself in every ride i have.... on a sunny summer day with tons of cake in my wallet , a full tank and nowhere to go.... the problem is driving in reality is never as fun as it is in your head....lol
Well, If I didn't build cars, my togue would be soooo tired of eating pussy all the time...My dick wood prolly fall off! So, It gives me sumpin to do other than sex... heehehehe-Mikey
Freedom... it allows you to create something that can cover the entire range from restored to custom. The instant gratification of creating something with your hands. Pride of craftsmanship. Finally and most important, at least to me, therapy. I have a great friend that calls time on his bike 'wind therapy', so I guess this is the same thing. For me, it keeps me sane... and that explains what the hell has been wrong with me lately, nothing to work on.
never seen a done one ...for sale...that i thought was perfect.....TONS of cars I would love to buy though...but like most said , I enjoy the build probably as much as the end result. if I buy some guys car for 20 30 or 80k....i'm still gonna spend a year tearing it apart and changing what the original builder cahrged me so much for in the first place.
The Jalopy Journal
