I'm exploring starting my first full project. I've helped other guys with their cars and worked on my own daily drivers,but I've never had my own full project. I've been obsessed with cars since I was a little kid and, now that I'm 40, I want to build something and maybe get my 13 yeR old involved. I'd like some serious suggestions.
You are starting off right by asking questions and including your son in those special days. Good luck and enjoy. The days that your son is working next to you are the days you know where he is and what he is doing. Damn, did I just say that? Now I'm going to cry!
What kind of money are you dealing with? Do you want a roadster, a truck? Fast, flathead, both? Do you weld? Build engines? Paint? Bodywork? Chassis work? Whatever your goals and skills find a project you will enjoy working on. Make it's problems match your skills and tools or willingness to learn and spend. Until you say what you like and what you know how to do it will be easier for folks to steer ya. Good luck! Lotsa bucks down folks selling stuff now...
How much of a project are you looking for? I see some guys here start with a rusted out body shell that they dug out of the mud and turn that into a killer car. I envy the skills displayed here. I myself found an old truck I liked. It was complete and in pretty good shape. It started as a basic clean-up and get it running project. It turned into a "wouldn't this be cool with a hemi in it" project. I keep my eyes on the classified section...even though I really have no room for another project and my wife would put my nuts in a jar if a project followed me home.
Good for you and your son...make some good memories together. What kind of suggestions are you looking for? Model of car to build? How to proceed? Both? Are you looking to build a hot rod from the ground up? Era you're thinkin'? If your experience is limited, I would keep it uncomplicated. Consider starting with a complete, at least nearly rust-free car that doesn't need a frame-off. Maybe don't even change out the drivetrain...a lot of the original drivetrains will work great...you can rebuild what's needed, add free-flow exhaust etc, maybe a little lowering, and you won't break the bank, take forever, or get in over your head. But maybe you're lookin' to get your hands really dirty?
Get something that is running or very close to running. Get it going and driving and work from there. Most 13 year olds will loose interest fairly quickly if you drag home a rusty hulk and you use up all your free time on it. Do something easy that is on the road fairly quickly, gauge his interest on that and then maybe consider a larger project. There is a lot to learn and it sounds like a fun project, keep us updated!
for a first car i always advise to get a car that at least "2 out of 3" is decent: interior and body, interior and drivetrain or drivetrain and body. this "rule" seams to keep the project do able, and affordable and you won't loose interest.
try to buy a running Chevy car or truck, one that needs paint & interior and small things like a starter, carb. if you can drive it, at least in the driveway or around the block, your son will stay interested. Let them drive it, even at age 13, I did with my kids, they never forget. good luck
I think these guys are dead on!! but may I suggest you let your son pick the project out and then possibly give it to him for his 16th? Then you guys could get another project for you and work on that one together also! Maybe you get him a truck, that way you both can use it when you're getting parts for your car?
I built my first harley when i was 13, and first hemi when i was 15, now im 25 and going full bore on building my show car, so yea get him into it, he just might love it
I think we'll do a pickup. I'll look for a good decent body and interior and I can teach my son a bit about the drivetrain. Hopefully start with 5 to 10 g's and work my way up from there. Ideally, I would kill to drive a '56 Ford p/u. I bet he and I can work up to that. I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, thanks for the suggestions and words of encouragement. Please don't hesitate to offer me further advice. I'm sure I'll have a ton of questions.
My skills are not that advanced and, honestly, it's been quite some time since I've done anything "major". I'm hoping some of it comes back to me as I go and I can learn the rest. What I'm not lacking is enthusiasm. At least, not yet, anyway! I've always wanted to do this and there really aren't any excuses not to.
pm me if interested i have a customers 51 ford pickup. he died in mid restoration and i'm trying to sell it for the widow.
Weird twist of fate: When skating with a buddy of mine from HS and our families yesterday. Hadn't seen him in 17 yrs, easily, Got back togther through FB. He is a motorcycle guy who's been riding and building Harley's for about 20 years and has taken up sailing, now, as well. We're talking and skating w/ the kids when he asks me if I remember his Dad's '32 Deuce. I comment that I remember a yellow one that I don't recall ever leaving his old man's garage( which is attached to the basement of the house and fully heated). He says that it's the one and his dad has given up on it and asked him if he wanted to get it running. Now, my mind is racing with questions and scenarios. So, I ease in w/ a few simple ones. The car hasn't moved in, at least, 20 years. It has a SB 350 out of a '68 Camaro, w/ the installation done 30 to 35 yrs. ago. He had traded an old Chevelle for it, originally. He'd just put some sort of racing cam on it before he parked it. Not sure why. He keeps talking and I'm wandering in my own head when I hear him say that he plans on buying a couple of books to figure out what to do and learn more about the engine and transmission. He also offers that he is much more familiar motorcycle engines, but, doesn't imagine it can't be too hard to figure out. At this point, I suggest that I can probably help and asked if he'd mind if I brought my son along to teach him a few things. He thinks that would be a GREAT idea. Now, here's my dilemna: I want to help him out w/ this in the worst way and use it as an opportunity to teach my son(and learn a bunch of stuff, myself, as we go) while working along side him. On the other hand, this is someone else's project and, at the end of the build, I'm assuming, my son and I will still be looking for something to call our own. Any of your knowledgable comments/ insights would be helpful here. Also, I plan on going over to his parents place and taking a look at it and asking you guys a few questions after I see it's condition-body, interior and drivetrain.
Get your own. I would hate knowing that I contributed to someone elses fun while i was driving a "minivan" to the cruise-in. Especially if THEY haven't touched it in 20 years. I would only consider doing this for very few people actually. Those who can't phsyically do it themselves anymore so they quit or really good friends. He may want to sell it. Or here is another thing. Get your own and still help him out knowing you have your own to finish and enjoy, pick up some skills and spend good times with a buddy and your kid.
Dead-on correct!! Amen, brother! Absolutely!! Good advice! Jim, check out my build thread. It all started with my (then) 13 yr-old son. He's now 17 and we'll be lucky to have it streetable in 18 mos. before he graduates HS. Bit off a big hunk of Chevy. Would do it as advised above if I had it to do over . . . having said that, it is what it is, you can't go back, it has been a fantastic experience for both of us. Good luck.
I seen I believe a 54 F-100 here for sale in Farmingdale N.J. with a 429 Big Block Ford and C-6. It looked like a nice project. I know ur in Conn, PM me if you want I will try to find the phone# for you. I think he wanted around $2,500. I use to help my Dad on his 55-F-100 312 T-Bird engine when I was a little boy. I'll never forget that.
Any luck finding a project?? I'll keep my ears open in case something comes available during your vacation to the Beaufort area come summertime! Regards Mike T
Thanks guys. I took a break from seriously looking while some family matters needed funding. We've all been there, I'm sure. TB and jamn - I am interested to take a look, get a phone #. I certainly don't want to waste anyone's time though. Mike - looking forward to coming down and taking a look around! You never know what kind of funding will present itself in the near future...... Jim
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