Do you enjoy building more than driving?

I've never finished a road car build, and at the rate time goes by may never, I loose all interest when I get to the wireing part and flip it for something else. Maybe it is a good thing I'm tapped out dollar wise right now because I'd have another project in the yard. Finding,buying, building is were the fun is. You can walk into any show/flea market without having a finished ride.

 

Yes !

 

seeing that i'm hardly out of the garage anymore, the answer must be a yes.

 

I don't really care to drive.I like working on it and putting it together.I usually change direction half way through and never finish anything.My avatar has never been driven even though it has been finished for years except the door panels and headliner.I just don't care to drive them.To me,they are sorta like a toy I play with in the garage.When they are almost done,I either store them away or sell them,on to something else......

 

Driving!! But it is only fun driving if you built it yourself.

 

I like the building part the best and I better. I spend many more hours weekly doing the building part. I like building stuff thats a little different, like the Nailhead in the '50 sedan delivery that I'm working on right now and the 65 mid injun vair that I've been working on for about 20 years. Built the subframe, mounts and tranny adapter from scratch. Finally got it to the paint shop about a year ago. Told him to take his time and work on it between jobs. I got other stuff to build in the mean time.

 

i can't remember what it's like to drive. i enjoy the hunt the most i am always hauling crap home and selling it to fund my car.

 

That's why I never paint one of these things--someone might think I finished it. Give me a wrench over a set of keys any day!!!!!

 

Used to be an even split for me. But these days, driving is frustrating: lots of hot rod people around here, but there's no place to go, except car shows, which I'm allergic to. No cruising. I used to drive it to the drags every week and run, but I can't afford that now (laid off). Today I drove around the neighborhood a couple times and put it back in the garage. These are frustrating times - hopefully temporary...

 

I enjoy building Hot Rods,,and have built and helped built a lot of them over the years but the driving is the best part,,HRP

 

There are alot more talented people out there than me. Let them do the building. Driving my cars and trucks is my reward for working. Work, Make money, buy Hot Rods, and Drive them. Thats just me.

 

I'm definitly happier in my garage working on a car project and having the TV on with some sports or auto racing on. Here in SoCal it's downright miserable taking your car out due to all the asses who won't give you any room and then cut you off.

 

I enjoy the maiden voyage and a bit of driving but building/fabbing is what I like to do best. I've missed lots of big shows and club meetings because I was in the garage and that's OK with me.

-Kirk

 

So what does everyone think, for every driven car there are two under construction or is it more?

 

Depends on the situation.
Driving somewhere cool, amngst likeminded friends is a blast. Driving daily, nah, can,t be bothered, I,d much rather be in my workshop fabricating, welding and creating.
Tought myself a lesson last year when I bought my A Sedan, I HATE other peoples work!

So, 75% build, 25% drive. I guess.....

 

I like them both both equally!!!

 

the build

 

since my accident last season, i have been doing nothing but workin on them. i cant seem to get over the uncomfortable feeling behind the wheel. i drove my wagon once this year and it just felt crappy. i hope i get over this soon, cause i really used to love drivin them!

 

i've been biulding mine forever it seems,but the first time i drove it was really something cause ,it was built at home in the garage with some great freinds.first one i ever built starting just with a body only.

 

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that passes on shows and get togethers so I can work in my man cave.
In a perfect world you need one to drive, one to build, and the one you are always hunting for.

 

Driving is a kick, especially the maiden voyage but I get much more satisfaction from the build.

 

40% build 60% drive

 

I enjoy building better if I'm doing it myself. Having help is okay too, but I don't want someone telling what to do. In other words, I build by myself and cruise with my friends. And if I have to put it in a percentage, 80% Build 20% Drive.

 

I dont know what it's like to drive! I've never finished any of my cars. By god I will finish the 32 this year! Been non stop for 3 years now.......

 

I like both equally. I love the build (or rebuild) process, but I also love cruising around in the rod, whether locally or long distance. With the "Vintage Auto" plates I'm currently running on the Essex, most of my driving these days is to shows and events around the region. Those plates don't allow me to just drive around aimlessly, I have to be going to or from a show. I hope to get normal plates for it next summer.

 

I know the feeling. But for me, I'm in the the opposite mindset than you. I'd rather drive something now than build it. I think a driver that needs updated or some changes I can handle, but not a ground up thing for me any more.

12 years ago my O/T truck was broadsided (a picture can be seen in my intro)and I haven't been the same since. I used to enjoy working on things, figuring things out and then driving it. But since then I don't have the patients to work on much of anything now. If it takes longer than a few days to do I get frustrated and move on to something else.

I found a running/driving 31 Model A pickup that I really like but it has the 4 banger in it and I'm afraid that with my luck I'll run into trouble with it and get tired of trying to figure out how to fix it. So I figured that I could swap engines, but again with my luck I'll probably run into trouble and not get it done. So I'm kinda stuck trying to figure out if I should just buy it or keep looking.

 

I've never had one thats done and since I keep everything forever... they need to be rebuilt.

 

I'm in love with the idea of driving, but I'm a builder.

Building is way more rewarded yet possibly more expensive than a therapist.

And unlike driving there is a goal, at the end you've created something. Driving, no matter how many miles you put on it to however many locals, you still end up back in your own driveway.....

Building is thankless in the grand scheme. What some kudos here on the Hamb, lots of people taking pics at shows, etc??? Where are those people at 2am when you've been in the shop for days on end welding, grinding, sanding, etc.....its not for everyone. Some people require the collective approval along the way not just the end.

As said, I'm in love with the idea of driving what I've built, I toss and turn at night, day dream about it, get sidetracked even while building sitting behind the wheel making engine noises. But within months of completion I will be bored and ready to move on to the next one. Why? Because the shop is clean again, and I now know where all my tools are!

 

Exactly!

 

My 55 was and is my first build. I love driving it and runnin through the gears and after all the work that has been done, I get off on the compliments I get. On the other hand I had a great time getting the car and then planning the build and trying to use some vision of where I wanted it. The actual build was a blast to do by seeing every move I made take it alittle further. I guess it's a 50-50 thing for me and MAYBE someday I'll stop driving it and finsh what I started