Projects How bad was it when you started? / When to walk away???

Alright, so I have an opportunity to pick up a Tudor and that is what I would really like to build for the next project. This one is bad. Actually beyond bad. Rusty, bent, wobbly and rusty. It looks WAY better in the pics than in person.

I know I can do something with it, but am wondering at what point do you just walk away.

So how about it? How awful was your project when you started? Please post up some pics for motivation to those of us that are thinking of going in the deep water...

 

Hope this helps!

 

The bottom six inches or so of my car went into the dumpster. And I mean everything from the floors, rockers, frame...it was all history.

Just do a small section at a time, and it will not seem so overwhelming. If it's broken into increments, it will give you a sense of accomplishment as you proceed. Good luck!

 

If its too bad Ill come over and pick it up

 

Here are pics of where I am starting with my Model A coupe. I dug the body out of a frozen swamp, and I know for a fact is had been there for over 50 years. The frame is off of a late 20's Buick, had been converted into a trailer, and was sitting in a fence line for probably over 50 years.

 

I started with the most pitted, rusted hulk around, cuz it was all that was around. I am just now starting on the body panels, but it is coming along nicely. So it will never be a bare metal wonder. Big deal. I may have several extra coats of surfacing primer to apply and sand, but it will have adhesion like no other!

 

This Tudor looks like toast to me. I believe I would be walking.

 

I say go for it.
Here's the start of my project:

 

That tudor looks good. I wish... the 49 Ford was a wobbler and the the 36 is held together by air.

 

That tudor looks like it was underwater. My opionon, Model A sedans are out there and pretty cheap for a decent one. So unless that one is super cheap, I'd keep looking. But, you also gotta wonder what the frame and such looks like...coule be good for parts if nothing else. I guess we gotta ask...whats the price?

 

Still working on it 5 years on. Ok, so I'm lame.

 

all that metal looks paper thin. im all about getting a rough one and fixing rust , but the metal looks like cheesecloth so your gonna be replacing EVERYTHING . Unless its free or dirt cheap id p***, cus i think your gonna have a ****load of cash in it getting it solid.

 

This was the hulk I dragged home...



...and a year later, after cutting out all the **** metal...

 

P*** as fast as you can.. that is nuts to fix when there are so many model a's out there.. unless you have no money, it is free, and you have all the time in the world.. my 2 cents.

 

The color and the fact there is zero paint on it makes me think it may have been in a fire. They don't usually turn that orange unless they have burned then rusted. Looks pretty shakey to me and I'm one of those crazy *******s that will save just about anything.

 

looks like thin metal there nice lawn art though

 

1929 packard before trim...

after trim

 

It`s real hard to say when they are too far gone...I p***ed up on a 37 sedan years ago that was not too bad(plenty of rust/rot), but was not a particularily rare body style to get excited about...seventeen hour round trip and never even bid at it..

On the other hand, I dragged home a real sorry 36 3 window....rose tinted gl***es and ambitions above my skill levels..I soon realised that it was going to take me years of hard work/learning, that I did not have the enthusiasm for....you have to be realistic....body work is a real skill to do right.I sold the car on to a friend of mine who possess such skills..he set at it and did in weeks what would have taken me years..with luck!!

here is the thread he posted on the 36.....he eventually lost impetus and sold it on, but I think he regrets it..

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=151995

heres the crusty 36 as found/collected..


here is the 37...does`nt look too bad in the pic, but was rotten as a pear..


sometimes it is better to walk away and save the money up that you would have to pour into a project and buy the best example you can find.....I did that, and got a real cherry 36...


good luck whichever way..keep us posted.

 

i had to replace the entire sub frame and patch panels all around the worst part is it was wrecked and the body was not square

 

Dont ask me .. I dont seem to know hwen to walk away.

 

If you have to ask, the project is probably not right for you. Only you know how much ambition and focus you have.

 

This was on its' way to the crusher last year and the 2nd pic is where it is at today.
I might be doing it right, it might be all wrong. Be honest about it i don't really care because i am having fun and i'm not taking it seriously. Each inch that i work on is a new challenge, and each inch that i complete is better than the last inch and the personal satisfaction is greater than the effort.
If you are looking for a reason not to buy it, you didn't need to come here. Anybody with half a brain would walk away, that car (like the rest of the ones posted) has been neglected, abandoned, ignored, and made fun of for a half century or more. I think you are the guy to change that, and the real reason why you asked our opinion is to give you a little re***urance, just a nudge to help you drag that thing home and begin a 5 year project. Do it.

 

It will have to be real bad for me to say no.Here is a model A I did that was gone 6 inch all around on the bottom inside and out.

 

And here is what I`m at now.My shop wagon.Everything on the lower side in to about the trans tunnel is gone and was doped up with rivets and screws,nothing was welded.So i need to start from scratch

 

One of those days I might do something with this. Hay, it all can be fixed as long as you put your mind to it.

 

It sounds like you know that you CAN do it,but it's just a question of if you WANT to do it. Nobody knows how badly you want that car. If you want it bad enough, you will do anything to MAKE it happen. If it's just a p***ing interest in the car, then you will find yourself walking away. Only you know the answer to this one. Here is what I am starting with. It will take years (just because of money) but this car WILL happen because I am determined to MAKE IT SO.

 

When to walk away? I don't know.

 

OJ, I don't think anyone here could have said it better. This is supposed to be FUN!
As long as you are having fun working on, and learning new skills, it's a good project. So what if you get into it and figure out you won't go farther, usually what you've spent isn't going to come near what you would spend going to some cl*** learning those skills. And you still have the parts.
If it's about the destination, you need to buy a finished car. If it's about the journey, then your pay off is learning new skills and being proud of your accomplishments.

 

Rusted out panels can be fixed with repair panels. When the whole car is covered with deep rust pits and the sheets are paper thin, repair panels are not going to help you any.

Help us out here a little. Was it under water or in fire? The color is different than the typical rust from setting out in a fence line.

I have a coupe that is badly pitted and my concern is if there is enough metal left to keep it from cracking once fixed up. Fill primer doesn't fix all problems.

Neal

 

I would love to find a car like that to build.