I have similar feelings...as you can see by my project. But as several have already said, doing it a little at a time is a good approach. My Pierce is a basket case and a half, but every time I see a part that I just painted I get a renewed drive to keep going. And if you can get a hand from some friends, it's always worth it! If you don't have the time to do a full resto why not farm out what you can't realistically do and tackle everything else that you can. And there are always reasonably priced drivers out there, if you really wanted to you could score a great deal on a driveable project and still keep the other to work on when you can.
When I bought my '34 in pieces ( most of them missing) it was 2005. It took me 2 1/2 years to find enough parts to actually start building it. During that time, the itch to drive something fun got the best of me so I bought my beater '54 Customline in running/rough condition. I fixed what needed attention ( brakes, interior, etc ) and now I have something to scoot around in and it helps keep me motivated on my truck. It's just an old junky fordork , but it's fun and you can get the whole family in it. Get them hooked and you may get some help/motivation in the shop. Besides, you can never have too many cars!
iám guilty of going 100 miles an hour to get to that visual point - you know - were its rolling and you get a great view of what it is going to look like done. then i stall out. i have a 31 ford coupe i have been working on for 6 yrs. new bb chev, th 400, body and paint done, wired, steering, brakes,everything has been done for last 4 yrs. needs exhaust, plumbed,fuel tank mounted and i could drive it. my friends think i'm nuts and i think i agree. anyone got any spare motivation????
It probably has been mentioned already, but I get motivation going to a rod show. Walk around, check out the rides, take some pictures..... Usually gets me motivated to work on my POS. That lasts for a week or so, then it's time for the next rod show..... I've been doing it for about 4 years and manage to spend a few minutes a week on mine.
If that's all you got done in 10 years, I'd say you don't want it very bad. No shame in that, it's a pretty common truck, and truthfully, it's cheaper and easier to just buy a driver. But if you really must build one, then go in the garage EVERY day. Even if it's just to look at it and make plans for the next day. I've built a few cars, and frankly, I just don't get as excited about rushing to finish them anymore like I used to. But I do enjoy driving something I built, especially at night on a back road when I'm alone with the car, with the radio off, and thinkin' about the way all those mismatched parts are all working as one now. You just don't get that feeling from something someone else built. Maybe that'll motivate you.
I know how you feel brother! Sounds to me like you need to finish a project. That's what I do when I get burned out. Find a go cart or mini bike, finish it give it away or sell it. You will feel great to get something done and even better giving it away. Then jump back on the truck. I have many builds, some are quick and others I have had for over twenty years. The trick is to love the shop and building! The rest will come.
The way I get projects completed is to make myself make some progress everyday. Some days it will be just a little, but some forward motion. It is the only way, and it adds up pretty fast. Make and keep a list so that you can keep you brain on task. When you can't think of what to do look at the list. Some people consider themselves perfectionists, and this is the excuse for not doing anything. If that is your problem remember 90% is far better than 0%. Good Luck. Alden
"Friends and Family (Not a single car person in the bunch) keep telling to just sell or scrap all that junk and buy something that runs and drives." That statement alone would keep me going to get it done. But then again, I still act like a kid when someone tells me I can't, cos then I will, even if I can't ... I have a tag line that says never laugh at anyone's dreams, cos without them you have nothing! Now get to work!
Dad always says to go and tackle just one little job, focus only on that little part, not the whole gazillon things that need to be done. Case in point, last night he was working on the trunk hinges on his '47. He got them back from the plater, and put them togther mounted them to the body, and hung the lid! One small project, got it done, accomplished something, motivated to go out and work again the next night. Must work, he's been doing it for 40 years.
I keep a couple things going, right now its the roadster, a 37 farmall F-12 tractor resto and an iron wheel wagon build, one pisses me off or I loose motivation, I take a break from it and move too the next. the wagon just needs some paint and stripes laid on it, the tractor needs reassymbly and paint, should be done by june, and the roadster, whenever the mood strikes I work on it while gathering parts. I also work full time as a mechanic, farm, have four kids, and a girlfriend with two kids of her own. I do what i can as I can, not focusing souly on one keeps me from getting burnt out.
take a deep breath, pick something small and work on it. Get your friends over to help. That helped me cure my 'burn out' stage. Lastly... trade it for something else...that always lights the fire.
I don't know but I don't sweat the small stuff. I'm building for me which means I only have to impress me. I like to go to car shows and think if they can do it, I can do it. It's all about having a winner attitude. Get in there and get it done instead of being on the computer.
The thing that is motivating me right now is seeing others driving theres. Its pissing me off that these guys are out enjoying there rides, and mines in pieces. More jelousy than anything else, but it works.
Forgot to say earlier, as far as motivation goes... HAMB motivates me. I stay away from here for a week and I won't even look at my car. I come here and see a thread full of pics and I end up outside with a wrench every time.
The HAMB really does it for me, have a few car buddys, but not too many that are like minded. So coming on here and "hanging out" for a while gets me going. Nad if you aren't already join the AD truckers group on here lots of good info.
Maybe the suggestion to sell the truck and get a running old car is the way to go. I knew I did not have the time, money, place (garage), skill and patience to build a car from the frame up, so about 3 yrs ago I got my 64 Acadian (a car I really wanted). The previous owner put in new floor pans, fenders and a re-built engine. I am slowly fixing it up into the mild custom I want as time and money ( my work, a house, 3 kids, a loving wife, friends, other hobbies, etc.) will allow. I always remember my Acadian is a hobby and work on it when I can, and enjoy driving it most days in the summer. It is a win-win for me and my family. Perhaps in the future (when I retire?) I may try building a frame up Hot Rod/Custom...
Start a build thread, that will motivate you. You get the feeling that if you don't keep adding to it everyone will think you are a loser and can't build a car.
Take the cab off, and build the chassis and drivetrain, make it a roller with the engine, and go out and start the engine once in a while, that will get you fired up !!!! I have a 53 sitting in the back yard with the same problem !!
Well thats a good darn question the way i do it is some times I go out to the garage and think the same thing you are then the next thing I know I give my self a swift kick in the ass and start going to town.
Go over to the 67-72chevytrucks.com and look at some of the builds in the 47 to 59 area, there are some real motavited folks over there !!
People are what they want to be. You= unmotivated. If you wanted to build it, It would have been done already. You are still alive, you can change your ways if you want too. When your old and shitting in your bed, your not really gonna feel like doing anything but WISH I WOULD HAVE _____________________. This kind of thinking actually keeps me motavated to do all sorts of things. Everyday.
You have to set a dead-line, usually a car show that you want to drive your car to. Then you need to get a calendar out and set goals for what you need to get done each week. It's just a way to stay on track and get the most difficult things done first. That way if you don't get the small stuff done, you can still drive the car and keep it as a work in progress and enjoy it. I don't know if we ever really finish them! Best of luck with your project!
I'm building a Roadster right now. The one thing I have found out is if I get out there and start doing something it is usually easier and dosn't take as long as I thought it would. I collected parts for seven,eight years. I started putting it together last august. I ended up not using some of the things I was saving. The one good thing is the more I get done the more I want to work on it. A friend or two helping every now and then isn't bad either.. Sundays have been my day for working on the one eyed Roadster. Set a side a time slot and go for it.
i agree. Or, you can start by getting the basics of your frame assembled, and get a rolling chassis. Its amazing what an itch seeing a full drive train in a chassis can start
This is DEAD NUTZ on! Stop being negative and get to it. Turn a bolt a day, at least your doing something.
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