Hot Rods How long did your build take?

I just took my son on his first ride in an old Hot Rod. It has taken me 4 years to get to this point and it has seemed like 14!!! With all of the things we have in life that come before our cars, how long did it take you to build your Hot Rod?

 

8yrs and counting. '57 Chev 150 sedan g***er. A driver when i got it. Just goin one step at a time and trying to keep it on the road as much as possible.

 

It never ends.

 

I started building my A-V8 four years ago. I'm sure it won't be done in another four years, but for me building the car is most of the fun.

 

I often wonder how guys can do a complete build in anything under 2-3 years? By the time you get off work, eat, talk to the wife, see the kids and walk to the shop......it's 10:00 and it's time to do it all over again. Week-ends seem to be the only time I get anything done and I leave scratching my head trying to figure out what I actually accomplished??

Maybe this is why it is so rewarding to fire them up and take them out for a cruise, the joy of knowing that all the hard work has finally paid off!!!

 

Please define this 'built' state that you speak of...are you talking 'on the road', or 'finished' as in 'completed to the point that you're no longer modifying it'?

Regardless... mine's not done.

 

Started this one last oct... not quite done yet though. I tried to get at least an hour per day in, they all add up...

 

I don't believe it would be a Hot Rod if you're not trying to modify it 365 days a year. I mean from trailering it home without a motor to being able to hit the key and see it move for the first time in decades!!

 

ditto.....!

 

My truck was stock 3/4 ton and driven that way feb, 2005 to sept, when the synchro in 3rd gear went out. Pulled it in the garage sept 22, 2005. Installed 350/350, fatman air ride front end, 8.8 rear, bags. Pulled it out feb 1, 2006. Since then, I have installed a T Bird IRS in a month, rewired it in 3 days, re upholstered it( new blankets) and always tweeking and tuning.

BUilt a 50 chev. truck in about 2 years for a client, lots of time waiting on paint shop.

Been working on restoring a 53 for 3 years, no time to work on it due to mural business being slammed.

 

Let's see...about 10 years old when I started planning the build of a roadster...53 years old now...still a pile of parts...say 2 years to build. So 53 - 10 + 2 = 45...45 years.

 

Planning at 10 heh? You were a smart kid. Looking back you should have bought every roadster you could find$$$

 

Send her on over Rick, I'll knock it out for ya!

 

The truck took exactly 1 yr. The sedan will be 2 yrs this coming January due that I'm currently building a Model A for a family friend which slowed my progress ALOT. You have to plan way ahead and have all the necesary parts on hand. Not having a vital part when you need it can put a halt on any forward progress real quick. Take time off from time to time as you'll get burned out really quick.

 

We pulled my 40 Ford PU apart in '91, still not finished, I hope to finished before they plant me!? cw.

 

I'm only at 7 months, and it's just now mechanically sound. I started with a pretty decent car, mostly cosmetic issues. But it took a while to replace/repair all the brakes, hoses, belt, and wiring still isn't done...

 

"trailering it home without a motor to (driving)"?
about five days.

built from a pile of parts,
anywhere from two months to twelve years.

 

took me about 7 months to do my 40 coupe--about 8 months to do my 57 Fuely BelAir--used to take me about 8-9 months to do one when I was working full time--now retired--starting another 40--expect about 3-4 months on this one if the $$$ hold out

 

Damn, how do you guys get a car done in a matter of months?
I'm not trying to be a wise-***. I'm married with 3 kids, etc., etc. And I'll admit I don't devote as much time as I can to the cars.
Is there some secret to it besides just get my lazy *** out there and pick away, a little at a time?
Thanks.

 

Almost exactly ten years. I bought the old rusty body in '79 and drove it first in 89. Early on I was on a strict budget then finding the right parts for a '50 build takes a long time and a lot of swaps.

 

I have been on mine for 11 months on the nose. I have a 6 weeks or so left until I should be doing my part in messing up pavement. Would have been done a lot quicker if I didnt change almost everything I did atleast once. Also, playing with big block Caddy's wasn't cheap come to find out, lol.

 

Mine took right at 5 months, including chopping, channeling, scratch built frame, etc., but I wouldn't recommend it....

 

Thats the secret for us garage builders. Just keep pecking away at it. A hour on the rod will do a lot more for your wellbeing than hours of tv. Quickest? 6 months. Longest? 20 years and counting, but there have been several in between.

 

24 years on my 45 H-D. The next one i hope is alittle quicker .

 

took a year...but my next one ( 51 Pontiac ) so far is taking lots longer, Oh and Okie Pete , a buddy of mine is restoring a 47 knuckle and it's only taken him over 20 years to collect all the parts.

 

Too ****** long
bought the 63 Dodge in '79
Pulled it off the road for a engine rebuild three months after the first daughter was born. She's now 18 1/2 and its still not finished!! (the dodge that is) Daughter now off o University so guess what - DAD - CAn I have some more money please - I love you!!!!!
Yeah Right!!

 

My T took less than two years after I s****ped the previous two years ****ing around. I have been gathering parts for my Tudor for a while but actual build time will be less than a year. Got the 54 rebuilt in 9 months but that was just rebuilding ALL mechanicals.

 

8 to 10 hours a day, 5 to 6 days a week.

I work commercial construction,
high pressure high stress

every few years I'll take a couple months off between jobs
it's my self prescribed therapy

time in the garage building is far better for my psyche than a vacation laying on the beach

but even when I am working I have to spend a weekend or two a month out there..

 

Married with one kid and still finishing the house I started in 07. But, I don't have television. Get the kid in bed by 8, spend 2-4 hours in the shop. If I am not on call over the weekend I will put several hours in on Sat and Sun. But I have still been putting time in on the house and intentionally slowed the pace on the Tudor.

You gotta want it and gotta make sacrifices. I haven't rock or ice climbed in several years, went from riding MTB every day to a couple times a week. I am ALWAYS working on something even while drinking beer!

 

12 years and counting on the 55. It may never be done.