Projects Is it as fun as it once was?

I used to drive racecars in my late teens and early twenties. Even though I worked two jobs all I could afford was used tires and hand me down parts. Still it was so much fun even though I usually ended up a couple laps down at the end of the race. My family and friends were there to support me and it's just a time in my life that I look back upon with a lot of fondness.

Eventually I got a better job and built myself a new car, paid an actual professional engine builder to do my engine and before I knew it I had spent over ten grand and watched my soon to be ex wife pack up her***** and walk out the door. This was 2004 and I found out guys in my class (Sportsman/Street Stocks) were dynoing their engines and spening double what I had in mine. I then realized that it wasn't fun anymore and that no matter what I spent I wouldn't be able to keep up with some of these guys.

The kicker was when my track closed down and my outlaw street stock wasn't legal for any of the other local tracks. So it sat in my garage until somebody finally bought the chassis for about half what I'd spent on it. It had ceased being fun and just turned into an all consuming passion to out spend everybody else and I lost, a lot. Thankfully I found the HAMB and traditional hot rods because through this site and these cars I've met some of the greatest most genuine people I've ever met in my life. I'll even say I'm having more fun with the hot rod than I did with the circle trackers. So yeah, I'd say it's still fun but I know where you're comming from.

 

This post is kinda what life is all about.
Screw what other people think. Do what makes you happy. If being a egotistical***** head makes one happy, maybe not so much.
I'm 54 too and still learning. Keep an open mind. Be content. Hold hands and sing****buya.

 

I'm having more fun now than ever driving my deuce every freakin' day! I went thru that showcar***** back in the late 70's early 80's, and it's for the birds. My car is dirty most of the time, I've had a cracked drivers side window for about 5 yrs. now which drives other people crazy, it leaks oil and******* fluid, but it's the car I wanted since high school, and I love the damned thing! This morning on my way to work, I had 45* cold air blowing up my pants legs from the hole where the brake pedal goes thru, but I'm still havin' a good time!!

 

I understand and appreciate all the answers you guys are giving me. It's been 32 years ago I built that first one and I don't plan on giving up any time soon. It just seems at times I'm trying to reach for a goal that feels way out of reach, and I can't help but ask the question, is it worth it.

All the friends I've made here on the HAMB I think answers that question.

Maybe I need a blower!
You know, that cars paint ain't to great ... but it's got a blower!
The interior*****s and look at the gaps on the door ... but it's got a blower!
Kinda like a chick with a great****, she's got a face that would peal paint, yeah but look at that****!

Seriously though, Thanks guys, you all gave me fuel for thought, and some laughs too. I will try my best to follow everyones advice. And you'll see me on the road, just don't be to critical, I'm fragile. LOL!

 

First some observations....

1. There are what 65,000 or 70,000 members here on the HAMB? Seeing what the top 1-2% can do motivates me. Makes me strive not to be in the BOTTOM 1-2%.

2. Money doesn't solve problems it CAUSES them. When I have some spare coin, I'm always in a quandry how to spend it. When I'm broke, I make do, do it with a grin AND feel better about it cause I FIGURED IT OUT.

3. ITs MY car and MY RULES!

All that being said., Is it as much fun for me?
NO.
I'm older (59 soon) and lying under a car or cleaning parts all night makes me SORE the next day.

A wise man once said: "THIS TOO SHALL PASS!"

Build what you CAN. Enjoy the JOURNEY. Screw the rest of them!

 

I go through phases like this, but with music more so than cars. I've been playing in bands for 25 years. Some of my fondest memories are from when I first started. We practiced 7 days a week,*****ed royally, and just KNEW we were going to "make it" one day. The us-against-the-world mentality kept us motivated, along with a big dose of naivete'.

I have a hard time getting completely into a band project now with family obligations, work, general laziness and 25 years of learning a LOT more about the music business. I wish I could just go back to the garage with some buddies and forget about the rest of the world.

In a lot of ways, car building has replaced that excitement for me. Doing the engine/tranny swap and re-wiring the Fairlane last year was a blast. I learned a lot, made some mistakes and was REALLY focused. My car is nowhere close to show standards, but it's mine and I've turned every bolt on it. Now, my kids just bought their first cars and we have 2-1/2 years to build them before they start driving. That will be an entirely new process with me helping them instead of them helping me with the Fairlane. Should be fun.

I guess I'm saying I know how you feel and it's hard to reverse that once you mentally cross the line.

So, is anyone looking for a 40-year-old punk/rockabilly bass player in Dallas??

 

I'm 24 and have had the drive to work on my cars and now finally build a tube chassis, do a chop, fabricate, and troubleshoot something from the ground up.

To go back 6 years: I had a decent group of buddies who didn't do the rice thing, we all were into muscle cars and it was such a blast to know that a gang of 10 of us were into the same thing and loved to work on them, bench race, etc.

Now, there are only 4 left that still even have our cars and only 3 of us truly do our own work on them.

What happened to the remaining 6 guys? These guys had the COOLEST cars in the group with delusions of grandeur but within 2 years out of school they were so strict on themselves for perfection that they gave up and sold them off for crotch rockets and jeeps, because those don't have to be PERFECT.

TO MY OLD BUDDIES:***** PERFECT.***** fitting in. And***** off for not making it fun for yourself.

 

I'm 66 and retired now but working on my 31 is just as much fun as it was back when I was in high school. I have spent 25 years working on the car I have now and built it just the way I wanted it. I have fun driving it and really don't care what any body else thinks. Build what you want, drive it and enjoy it.

 

Hot Rodding is like Marriage. If it doesn't get better with time you are doing it wrong.

 

as far as im concered the big money cars are over done and look it,would rather ck out a driver then someones 60,000 dollor 34 glass ford roadster with a 350/350 with a super dooper get down super fine slick paint job that cost more then my driver(50 olds 88 h/t)but then my fun was building it not paying for someone else to do it,hell thats where the fun is. isnt it?

 

If you’re doing this, and NOT having fun - Well, you shouldn’t be doing this.<O</O
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Build - wrench - Time & money Budget FOR YOUR SELF.
<O</O
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Build WHAT YOU WANT to build.
<O</O
<O</O
DO NOT kid your self into starting a project YOU cannot AFFORD to finish.
<O</O
<O</O
If YOU are having fun, learning, and enjoying YOUR project, This craft, or this lifestyle, DO NOT worry about how long it takes to finish – maybe it’s never Finished....so what...?
<O</O
<O</O
And lastly - if you WANT to make this NO FUN, just WORK FOR people Who DO NOT appreciate your talents, skills, workmanship or passion for what you do. That I guarantee will***** the lifeblood out of you – AND it will NOT BE FUN

 

I had quite a few hot rods growing up. Two stick out. My 62 comet. It was a plain and just sweet. No mag wheels or custom exhuast. Just low and sweet. My 65 stang on the other hand was a ballistic missile on wheels. Everything was over the top.
Both were basket cases. Both I built and drove daily.
I recently sold the 65 and had this feeling of confusion..what would I build and would it be up to standards.

Then I thought back. My 65 was in primer for 18 years. Then finally white...x 2 .
It still got WOW's and thumbs up. Then comments like ..Now that's a race car driven on the street. All of these comments reminded me what my truck is going to be.
It all goes back to what I imagined...what I have wanted to build.
With this whole economy the progress of the build has been slow.
Yeah I wish it was completed. Right now I have that feeling like it never will be done. (yeah my**** is dragging)
I do know this.....I don't care if it is 2 am....the world will hear that baby fire up.

 

Don't I wish......What I really need is someone to teach me a bunch of stuff.

 

I am 24 and always hung out with the old timers. Most of the people my age are into ricers or do the whole west coast choppers bs rusty or flat and loud pipes. It got so popular that it got annoying. People trying to dress like that and act like that. It was such a huge fad I got out of cars for like 2-3 years now I am back and dont care what people think or do.

I try to do more swap meets instead of shows. I build and do what I like. Money stresses me out cause Im always broke but I just go start the car up and go for a cruise or do some burnouts. When I am smiling again and life is good I go back inside and relax.

Some of my fondest memories are cruising with the windows down in my 69 rambler with no radio but loud exhaust and back roads. Not a show car by any means but soo much fun.I am tryign to get back to that and I will do my builds the best i can but hey Im not perfect.

 

While i will go to a car show i have never had any desire to have a show car. I am having more fun now than i ever did. Mainly i have the shop and tools and experience that i didnt have as a teen. Also i dont really give a rats**** about other peoples opinions of my junk. I really enjoy having 40 and 50 year old trucks to use daily. Remember its not what you have But rather what you do with it. ( applys to more than just cars) OldWolf

 

Many moons ago, my Dad came home from a music show with a beautiful Gibson Epiphone Guitar but it was a very odd shade of red...I said something stupid like " Hey Dad, nice guitar but that sure is a strange red, I would have picked another color, ya know?!?!?"

He immediately stopped playing said guitar and looked me right in the the eye and said " I didn't buy it in the desperate hopes of seeking your approval, son...I bought it because it meets with MY approval"

I've lived by those words ever since...

 

Right now, for me, it just gets better with with each build...

I wish I could just do it all the time...

 

I have a $500 anderson ind. body with a 20 r toyota 4 cyl and 5 spd. 1929 Hiboy roadster.Most fun you can have with your clothes on. I only compete with myself. Hey its a hobby sometimes I even win a trophy at small shows. Folks know its home built just by looking but they dig it. nOTHING IS AS MUCH FUN NOW THAT EVEYTHING CREAKS.

 

C5, Amen to that....!!

 

It's not only the hot rod as a whole, but the small projects that go along with it that can be the most satisfying and the most fun.

Nothing quite like making your own stuff.

Whether you make it yourself or modify something to fit.

Bright ideas brought to fruition are the best part of the hobby for me....

 

Dude,

We are just getting older. EVERYTHING is more fun when you are young. Dosen't mean you can't still enjoy it. Just can't expect it to be like it was in the good ol days.

FONZI

 

Isn't that the truth. I wish I could go back in time. I did not start getting into cars until I was about 33 years old. Always went to car shows/museums but never had an old car until then. I was always playing guitar in rock bands until then. Did not become the Rock Star I wanted to be so I wish I would have done cars all along

 

I think you've lost the fun of building a car, so whatever it is just give it to me and I will finish it the way I want to.

 

TOBY KEITH said it best,"I'm as good once as I ever was". Enjoy you passion while you have it brother, age does sneak up on us! Yes it is alittle different when you're 62, them old bones don't bend as easy, but you appriate the little things much more.. There still is (almost) nothing like that joy of cruising down lifes highway in your self-build rodney on a sunny Saturday morning..God is good!

 

great answer mac 55... got me laughing, I would much rather support the tire company too.

 

This is the best thread EVER posted. Everyone, thanks for your words & thoughts. A very special thanks to Weaverville Studios.

Thanks,.... I've re-written your words to paint on my shop wall,

"I didn't build it in the desperate hopes of seeking your approval,...I built it because it meets my needs."

Thanks X a million.
Lucky667

 

ok,,, one more answer in better context...

It would be cool to be able to golf like Tiger Woods, or to be a billionare at the top of my financial game, etc., etc.. But that ain't the way it is.

There are certainly some very nice cars that I don't have the money to buy, or the skill (and money) to build. If I am stuck with the work I am capable of then that should be good enough. Fact of the matter is that I will never be able to run a TIG bead like a lot of folks on the HAMB, it just ain't in my genetic code, (I can't draw a straight line without a straight edge, and my hand writing just*****s...

But I will tell you what, looking back (and cutting this work out!) at the work I did as a kid on my 39 makes me realize my progress, and I feel good about it. When I was a kid I wanted to focus on getting it done, now I get great satisfaction doing the job with my often mocked "squirt gun welder"...

I will strive to get better at what I do but the reality is that I only need my car to be good enough for me, if others like it fine, if they don't or if it makes them feel better about themselvs by mocking my work then piss on them. It might be hard for some "big ego guys" to grasp, but all in all their negative opinions really don't impress me...

Frankly, unless we are pointing out a safety issue (and in a positive way), we should largly STFU when we feel the need to mock anothers work. Nothing good comes from that.

I am not saying I have reached this plateau of always saying the right stuff but I really want to. And I am not saying that we should STFU about someone posting some pictures of their "rad Honda" here cause that is different, but we doi not need to crush the spirits of someone whos skill and/or patience level is not on par with what ours happens to be at the time.

 

Years ago, I was invited to a gathering of current and former Carrera drivers at the Peterson museum, the guest speakers were Ak Miller,Smokey Yunick,John Fitch,other famous racers. While I was at the rooftop parking area with newer Carrera cars, a guy walks up to my car and proceeds to tell me what a piece of ---- my car is (not news to me). His tirade lasts almost 5 minutes, when he is done I ask him, "does this mean you're not going to buy the car????" and the guy just explodes I wouldn't buy that piece of ---- etc.etc. I asked him, what exactly are you trying to tell me? you don't like me and the car? dude (dudd) I think you've told me!

I'm also reminded of a story about Ed Iskederians 30's built roadster being denied entry to a roadster show in LA it dind'nt meet the fit and finish requirements. The point is you can't please everyone.

 

I have taken a few rests over the years when i was working but now that I am totally retired I am enjoying it more than ever. At 59 I am doing some of the things i never had time to do before. The senior dragster is a case in point. I always wanted to try the snowmobile carbs on a slant 6. It took 35 years to find the time but I have really enjoyed the build and the few blasts down the track. Sure it isnt the most popular car around but i didnt build it for that. I know the roll bar is, for some, too big but with a crushed ribcage I cant get in unless it is so I have to ignore that. I have removed TIME from all my projects. I work on them for a few hours here and there when i am in the mood. I budget $100 per month for materials, No more. Once running I am exploring the cars potential. i know it will take 2 or 3 years step by step to scratch the surface. I find that interesting. When i started the HE-EP project i allowed that it might never get done. That wasnt the point . It was the fun of doing it. My Wife calls it my Knitting or crafting and thinks it is good for me. I have learned somehow that the good things in life come on their own terms in their own time. You cant hurry them. I know that no matter what i make someone wont like it. I dont care. I enjoy what i am doing. I hope you can find this spot too. It can put the fun back in life.
Don