Gosh, this thread has all the earmarks of a future Barn Find! Some of my projects are destined to be "WOW" cars...but the general consensus wouldn't have planned such stuff...(Pontiac rod with Pontiac power train, I understand...) I have a neat 4-banger Track T ('23 T with poop deck, but 2-liter BMW TI engine, European spec'd engine with all the cool factory 'stormin' stuff: Grand Piano pistons, 318i head, lotsa headwork, dual Weber 40s, BMW 4-speed, narrow 8" rear, 2002 BMW steering box thru the cowl) Such a neat ride, way faster than the other 4-banger cars, but: If unfinished, it's a 'weirdo' by most guys' abilities. Finished, it'd sell in a minute. Try not to leave your lovely widow with a 'white elephant'...
Quickly sell it for pennys on the dollar, that way you can move onto the regretting selling it phase really fast. Budget, what is this crazy talk you speak of?
OK guys I have been posting from the dr's office all day from my I phone so I couldn't post the link to the build thread I have on the car but here it is http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=579862
The best advice I have is finish it if you can afford it and educate your wife as to what it is really worth or find a trusted friend who has the knowledge to sell it for her. I also find myself in a race against father time and am forging ahead as my affliction and money allow. (my life is not in danger, just my ability to do work) My project is also an oddball that is worth next to nothing unless finished, but my wife and I have food and shelter, our children are grown and this build is my entertainment. I do commend you for choosing a more difficult road to follow. ( a Pontiac engine for your Pontiac car) I love the oddballs, the knowledge base for putting a sbc in a (anything) makes it too easy. Good luck!
You'll take a haircut selling the car at this point. I know it can be overwhelming doing all your own work,,no idea what its like farming out the work.
You can't take the money with you and everyone knows a car that is drivable is worth more than a non driver.
Hot Rod and Budget just doesn't belong in the same sentence. My GMC was on a $1500 budget and it's over $2,000 already so I just keep raising the Budget part till it's on the road. I'm thinking $2500 might be my next Budget number.
I don't see any resemblence to a 32 ford but if it does so what I like it and I hate cars with fenders
That seems like a really cool build to me. Personally? I'd say bite the bullet and finish it. We all know darn well that you ALWAYS go over budget on a build. My Lincoln coupe? Good god that's become a huge money pit.
The problem is your paying a shop to do the work. If you would have done it yourself you wouldn't have this problem . Set it aside. Finish it when you have the money or if you know you won't finish it, take a loss get what you can, buy a driver.
I appreciate the fact that you don't want to leave your wife with an unfinished project to sell, if something were to happen to you. That being said, take the time to write down all that has been done to it, noting specs. where applicable, as well as specific parts used. Include an estimate of a low figure and a high figure of its worth. Keep this updated. If this project is going into a stall, remove it from the shop, that it is at, and get it back into your possession. I, like the others agree, finish it if you can.
There's no need to get into my woulda, coulda, shoulda aspects of this project. It's yours not mine. With that said quit throwing "stupid" money at it. Go frugal, not half ***ed, but finished with more attention to the wallet instead of the "Wow" factor. If the builder does not agree, fire his *** and bring it home.
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