A state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation. The older I get the desire to create or build another hot rod from the ground up seems to be a constant thought although I have a garage full and there in lies the problem, no space but beyond that the lack of funds to start a build. I decided to offer the '50 coupe for sale a while back and although I have had a good bit of interest it appears there are a lot of guys like me that need to sell to finance something else. Anyone else got the itch to start another project? HRP
I always have some sort of build going in my head, fortunately (I hope) I’ve learned not to act on it.
No Quandry here. Enough is enough. I'm done building. Just going to enjoy my 60 Pontiac Bubbletop an absolutley great highway cruiser. I to will be content to help others. Sometimes I even toy with the idea of selling the Pontiac. I've been to only one car show so far this year due to the constant rain we've been having. The older you get the more you need to simplify your life. We just sold our Florida Beach House and are now down to one house. When people ask if I miss the beach, I go on line and check my bank account and all thoughts of missing the beach disappear. Starting a new car build would definitely not be simplifying things.
Always have the itch but refuse to scratch it. Too many other projects and grandkids to start something else.
Same boat as most @ our age (gettin fn old) after almost 50 years of buildin, think I'm done, but still buyin and cleanin em up and sellin em is fun.
I get the "itch" everytime I see some old iron that needs help. But I have too much now and I need to rebuild a couple of them so I guess I won't buy any more projects, just perfect what I have and get rid of some. I think I am done, but....I have said that a couple of times before. You never know what the future holds.
I spend a lot of time trying to talk friends into starting a project, that way I get to have some fun and save money so I can retire.
I have 2 completed (as completed as they ever get!) cars sitting in the garage with a '41 Ford pickup project on the sidelines. My situation is that I am 71, not in good health and have a real concern that I may never finish that last car. I have read all the threads about taking on one last project and understand all points of view. I recently had another serious bout with bad health and after a 6 day hospital stay and 2 week re-coup am at that familiar old place again.... What to do? When I feel good, another project seems plausible, but yet... Sorry if not directly on topic,but this my ongoing quandary.
Two of my six sons have street roadsters, and the pressure is on poor ol' Dad. #1 son's '27 is a former Gratiot 'kit', a full turtledeck body with flat Sprint type cowl, and a nice race car nose, car has been completely renovated from its former 'kit' status, has been included on the HAMB in photo sets of "Steel Cars that are real"... heh, heh. #4 son has a '27 glass Highboy on reshaped '25 Dodge rails, very neat...It's at #1 son's garage, slowly coming together. My build history got to the 'sublime' when I had my shop. Customers' cars were demanding all my time, plus we were running a 'legal' A/roadster at the old time drags (Fremont, thru the '70s) "Hey, Pop... Better get that '27 tub done, or your '27 Highboy...one or the other...You can do it..." I have a busy retirement. Hopefully, now that it's stopped raining, I can get out there and put one on the road...or both... But it's resembling 'pressure'. Just looked at the date. Crap, I'm 76!
Na don't want to take on another one at 74 but will have enough to do just to keep the FED running........ hope to still be piloting her at 90 if I make it that long............ got to the point where I will just point others in the right direction I hope
I've had the itch since about 6th grade the only way I could get my fix was either help dad on his project, or build my own scale version.
I vowed to stop after the last one, but here I am with another one. Deep down it's one of the things that keeps me happy, so I think I'll just go with the flow and not fight the feeling. Hmm, which one of those that's rolling around in my head do I want to build next?
I understand the age thing, I don't have any desire to work in the shop every night until the wee hours of the morning like I use too, but I really do enjoy the building, welding & problem solving. Like many of you my next project may very well be my last, I still have my old beater that isn't going anywhere and we still have the Boss ladys wagon that ain't going no where, both cars a near & dear to our hearts, but we both have the desire to have another roadster, they are impractical, uncomfortable, hot & cold but they are the essence of hot rodding, you get it all, wind,rain,sunburnt,hot, cold and wet, what more can you ask for? HRP
Gonna say it again, I'm done after the next 2 setting in line. Seriously though, it's getting tougher finding the time between everything else there is to do. Actually considering selling the 2 projects, finishing up the 2 in progress(almost finished) and just enjoy them.
I too, have that want to build something again from the ground up feeling. Space is the biggest problem for me. Unless I kick the wife's car out, I do not have a bay free. That ain't happening. I could double up the 32's on the lift, but that is a pain in the ass when I want to drive the one on top. I do double up in the winter so I can get my daily driver inside the heated garage. We have been looking for a smaller piece of land in town so we could build a smaller house and larger garage, also, have less land to take care of. My only choice is to do it in winter, leave my pickup outside, and have it done in less than 6 months. Not impossible, but I do not want to rush a build because I am finding that building is the best part of owning a hot rod. I'm 72 so this would be my last one. I don't have Gene Winfield's genes.
It must be going around; I'm not even done with the current project but I've lucked across one of my 'bucket list' cars and couldn't resist the urge. I'll pick it up Wednesday unless something changes.
I recently sold my 36 Ford that I built and had for some time, never thought in a million years that would happen but I needed room to build the 25 Dodge I bought last year for my son. Now as I look at the pile of parts that appeared after taking the car apart I'm starting to feel like my building days are over, thanks to my brain injury and lack of concentration. As much as I would like to pass the "SAW MILL SPECIAL" off to some one else, I'm going to have to button down and get to work. Off to the shop,,,,Mitch.
I do have an itch to build something else and I just turned 65. I did however promise the wife that I wouldn't start anything new until I finished my 31 roadster. I am in the process of putting the interior in it now. Here is a pic of the next patient in line. Got a narrowed 9 inch for next to nothing. Got a complete 66 mustang 289 for nothing. Got a C4 here somewhere for nothing. Got the car for just doing some work for a buddy and it has a title too! Now if I can come up with some free tubing I might be almost there!
I'm at that crossroads right now. At 76 kinda slowing down but have the desire to do another one. On the hunt now. Actually considering making an offer on two 40's as a package but that might be a bit more than I need to take on. Must consider age and abilities.
I have had to somewhat re-prioritize lately which caused me to sell my nice 36 Ford project I always wanted to build. I figure I only have a few years left with my kids before they are out of the house and onto their own lives so thought it best that my funds and time were better spent on their projects. Once they are gone, maybe I will rethink but likely will just try to keep my junk going that I already have.
Maybe I should adopt The37Kid ( Bob's) Philosophy, " Having the project is what makes me happy, finishing it isn't something I think about." HRP
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