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What's it like?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by jlaird, Aug 26, 2013.

  1. jlaird
    Joined: Nov 25, 2007
    Posts: 26

    jlaird
    Member

    I've been working on a build (my first) for the past 6 or 7 years...I don't know exactly, I've lost count. What is it like when you take that maiden voyage?? Can anybody describe feelings, sensations, thoughts, etc? I know it's something that has to be experienced, but I thought it would be an interesting discussion...

    -josh
     
  2. tfeverfred
    Joined: Nov 11, 2006
    Posts: 15,791

    tfeverfred
    Member Emeritus

    Remember that first piece of tail? Yea, like that.
     
  3. I was so tense listening for noises that you couldn't have driven a nail up my rear end with a ten pound sledge hammer!:D HRP
     
  4. shadams
    Joined: Mar 16, 2011
    Posts: 1,492

    shadams
    Member

    Mine isn't done, but I have driven it. First drive was terrifying and exciting at the same time. I had a piece of electrical wire as a throttle cable and the doors were bungeed closed. shitting my pants the whole time with a huge grin on my face...second drive was better until I remembered I hadn't bolted the pass running board on, until after I heard it hit the road on a turn... decided to finish it before I drive it again....

    hahaaa!
     

  5. jazz1
    Joined: Apr 30, 2011
    Posts: 1,534

    jazz1
    Member

    rolled it into garage and drove it out 3 years later complete frame off,,all work done in my shop,,,that shit eatin' grin lasted a week as I drove it out an onto to the road
    [​IMG]
     
  6. yblock292
    Joined: Oct 10, 2006
    Posts: 2,937

    yblock292
    Member

    To me there are 2 great moments in a build, first time you fire her up and she runs, second is when she moves under her own power! Thats when the marker comes out and is written on the shop wall
     
  7. RFH1931
    Joined: Aug 14, 2006
    Posts: 323

    RFH1931
    Member

    First ride out was intense listening and waiting on something to happen...
    The second ride out I woke the whole neighborhood up !
    What a BLAST !!!
     
  8. wade57
    Joined: Nov 17, 2010
    Posts: 165

    wade57
    Member
    from BC Canada

    Uummm. It's kinda like being balls deep
     
  9. fsae0607
    Joined: Apr 3, 2012
    Posts: 872

    fsae0607
    Member

    I haven't finished a build, but had my maiden voyage when I got my 61 running.

    It's nervousness and excitement as others have said. Pretty much like your first time, except it's not a total embarassing disaster.
     
  10. 37slantback
    Joined: May 31, 2010
    Posts: 480

    37slantback
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Dude, you are so on the money.

     
  11. A feeling of elation, pride, fullfillment..knowing that it exists soley because of your dreams, labors, and the wherewithall to carry it out.
     
  12. ken05k
    Joined: Jul 11, 2012
    Posts: 132

    ken05k
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Jasper, AR

    I had a 29 Model A Tudor Sedan that I had worked on for years. There was so much of "me" in that car that it was an emotional experience every time I drove it.
     
  13. saltflats
    Joined: Aug 14, 2007
    Posts: 12,592

    saltflats
    Member
    from Missouri

    It was excitement at first the nervousness when the cop pulled me over on the way to the muffler shop.
     
  14. 2OLD2FAST
    Joined: Feb 3, 2010
    Posts: 5,215

    2OLD2FAST
    Member
    from illinois

    Like T Fever said, Kinda like that [only I don't remember grinning as much with "that" !!

    dave
     
  15. SlamIam
    Joined: Oct 8, 2007
    Posts: 468

    SlamIam
    Member

    Yep, like that - that feeling is why I build cars, nothing like it.

    1st long trip without being towed home - satisfying.

    1st time pedal to the metal until ultimate top end speed is found - very exciting, especially in a short wheelbase car with frontal area like a brick.
     
  16. fordsum
    Joined: Mar 22, 2012
    Posts: 124

    fordsum
    Member
    from SO CA

    Im reading all the replys I guess this why people build more then one car... there chasing the Dragon
     
  17. burl
    Joined: Nov 28, 2007
    Posts: 839

    burl
    Member
    from Minnesota

    Finally got my project on the road this year after owning it for 37 years.You could say I was pretty stoked to say the least.Dont think I set any kind of record id like to admit to but a lot of things just got in the way.Already starting on another one and trying to figure out how I can get it on the road in about a year.I enjoy the build process almost more than the driving.
     
  18. dan31
    Joined: Jul 3, 2011
    Posts: 1,097

    dan31
    Member

    Nervous,excited,happy and scared all at once.Its like your getting away with something that is just not suppose to be possible.Thats why we all get that crazy ass smile.:D
     
  19. chopo
    Joined: Feb 20, 2006
    Posts: 1,265

    chopo
    Member

    always looking for your bail out pull offs. checking that the fire ext is still on the floor and saying to yourself this is so co....wtf was that. and then when you pull into the parking lot and say yo your pop its was ok it just needs a few screws snugged and a good set of tires..

    me last month
     
  20. heatnbeat
    Joined: Jan 6, 2009
    Posts: 184

    heatnbeat
    Member
    from Madera,Ca.

    The first time driving my first car ( aviator) I was setty in a small lawn chair. I had another one for the passages side. And when I got on it my friend in the passages side fell straight back with feet in the air!:D
     
  21. Bruce A Lyke
    Joined: Jun 21, 2009
    Posts: 2,523

    Bruce A Lyke
    Member

    lots of good answers, it to some extent depends on what happens, but there is usually a big smile as long as nothing major goes wrong.
    As you can see i was taking a few shortcuts to be sure it ran.
    [​IMG]
     
  22. dan31
    Joined: Jul 3, 2011
    Posts: 1,097

    dan31
    Member

    jazz1,you sir win the title of best "Best shit eatin grin ever".:D
     
  23. Dad just buttoned up his 56 today after chasing gremlins. Even in the 100 degree heat he was having fun in the garage. I almost had to pry him off the ceiling.
     
  24. blowby
    Joined: Dec 27, 2012
    Posts: 8,661

    blowby
    Member
    from Nicasio Ca

    Yep. Spent a shitload of time and money beforehand, bundle of nerves when the time came, the ride was over too quick and had to do a bunch of cleanup afterward.

    You're right, it is like that.:)
     
  25. gnichols
    Joined: Mar 6, 2008
    Posts: 11,344

    gnichols
    Member
    from Tampa, FL

    It's a great feeling of accomplishment, no matter where you go or how long the ride is. It's like that line from the movie Young Frankenstein (stine) - "It's alive!"

    For me, there was a hurricane coming that day and my car had only one seat bolted down, no interior, no side or back glass, and no mufflers or tail pipes. But I was bound and determined to drive it at least once before the storm had a chance to destroy it all sitting in my garage. I took it up and down the street a couple 10 times just to prove that it worked and hear the engine wine a little. Even my neighbor's wife hopped in it for several passes. It was a genuine hoot. All smiles. Luckily for Tampa Bay, the hurricane took a juke east and the worst of it went another direction. Gary
     
    Last edited: Aug 27, 2013
  26. barett
    Joined: Jul 1, 2012
    Posts: 468

    barett
    Member
    from Taylor TX

    That's perfect...


    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
  27. jlaird
    Joined: Nov 25, 2007
    Posts: 26

    jlaird
    Member

    GREAT replies! I have to give blowby the gold star though. Very creative!
     
  28. Stick to it ,mate! They're never "done". You'll know soon enough, then drive it every chance you get. It never gets old.
     
  29. Jokester
    Joined: Jan 29, 2005
    Posts: 687

    Jokester
    Member

    I was just glad I had ears! Otherwise my smile would have gone all the way around.

    Makes you realize that it's not about the car.

    .bjb
     

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