I'm only 61, but I'm in a race against time because of arthritis. I don't know if I'll get my truck done or not. I have a 56 MGA, a 52 Nash airflite, and 4 Triumph GT-6s that I don't foresee getting to. Depressing thoughts!!!!!!!
Why not concentrate on a couple...say, perhaps number five? That way you can check some of the list off...and please your daughter at the same time.
Don't want to hijack the thread, but here is some motivation HRP. Saw this at the local V8 club swapmeet last weekend. Makes me want to add one to my list.
It took me 13 years to finish my 426 Hemi, 4 speed Model A. Now it's time to get going on another project.
Trust me...get the Scout done!!!! There are so few left that haven't rusted themselves out that you will be doing a service to mankind. GET TO IT!!
All of my unfinished projects are in progress. That way I never have to wonder what to do if I ever have a slow day.
My '30 Roadster is the oldest project I still have, found the old channeled body in 1962. Sold it to a guy that had it for 25 years, got it back without a thing done to it. Finally have a picture of the finished car in my mind, but there is always a 300-500 dollar item I need to make any progress. If any extra funds do come in I feel better throwing it at debt. I've never had a Hot Rod on the road, so I can't miss something I've never had. Attention to details, lack of funds,and doing things right the first time will keep this project at the same pace, at 63 I don't see things speeding up. Bob
My 57 suburban took 15 years....finally got it done last summer, by spending a month working 12-16 hour days on it. Current project is making better headway, because I've been out in the shop almost every day working on it since last December. One day I'll get around to working on my brother's LaSalle, which has been sitting in the barn for 20 years.
I'm 33 and it's starting to seem like my catalina is going in this direction. With a wife, young children, working, maintence on my home , and family stuff going on all the time it seems like my car is always on the back burner. In 2 years I have fitted two toeboards in the front floor pan and got the frame out with no body on it and now I'm stalled. Been at that point since the end of last summer. I feel bad every time I go out to the garage to do something and its just sitting there. I'm hoping I can start spending one weekend a month on it once the weather gets nice up here in May.
A lot of projects get stalled, it can look a bit overwhelming when you try to take in all the work that needs to be done to finish it. I find the best way is to write all the little things that need to be done on a black/white board in you shop and tackle them one at a time, lots of small items off your list, make it all come together and the big picture starts to look a lot smaller and obtainable.
I see a lot of people have unfinished projects.I said I've had this 57 since 78 but I don't want you to think it's been sitting since 78. When I bought it it had a straight six so I pulled that and put in a 350 for a few years then I did something different and put in a 71 4 barrel Qwenched chamber head 351 Cleveland with a 4 speed AOD trans, nine inch removable carrier. I drove that set up for a while and still have the Cleveland and beefed AOD. Now this might not go over well but who cares, I pulled the Ford setup and changed the whole drive train to a ....... are you ready for this a small block Dodge 4x4 complete chassis. It has a very straight body and I now have it back on a 57 chassis and a big block drive train. I'm an old chassis and tranny specialist I ain't afraid so for you that thought it just sat for all those years Hell No. I personally am not a 57 Chev. fan so that's why I played with it so much. So I hope I didn't piss off too many, just saying where an old man can find himself. Maybe, if like some of you were saying to just get out there and start assembling it a little at a time maybe I can geter done. Thank you to all responders and I loved reading some of your stories and OMG some of you guys have so many projects. I still want to read some more project stories cause it helps me get interested again, 70 years old and have been a gear head for ever
I know a guy who has a '56 Vette that's been apart for decades. He's bought tons of NOS parts for it over the past 30 yrs but I'm sure it will never go back together. The body has been sitting outside forever...Pretty sad.
My brother inlaw had a project going on and on, and passed away in feb 2014. you only live once!!! A lesson to be learned. He never got the chance to injoy and drive the car.
Perhaps his enjoyment was just working on it, not necessarily driving it. Some people like the building more than the driving.
Old age and health get us all. Just listed all my tools for sale and have had a project listed for a couple of months. Had two offers on the project, one FLAKE and one low ball offer. Will end up dropping price on project just to get rid of it, time to down size!! Keep working on cars as long as you can.
I'm 59 and I'm recovering but my health has sucked for a while, so I decided I was in a race with death. If I was gonna drive this car again it was literally now or never.
It's the journey that counts, not the destination. I have plenty of projects that I most likely won't live to finish. So what? I enjoy the thoughts, ideas, plans, anticipation, and fond memories of what the project was going to be. How many people ever accomplish EVERYTHING they have ever dreamed of?
Im only 47 but medically retired , some days I have the gumpsion to work and others the inside of the eyelids look good . I have been buying parts to get the car started but , I keep making that famous mistake of looking to hard into it and seeing the big $$$ and get depressed and want to sell . and one of my problems is I have car parts ( from a O/T) left from when I was doing good that I haven't sold yet thats to help this one along financially . but my biggest unfinished project is my house .. drywall is a pain when you have to work around stuff .
You know when you get my age you want to do stuff like a "Bucket List " within my financial means. Last year the wife and I hooked up my little teardrop trailer to my pickup and drove Route 66 from Az. to Chicago, some of 66 is gone now but we did what we could and it was a blast. This year I'm thinking about hooking the teardrop to the 63 Dodge ( the one you see in my avitar ). That 63 is road ready and I want to travel the west coast up to Washington then across the top of the country and eventually ind up in Michigan ( mom lives there and she's 93 ). That Dodge runs great and I did all the mechanical things to it to make it ready for a long road trip. The body and paint are all original with no dents or rust but 63 was the first year they offered the 383 instead of the 361 and though it's a 2 barrel carb it still like the taste of gas . So anyway I'm going to make the trip with the old Dodge and the teardrop or my pickup again just don't know which one yet.So anyway I went out this morning and uncovered some of my 57 body parts and said hey the HAMB guys are right, if I just do a little every day it just might get done someday. Thanks for letting me ramble.
Projects can be overwhelming. At 71 I just tackle one car at a time. I think every one is gonna be the last one but am starting another 40 now- I said no more 4 cars ago! Being retired allows me the time needed but I pace myself and break it up into sections and make sure I have the funds up front to complete the car. Have a plan/vision up front and stick with your plan--changes waste time and money! Usually a 40 coupe takes about 2-4 months (less uph) but that is hitting it like a job-30-40 hrs a week. Some days I just do little things on the build-worst part for me is going after parts, etc.-that part is a real hassle for me.
I don't think they'll ever be done. As soon as I think I'm "finished", something else catches my eye or I find another update I'd like to do. I see it as an ever-evolving piece of art. I hope I never "finish" them. Finished is in the eye of the beholder. Pretty deep, huh?
They're toys. We play with them until we get bored & go find a new toy. We might be very serious about our hobby, but IMHO there's really no more to it than that.
I am 60. What is the definition of "finished"? Did I forget already ? Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I often wonder if it will be a letdown if I ever finish a project, the projects have been a big part of my life. Bob
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