Project X

[jst8a5.0]

I am watching a re-run of the Project X buildup on Hotrod TV right now. I am seeing about 20 people working on it and they don't look like minimum wage kinda people. Does anyone know how much it would have cost or did cost with all those man hours, parts, frame table usage, that CAD device, etc. I can't even fathom what it would cost going that route.....It seems that GM sponsored at least part of it, so that helps. But if they are in such trouble, stop playing and get to work!

[Steve1968LS2]

I am watching a re-run of the Project X buildup on Hotrod TV right now. I am seeing about 20 people working on it and they don't look like minimum wage kinda people. Does anyone know how much it would have cost or did cost with all those man hours, parts, frame table usage, that CAD device, etc. I can't even fathom what it would cost going that route.....It seems that GM sponsored at least part of it, so that helps. But if they are in such trouble, stop playing and get to work!

GM Performance Parts has a build center.. it's what they do. They build cars and it turns into press for GM but more specifically GM Performance Parts. Like when Snap-On pays Orange County Choppers to build a bike. They get press on the show and then the car goes on tour and generates press. It's called marketing :)

Project X is currently insured between .5 and 1 million bucks. I think GMPP put a half million into the build although that's not the true outlay since those people would be doing something else if not building that car.

By the way, I just drove Project X the other day and it's now at our tech center waiting to be transfered to the Peterson Automotive Museum in LA.


Keep in mind that what GM spent to build Project X is a proverbial drop in the bucket. It's like your $100,000 behind in your mortgage payments and you find a spend a buck on a Klondike Bar... should you feel guilty that the dollar didn't go towards your debt?

Or look at it like this.. GM needs Billions of dollars.. there's a thousand million in ONE billion and X cost .5 million or ONE-TWO-THOUSANDTHS or One Billion dollars. lol

Things need to be kept in scale. Plus the build was done well over a year ago.

[jst8a5.0]

Keep in mind that what GM spent to build Project X is a proverbial drop in the bucket. It's like your $100,000 behind in your mortgage payments and you find a spend a buck on a Klondike Bar... should you feel guilty that the dollar didn't go towards your debt?

Or look at it like this.. GM needs Billions of dollars.. there's a thousand million in ONE billion and X cost .5 million or ONE-TWO-THOUSANDTHS or One Billion dollars. lol

Things need to be kept in scale. Plus the build was done well over a year ago.

I know it was built a while back. I guess when I hear they lost like 4 billion or whatever the amount in the first quarter, I can't even fathom that amount. So it would seem that they are falling off a cliff since I don't know that the 4 billion dollar figure is like $1 toward $100,000. It makes me feel better that it is bad but not that bad. Oh and the build team, and the fact that you know that, cool. LOL! And that you drove Proj X, even cooler! I guess when you are a moderator for a forum like this, there's perks. Oh yeah, and the magazine thingy helps too right?:D

[Steve1968LS2]

I know it was built a while back. I guess when I hear they lost like 4 billion or whatever the amount in the first quarter, I can't even fathom that amount. So it would seem that they are falling off a cliff since I don't know that the 4 billion dollar figure is like $1 toward $100,000. It makes me feel better that it is bad but not that bad. Oh and the build team, and the fact that you know that, cool. LOL! And that you drove Proj X, even cooler! I guess when you are a moderator for a forum like this, there's perks. Oh yeah, and the magazine thingy helps too right?:D

Well 4 billion dollars is 4,000 Million dollars or like building Project-X 8,000 times. Saving millions won't help GM, they need to save billions.

So my 1/100,000 analogy was a bit overly dramatic.. but it's still a drop in the proverbial bucket.

Being a moderator here does have perks (key to the exec washroom, etc) but I miss with Project cause it's my job.. if you can call it that. ;)

[jst8a5.0]

[QUOTE=Steve1968LS2;181930]Well 4 billion dollars is 4,000 Million dollars or like building Project-X 8,000 times. QUOTE]

C'mon man, I wasn't THAT bad in math! LOL! I know what you mean though. Overcoming the vagueness of a message board is half the fun of posting! I was just curious about what went into that build because like I said, I didn't see anyone working on that car that looked like min wage workers. And how was the actual fit and finish of the unique parts? Bumper lights, hood ornaments, etc. The camera moves so fast. That's what's nice about shows like SEMA, Goodguys, etc, because as long as it is in moderation, no one will tell you to move it along, you can observe all you want. Each car has such a story to tell about what went into or what didn't go into the build. I'm just curious about Project X.

[Vegas69]

Every loss adds up regardless of the business. $500k on a camaro build is a huge drop in the bucket. That would pay almost 5 floor sweepers in the plant.:willy:

[thedugan]

It's "Project X" its a legend.

GM is not in trouble because they updated Project X or any of their show cars.

[Jim Nilsen]

Project X will sell more parts for GMPP than you will ever imagine. The list of what is on that car that is currently being bought by every car builer out there is amazing. When you get to see how to install or utilize along with the possiblities of those parts it sells them.

The best advertising they probably have done for themselves in the basics of return for the dollar.

If you saw what they spend on one commercial for a car that isn't doing well or just one of those commercials to get you to believe in going green and they are going to give it to you , you would see that the money was and still is the best advertising % of dollars they spend.

All of they parts that they used are already being made for other vehicles in the most part.

The aftermarket industry is still going a lot stronger right now and that is why they aren't messing with us or even trying to talk to much about it. Leave it alone and keep it quiet before someone tries to cut it just because they don't think we need hotrod parts and it will help them a lot.

[Vegas69]

Great points.....I'm sure it motivated many to spend money on American products from American companies as well.

[jst8a5.0]

Good points, but what are the sales showing. The ultimate for any build is to get a GM crate motor. There is just too much of a chance with a rebuild or the price will be the same as a crate motor. Have any of us bought any GMPP? I know heads/cam are a popular upgrade if you don't need a rebuild and GMPP is just one of the many options. Who buys GMPP?

[Vegas69]

It is more prominent on camaros.net. I aways try to buy gm parts if possible. I have a gmpp mini starter, oil filter, synchromesh, had a flywheel. Plenty of LS7's around here.

[jst8a5.0]

Oh and by all means, I am pro GM. I want them to survive. I want to see them thrive. I see no better real world auto producer. I want to build cars with those crate motors, but it comes down to money and who's spending it.
It would be nice to see some big players lead the way and spend some money very publicly. I know there are big money builds in our sponsors' shop. How can we make these a little more public so we can show the guys without that budget (middle class) it's ok to release the deathgrip on the wallet and buy stuff.

[GHOSTDANCER]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pHin29fSaU :thumbsup:

[Jim Nilsen]

Oh and by all means, I am pro GM. I want them to survive. I want to see them thrive. I see no better real world auto producer. I want to build cars with those crate motors, but it comes down to money and who's spending it.
It would be nice to see some big players lead the way and spend some money very publicly. I know there are big money builds in our sponsors' shop. How can we make these a little more public so we can show the guys without that budget (middle class) it's ok to release the deathgrip on the wallet and buy stuff.

I have seen several LS9's recently and more C6 suspension pieces on more than just GM cars than some of the other aftermarket pieces. I have to believe that for every build I see that there are probably 50 I don't see.

As far as letting the money out of my Wallet? I support as much as I can still and as much as I ever have.There are alot of people getting what I call sympathy work. These people spending the money are just doing it to keep the people who have done good work for them still going so they will be there in the future and keep the economy going. Some of these people are losing money faster in the bank and investments than spending it on helping people. I heard the other day that one big housing builder was losing money faster than giving it away. I am certain he is wishing he had pulled some out and bought another build than give to the wind.

[trapin]

The whole time Project X was here being restored it was right upstairs from where I work.

....and I didn't even know about it.

By the time I finally caught wind of what was going on I rushed upstairs to the shops but the car was gone. All that was left was a bunch of parts and some vertical boards with sketches on them. I was furious.

However, some months later they brought it back and I got a call to come up and check her out. Got to sit in it and check out the interior. What a great car, Mario and the boys did a spectacular job on it. However, part of me wishes it had an LS7 in it rather than a big block.

[srh3trinity]

That build up was great. It looked like it was top notch quality and that car deserved the attention. It has been a test mule for so many years. There were a lot of great ideas and attention to detail put into the car. I thought it turned out great. How did it drive Steve?

[Busta]

Thanks for the support for GM, we are all working hard to keep this thing going. Project X was actually done two years ago, Things were a lot better with the economy then.
Here is the sketch used for the design if anyone is interested in it.