Motivation

[IndyNova]

How do you guys stay motivated and not get down on a project? I have a 70 nova that I have a vision of, but the deeper I dive into it, the more frustrated I get with rust issues, etc. I know part of it is my lack of ability and know how, but how do you guys see the light at the end of the tunnel? Any help or words of wisdom are appreciated.

[PRRC]

Make a plan, Have a short list of to do items on a weekly/monthly basis. Check them off as you go. Don't stray from you original plan and don't jump ahead of the game and buy items you won't need until later down the road. money for such items may take away from keeping the project moving along.

[phillym5]

Honestly..... Just have fun doing it. :thumbsup:

[GregWeld]

One day at a time -- one "fix" at a time...

Most people cut up the whole car -- and then it sits....

Make a list of to dos - organized by area - and what's IMPORTANT - then just do one job at a time - don't tear something up without having first "fixed" the last job you did.

Don't try to get your head around the entire project.

[Steve Chryssos]

Start a car club. Where you and like minded individuals swap tools and skills. One member is good with welding, the other is good with engines. BEfore you know it, everyone's car is moving along nicely and better than any one member could have done on their own.

Put everything into one shared shop if at all possible. The memories will be worth more than the cars. For sure. :yes:

[the5farrs]

I wish I would have asked that before I started on my car. I bought a 69 camaro and drove it for a week before. After the week I tore it down to the body and it sat that way until I sold it. I wish I was given their advice before I started. Now I'm looking for another car to start over again.:faint:

[coolwelder62]

Brake the project down into small projects.start on one finish it then on to the next one.I get a note book w/ differant sections each section of the note book is for a differant parts of the car.chassis sec,body sec, suspension sec, motor trans sec, trim sec(bumper,grill etc. paint and body sec.start out making notes of ideas,parts wanted suppliers,part#'s.list of things to do,(each job on it's own line. I list the parts I have already have and the ones I need and there cost.Let's me know where I am at in the build cost. My two cents worth.:thumbsup:

[tones2SS]

How do you guys stay motivated and not get down on a project?

Seriously, visit this thread and see the machines these guys have built and that should motivate/inspire you. We have some serious machines in this forum.
GOOD LUCK!!!:thumbsup:

[2Bad4Ya]

As many have said before... a gotta have a plan.

There may be some on here who giggle at the following suggestion, but I have gave it to a few friends who got bit by the TV glorified auto repair shows.

Contact your local community college, and ask about their automotive programs, most have a mechanical course and a body work course and these courses are not that expensive. These courses are often offered in the evening also btw.

By taking these courses:



You learn to overcome your limited knowledge

You have others around you focusing on the same subject which is kind of like hanging out with a car club.

You can often 99% of the time work on your own car.

You can take the courses over and over usually and finish a project under a mentor this way.

Great if you dont have the tools or place to work on your car. You can use their tools/garage/paint booth.


I suggested it to 2 guys from work who wanted to get into the car scene... I helped them find a good solid entry car (80's era mustangs of course, cheap and ez to get parts for) and they both did the mechanical and autobody courses 2-3 times over I think and finished their rides at the community college.

I think my friend Brad under 2k total in multiple repeated classes to build his engine/rear end & do all the body work and paint the car in his course costs. Find a shop that will let you use their space/tools and mentor you in both mechanical/bodywork for that price. Working in the classes kept them motivated cause they had a set time/night to work on the cars, and once there they knew what they had to do... the courses provided them with a good plan of attack and kept them from sitting hrs staring at the car wondering what to do next.

[Hdesign]

Get a rendering done.....It makes cool garage art, a goal, a blueprint to lay out your path, a way to communicate your ideas to others that will get involved and a sure fire way not to make part purchases or decisions you'll regret. Of course, I could be just a little biased....:D

[GregWeld]

Good advice Ben!

Very good advice...

With the rendering - when you're deep into the muck and junk and your hands are bleeding and your wallet has moths flying out of it.... you can look up at that wall and see your dream!

Put it right next to your other dreams... those centerfolds....:rofl:

[ccracin]

Good advice Ben!

Very good advice...

With the rendering - when you're deep into the muck and junk and your hands are bleeding and your wallet has moths flying out of it.... you can look up at that wall and see your dream!

Put it right next to your other dreams... those centerfolds....:rofl:

I am having more success bringing Ben's rendering of our project to life than I did back in the 80's trying to bring those centerfolds to life! Weird Science was a bad bad influence! EEEEAAAA AAAHHH! :rofl:

[GregWeld]

How very true Chad!! :rofl:

[IndyNova]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. I guess it's more of my lack of know-how that's got me frustrated. I totally forgot about the vocational classes. I'm gonna look into those, thanks for the suggestion. I would love to have a rendering done, but it's hard to put out that kind of money(I've had a couple quotes) even though it would be worth it.

[jhiphopjunky]

This may not apply to everyone but i try to keep my projects running and driving as much as possible. Frame offs are kind of hard to to apply this advice to but IMO as long as i can drive my project, it makes me want to work on my project.:)

[brans72]

This is some very good info you guy's list! The rendering is Great idea but some of us here can not afford it. I would love mine to be done but not in my budget (Ben would do it if I could get one done) right now. I wish this list would of been made 3 yrs ago but look at it like this you learn as you go! Great post guys!

[Viperlover]

As many have said before... a gotta have a plan.

There may be some on here who giggle at the following suggestion, but I have gave it to a few friends who got bit by the TV glorified auto repair shows.

Contact your local community college, and ask about their automotive programs, most have a mechanical course and a body work course and these courses are not that expensive. These courses are often offered in the evening also btw.

Excellent advice, I painted my car in an autobody class. I took dual-enrollment (college course while still in highschool) and worked on my car while all of my other friends were still in 4th period at the high school, and it was free because I was a high school student. All I had to pay for was my paint supplies. ($1500)

Though you guys most likely won't be in the same situation that I was, having a teacher teach and walk you through everything makes it a lot simpler.

[2Bad4Ya]

Excellent advice, I painted my car in an autobody class. I took dual-enrollment (college course while still in highschool) and worked on my car while all of my other friends were still in 4th period at the high school, and it was free because I was a high school student. All I had to pay for was my paint supplies. ($1500)

Though you guys most likely won't be in the same situation that I was, having a teacher teach and walk you through everything makes it a lot simpler.

Yup, 2 of the best painters around here locally that I KNOW of learned their autobody at community college. They both have competing restoration shops and keep busy enuff to have 3-4 month waiting lists all yr round usually. The point is you can away more than just getting your ride redone this way.

[TreySmith]

Start off by getting it street worthy and then save your money up for everything first. Then you can tear it all down, put new parts on and do the body work in a few weekends instead of tearing the car down and having it sit for a year until you can afford for all the parts gradually.