164 replies to this topic

[Rainman]

I think I might be suffering from a case of restoration rage. This is by no fault of anyone. Long term restoration, when will this ever end. Not having the skills to restore my project to the level I would be happy with. Saving money while collecting parts has taken a long time. Then booking your car in for work and waiting just to get the car there. Its hard to find someone you can trust and has the capability to perform the work to the level your looking to achieve. I am very lucky to have the persons I do working on my car. Before booking my car for work I was told there was a waiting time. Expected when you have Great skills doing the work. Each day I wake and wonder if I am living a ground hog day. Spending countless amounts of money doesn't stop there. Secure parking will also cost a shit load so you can sleep at night. When I started this project, I said to myself this car would not affect the family and only my extra money I save can be used for my purchases. I do have friends that have offered to help me work on the car. Preference is to save more money and have it done by my mechanic. If you don't have the skills and you don't have extra cash and you do have a family. I suggest sell the frocker. Get out early. Spend time with your family. Go on a holiday.

[hanra]

Might have been a better option to purchase a car already build and ready to go. Usually a cheaper way to go about it also. May not be 100% to your taste but you can get in it and go driving straight away without delay.

[tinkers]

I feel your pain, I purchased my hatch 17 years ago with the pretence of giving it a tidy up and driving, I did have a sedan as a daily so I wasn't rushed. Then life got in the way, I was retrenched from my high salary job. I was also a single mum to 3 kids and the thought of selling the hatch came up many times because I struggled with the lack of money. In the end the hatch was pushed aside and that's where it stayed for years, 15 in fact and now my kids are adults I can afford to do something with it.

 

Moral of my story is if they car isn't costing anything and you can afford too, push it aside until you can.

[dattoman]

I suffer from this every day

And sometimes I just think fuck it...I'll sell the lot

Then I close the shed door... take a step back and do something else

 

I've got rid of a few projects but still have the following in the shed

And I've been collecting parts for each one along the journey

If I had just concentrated on 1 at a time they'd be done

But.... I have so many parts when I have the time to finish them they will probably all be done at once

 

Datsun #1. Owned since about 1992

Part way thru putting a 1600 IRS and coilover front in it. Hasn't driven since 1998

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Datsun # 2 Owned since about 2000

Drove it for awhile... then realised it was abit dangerous so pulled it off the road to freshen up.

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Datsun # 3 Just picked this up last weekend because it has a half cage in it and I want to go play racecars again.

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Torana # 1. My hatchback I've owned for 13ish yrs.

Big plans to resore... working thru it

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Torana # 2. LH sedan I've had about 10 years now

About to go on the rotisserie

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Not to mention my Cadillac that needs paint... and cars that have been sold.. .like my LJ 2 dr , Datsun wagon , Honda Zot and many many others.

 

As mentioned... if you can park it away safe and have it cost you little to nothing to keep. Its well worth hanging on to it

If you need to flick it... do so... but bear in mind... with the rising prices... you may never get another.

 

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[hanra]

I'm still a bit of a young fella so have a bit of time on my side. It took me 18 months to build my car from the ground up. Fortunately it had already been painted.

My previous car was a 4 year exercise due to dramas with panel beaters.

I think these days a realistic time frame from go to woah including paint/panel is about 3-4 years. I wouldnt want it to go on any longer as the risk of loosing motivation increases.

I do scratch my head sometimes when I come across older blokes like in their 50s-60s that have a large collection of projects. At that age I'd imagine the project time frame could be extended quite a bit.

How do some of these guys think they will ever get any of these projects finished? If you pushed a project out to say 8 years, you would certainly want a break of a year or 2 between each new project. I don't know what it's like to be old, but how easy is it for a 70 year old to be laying on their back under a car doing work on a cold garage floor?

I think we are just custodians of these vehicles, and sometimes it's better to pass them on to someone who will actually achieve an outcome and breathe life back into an old car. Rather than hoard cars that will end up to far gone or the body won't be able to cope with the physical demands of building a car, shift it on.

[Shiney005]

I agree with you 99% of the time Brad, but not now. Maybe if the cars were out in the open and rusting away, but I have a few stashed away in sheds. Some might only get driven once every couple of years, and even though I'm still a good 15 years from retirement, I'm keeping them so I have something to do when the time comes.
I've been changing the heads on my Corvette for about 5 months now. No hurry.

Nice hatch Neil!

Edited by Shiney005, 16 September 2017 - 11:32 PM.

[Rainman]

Such true words spoken by all. I have had some run ins with suppliers over the time. Not talking about the local wrecker. Things not available back then that have been remade. Change of direction over time. Friends asking is it ready yet. What simply started as a freshen up, like so many others. To all that live in Ground hog day. I wish you luck and hope your cars turn out awesome.

[gtrboyy]

I'm in similar boat with couple of project cars in various stages...not costing anything to keep them hidden safe in garage & if sold up I'd never afford to buy another let alone want to pay what they'd be worth now.

 

However I don't get people leaving several of their 'project cars' outside in the elements to rot & never work on them...I'd rather sell in that case.

[lx308]

Glad I'm not the only 1.
My XU-1 has been a fighter from the beginning & I wish I had never bought it sometimes.
I just keep at it slowly, if it shits me I leave it alone for a while. It's been shitting me alot lately but we'll get the prick done 1 day.

[Rainman]

To be honest . I do feel a bit better today. Reading your comments some how has taken the edge off. Kerri hit the nail on the head for me. THEN LIFE GOT IN THE WAY. Yes it did. Not saying its a bad life. I wish a had the time Barry to learn the craft. So many aspects. Would it really be feasible ?. How many cars would I have to restore for the time invested.  I run a small business and family. Just everyday maintenance and life. I try to invest my time in things I feel I am good at. I do massive work on my 2 acres in my spare time. Not big land i know but not big time to spare. I really do feel better. I must log off as some paint in needed on the multi colour fence i erected to stop my Frock Head neighbour staring. Multi coloured fence as i extended its height. Save some money for the black pit on four wheels I call CU%$#@T.

[rexy]

Just slap it together so it's driveable and doesn't offend you too much. When you get jack of things you think you should have done better you just fix them one by one.
They are never "done" for long in my experience.

Looking at the hatch today there's a few things I will get to eventually.

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Like getting a single outlet thermostat housing instead of the dual I scrounged out of the shed pile to get it running after the manifold change. And finding a prettier solution for the PCV system!



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Or finding a better spot for the coil.

Or fixing the peeling paint on the master cylinder.

Or.....

Always stuff to do!

[Shiney005]

One of these Rexy.

http://www.ebay.com....n=ps&dispItem=1

 

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[hanra]

I agree with you 99% of the time Brad, but not now. Maybe if the cars were out in the open and rusting away, but I have a few stashed away in sheds. Some might only get driven once every couple of years, and even though I'm still a good 15 years from retirement, I'm keeping them so I have something to do when the time comes.
I've been changing the heads on my Corvette for about 5 months now. No hurry.
Nice hatch Neil!

I thought I might ruffle some feathers. I guess retirement would give the bonus of plenty of time on your hands!

I can understand where Ray is coming from though, after working 50hrs a week plus another 10 hours travel each week and then having to maintain our 2acre property on the weekends, I barely get time to even do a basic service on any of our cars. Plus I'm always drinking or swimming in the pool.

Edited by hanra, 17 September 2017 - 06:28 PM.

[grumpy xu1]

I can certainly understand the life got in the way ect, & the difficulty with funds is a problem with most of us. Maybe get the panel & paint spot on & put in a basic driveline which you can upgrade as you go along. Even with a trade & other skills, it takes a lot of coin, time, skill, planning & "patience". Having a business & a property of course will make it hard, your wife has to be very understanding & kid's want to do exciting things, eventually probably not with Mum and Dad. Brake the things you can do into sections, so when you finish 1, your inspired by it & the inspiration is boosted. & we all hear the when's it going to be finished from friends. Keep your chin up & plan the steps. Gary.

[fx48_eh64]

Yes Life gets in the way,  Our FX saw the birth of 3 kids and a wedding during its 10 yrs resto period.

it would be a lot more difficult if i couldnt do the work myself or with the help of friends, actually it wouldnt have happened at all without the later.

it took  longer to gather all the parts than  it did to do the actual work.. buying and selling bartering and trading,  i took a car trailer on the ferry to Stradbroke island to buy a parts car and bring it home  just cos i needed the chrome trim around the back of the rear window.  I bought and sold at least 4 complete cars always swapping the better bits before onselling it,

yes there was times it sat in the shed for long periods there were times when it consumed every spare minute i had. there were times when i hated it ( usually gettting up at 5 am on a sunday to go to swap meet tofind parts)

 

But you know what.... when i put a vintage tear drop caravan on the back of it, wife and 3 kids in it, and went on a month long trip to victoria and back, From brissy down through the centre of NSW  almost to Melbourne, then back up along the coast, no itinerary, no rush just going where we want when we wanted, one day we packed up and litterally only drove 80km before we said wow this is nice lets stop here( for 3 days)   it was all worth it  cruising along family in the back arm on the window sill, wind in your hair,  holiday of a lifetime

[Rainman]

Thankyou all for your kind words and advice. The support and stories have made me feel part of your GMH family. If you are suffering from Rest Rage there is support as seen in the posts. Just talking to other members who are in the same situation or have experienced Rage from slow restos has taken the edge off. I think Rexy gave some good advise. You get to enjoy some return straight away. To all who are feeling Rage against the machine. Like Gary said, keep your chin up. Tell someone like I have. We all have something in common and there might be some help just around the corner.

[Rainman]

Well restorers, there goes another week/year. Started my resto in 2002 and as stated it wasn't going to affect the family. I feel there has been no loss of quality we live. My resto rage is a bit different than the years I have become accustom too. See I have reached the point where I have available funds to complete my car. There was a wait time to get vehicle in. My mechanic informed me even after he receives the car there are still other vehicles being worked on and no time frame is given to any customer. I knew there were other places that could complete the work and contemplated this. In the end it was like dropping you kids off to a stranger. So fellow long term restorers there will be a time when your funds will allow you to finish your project. Be prepared if you don't have the skills. This is even tougher.

[orangeLJ]

Where are you located rain man?

If you're stuck for a shop to help, check out my family business

www.facebook.com/gassedautomotive

[Rainman]

Hello orangeLJ, I live in SA . Thanks for the offer mate, the family business looks great. Cool to have your own hoist to visual at leisure. Wish your family best of luck with the business.

[Rainman]

I am also concerned by the time my car is ready and I take it to the drags that I will insist the left hand lane and wont go over 80KPH.

[Rainman]

Was looking at some paperwork this weekend. When I booked my car in to be finished I was told there was a six month wait. Six month turned to eight month. keeping in mind this long term resto started in 2003. Yeah I have the funds to complete and excited that this part one resto will finally end and all the torment might finally END. Sent my car on the 28 August 2016. there were a few hold ups of course. the work done on my car is of the highest quality. So many Holden events passed. I am sick of looking at pictures of this piece of SHIT and FR%&ken hate the word restoration. The best dreams are getting the car placed in a CRUSHER. Don't resto

[Shiney005]

It is a story that I have read many times on this forum Ray. But people end up persisting and the reward at the end is worth it all. Don't give up.

[Liz Clare]

Was looking at some paperwork this weekend. When I booked my car in to be finished I was told there was a six month wait. Six month turned to eight month. keeping in mind this long term resto started in 2003. Yeah I have the funds to complete and excited that this part one resto will finally end and all the torment might finally END. Sent my car on the 28 August 2016. there were a few hold ups of course. the work done on my car is of the highest quality. So many Holden events passed. I am sick of looking at pictures of this piece of SHIT and FR%&ken hate the word restoration. The best dreams are getting the car placed in a CRUSHER. Don't resto

As Laurie says, don't give up. Do you have something fun to drive while you're waiting for the torrie to be finished? Just think how great it will feel the first time you drive it, totally worth waiting for.

 

Both mine are in the workshop at the moment so I'm also having Torana withdrawal..

 

Don't give up!

 

Cheers,

 

Liz