I'm getting bored waiting on parts. Everytime I start something I have to order something else. My wife says I'm to impatient to have an old car to fix up. What's the average time you guys take to fix up an old car assuming it was in running condtion and driveable when you got it?


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My '51 is 59 years old in June, and so far it's been 59 years and counting of 'fixing it up' ... You have to get used to the fact that they are never done...That's why it's a hobby! besides, would it really be fun if all you did was drive it and never work on it. That's where the satisfaction comes...doing the work yourself...

I do understand your frustration though... waiting for parts is just like waiting for the G&D!!! You would be poor if you lived next door to the filling station or Ron Wade's though!

I fully agree with Brewster, the car is never "finished". You just keep on working and driving it, working and driving it until one day they take you away and bury you in the ground. But there is tremendous satisfaction in knowing it's your handiwork that keeps the car going. As for mine personally, it took about one year to get the car roadworthy, most of that time waiting for the engine rebuild. I drive it every week and work on it every week. I don't have to work on it every week, but it is a hobby and I enjoy getting my hands dirty.
This is an expensive hobby though. About the only thing which will drain your bank account quicker is a boat.

I hear you about the boat. I buy one about every 5 yrs. This one is 3 yrs old. I've lost about 70 % of its orginal cost. It stays in my heated/AC garage year around,doesn't have a spot on it and still I've lost money ..big time. I don't mind losing money on a few things if it's entertaintment ( Corvettes,boats,antique cars, etc.) but that means you have to MAKE money on other investments. Oh well , at my age, it will soon be my kids problems. They'll sell everything wholesale and take vacations..GRIN

Whenever you get your car finished to concours quality, you must not touch it other than push it into/on to an enclosed trailer for show or have it displayed in a museum type or actual setting. Few reach this status. And, I expect, not too many of us desire for our cars to reach such status, because using it for drives will only get it oily and dirty and require maintenance and, by so doing, erode the high concours status. Maybe I didn't say that just right, but you know what I mean.

Some of us have not started our projects because we want to collect the necessary funds to have professionally done the things we are afraid to tackle. Things like, mechanics, paint and upholstery. For me, it is these latter two items. Also, throw in the mix several projects demanding out attention at the same time and collecting needed parts, it is no wonder our projects get drawn out.

Fun, to me, is having a goal of concours status but having no real expectation or desire even of reaching it. The fun and adventure is in driving and working on our projects and always trying to improve on them at the same time. In doing all this, you must have patience. It won't come overnight and some of us will not live long enough to see it done. I hope that is the case for me.
Best, Charlie

BTW: If i wanted to have a "done" car to look at, I'd hang up a picture of Ron Wade's cabriolet. (Hmmm, I think I'll actually do that.) Maybe you should hang up a picture of that maroon 38 coupe (you know the one) and then just enjoy the "ride of parts chasing, working on it and driving it. Also, whilst a-waiting for the cut-off to come in, maybe you could get some green paint and take care of them there "yeller" wheels. Just a thought. Grin.

My project is six years on and counting.

at the local car shows... i tell everybody that my car is a running project... as money goes it is hard to get a show quality car because of the investment you have to put in. if my car was a show car... i would not drive it for reasons of investments. i would rather enjoy what i have, which is a good mechanical safe car. but it is what you willing to put in you car. me, i just enjoying driving down the road and not worrying about that rock that might chip my paint. yes i have plenty of those. isn't thats what it is about? just my opinion. ride on brothers... kw

I agree.

Well I bought my 47 Fleetline in July 1968 I was 15, I started the restoration in Oct. 1978. The drive train and frame have been done since 1989. I guess I've done to many others, but its on may keeper list so no hurry.

it took me 4 yrs to get my 30 road ready.
it was a running car when i got it. but just like everybody says here. its never done. as soon as you finish one part of the car something else needs to be fixed.
now the 48 stylemaster(hot rod) i`m working on now (4 yrs and counting) is no where near road ready. but this one is not your standard hot rod.
48 stylemaster on a 84 vette rolling frame with a 2000 camero engine and trans. everything has to fabed for it. 3 sets and motor mounts. first two didn`t work. two sets for trans mounts. first one didn`t work. cut the body down to fit the vette frame. cut 2 inches out of doors. and so on and so on.
right now i`m getting ready to turn the key for the first time in 4 yrs. still working on the wiring. body still looks like hell. your guess is as good as mine when it will be road
ready.

You're gonna MAKE me paint those rims . When this old gentlemen sends me the paint can label (hopefully with enough info to match the paint) I'm going to check on painting the rims. That means new wide whitewall tires also. There goes another $1000. Gheeez

I got the '37 in about '67 or '68, been working on it ever since! LOL I've done it and redone it and a lot of it needs done again. That's the fun of it. You don't have to be nuts, but it helps!!

I got my 38 in 77 and the way things are going it will be another 30 years before I get too drive it (way after so called retirement). I am now getting close to the expensive part.
Tony