Thread: Trying to take advantage of everyone's experience.

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Hi all!

I apologize off the bat if this isn't the spot for this type of message, but it seemed the most appropriate place.

I am trying to develop some semblance of a plan, (EXTREMELY) long term, regarding the construction of a 32' roadster.

First and foremost though, is figuring out if it is even something I am able to do. That is (hopefully) where you folks come in.

If it factors into the answers to any questions, the type of roadster I think I would like to have is something like this:





Style only is primarily what I am trying to get across with these pics (no fenders, no roof, minimal windshield, very spartan, matte paint)

- One of my first questions is, what types of skill-sets do I need to complete a build like this, while keeping it as simple as possible?

Welding, electrical, body work, etc?

- What type of specialty tools would I need to complete a build like this?

When it comes to mechanical tools, I have full wrench and ratchet sets, 1/2 drive socket sets, some c-clamps, some corded and cordless drills/impact drivers, screwdriver sets galore, nut drivers sets, plier sets, et.

Electrical I have several multimeters, crimping pliers, assorted connectors and a few other tests.

A piddly 3 ton jack I mainly use to change the oil in my Civic.

I don't really have anything I would consider specialty though, is there something that is a critical must have that comes to mind?

- What type of space requirement is needed?

Could I complete a build like this using a little less than half of a two car garage?

- What type of total cost would a simple, no frills, don't care about name-brand, build similar to the style pictured cost?

I realize this will vary wildly depending on components and a million other variables, but if it helps dial into a number, I am not concerned about having the best of anything, just want components that get the job done.

Not concerned about comforts like a/c, heat, stereo/radio. Barebones minimum is a-ok by me (NE Florida).

- If you made it this far:

Thank you! I am sorry there are so many questions, but this is a classic 'you don't know what you don't know' situation, and I know I don't know anything, PLUS what I don't know I don't know...you know?

Thank you!

- Brad

You need to realize that you can buy a finished car for less money than you can build one. But if you are bent on building one, the first thing you should do is find an experienced rodder to assist you. If you are able to do most of it yourself, you can probably build a barebones '32 roadster for under $30,000. It all depends on the components you choose, how much bling you want, and how many mistakes you make. Your car will resemble the bottom photo not the top one which is highly customized.

Originally Posted by bb 3

What types of skill-sets do I need to complete a build like this, while keeping it as simple as possible? Welding, electrical, body work, etc?

Add mechanical and upholstery.

Originally Posted by bb 3

What type of specialty tools would I need to complete a build like this?

Minimum 200 amp 3-phase MIG with 0.030" wire and a very large bottle of mig mix, oxy-acetylene cutting torch (get large bottles, they are much more convenient than those chintzy little bottles), LARGE hand-held grinder, SMALL hand-held grinder, Ingersoll-Rand Sawzall with a variety of different blades, fine to course and hammers, big hammers, little hammers, medium-sized hammers, 12" dial caliper, 4" dial caliper, dial indicator with stand, number stamps, specialty brake tools, specialty upholstery tools, minimum 12 ton floor shop press, floor-mounted drill press, four 3-ton jackstands, large heavy vise mounted on a piece of steel tubing which is welded to a large steel truck wheel.....like this......where you can whang hell out of parts and pieces on the anvil with a BFH...
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...bde27e8d0b.jpg

Originally Posted by bb 3

What type of space requirement is needed?
Could I complete a build like this using a little less than half of a two car garage?

No.

.

based upon today's spot price for gold, I would say the best thing to have on hand is probably 100 ounces (or maybe 150 ounces) of gold. Either car in the pics are way north of $250K cars, the four wheel drive one is WAAAAY more.

Originally Posted by robot

based upon today's spot price for gold, I would say the best thing to have on hand is probably 100 ounces (or maybe 150 ounces) of gold. Either car in the pics are way north of $250K cars, the four wheel drive one is WAAAAY more.

Yup.
It's a frighteningly expensive hobby.
We budgeted NZ$70,000 for our bus.
We overspent it.
Not by a helluva lot; but it did cost us more than that.
And that was five years ago.

robot, I have to disagree with you about owning gold, particularly ounces of gold. If the whole mess crashes, how would you buy a loaf of bread and a can of beans? Your gold would be worth maybe $10,000 an ounce. Are you going to pay $10K for bread and beans?
My idea is to hoard Roosevelt dimes. Today, they're worth $1.27 and would probably gain 1000% in value if the whole mess goes south, which would still be around $11. Much better to spend $11 to buy bread and beans than to spend an ounce of gold.

.

Welcome to CHR! I've helped build a couple glass 32's before. Like Lynn said, you can do it for $30k but you need to have it figured out what you want to do first to keep from buying parts 2, or 3 times. And try not to change your mind during the build which leads to more cost and build time. I'm guilty of both.

I'd say you could do it in half of a 2 car garage. Is it going to be ideal, no. But there are guys on here building awesome rods in about the same space. Ideally the entire 2 car garage would be better. But it's a 32 and not a crew cab long bed truck here.

Also, how is the roadster in the last pic well north of $250K? Maybe if you pay a high dollar rod shop to do every nut and bolt, stitch, and air in the tires?

Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe

I'd say you could do it in half of a 2 car garage. Is it going to be ideal, no. But there are guys on here building awesome rods in about the same space. Ideally the entire 2 car garage would be better. But it's a 32 and not a crew cab long bed truck here.

OK, you can get the car and a counter to work off in the (less than 1/2). Where do all the tools go? They can't be in the same space or you couldn't move around the car.

.

Originally Posted by techinspector1

OK, you can get the car and a counter to work off in the (less than 1/2). Where do all the tools go? They can't be in the same space or you couldn't move around the car.

.

You learn to work with what you have. It may take more time but it can be done. More steps moving stuff etc. Yes, I realize it isn't ideal. Isn't there a member from Hawaii who was building a 32 in a very small space?

Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe

You learn to work with what you have. It may take more time but it can be done. More steps moving stuff etc. Yes, I realize it isn't ideal. Isn't there a member from Hawaii who was building a 32 in a very small space?

I built my first street rod in a 18' x 12' shed, stored everything in my basement all while trying to hide it from my wife, good luck on your venture, what will make you a true hot rodder is simply doing it and getting it done. I read one time 80% of projects are never finished and that figure may be low, where there is a will there is a way.
When I first started out of school messing with these old cars you have one big dilema, what it takes to build one of these is somewhere to build it and the tools needed, by the time you purchase these you easily could buy a car. Now that tells you you can't afford to simply build one car with all the stuff thats needed, so either it becomes a serious hobby for a long while (spelled obsession for me) or you have a huge popular yard sale after your done and you make pennies on the dollar for the tools you purchased. Like mentioned you can literally buy a complete car cheaper than you could build one, and I choose to not do that, I will show up at the cruise with my car, my build my way and there isn't another one like it.
Now this opens a can of worms that had to be shut down on another site, if you buy a car does that make you a true hotrodder, or a checkbook hotrodder, I could care less but its something that comes up when they ask "Did you build it". My choice is I live breath and dream hot rods, like a bunch on here I work hard to accquire the talent, tools, friends and skills needed to turn these dreams into reality. Don't let me distract you go for it and we will help you, it takes a bunch of work, building a house was way easier than my first '32 , but when I buiilt it I put one dollar in savings for every dolllar I spent on my hot rod (called getting permission) well the good thing is 3-4 years later I had a fat savings account! Have fun anyway you can and build or buy your dream someday! Matt

Welcome from Massachusetts! Hope you enjoy your time here.
It's pretty well known that you can't build from scratch what you can purchase already completed. You might be able to locate some project that's been abandoned and then make it your own!

Find / collect pictures on the net or in a magazine of cars that you enjoy the look / style of and once you have a car in your garage you can copy/emulate those characteristics that you like and build you car to look like that.

Either way, from scratch or buying a "kit" or saving a project, it isn't cheap and it takes hours. I don't know if you can do it all in 1/2 a one car garage... you'll probably have to have storage for parts somewhere .. a shed or the basement???
Some folks build'em to drive too... I just enjoy the build and being creative. I hope you enjoy "the ride"!

Tech, the idea is to sell the gold and pay for the car. I agree about gold as a poor investment.
40Ford, I have a car very similar to the one in the second pic....although it didn't cost Karl Orr a lot of money, today it would cost a bit to do it right....my car has 2335 hours in it and $44,306.92 in materials (including sandpaper and tape). Could I have done it using 1-800-Speedway? Of course but it wouldn't be the same. I value my time at $100 an hour and charge customers accordingly (actually, they get charged a tad more because of overhead cost). If I can get my yard mowed for less than $100 an hour, I sub it out and offset that by work that pays $100 an hour or more. Fortunately, we have to turn work away so the make/buy decision is easier. Too many people value their time at 10cents per hour.

Fair enough. I can see where you are coming from there. I am one of those people that has given people more time for free than I should have.

Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe

I am one of those people that has given people more time for free than I should have.

Yep, me too. How long do you think it took to make 11,771 posts here and 14,731 posts on Hotrodders.com ? And nobody paid me a cent for them.

.

Originally Posted by techinspector1

Yep, me too. How long do you think it took to make 11,771 posts here and 14,731 posts on Hotrodders.com ? And nobody paid me a cent for them.

Hmmmmm, now I know why nobody argues with me when I call myself a worthless bum..................