Thread: Builders or Buyers?

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Just curious how many guys (or girls) out there build there own rides and how many of you buy them built (and maybe tweak them to make them your own)?

If you do build them- ever find anything just so random and straneg you just HAVE to share the story....

Well, we build them as hobbyists. I have nothing against people who choose to have some or all of their car construction done by others, but we just like the building process and for economic reasons it fits into our budget better that way.

I think we people who do these things are just tinkerers and like to see something created where there was once nothing. For me, the best part is using this time to be with my Sons, and I kinda feel that is their motivation too. Everybody tends to get so wrapped up in their own lives and problems that we drift apart a little bit sometimes. The hours we spend cutting and planning give us an opportunity to reconnect and talk about cars and what is going on in our lives.

Don

I've yet to share Don's pleasure of building one from the ground up, but perhaps one day in retirement before immobiliey takes over. I have taken a production car and customized it to my liking, only to farm out cerrtain aspects of the "build". I have also bought someone else's problem and had to re-do enough that I had thoughts that a total rebuild might actually be faster. I have also bought one that really only needed some light tweaking.

No really funny or strange stories. The only thing that really came to me as a surprise was learning how little some owners know about their cars. One of the cars I purchased, the previous owner had it for about 8 years. Soon after I got it I had called him to ask about some of the buttons, switches and wiring issues I had found. I was surprised to learn that for as long as he had the car, he knew nothing of them. Never used them, didn't know they existed or didn't know what they did. One such button was for a windshield washer. You could hear the pump, but nothing came out. He had no idea what it was or where the tank was. It didn't take me long to find the tank mounted to the frame behind the front wheel.

For eight long years this guy, periodically drove the car to local shows. Any show over 50 miles, he trailered it. The reason he sold it was because his wife hated it and it was too small for the wife and the two teenage kids. He wanted something larger. Car was garaged and marginally maintained, so in the end it was worth the small price. But makes you wonder about some owners, especially the wannabes.

My Z-28 I bought new in 73 and did a lot of modifications to it in the 70s but have ended up with it restored back to near stock as being the best balance for driveability. I worked my ass off in the 80-90s and in this century have mostly been unable to do anything on a regular basis due to health problems. I bought my 50 Packard 3 years ago as is and have done minor upgrades and replacement of starter, carb- easy stuff.

Originally Posted by mopar34

I've yet to share Don's pleasure of building one from the ground up, but perhaps one day in retirement before immobiliey takes over. I have taken a production car and customized it to my liking, only to farm out cerrtain aspects of the "build". I have also bought someone else's problem and had to re-do enough that I had thoughts that a total rebuild might actually be faster. I have also bought one that really only needed some light tweaking.

No really funny or strange stories. The only thing that really came to me as a surprise was learning how little some owners know about their cars. One of the cars I purchased, the previous owner had it for about 8 years. Soon after I got it I had called him to ask about some of the buttons, switches and wiring issues I had found. I was surprised to learn that for as long as he had the car, he knew nothing of them. Never used them, didn't know they existed or didn't know what they did. One such button was for a windshield washer. You could hear the pump, but nothing came out. He had no idea what it was or where the tank was. It didn't take me long to find the tank mounted to the frame behind the front wheel.

For eight long years this guy, periodically drove the car to local shows. Any show over 50 miles, he trailered it. The reason he sold it was because his wife hated it and it was too small for the wife and the two teenage kids. He wanted something larger. Car was garaged and marginally maintained, so in the end it was worth the small price. But makes you wonder about some owners, especially the wannabes.

I just started working on a Firebird in my shop. Nothing really major but found newspaper stuff in and covered over with Bondo to hid the lack of metal replacement. UGH- made me laugh because the guy I am working on the car for- 'didnt think the car was that bad'. OY.

I still build 'em.... Getting kinda old now and just do my own stuff and a few for friends but nevertheless still out there doing it!!!!!!

Good story on the 'bird.... Seems they all come with "surprises", and people always wonder why a shop only wants to give an estimate and not a bid!!!!!

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

I still build 'em.... Getting kinda old now and just do my own stuff and a few for friends but nevertheless still out there doing it!!!!!!

Good story on the 'bird.... Seems they all come with "surprises", and people always wonder why a shop only wants to give an estimate and not a bid!!!!!

The worst one I ever had was a 72 Vette. When we popped the doors apart to work on it- newpaper and FULL MAGAZINES were stuffed in - being used as sound barrier. The person who had worked on it didnt even rip them apart- just stuffed them in the door. Even found a rubber ball in there..
WOW.

i would buy my dream car ( or cars ) if i could .. but i cant so i build them myself ..i`m happy for genuine car buffs who can afford the things they want .. it`s the speculators who buy just for resale that miff me ..