Thread: Project $ 3 K Is Underway

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Don, that transmission is simply beautiful. Thank goodness the one in my coupe is not visible; it looks like junk compared to that. By the way, I really dig that color.

Thanks on both counts Jim. From what I have seen of your projects, you don't have too much to be sheepish about. BTW, I am so happy you are doing your thread.....I'm loving it, and so is everyone else too. Gets kind of addictive, huh?


Don

Today is April 10th, 2007, and it is my anniversary. Well, not MY anniversary, but rather the One Year Anniversary of when I started this thread. Yup, one year ago today I started this nonsense with this statement:



Project $ 3 K Is Underway
I mentioned a couple weeks ago that I thought a safe, dependable hot rod could be built for $ 3000.00. It wouldn't have tons of chrome and flash, but would be a basic, get-in-and-drive rod, that would not be embarrassing to drive. I felt if I built it the way we used to, by using parts we could scrounge from swapmeets, and other sources, it was attainable.

The main reason I thought this project might be appropriate is that there are a large number of our members who are thinking about building their own rod, but don't know how to begin, or what car to build. That first car can be very confusing, and mind-boggling when you start adding up the costs and labor.



I knew going in that some of the information I was going to show would be a little boring and old hat to many of our members, but the intent was to put it out there for others that had never done this, or were in the middle of doing a similar build, and who might not be sure how to do certain aspects. But I got a very pleasant surprise because when the "Old Masters" among us would stop by to visit, their comments were always very upbeat and encouraging. They were also very kind, as have been all the comments along this journey.

At times some of you have flattered and at the same time embarrassed me with comments like "craftsmanlike" and similar words. I know very well what level of builder I am, and it falls short of those terms, I have seen some of the beautiful work the real "craftsmen" on here have posted, and my skills certainly are not in the same league as some of those. However, I thought that might be an advantage in this thread, because I wanted to convey to the folks just starting out in this hobby that any average backyard mechanic/builder like me can turn out a running/driving rod with limited resources.

Doing this thread has been one of the most fun things I have done with respect to putting any car together, and the humor, ribbing, and company you have all provided along the way has been very much appreciated and helpful. You have tolerated some of my little goof ups and false starts, and have never taken me to task on them. In fact, your kind comments and suggestions have helped shape the final outcome of the car and make it better than it would have been without your support.

The thread and this forum have become very much fun for me, and even though we have discussed every topic in it from cats, to kids, to who-knows-what, the thread hopefully has accomplished the goal of helping the novice builder realize his or her dream of doing a car on their own. The things all of you have brought to this thread have certainly enriched it. I am also thrilled to see more and more of you doing similar threads, and I can't wait until you guys post an update so I can read about how you are doing yours. It is always fun to peek into another builders garage and see how things are coming.

Where is the car now costwise? I have NO IDEA. That isn't a cop out, or being evasive, I just have lost track. For a while I was spending money like a drunken sailor, but even at that I would guess I am in for about $ 8000 -$10,000 right now. Probably more on the low side of that estimate. It is hard to tell, because I can tally up the big purchases, but I have made a lot of small Home Depot and hardware store purchases that are impossible to recall completely.

So, anyway, thank you to everyone who has contributed so much to this thread by your posts and your viewing of it. You have no idea how much fun you have made this past year for me. I have never met one of you, but still feel a very strong friendship and respect for all of you.

If I were Denny I would do one of those cakes with a candle, but I can't, so I will just do this stupid little guy.

Don

Don from what im learning $3000 could be in a rat rod put together and driven , Your build is still in a obtainable budget for first time builders like me . Lots of ideas have been molded for use (molded ) . Keep up the good work .


Now as for back yard mechanic you have to have a chain hanging from a limb . I have one and use it with come along to raise riding mower straight up when needed.

Happy Anniversary get it to go vrrooommm soon .

Happy Anniversary!

I found out about your post late in the game. But I try to check in on your progress at least once a day. Went back and read all the previous pages too.

You're going to wind up with a really sharp ride. I haven't found any of the posts to be boring.

$3000 is hard to do AND have a nice car. It has been done, but not without some serious horse tradin'.

Your going to have to start another car when you get through with this one so we'll have something to follow every day.

Mike

Heh, heh, doing the thread takes almost as much time as the work on the car, huh? It is fun, though. I have really enjoyed this thread and that is what inspired me to start mine. Keep up the good work.

When you get this baby on the road we need to have a "gathering" someplace so all of us Florida people can see, in person, the car we have watched come together on our computer screens.

I'd like that meeting, to get to finally meet some of you other members too. The east coast of Florida isn't all that far away, maybe we'll come to one of your cruises this Summer. Maybe hotroddaddy and some others can pop over too. That would be fun.

And, if worst comes to worst, there is always November and Turkey Run. The way you are moving ahead on your track car, you are going to be there in it for sure.


Don

Yeah im down with that, hopefully i will still have a car by then

Happy Anniversary Don. I get my "hotrod fix" every day by checking your posts. I am enjoying this thread a lot.---Brian

Dang, now I must go back and read the whole thread.

Is there a finished pic? what page?

Thats the purtiest tranny ive ever seen.

Don't know if the T will be ready that quick, but I've always got my coupe. I drove it to Indiana and back last summer, so it should get me to wherever we decide to meet.

Hotroddaddy is in Jacksonville, you're in Fort Myers; what is about halfway between? Kissimmee? Lakeland? just let us know when the T is ready. I'll probably be travelling in June again, but we'll work it out.

Hotroddaddy, are you selling your toys? What do you mean "still have a car"?

Don, we can't thank you enough for the time you put into showing us your progress. I know it's crossed my mind more than once that if you didn't have us involved you would have been driving it already.

You have definately been the reason more than once that I went out to the garage to work on my T.

A big thank's, Ron

Don.....you are a very humble man (not as in Uriah Heeps 'umble, but as in self-depracating,) who has given a lot of inspiration (and yes, entertainment,) to a lot of people. You have drawn a lot of other clever people to put forth their ideas to educate and inform, and very informative it has been.
I have really enjoyed your thread over the last twelve months, the best of it was that you didn't try to gloss over the hiccoughs, thereby enabling others to be aware of what to avoid.
You're a good bloke.
Thank-you.

John D Norton.
johnboy

Don what's your address so I can ship my trans down for you to paint. Are you sure you've gone over $3000....I mean with all the credit you should have gained by showing us such a good time. I really enjoyed the pictures and all great idea's everybody was able to share.
Brad

For the first time in a long time, I am absolutely speechless. The very nice words from all of you are way beyond anything I deserve or could have asked for. If there is anyone who is thankful, it is me. Everyone on this forum has been first class in all respects, and have made this project as good and as fun for me as it has been.

Knowing that some very educated and talented eyes will be looking at what I post pictures of has kept me at the grinder a little longer sometimes, and that is a great incentive to try to do the best job you can.

You guys and gals are the very best, and the reason this forum is of such a high caliber. I really hope some day there is a CHR Nationals, and we all get to meet. That would be the coolest.

I hate to post my meager little job I got done today, but here it is. I finally got the radiator bolted down, but had to first clearance the front of the mounting bracket to clear my headlight mounts. After that I tapped some 3/8 threads into the frame and got it mounted. I will still have to put some rubber insulators under it when I do it for the last time, and I am going to make up some radiator support rods to keep the top from pushing back under airflow at speed, but for all practical purposes it is now all done.

Here are some shots of that work, and once again everybody, thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.


Don