How to stay motivated?! (Pics on page 2!)

[torredcuda]

Don`t worry about the little trim pcs,carpet,new weatherstrips etc. right now.Get some tires ( there are always cheap used sets around ) and anything esle it needs to at least take it for a spin.Nothing is better motivation than actually driving it,even if it`s only around the block for now.

[67vertman]

You could do like i did............ .......as soon as it would move under its own power, i put a milk create where the drive seat should be, no windshield, weather strip, hood, lights, or interior and drove around the block.     Man did it feel good, and i got all the motivation i needed to keep on working to get it done.

Post up any othe items you need, and I will look through my stash to see if I have anything for you.

And, classic cars are an illness you will have the rest of your life.  so get use to the ups and downs of owning one. 

[azievinger]

Make it drive-able is the way to stay motivated, I Love classic cars, I have been busy for 5 years on and Gran Torino and just like you i got demotivated so many time's and don't want to count to no of guys who think who can fix cars but only in there mind. And the car is still not running.

I'm 40 with all finances in place I managed to convince my wife to let me buy my 1972 challenger, made my calculations and had some money extra to give it an paint job and have it road worthy. 10 days for my Challenger to arrive I got into an accident with my daily driver. All the extra money I thought I had went into fixing the daily driver.
Barely managed to get it the challenger driving. was the laugh of the family. He has 2 classic cars in bad shape. I drove it about 1 year like that, leaking radiator, busted exhaust pipe more holes than tubing, leaking carburetor, even used it as an daily driver to help out the parents temporarily with my car. Every time it rained, and we had an rainy rain season, the car would leak into the passenger inside the cabin. More laughs from the family.
It took my one year to save the money and I don't have the skills to fix it up my self, you have the gift, I wish I had.
I finally managed to get to an point that everybody is looking at you when you drive by, and like the say it is an illness you will carry it for the rest of you're life.
So now I'm saving again to either overhaul the challengers engine of to give an try again on the Gran Torino. Hope this helps. Never give up.

[SMS]

I have just started doing this on my car projects.
Make a big poster, dry erase, or black board and write down all the things you want to get done. It is really satisfying to check them off as well as it keeps focus on stuff.

Sounds like you are doing really well so far

[ChallengerHK]

I have just started doing this on my car projects.
Make a big poster, dry erase, or black board and write down all the things you want to get done. It is really satisfying to check them off as well as it keeps focus on stuff.

I did that once. When I got to the 10th page I got depressed and stopped 

[NCtrueconservative]

Yeah the dry erase thing isn't a bad idea! The car really has come along way, its just when you work on it everyday, it doesnt seem like it has.  Its the little things that get to me. I need bolts for my bumper brackets.  I go to the parts store to get bolts, get home, they are just a hair bit too small.  Have to wait to the next day.  Meanwhile my bumper brackets, bumper, and valance panel are all laying on the floor looking up at me dying to go on the car.  Now, when you have so many pieces that need so many little things, it adds up!  I could put my trim on, but I'm waiting for clips.  Id put my headlights in, but I'm getting no power to my lights.  I'd put my trunk lid on, but I lost my trunk lid sliders....Dadgum it  Little tiny things that hold up the project.  But it will be SOOOOOOOOOOOO worth it when its done.  Just dreading this North Carolina high country winter that is about to come!

[NCtrueconservative]

heres some pics of what I started with

[NCtrueconservative]

hers some along the way pics and pics of where i stand now....did all the body work, priming, and painting myself!!

[ChallengerHK]

I'd say you're making good progress. Like others have said, get it running and you'll start feeling great about it.

[NCtrueconservative]

it runs! It fires right up....just havent took it for a REAL drive yet

[ChallengerHK]

 

[jimynick]

Coming along laddie! Take some small solace from the fact that mine's scattered all over the garage floor. Like the lads say, get it on the road and finish it as you go. Oh, and yeah, DON'T spray today's paints, with their isocyanates, wearing a particle mask. Use/borrow a proper cartridge mask, because we'd like you to live long enough to finish that thing, OK? Have fun! 

[Matt70]

   Keep us updated on you progress, post a list of what you need I have some of those small parts you might be looking for.

[Cooter]

There you go, see? Car looks GREAT! Not too bad for a first timer. Definately looks better than when you started...

Keep the pics comin as they tend to keep the thread alive.

[NCtrueconservative]

Coming along laddie! Take some small solace from the fact that mine's scattered all over the garage floor. Like the lads say, get it on the road and finish it as you go. Oh, and yeah, DON'T spray today's paints, with their isocyanates, wearing a particle mask. Use/borrow a proper cartridge mask, because we'd like you to live long enough to finish that thing, OK? Have fun! 

I'll definitely do that the next time I paint one....I'd like to keep my lungs for a while