E-body projects... how long sitting and why?

[CudamanTom]

Hey gang,

I have two projects currently sitting but getting ready to push myself to get started on one of them.
One is a 1971 cuda project I purchased in 2011 (shortly after mom passed), replaced the motor, purchased headers and exhaust and new carpet. Need to do wiring and interior and get running. Then I got side tracked (dad passed away and other things, moved in 2012). It's been sitting ever since.
The other 1971 cuda project is a convertible I purchased in 2013 and is completely stripped. Purchased motor and headers and lots of misc/hardware stuff since. Getting ready to replace wiring and build it back up again.
Sometimes the summer gets too hot and winters too cold so I lose several months a year due to weather conditions. Then there are chores around the house, mowing and such. So more time lost.
And of course working full time really takes the time but it does pay the bills.
Then sometimes it's hard to get that motivation. Luckily this forum keeps me somewhat pumped and I am getting a lot of homework done (thanks guys). 
I get frustrated at how fast time flies by.
Funds aren't really the issue. It's time management for me.

I was just curious as to other members and their projects. How long sitting and what's needed to get it back on the road. What's been your road block?
Maybe even past stories of long term ebody projects that are running today?

[Rob C]

I've owned my Cuda (73) 25 years and at first it was to expensive to do. Then life got in the way. I currently have no desire to put money into a toy car when I have all the regular expenses of family life house and collage. In which I just got one out of collage, 1 just entered, in 2 more years another one in collage and the last one in approx 7 years.

The wife's RN was 70K
Now that would have made one NICE Cuda! However, her starting income is a bigger help.
When the kids get out, I'll probably have spent a cool 1/2 million LOL!
I'll spend that and not have a kid struggle.

Until then, I just have fun with my hot rodded rot box!

[Sleepychallenger]

Mine was torn apart in 2009 or 10 and is just now being done. The paint work is just about done then it's time for reassembly. My hold up was partially money but mostly time. Between deployments and permanent change of stations and long hours, I never had time to do it myself. I am now in Korea and have the money to pay to get her done. It got to the point where I was willing to pay someone else to finish the body work so I could drive her again

[Topcat]

It's been a long on going issue with me to keep progress going. Call it a juggling act.

Working a full week.
Shop is 25 miles away where I work on it. That leaves me the week-end.
Gotta keep the Mrs. Topcat entertained too on week-ends.

Traffic here makes it difficult to sneak out once in a while to throw a few extra hours in.
Wrong or bad parts. Bad workmanship. (My seat bottoms recently and throttle cable)

Shipping delays to the west coast. Not enough good vendors out our way except Classic.
Cherry picker drops body on engine causing an engine compartment dent.

Restoring a car isn't easy.
But it's almost done.
 

[anlauto]

I have an AAR Cuda I bought 16 months ago. It needs a full restoration before I can sell it. I have no money available to invest until I sell my Challenger.

CudamanTom.....What's the details on your 71 Cuda convertible ? Is it an original "BS27" Car ?

[Chryco Psycho]

I bought my Chall in 80 & promised to restore it from day one 39 years later , 76 jobs later & still friggin broke , wiped out financially down to zero 4 times , only kept my car & tools & it was still the way I bought it , only drove it 5000 miles in 40 years , I finally redid it , since I have driven it 10 miles & never finished tuning it 
 I also have a 71 440+6 Charger 4 spd sitting , owned it for close to a decade now no progress there either , I never figured I would be this broke all of my life 

[Tropicalcats]

Got my car in 2008 and although it was all there it needed a complete restoration or so I thought. First year it was torn completely down and has pretty much sat that way since. I have almost every component/piece restored but the paint and body is the killer. I don't have the space, tools or knowledge to do it myself and finding somebody has become difficult.Once that is done I should be able to get it together fairly quick if life cooperates.
I own my own business so time is always a concern. Every week is 24/7 and when I do have time I  want to spend it with my family and not hold up in the garage. My wife is great and has taken on many part finding tasks and my family always knows what to get me for birthdays and Holidays but man this drags on. Restoration is not for the weak and impatience.Unless you have very deep pockets and just send it out and pick it up when ready it's a commitment in time,money and spirit.
I am amazed at how much I have learned about the E- Body's and continue to learn.
When I get down about the progress I just need to remember "enjoy the journey not the destination" my car will get done but like life it's filled with stuff that happens on the way and that's what makes it so sweet at the end.

[ChallengerHK]

Got my Challenger in 78 and drove it for about 5 years, then took it apart for what was supposed to be a one-year-long refresh. I'm just getting real work done on it now.

[ToxicWolf]

Mine sat in the garage for ten years. The flat spots on the tires were so bad I had to use a chain to pull it out onto the wrecker so I could take it to the shop. Just got it on the street again. Still have more work to do, but at least she can move under her own power now.

[stsom]

Suddenly 3 years has passed since I got the 70 Cuda....All floors needed replacement. Not quite what the so called expert that helped me had discovered. So be careful who you trust. Hopefully on the road this summer. Just hhave to find someone who can help me  tune in the 426...And some other minor work.

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Miss NIKKI is never done! There's always something I wanna change/upgrade or tweek. Time is an issue and on a nice sunny day I'd rather put the top down and go for a run.
My GTX on the other hand just sits and gets rustier. (Brad insert comment here)     
BTW, my lawn still has a foot of snow on it. 

[RusTy/SE]

My FC7 R/T SE has been in a storage unit since September 2010 - on three flats the last time I looked.

It's a long self-inflicted horror story..     

If all goes well, the process can pick back up in 2015   

[CudamanTom]

I sure appreciate everyone chiming in on their projects and reasons. It's a nice feeling that I'm not alone. 

CudamanTom.....What's the details on your 71 Cuda convertible ? Is it an original "BS27" Car ?

Alan,
My Cuda convert is actually a clone convertible (converted hard top to convertible). With my budget, it was the best chance I had at owning another convertible. Body is in great shape but the previous owner never got it built back up since the paint job after being converted. I do have 90% of the major parts to put her back on the road that came with it but opted for new fuel/brake/electrical/exhaust systems.
I owned a 70 cuda convert (rally red with white top/interior and shaker/340-6 pack) but sold it in 2004. Been kickin my butt ever since  , till now.
So it's not a true cuda convertible but it will feel like one when I get it on the road again. 
She will be a driver, not a show horse.

Any other sharing is greatly appreciated. 

[jimynick]

Well, it all began somewhere around 1984 when a buddy called and said he had "just the car for me". It was a 74 Challenger 360 4 spd triple black car, but the joker in the deck was that it was a theft recovery car that'd hit something really good with the rt frt corner. Some buds in a local bodyshop thought they'd do me a favour and pulled the rt frt to the point that a new (used) suspension would go on and hung the fndr. Somehow, it sat in various shops until 4-5 yrs ago when I got the bright idea to strip it and get it blasted. THAT'S when I found out just how rotten a Canadian E body can get and it's been a long, continuing and expensive process coming back. So, the moral of this litany of woe? Don't get discouraged and do what you can, when you can and hopefully, you'll live long enough to drive it. 

[CudamanTom]

So, the moral of this litany of woe? Don't get discouraged and do what you can, when you can and hopefully, you'll live long enough to drive it. 

I hear ya Jimynick,
I will be having heart surgery when the cardo doc says it's time (within a year or so I'm guessing) with a bad heart valve. I have another visit on the 18th to see how things are going or not going.
So I'm pushing myself to try and get it driveable before that time comes.
Thanks for your input.