If you are talking from the ground up, I have built 4 vehicles over the years....55 Chevy, 77 Ford pickup on a Blazer 4x4 frame, 62 Pontiac and 51 Ford F1.......Have done partial builds on others, engine swaps, etc
I did everything on them...body, paint, engine, interior, convertible top......
-- Edited by poncho62 on Saturday 3rd of March 2012 07:13:14 PM
Ground up, or just engine swap... It bugs me when guys are "Hotrodders" but send thier vehicles to Canadian tire for an oil change and a light bulb....or buy a klunker off kijiji and figure they know it all...been everywhere.....
I guess I shouldn't rant 'Cause if guys built their own stuff then Guys like me wouldn't have anything to do after work............
-- Edited by 30-S6 on Saturday 3rd of March 2012 07:26:46 PM
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The best way to get on your feet is to get off your ass.
you go around and body shop prices are 4000.00 to 6000.00 $that is only if your lucky............ and most don t even want to touch it.......................so even without counting the price of the project 6000 body 4000 engine 3000 interior and if you need rechrome another .opps the budget is already blown up may as well paint the chrome color match..............so to me any running ride is cheaper since you don t have to do anything
-- Edited by flatduck on Sunday 4th of March 2012 12:04:10 AM
Built my Chevelle from a box of parts. Car was stripped down to the bare metal. I didn't do the body work, but I put it all back together. That was fun, cause I didn't take it apart and nothing was marked. Bought one 800 page assembly manual and another Fisher body manual. Put the thing back together from the schematics. Took me three years and about a hundred rags, cause I cut myself about a million times. I will tell you one thing. If I ever put Chevelle together again, it will take about 2 weeks. I know where every bolt and screw goes now. Very satisfying. Will never sell this car. Let my whole family sign the inside of the doors, etc before I put it back together. I will pass this one down. Too sentimental about it now.
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meoracing - 48 Studebaker 1 1/2 ton dually stepside. LOSERS CC
got ripped off and my 55 gmc handed back to me as a pile of parts 25 years ago. everything on it now including the bad paint job has been done by me and no one else. only gotta slap me once.
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There are 106 miles to Chicago. We have a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses.
I do everything on my cars sandblasting, welding, bodywork, paint, rebuild my engines, brakes. I built a 38 chev truck ,51 chev, 53 studebaker, 28 stude track modified and my last a 61 pontiac with a rebuilt 348.Self taught by necesity ,can't aford to farm stuff out, or else I would be in a different hobby.
A "friend " of mine has had 2 cars "built" for him. Has MEGA bucks tied up!!! One he just sold 6 mths. ago to Florida, had nearly 50 G in it & sold it for 17,500. The other he still has, it's up on Kijiji for 95,500, has "over' 140,000 in it!!!! He has given up on having a "hot rod"as the 41 Graham is TOO nice to drive & get a paint chip!!! He has no mechanical abilities, & if you gave him a 1/2 x 9/16 wrench he'd say "whats this for"!!! He can't see the time involved, in doing things, & when I tell him I spent hrs. fabricating a part, he just says. " can't you just go buy one" I get more satisfaction out of doing it myself, where I can do it, enjoy the mechanical end & am picking some body work skills by helping the guy thats doing the bodywork on the 52. "Different strokes for different blokes", but when i test drove the 52 up & down the street, I sure felt good, YA I did that & it works!!!!
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I can only please one person a day, Today is not your day!!Tomorrow doesn't look good either !!!!
To answer the original post, I have done both and enjoy both............ How ever, This is an age old topic of varying opinion. I've done both and just because a guy or gal spends there hard earned money buying a partially or totally built ride doesn't mean they aren't Hotrodders. Everyone has different situations for why they build or buy. Some have the equipment, some don't. Some have a shop to make the build an enjoyable and rewarding experience, some don't. Some have been raised in the hobby ?/culture, some not...etc,etc....... This is a hobby, for most, of enthusiasts, if you dig cars/trucks/ bikes then YOUR a Rodder. To put down someone or discount there status in the hobby because they don't have a mechanics license or a well equipped shop to do the job right and they admit they are more comfortable to have someone else to do it, is being rather narrow minded IMHO. (nothing personal) I appreciate ANYONE who chooses to get involved in the hobby at what ever level they can manage or afford. I think you will find that most people even if they dont do much work on there ride, still know quit a bit about it. If I bought a car and claimed to be a builder when I have never built one, thats a different story. My current ride was bought, mostly finished. It was a financial dicission. (It would have cost more for me to build it than to buy). Yea, I could have built it, I have the shop, I have the experience, and I was raised around Drag Racing, Early and late model Automotive Restoration, worked in Fleet Maintenance, have been a gear head since i can remember, do 95% of our maintenance work on all vehicles and equipment, but I BOUGHT my last ride. I mentioned that twice cause I am not ashamed to say it.......but I'mmmm still a RODDER!
It would be a shame to see all the great builds that are sold by the "builder" go to the crusher because there was no one to take over ownership and continue to appreciatete it. Tell Billy Gibbons he ain't a Rodder. lmfao Just my two cents. Any other opinions?
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Proud member of the Brantford Piston Pushers. (Second Generation) & Disciple of Speed of the E.L.T.A.
Agree , many times one can "buy" a project in pieces or mostly done for way less than what one can build one for. All the parts have already been rounded up and found, which can end up costing much money to locate over a matter of years. It all depends i guess on what one wishes, and what skills one has, and of course as mentioned what access one has to a garage/shop to work in for a considerable length of time to put a ride together.
With the economy in the dumps in places, there are some "Deals" out there in unfinished projects. So i have no problem with someone picking up a project vehichle and finishing it themselves.
But,,, i do have a problem with the guy who just farms everything out, then cruises in his ride letting on that he built it.
I agree with Slammed 35. I build my stuff from the ground up. 67 Nova, 76 Nova, 66 Nova Wagon, 68 Camaro. Haven't done a total rebuild on a motor or transmission yet but it's on the list. But with the market the way it is.....I don't know if I would build my next one. I was looking into a Cali 67 Nova hardtop needed complete resto and even some metal work although it had all the hard to find stuff-$5000.00 (oh ya...no motor or trans)plus shipping hassle etc. At the same time was a 66 Nova hardtop Resto/mod painted 4yrs ago very respectable turn key car $17000.00. I could not build the 5000.00 car into as nice a car for 17000 . Even doing it all myself. My Cousin is a buyer. And while he is out crusin...I'm covered in bondo dust. It's all good.
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slab----67 chevy II 2dr post and 66 chevy II hardtop
Slammed 55 put it very well. My truck I started out with a bare cab, with doors and a hood. Front axle from Speedway motors. Frame and suspension came as tubing and flat plate. Drive train and many parts such as steering column, wiring , ECU, dash came from one donor vehicle. Other parts came from wreckers, friends, parts suppliers, Ebay etc. I put it together the way I wanted to, so I consider that I built it. I didn't mine or refine the steel or copper, didn't cast the block and head etc. Didn't create the wiring harness or make the glass from sand and so on. It all comes down to where do you want to draw the line between built and bought.
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Custom CNC plasma cutting. PM me for your custom parts.
Lightspeed Mike, Thats true, no one really "Builds" a car or truck, we just re-shape, re-assemble and respect them. Still OK just to buy and enjoy. The hobby would not be as popular if not for the people that buy a ride, parts would be way more expensive as well. (BTW,Cool Truck!)
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Proud member of the Brantford Piston Pushers. (Second Generation) & Disciple of Speed of the E.L.T.A.
I have always built my stuff from the ground up. Have bought a few that people say " just needs finishing" but was never satisfied with the previous work and tore it apart. But not all have that ability, equipment or time. Slammed 35 your are right on the mark. As long as the person enjoys what they have who are we to say right or wrong, as long as they enjoy it.
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Keep your stick on the ice and don't pull your goalie.
yes also agree with the last couple posts. There are many different skill levels involved with this hobby and i enjoy talking to guys at shows who are enthusiastic about what they have. Im also a do it type but realize not everyone has the time and ambition. There is a definite advantage to buying a partial or complete project the dollars do make sense. The guys i know including myself are never really done you just improve and change things it is the hot rod disease.
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gotta be young and dumb before you get old and wise
well i like seeing the work that some people are doing ............but everything has to do with how much confidence you have in yourself ............. i can t my self see taking the engine for my nova apart and risking puting 3000.00 worth of parts and s.... up i prefer to pay someone .......else i don t say i won t do anything myself ...........but after trying one way like i took a car apart a few years ago and it is still apart and no yet finish .............i think for me buying a running car may be the option ...................but one thing i found out is even if you want to pay to find a shop who wants to work on old cars ain t easy unless you have big $$$$$$$$$$$$$ so buying or building ?
done it both ways Pure enjoyment and satisfaction from a scratch build(s).
Almost as good a satisfaction buying a driver type.
Best of both worlds due to economics - buy an unfinished project with most of the big dollars already spent on it, and the owner is in over his head or has his own economic issues or just lost interest and is selling for pennies on the dollar, and finish it to your own tastes.
just my .03 worth, (inflation on two cents worth) lolololol
In regards to my post here, the thing with this guy is he won't drive the car now,has had it out a few time & got "chips in the paint" took it right back to body shop & "paid" again to repair them, now he's "paranoid' to drive it, as he's got way too much $$$ sunk into it!!! "ANAL"?? Yes, car guy NO!!!!, every car he's had either new or hobby car has to be PERFECT then he's afraid to drive them??? Having a car built, & going TOO FAR on the costs in his case just doesn't work,at least for me,I just can't see it?????
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I can only please one person a day, Today is not your day!!Tomorrow doesn't look good either !!!!
But,,, i do have a problem with the guy who just farms everything out, then cruises in his ride letting on that he built it.
That would have bothered me years ago but life is too short to sweat what "That guy" is doing. If he wants to delude himself who the fu<k cares?
That is not to say I have issues with those who simply buy or pay for the work. Takes all kinds. I may be in that boat soon myself as often you can buy a good car cheaper than build it but I'll still end up changing something to my taste ( wheels etc).
I've glued together a lot of old clunkers. About the only thing I've farmed out is paint and I've even painted a few of my own!
Never built a true ground up but the amount of work fixing rotten unit body cars and making them roadworthy might be about the same or more. Needless to say I'm not really afraid of doing almost anything on a vehicle.
-- Edited by VirgilHilts on Sunday 4th of March 2012 05:42:11 PM
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Stu
"some things hurt more, much more, than cars and girls"
Built evryone of my cars from the ground up. The only ones I haven't taken appart are the family cars and my daily ride....and I have contemplated them too!
Yes, there are posers out there that are annoying to be around and listen babbling on, but to say someone isn't really a rodder because he or she bought there car or doesn't,t cant, prefers not to, do maintenance work on there ride is an unfair statement. Everyone has different circumstances why or why not. Don't confuse the term Rodder with Builder.
-- Edited by Slammed 35 on Sunday 4th of March 2012 11:42:59 PM
-- Edited by Slammed 35 on Sunday 4th of March 2012 11:44:52 PM
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Proud member of the Brantford Piston Pushers. (Second Generation) & Disciple of Speed of the E.L.T.A.
i have a couple of friends that used to buy old beaters /projects and in their spare time complete the projects and then sell them. so i guess the market was out there for people to buy complete antique/hotrod vehicles. they both have said the market has tank in the last 2 years and haven't sold anything. i never could sell one of my projects. the one i did sell, i bought it back.
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There are 106 miles to Chicago. We have a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses.
The point i was making was, i've ran into a couple over the years, that bought or farmed out their ride, and hell they hadn't a clue even what the car was built up of!! No idea of the transmission, not sure about the engine etc, stuff like that. They're kinda easy to spot, dressed immaculate, jewlry hanging off them , super spotless hands, no- not a callous!! Lol
With any project car that my Dad and I have worked on...we do all the work ourselves. It's the best feeling at the end of the day that you know you've fixed/created something with your own two hands. We've tackled everything from working on the chassis right on up to final paint. The one vehicle that really challenged us was the ground up 'scratch build' of Rhythm, a one-off mid engine sports car. That involved fabricating a chassis, sheet metal forming the body, bodywork/paint, interior, wiring, etc. In some areas it was learn as you go with some trial and error thrown in. It's a car that's driven so everything has to be functional...we don't build trailer queens.
There is nothing wrong with outsourcing some parts of the build, but when one says they performed the outsourced work themselves... FAIL!
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Nick M.
A journey in design and fabrication begins with a vision, a single pen stroke ... and in some cases the blow of a hammer.
I do all my own work did a 71 bug body off doing 1948 chev p/u i do the welding, body work,paint, wiring , I do not do glass motors or tran so i guess i only do 75% But they are drivers not show cars do it for fun
I try and do as much as I can, or interests me. Many people are doing a one time build and don't want to put the money out for all the necessary equipment to perform the repairs. You don't really need to be handy or talented in restorations/builds to be a car person. What I can't fathom, are the people who come on car sites and complain about how hard or difficult the repair is. I see this hobby like gardening, very soothing and peaceful. If you're a painter and hate painting, or a carpenter that hates the smell of wood, find something else to do.
Not shure who has the worst attitude at a car event .The $30 thousand dollar guy who is telling me about all the fancy stuff he bought,that I can't afford or the guy in my other ear bragging about how tallented he is cause he has the skills and equipment to do it all.Both come accross as thinking they are better than others.I personally don't care either way ,I am just out for a sunny day drag racin or looking at cool cars.I have limited skills and limited funds but I am luckey to have friends and family in the same position and somehow we keep them running.To borrow a saying from someware "leave your attitude at the gate ",its a hobby guys and we are all here to have fun. Ed
Well, over the last 50 years of my experience this has always been an issue. The real rodders have always taken pot shots at the guys that can afford to buy a car finished. I don't know if its jeolousy or what and I've never been able to figure that out. It is what it is. Back in the late 60's I bought muscle cars and the guys that had hot rods resented it. Lets face it, they could build a 283 or 327 all they want but they couldn't compete with a 427 Chev or a 440 Dodge. If a person owns a hot rod and hasn't built it himself, does that mean he has no right to call himself a hot rodder. The sacrimonious idiots that say this are, as far as I am concerned, literally self centred goof balls. What does it cost someone to respect someone that does not have the ability to build an old car, but does want an old car. These characters have been around forever I think. If it wasn't for the people buying the old cars that were already built where would we be. Yes, I have my own mig welder, plazma cutter, chop saw, etc., but the guy that buys a car finished is more than welcome to come over to my place and shoot the s......t anytime he would like and I'll help him any time I can. We all learn by helping someone else. Doug.
i wouldnt agree that jeleousy fuels the hatin' for people who go out and buy a finished rod, i think people tend to operate on different levels of ability and money. myself i enjoy fabricating and customizing prolly more than driving it, others im sure just want to drive. i think we all have a certain threshhold when it comes to a build. back in the day for example when i was not so well heeled, i did everything from junkyard parts, now i will go out and buy a new aluminum rad or spend the money on a t 10 instead of a saginaw. people that go out and buy a prefabbed rod have the means financially and likey either no time or no desire to turn wrenches or dont have the ability needed to build a rod. we in the alley keep it low buck whenever we can.
You gotta be friggin kidding me. People whinning about other peoples rides and if they built them or paid to have them built. Different people have different levels of talent. Some are handy some are not. Some just like to whine.Still a fun time driving and talking about them ...untill the whinners start the complaining...whinning weeeeeenies....Thought this site was going to be a fun place to swap car stories.....guess not.
I do all my own work,,talent or not. I finished my '41 Int'l last April. This is the last one I am building,,,except for the '42 Int'l I am tinkering with. I drove a 68 Firebird for 22 years before doing a frameoff and selling it...There is good reason many guys cannot do their own work,,family commitments, lack of time and space and then there's the group of just too freakin' lazy or too busy running their mouth about how they would have built my truck.
this is my 68 bird I sold once i brought home my next project. It was a driver when i bought it but after 20 years it was time to do some work if i wanted to get some $$$ out of it..The frame off took 2 years,,replacing floor pans in one of these cars is a huge PIA,,I had no idea till I got started and called EarlyBirds in Toronto for some advice,,,they told me how much they charged to install floor pans,,,once you have done the pans you know why they charge what they do,,,I do agree that if you shop the US market it is cheaper to buy than build..
I don't care weather you built your car from melted sand in the back yard or bought it with a million dollars you daddy gave you. Any way you got your ride is fine with me please just don't come to a car show and dump on the guy next to you because his wasn't this or isn't that compared to yours. Its real frigging simple open mindedness will bring better experiences to you. I was the kind of guy that automatically summed up a guy by the car he drove not always correctly. I didn't talk to a good friend who is on here for years because he came into the hobby because his dad was in to cars so I judged him as a spoiled car kid. I was wrong. Not all guys with big buck cars are A holes and not all kool car owners are good guys. I have met lots of people and like some and stay away from others. Its all attitude good bad and ugly.
-- Edited by workin class on Monday 30th of April 2012 10:30:09 PM
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///// Join THE LOSERS c.c. of Ontario Ask me how/////
Hey Darkside, we don't need to be so serious! This thread is simply an assembly of peoples thoughts, opinions and yes, experiences (stories). Everyone has had someone piss them off at sometime or another. Mine was when this old guy walked up to me at a "show and shine" and started to tell me what he thought of my "Bastardized Visor" and ****ty paint (John Deer Blitz Black). I was able to calmly stop him in mid rant and asked him if he thought that I cared what HIS opinion is. Further to that I was able to explain to him that he didn't understand the very hobby he was part of because HIS opinion meant so much to HIM. After informing him that my ride is only what I can afford currently (kids in school, mortgage, WIFE, etc) and that it will be evolving as time goes by but only to please ME and if he didn't like it it may be better to just walk past mine to look for something he likes better. He actually came back and appologized. It seems that back in the day he was a poor Hot Rodder with the greased back hair and cigarette package up his sleave, a real hooligan in his day, out-ran the cops, probably got laid in the back seat, etc, etc. In the end we need to see NOT what was done to someones elses ride or how much $$$ he has into it or how perfect/imperfect they are but to try to see what it means to them. Personally, I like the guy that has buckets of money and drives an old beater that reminds him of his early days gone by or just as a reminder to look back and appreciate/experience a simpler time. He'll be the guy with his arm out the window, oldies on the radio, doing the speed limit and sporting a big smile on his face. IMHO.
I overheard my wife speaking to her girlfriend (That I had not met) the other day, and I think her friend asked her if I was handsome or handy ....... without missing a beat she said "He's handy and I wouldnt have it any other way" I didnt know whether to take that as a compliment or not...lol
As far a cars go...I have been building for 30 years...never had the money to buy, but had the determination to build.
When I go to the local "Spit and Polish" I look at the "Store bought" but talk to the Backyardigans..... I will compliment the crap out of some young guy that has made an atempt to build .....good or not so good because they are the future builders...without them building, buyers wont have anything to buy.
When I had my car in Megaspeed this year....I lmfao when I found out my $10k home built was in the same class as the Grand Champion (over $400,000 ) I drove mine home....he wrapped his in a blanket, loaded it into a trailer, and took it to a place where no-one will ever see it or enjoy it......
So far I have driven it every month this year...thanks to no snow days .... and when I go out and people look at it....(if I have the time).. I tell them to get in and see it. They look at me like Im crazy...then get in and look and come out with a smile a mile long...
To me....its not whether you build them or buy them....its if you ENJOY them and share with others.....
Blah, Blah, Blah...... My rant for the day
-- Edited by Grumpsbodyworks on Tuesday 8th of May 2012 11:06:38 AM
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"If you don't pass on the knowledge you have to others, it Dies with you"
I'm just starting out in building. My first project car was a 68 Chevelle, I bought the car as a project. I built the engine on it with my engine guy (he had a bad accident and couldn't put it together, so he taught me how to do it and watched over to make sure I didn't put a piston in upside down or anything). It was building that engine that I realized I liked building things and making something work. I started doing other things to the car like floors, trunk, wiring and odd things with friends.
2 years ago I met a friend for coffee (Grumpsbodyworks) and we chatted about cars. I wanted to build a rod. He thought I was crazy for the idea I had in mind and what I wanted it to look like, but he was willing to lead the way and show me how it was done.
Next thing I knew my 7 year on going project on the Chevelle was heading down the road with its new owner and I had a pocket full of cash burning a hole as I wanted an old 30's body to start working on. I bought the body and we started working away, one day a week and every other weekend.
Grumpsbodyworks and I have been working together for 2 years now, finished my 1930 Ford, his 1931 Chev and started my new 1931 Chev coupe. I wouldn't have it any other way, building them and saying you built them gives you pride in ownership, helps create new ideas for future builds and a sense of accomplishment.
I think high school auto teachers should teach this in class, let the kids build hotrods / rat rods and show them what they are capable of. My high school only allowed me to re wire stuff, clean cars, change plugs and do oil changes...kind of a waste of time when I look back at it, If I had an hour and 20 min to work on my car everyday...the possibilities would be endless.
-- Edited by Devilish on Wednesday 9th of May 2012 03:37:14 PM
I claim I built my 58 Belair some 20 years ago. I was in my mid-late 20's and had all kinds of people tell me not to bother with an "ugly 58 Chev" cause they're not worth anything. I ignored them. I went through a lot building this car as a first attempt. I learned a lot, did a lot wrong, and still consider it as an amateur restoration. Douglas Engine in Brantford rebuilt the 283, a crappy tranny shop "rebuilt" the powerglide, and Lew Carlaw Auto Body in Campbellford did the awesome body and paint. What did I do? The rest. So not a total build but I realized my limitations.
My 68 Chevelle differed in that I did all the body welding, but my father-in-law (thankfully) took the putty knives, sanders and paint guns away from me cause I really sucked at it.
My current project 58 Impala I hope to do all the body and paint, but the engine (348 Tri-power) was still built by Douglas in Brantford. I just can't do it.
If I was smart, I'd buy something somebody else started and / or finished. Its faster and a helluva lot cheaper.
My reason for building is the accomplishment, the things learned and people met. When it brakes down I have a good chance of knowing where to look before I get out of the car.
Saying all this does it make me a builder? I dunno. I'm a car-junkie and a grease-ball, but I really don't know anymore than the next guy, nor am I any better or worse. Lets just be glad we all got a common interest and get out there and drive, yap, peel-out...whatever cranks ya.
One last thing...don't point out the flaws in my cars...I know they're there cause I put em there.
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Member of Brantford Piston Pushers and a Disciple of Speed of the E.L.T.A.
Who cares how you got it, just drive the wheels off of it and we'll all get along.....................bottom line there are many kinds of car people, just as in every other facet of life........... Sometimes you have to look the other way and hold your tongue, just makes life easier...........
I've met more than a few rodders who really don't put a lot of effort into driving or hanging out with their cars, they just want to be in the garage building the next one. I like a little of both, always try to have one car to drive and one car to build, right now I am lucky to have finished all the ones in my garage. And yes they all have home garage paint jobs and workmanship. But that doesn't make them or me any better than anyone else. It is all about respect. and everyone deserves that, just for being a participant in our sport.
-- Edited by DavyJ on Tuesday 15th of May 2012 09:48:30 PM
Well said.. Myself, I've been working on two of my cars at the same time.. not fun but that's how it happened.. got the nostaglic car out last july at Grand Bend Dragway.. OooH! what a feeling.. nerves, and every other emotion that a person could feel.. at that moment . Things went better that i had planned.. It could have poured rain 5min. later . I had the best time in many years.. hope to put this car on the road some day.. i enjoy building one as well as driving one.. Still have a bunch of work to do to the street car before it gets on the road.. I've been a spectator at the races & area cruise nites for a very long time,now.. going just makes me work harder and motivates me to not give up..
