HA HA - Truth revealed!
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HA HA - Truth revealed!
Posted: June 03 2008 07:12 PM
 
Eric Hibbs (aka 31tudor) [ View ] [ ehibbs@nuteltech.com ] [ Car Ads ] [ Blogs ]
St. George, Utah
(435) 668-1401
 Eric Hibbs
 
Was window shopping eBay this afternoon and came across the following statement:


THIS COUPE IS TURN KEY! YOU CAN DRIVE IT TO THAT CAR CRUISE NEXT WEEKEND. APPROXIMATLEY 90% OF US "CAR GUYS" NEVER FINISH BUILDING THE (8 YEAR PROJECT) HOT ROD. THOSE OF US THAT SUCCEED , EVENTUALLY REALIZE THAT THEY JUST SPENT 8 YEARS OF THEIR LIVES WORKING IN THE GARAGE, INSTEAD OF 8 YEARS OF CRUISING AROUND IN YOUR HOT ROD HAVING FUN. BELIEVE ME LIFE IS TOO SHORT. THE HONEST ONES WILL ALSO AGREE THAT THEY COULD HAVE BOUGHT A FINISHED CAR FOR LESS MONEY TOO! MY RESERVE IS PRICED LOWER THAN YOU COULD BUILD THIS CAR FOR.


(BY THE WAY, I SPENT OVER 10 YEARS BUILDING MY 34' FORD THREE WINDOW COUPE. I DID ENJOYED BUILDING IT, BUT I MUST ADMIT, IT WAS A LOT OF VERY VERY HARD WORK!)



Couldn't have said it better myself!!! Won't do another complete build until I'm retired! Gonna have Don build my next hot rod(s)!!!
 
 
Comments
 
Posted by smhobbs  -  06/03/2008 07:23 PM
Nothing wrong with buying allready built. Thats what I did with mine. I do plan on learning how to fix it, as well as making the changes that may take place.
smhobbs [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Deshler, Ohio
 
Posted by DavyJ  -  06/03/2008 09:29 PM
Sure is a true statement, but still love the fun of getting down and playing. Although Don would certainly get it done quicker, and with his volume discounts it would probably be cheaper too.
Still driving the wife's car, cause I am slow. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Niagara Falls, Canada Charter Member since February 2005
 
Posted by Willys33  -  06/03/2008 11:53 PM
Let me see...you are bitter because you built a car rather than buy one. I think I'm a little prouder of my car because I built it. The time I spent in the garage was quality time creating something I, and only I, could make. Rather than build my own I could have gotten a second job and paid someone else to build it. All work and no play...building is play to me.
Get off the trailer and drive [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Alamogordo, New Mexico
 
Posted by 37tin  -  06/04/2008 02:23 AM
............Yep,,,Willys33, I'm with ya, your the one that will be satisfied with the 2nd bracket , the 1st didn't have ever decreasing oval slots, or whatever, I think you know what I mean, you got to make stuff to your liking, that's cool!!! And Eric, I sure would like to be standing in front of your grill when you back the (A) out and go for you'r 1st run, probably see a bigger grill on the inside of the windshield....... after all the work you put in, your gonna love it!! some people can make time, some can't,, 11 kids, sheesh, 34guy excellent choice!! he builds a nice piece, have him build it, then ya can get back to the other thing your good at,,,ok,, I'm laughing now,,gotta go .wife just told me it's whipped cream nite//
37tin [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] langley, Canada
 
Posted by orphans2  -  06/04/2008 09:17 AM
I bought mine. All original steel hot rod. Then took it apart to check the build and put it back together again. Still got a good sense of building, just no worry about getting parts and making parts fit, etc.

When I retire I plan on building one. Either a rpu or a track t with a banger motor. I figure by then gas will be $12/gal and a banger will be a good choice.
orphans2 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Stewartstown, Pennsylvannia Charter Member since November 2001
 
Posted by 31tudor  -  06/04/2008 11:30 AM
Oh I'm not complaining --or bitter-- Jerry, just a statement that many of us are simply too busy to invest the time to build a car in a timely manner. I've now had my A for eight years and think back to day one. I swore I'd have the car on the road in six months.


It was mostly complete, minus motor and tranny, which I had. As I started getting deeper and deeper into it I did more and more to make it better. Now I can say although it's no Riddler Contender, it's the very best rod I could build, so no regrets.


On the other hand, if I had just taken a 2nd on the house eight years ago I could have bought a $35K roadster, had it already paid off, driven it 150K miles, and driven it for all that time.


I enjoy working on the cars, but for my first rod it's WAY more work than I ever expected it to be. I hear of so many people with little to no experience (like me) who want to build a car. After reading magazines and watching Overhaulin' anyone can do it in six months... right? I encourage every new-comer I meet to BUY a car first, then build one later.


And when I don't have 11 kids to feed and don't work 80 hours a week I'll have a little more time to BUILD cars.


Hey Robert, banger motors ARE popular! :-)
Eric Hibbs [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St. George, Utah Charter Member since January 2002
 
Posted by 31tudor  -  06/04/2008 11:32 AM
Hey 37TIN, how was whipped cream night? LMAO. Remember, this is a family site!
Eric Hibbs [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St. George, Utah Charter Member since January 2002
 
Posted by cr55  -  06/04/2008 12:39 PM
Got to agree with Willys33. Too much fun when building your own car. I enjoy the time spent on it and the fact that I did it! Not taking anything away from the pros, each person has different lifestyles and finances that play into the decision to build or buy.
By the way tin, whipped cream nite sounds like a lot of fun!........CR
I thought that I knew it all , but.. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] dover, Delaware
 
Posted by 30 A pickup  -  06/04/2008 01:29 PM
I am building mine. I have built them all. I would be closer to being finished with mine, but if I don't like it, I do it again until I do.

If I have a bad day at work, I go home & work on it. That relieves the stress of baby sitting 24 grown men for 10 hours!!!!! I also enjoy doing it.
30 A pickup [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Cowpens, South Carolina
 
Posted by REBORN55  -  06/04/2008 01:30 PM
I built my 55 and know every inch of it. I have paid decent money for my last 3 street rods and have had redo them. Not much fun when you spend good money to enjoy driving them. so I guess when ragtop leaves I am seriously thinking about finding an unfinished product and finish it the way I want. Only person you have got to please is yourself.
Ken [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] De soto, Illinois
 
Posted by rcool33  -  06/04/2008 02:12 PM
Eric, i'm kinda with you on this.I spoke with many guys prior to me having mine built, and quite a few said, mainly because of the lenght of time to complete the build, they wouldn't do it again. One of the first cruises i attended with the car, a guy and two of his friends were looking my car over pretty good. He informed me he had a 34 that he had been working on for over 3 years, the interior was not finished, the car did not have air conditioning, and he was running a small block. I always have a few of the builders business cards on the window, hoping i can get him some business. The guy saw this, and ask me would i mind telling him how much the car cost me. I said no, i'm not embarassed about what i paid. $ 42,500 delivered to my house. His one buddy said, see what have i been telling you. The car owner said he had $ 37,000 in the car, plus his time, no interior, no a.c. and a small block chevy. His final words were, you probably did the right thing. Although, like ORPHANS2, when i retire, i would like to try my hand at building something. With all the knowledge on this site, i don't think i could screw up too bad if i ran into problems.
rcool33 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] aliquippa, Pennsylvannia
 
Posted by 31tudor  -  06/04/2008 02:22 PM
I think the point is being missed, I'm not discounting the enjoyment or pride of building your own car. I'm building mine for the same reason you all have stated.


I didn't mean this to be a "built vs. bought" discussion, only to remind us that sometimes we get buried for years in our projects when there is an alternative. I mean to take NOTHING away from home or professional builders. We all do what we do for our own reasons.


Interesting, I honestly didn't expect this kind of feedback. RCOOL and SMHOBBS, I guess we stand alone on this. Oh well.
Eric Hibbs [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St. George, Utah Charter Member since January 2002
 
Posted by 29robert  -  06/04/2008 03:02 PM
Eric. You make a good point though. Although I'm enjoying buildin my own car and it's goin to turn out exactly the way I want, it's takin a LOT longer and costin a LOT more than I had planned. I can see, had I purchased a already completed car, I would have probably paid less and would have been drivin it for the past 6 years instead of buildin. I'm not sayin that's what I should have done, just an option I may have considered had I realized what was involved in buildin my own.
29robert [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] La Verne, California Charter Member since November 2004
 
Posted by REBORN55  -  06/04/2008 04:07 PM
I guess the question that always go through my mind--is can you really buy a car that suits your tastes. I keep thinking I have but usually wind up spending a bunch more on the car, whereas I might have been able to build one to my liking for about the same price. I am forever tweaking and making the turnkey ones that I buy better and to my liking so whay not just bite the bullit and try and build it myself.
Ken [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] De soto, Illinois
 
Posted by DaveHughes  -  06/04/2008 04:22 PM
there Are alot of guys out there that truly ENJOY the building process- some even more then driving there cars and going to shows. I am not one og those- alot of it has to do with that I work on cars all day and dont care to do it that much in the evenings and weekends- therfore my projects are long ones due to the fact I lose intrest. But Let me say this- I have bought several finished cars- The BEST cars I have ever had have been the ones built by guys like 29robert that have been built over several years and every detail thought to death and perfected before done. they are always stand out cars and pleasures to drive...And my guess is You get more car for the money from people like his when they decide to sell as they didnt build it to make a living or turn a few bucks they built it for the enjoyment and are ready to start another project..not saying robert is doing this, just using his project as an example of as very detailed build by a home rodder
DaveHughes [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] seaman, Ohio
 
Posted by meangene  -  06/04/2008 04:35 PM
as far as building versa buying one i've only bought one and will never do it again there was so much wrong it was bad (my first)as far as building one i would do my own.at least if something wrong the only one i can blame is myself.plus i'm not going to set and watch oprah got better things to do with my time
even a blind hog finds a acorn [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Labadie, Missouri
 
Posted by dwalters  -  06/04/2008 04:55 PM
I built a 23 roadster years ago when I was "young" and raising a family. I had to sell it during hard financial times. I retired recently and have been building a Zipper 27' Lakester. It has been wonderful "therapy" for me. I have enjoyed the build so much, that I think I will do a 32' or 34' 3 window next. The "build" has been fun! I can't wait to drive it!
dwalters [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Shell Knob, Missouri
 
Posted by rcool33  -  06/04/2008 06:21 PM
REBORN55, From my experience, i think it's dam hard to buy a car that suits your every taste. I looked at quite a few before i decided to have one built. Sometimes it was the color that i wasn't keen on, other times the interior wasn't what i really wanted, didn't like the motor in this one, wheels look like crap on that one. You know what i'm talkin about. And the few that i really did like, were way out of my price range! The only way to get that dream car, is either build it yourself like many of the members of this site have, or go my way, and have it built professionally. My main concern with building your own was the time frame. At this time in my life,i just couldn't see putting 3 or 4 years into a build. I WANT TO DRIVE THE DAM THING RIGHT NOW! Ok. i'm done.
rcool33 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] aliquippa, Pennsylvannia
 
Posted by Godfada3  -  06/04/2008 06:27 PM
Hello,

I'm the "Car guy" that wrote the original statement. It was written by me in my Ebay ad (item # 110257902128)for a 1932 Ford 5 Window coupe I'm selling. I did mean what I said but, I need to clarify something. I built my own 1934 Ford from scratch. Most of the parts were purchased from swap meets except for the new stuff. I missed many of meals, special events and lost tons of sleep. But, I wouldn't have traded it for anything in the world. I will never sell the car. It will go to my kids (they will probably sell it?) Anyway, my car is built for me. It fits me fine. The steering wheel drops in my hands, the armrest is in perfect position for my elbo, it has the interior and paint I picked, etc., etc.

I have been driving that 34' for 6 years now and I get the same thrill now as I did the first day it cranked up and drove out of the driveway. I've taken it to a few shows, but I've never entered it in any show . I don't want or need a trophy. All I desire is to stop crowds on Main Street during Bike week, get thumbs up and see people point and smile.
Godfada3 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Holly Hill, Florida
 
Posted by DaveHughes  -  06/04/2008 06:28 PM
Well said rcool33.. Its hard to find one that is your perfect dream car-- But even if you build one theres always something you would have done different..right?? By the way you made an excellent choice-- but I am a little biased to the 33 ford thing though...
DaveHughes [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] seaman, Ohio
 
Posted by 31tudor  -  06/04/2008 06:38 PM
What Ken (REBORN) said is the key. If you can find a car TO YOUR TASTES that is already done and doesn't need a lot more parts and labor, then you're likely money --and definitely time-- ahead. You have to know what you're buying though.


Like Dave said, there are many cars out there for sale that are built by people who love their cars and don't cut corners. Cars like Robert's A, Ken's latest Chevy and Mean Gene's cars are a perfect example of that. The amount of time AND LOVE that are put into their projects (and mine) could never be afforded having a professional builder do it. Plus, all the time to do something then re-do it a few more times to make it satisfactory, which is what Len said earlier in the post. I chalk my re-do's up to inexperience. Robert's are just plain anality. Is that a word? LOL


I guess the bottom line here is that we all do things how we choose, which is cool. Diversity makes sure we don't all drive red '32 highboy roadsters, right?... cuz that would be boring!


RCOOL, any regrets with your coupe? Nah, I didn't think so. You did what worked for you. I'm doing what works for me, and next time I'll do things different based on my available time and funds.


Oh well, interesting conversation to say the least.
Eric Hibbs [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St. George, Utah Charter Member since January 2002
 
Posted by 31tudor  -  06/04/2008 06:49 PM
Gorgeous coupe Godfada, thanks for dropping in.
Eric Hibbs [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St. George, Utah Charter Member since January 2002
 
Posted by bigdude  -  06/04/2008 06:52 PM
I have had 12 cars in the last 18 years-and have had to rebuild every one of them to my specs although they were already drivable. Nuttin wrong with that!
resident know it all [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Three Rivers, Michigan Charter Member since January 2004
 
Posted by 37tin  -  06/04/2008 09:09 PM
31tudor, family site for sure, I respect that. as a matter of fact go get the kid's they might get a kick outa this, somebody has to, I didn't. you asked, so here we go,,, and cr55,,,fun,,,,,,no,,,,exciting,,,yes!!!!pushed the nozzle and it jammed, lot's of foam,pulled the stupid nozzle out and it still wouldn't stop, now what?? put it in the sink, it doesn't wash away, toilet was no help either won't flush away,just sits there, you guy's got no idea how much stuff is in a redi whip can,,, ok, plan b, plastic bag,, in goes the can seal it up, half way to the back door the bag blew the can hit's the floor still doing what it does best, throw the can out still fizzin away...had to mow the lawn today anyway, lets see what happen's,,,, another story in itself..........jello will now be the order of the day, what could possibly go wrong????????
37tin [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] langley, Canada
 
Posted by 37tin  -  06/04/2008 09:05 PM
oh yeah,,,, back to the point of your post Eric,,, Im gonna stay building and with jello, a helluva lot less work!!!
37tin [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] langley, Canada
 
Posted by DavyJ  -  06/04/2008 09:23 PM
Eric....isn't it amazing how much can come from one small statement! I agree that many first timers would be way better off buying rather than giving up in frustration, but after gaining experience everyone should get that satisfaction of building one themselves. I have a few friends out here who never keep their cars, just keep building one after another and just enjoy the build......
Still driving the wife's car, cause I am slow. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Niagara Falls, Canada Charter Member since February 2005
 
Posted by DaveHughes  -  06/04/2008 09:23 PM
lmao 37 tin thats the funniest thing I have read in a long time...
DaveHughes [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] seaman, Ohio
 
Posted by da34guy  -  06/04/2008 09:42 PM
Len (37Tin) I got a good mental picture and couldn't stop laughin for 10 minutes.

Sounds like sumthin "Lucy" (Lucille Ball) would do !!!!!!!!!!
Don [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Prescott, Arizona Charter Member since October 2001
 
Posted by 29robert  -  06/05/2008 12:08 AM
Godfada3: really nice car. Good to hear from ya. Ya cracked me up 37Tin. I regret not being able to drive my dream car for the past 6 years, but when mine is done, ya won't be able to wipe the smile off my face for the rest of my life. The time will be worth it. I'll be buried in that sucker!
29robert [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] La Verne, California Charter Member since November 2004
 
Posted by roofcam34  -  06/05/2008 01:10 AM
Build or buy?? Lots of valid reasons for each choice. I had to buy because I don't have the skills to build one, and now I am too old to take a few years to do it anyway. Bought mine (first one) at a very good price, and can afford to modify or change some of the features to more of my liking, which I have been doing. Wish I had half the skills some of you guys do and couild do more of the build work. The only thing I am real comfortable with is the drive train stuff. Anyhow, I am enjoying the crusing and am planning on an attempt to build another. I'll likely need a lot of help, and may not live long enough to ever see it finished. In ending, I am impressed with the work of many of the self-built rods of all the guys I'm meeting at the crise-ins and the shows.
Leo (roofcam34) [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Sioux City, Iowa
 
Posted by cr55  -  06/05/2008 07:51 AM
I'm still laughing Tin!!!! Build or Buy, Trailer or Drive, WHO CARES!! Just have fun and if you build try to do it the best and safest that you possibly can. Remember the NSRA safety team for a 23 point check that can only help you..........CR(still laughing. As Porky said "a night to remember"
I thought that I knew it all , but.. [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] dover, Delaware
 
Posted by 31tudor  -  06/05/2008 10:27 AM
Hey Len, try mashed potatoes. I think there was an old movie that showed you could even build mountains out of those things! LMAO, great story bud!
Eric Hibbs [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] St. George, Utah Charter Member since January 2002
 
Posted by 41 Kustom  -  06/06/2008 09:05 AM
I'm so proud of myself for staying out of this one.
41 Kustom [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Essex, Vermont
 
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