How many of you are perfectionists when building a car?

[seanm]

Re: How many of you are perfectionists when building a car?

75%er here. Get it running safe and decent and finish the rest as you drive. Or maybe not at all. As Horsewidower has stated, perfection gets in the way of done.

I'm not a paint and body guy, so that is usually the ugliest stuff on my toys.

[BigBlockMopar]

Re: How many of you are perfectionists when building a car?

I find reality is always such a let down.
It always looks perfect in my head, but in reality it turns out like crap...

For my own projects these days I find it more important that they are drivable.
I've learned I usually keep on wrenching/improving on a car until it's roadlegal, then I drive it while my mind is working on a next project already. Even if I still want to do a couple of things on the car.

[SpiderGearsMan]

Re: How many of you are perfectionists when building a car?

seems like you buy all your cars grouch-o

[groucho]

Re: How many of you are perfectionists when building a car?

seems like you buy all your cars grouch-o

I've built MANY of my own cars, including the 38 in my avatar. I need to give myself "space" between builds or I get burned out. Sometimes I just buy something I like, spend a couple weekends making it suit me better, and just enjoy it. I tweak on EVERY one of them though, whether it's a complete build or a partial re-do. I get too restless during a build sometimes, and then the car doesn't provide me the needed entertainment for the effort I put into it....so I sell it. I'll post a couple of my current cars in a second that I built pretty much from zero. But, thanks for having my back

[Thumpin455]

Re: How many of you are perfectionists when building a car?

I have to tell myself it isnt a show car, it does not have to be perfect, it only has to be a driver. When I build an engine or transmission then it has to be spot on perfect and as close to the median of the tolerance, but body work and things of that nature, well that is different. If I did body work like I build engines, transmissions and set up gears, I would still be working on my Cougar. Eventually when I have enough skill and knowledge to do it very well, I will put in the effort on a paint job to make it as perfect as I can possibly get it. For now though, I just want things running, drivable, and not looking like two crack addict monkeys with ADD painted them with a hammer and bucket.

Perfect to me isnt having everything show quality painted, plated, or powder coated. Its about having it set up so it works right, every time, and lasts as long as possible. I guess for me its more of the machinist in me than the polisher. Do it right and form follows function in my mind.

[SpiderGearsMan]

Re: How many of you are perfectionists when building a car?

nothing wrong with hittin the swap meet with full pockets

[JOES66FURY]

Re: How many of you are perfectionists when building a car?

If I could do what groucho does I would in a heart beat...build what I want when I want or, if I feel like it....buy something, tweek it to make it my own, enjoy it and then move on to the next flavor of the week...

I envy dudes like that...I really do...

[groucho]

Re: How many of you are perfectionists when building a car?

nothing wrong with hittin the swap meet with full pockets

That depends on what you do when you get home

[cantvalve16]

Re: How many of you are perfectionists when building a car?

Perfection is an illusion. I guess it's part of the human condition to chase it. Seems like my skill level never lives up to my idea of perfection. That leads to frustration, unfinished projects and quitting. Build, drive, enjoy, repeat.

[Monk]

Re: How many of you are perfectionists when building a car?

My perfectionist stage....
You've never done a restoration until you've done
an AMC
The Hurst SC Ramblers were the toughest.
No re pop parts.....and no internet back then
Did an A & B scheme

Wasn't smart enough to take before pics



I'll take the street rodding scene







'69 AMX...before



'69 AMX....after



A Scheme '69 Hurst SC/Ramlber



A Scheme '69 Hurst SC/Rambler


B Scheme '69 SC/Rambler

[groucho]

Re: How many of you are perfectionists when building a car?

My perfectionist stage....
You've never done a restoration until you've done
an AMC
The Hurst SC Ramblers were the toughest.
No re pop parts.....and no internet back then
Did an A & B scheme

Wasn't smart enough to take before pics



I'll take the street rodding scene







'69 AMX...before



'69 AMX....after



A Scheme '69 Hurst SC/Ramlber



A Scheme '69 Hurst SC/Rambler


B Scheme '69 SC/Rambler

WOW!! When I moved to SoCal from NYC in 69, and I saw my 1st Rambler Scrambler unload from a transporter....I thought....WOW Rambler's "in the game"!

[SpiderGearsMan]

Re: How many of you are perfectionists when building a car?

too bad toad is at work , he would have a stroke

[SuperBuickGuy]

Re: How many of you are perfectionists when building a car?

I like perfection.... don't have the patience, time or money to do it.

[SpiderGearsMan]

Re: How many of you are perfectionists when building a car?

try to get perfection gets you a car that takes 11 years to build , and then you are broke

[std]

Re: How many of you are perfectionists when building a car?

I beat on everything I own. I don't wash them enough. Perfection isn't in me. It has to be right, not perfect