Charger Rrstoration still not finished. Options for what to?

mad machs · Post by **mad machs** » Sun Jan 01, 12 7:30 pm

Maybe just take an enforced break, just put the car away for a couple of months & not touch it, then come back & see how you feel then.

MrNorm · Post by **MrNorm** » Sun Jan 01, 12 7:36 pm

I feel for you Roger, I am in a very similar situation. My Challenger has taken waaay longer than planned and since having twins progress is even slower. I do enjoy the process, for me it is different to what I do in the week so is a welcome change but nonetheless I still want to finish and drive it - and I am still knackered when I get home and have little free time and even less energy to work on it.

I don't think I really have many options because even if I did want to farm it out (and I don't really) I couldn't afford it, so I have got to keep going.
It is frustrating for sure, but rewarding as well.
I agree it is tempting to want to do it all yourself, but honestly I think the main reason for me is that I only want it done the way I would do it.

So can't really give you an answer but I sympathise. It does seem like you have done the bulk of the work? I think you would be happiest if you finished it yourself but equally if you have the money I wouldn't sweat it in getting someone to do it, you could work closely with them to mkae sure it was done how you want it - if that was understood and part of the deal & pricing then it could work well. Maybe some detailed planning sessions with the assemblers (again agreed up front) to be specific about things you are keen on.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Mon Jan 02, 12 9:47 am

Hi Roger, I know exactly how you feel.

Over 11 1/2 years people and their priorities change, and there is nothing wrong with that.

The one observation I have is that everyone I know who was done a major restoration on a big money car then sells it shortly thereafter (including myself).

I think that as Blue says, the restoration work is an important element of the process and once that is completed then there is a sense of the end being reached, and not the beginning commencing. Also, at that point the car is the best it will ever be and then it inevitably deteriorates if you use it.

I have always had more fun smoking about "driver" quality cars than resto jobs.

I drove the #'s matching AAR to Wheels day and then had it up on body jacks for 3 days polishing the underneath in an attempt to keep it up to the standard. I could not be bothered to do that nowadays.

Maybe you have reached a natural conclusion and you are ready to move onto something else or another interest. Maybe it is a temporary state of mind; and if you have the space to lay the car up and return to it when you are suitably motivated then that may be the best approach.

All the best,

Pete

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Mon Jan 02, 12 10:15 am

Hi again Roger,

Its all about current stadards of Mopars!
Once someone did a ground up resto of a mopar to a very high standard, we all feel obliged to copy that standard or even better it?
So now the guys/gals in the Mopar scene who have very rare/desirable Mopes are in a quandry.
I daren't bring my car out until its finished, and at least as good as last years best of show.
People like 'Roger' Gibson are taking apart finished cars and re-restoring them to an even higher standard than say 5 years ago.
Do we really care, NO!!!

Once the car has good paint on then bolt the old girl back together and smoke it around.
Then a driving resto can be done at leisure LoL!
If your car is only ever gonna be a trailer-queen then I can see why your head is hurting.
Once the car is finished as in bolted together and won some trophies, you still have to maintain it to a perfect standard, never drive it, only take it to specific shows in an enclosed traler, worry that some Jerk gonna scratch it outta jealosy and Bananarama! like that!

For me a driver quality car is fine, a cheap chinese replica part is Ok, rather than a $500 NOS air filter!

I can only applaude people who give up thier precious time and hard earned cash to fix an totally unpractical automobile!!!

We is all mad, just some are madder than others LOL!!!

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Mon Jan 02, 12 1:17 pm

Another consideration is age. You're eleven years older and this can also have an attritional aspect to consider. It's not really a relevant point given how much you have put into the car, but I'm happier with an everyday yank like Peter noted

BUDGIE · Post by **BUDGIE** » Mon Jan 02, 12 8:51 pm

I.M.O. the best thing you can do with it is .....................

Flog it to me .............

Roger · Post by **Roger** » Mon Jan 02, 12 9:30 pm

SIR BUDGIE OBE wrote:I.M.O. the best thing you can do with it is .....................

Flog it to me .............

Wondered how long that would take

Roger · Post by **Roger** » Mon Jan 02, 12 9:31 pm

MilesnMiles wrote:Another consideration is age. You're eleven years older and this can also have an attritional aspect to consider. It's not really a relevant point given how much you have put into the car, but I'm happier with an everyday yank like Peter noted

11 years older? Dont i know it!

Roger · Post by **Roger** » Mon Jan 02, 12 9:34 pm

Pete wrote:Hi Roger, I know exactly how you feel.

Over 11 1/2 years people and their priorities change, and there is nothing wrong with that.

The one observation I have is that everyone I know who was done a major restoration on a big money car then sells it shortly thereafter (including myself).

I think that as Blue says, the restoration work is an important element of the process and once that is completed then there is a sense of the end being reached, and not the beginning commencing. Also, at that point the car is the best it will ever be and then it inevitably deteriorates if you use it.

I have always had more fun smoking about "driver" quality cars than resto jobs.

I drove the #'s matching AAR to Wheels day and then had it up on body jacks for 3 days polishing the underneath in an attempt to keep it up to the standard. I could not be bothered to do that nowadays.

Maybe you have reached a natural conclusion and you are ready to move onto something else or another interest. Maybe it is a temporary state of mind; and if you have the space to lay the car up and return to it when you are suitably motivated then that may be the best approach.

All the best,

Pete

You told me that before

But right now i still want it finished. Not sure im ready for something else yet either. Though i have ideas, and they dont involve complete restos!

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Mon Jan 02, 12 9:55 pm

Well Roger, I think you answered your own question then.

Time to put your hand in your pocket. It will be ready for the Nats that way (and command a higher price when you sell

)

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue Jan 03, 12 11:18 am

One other problem?

Who's gonna drop everything and do the Charger in time for the Nats?
Last time I spoke to Big John he had a queue of 30 cars waiting to be done.
If he squeezes you in then its gonna get expensive LoL!

Best wishes and 'I am done' as the Yanks say!

bacca

Dave999 · Post by **Dave999** » Thu Jan 05, 12 4:38 pm

PMed ya

Dave

sinny · Post by **sinny** » Fri Jan 06, 12 2:11 pm

There's plenty of us out there in the same boat Roger. Mines taken 3.5yrs & will probably be another 2 before it's driveable (not too mention the costs!). But I try to stay positive (the guy's on here help with that).

I want to get it done but aren't in any massive rush & only work on it when I feel like it. Which is surely the point of a hobby.

It still puts a smile on my face when I look at it & that's the main thing. Keep your chin up, you'll get it finished one day & be glad you did.

Dave81 · Post by **Dave81** » Fri Jan 06, 12 5:06 pm

sinny wrote: It still puts a smile on my face when I look at it & that's the main thing. thumbright:

The only car i've ever had that has the above effect and that i'm happy just to have sitting there!

Wolfman · Post by **Wolfman** » Fri Jan 06, 12 5:43 pm

Roger wrote:
Adrian Worman wrote:Roger, my Challenger has been on and off in restoration for the last 25 years, it's finally been complete enough to drive for the past 2 years but still needs a fair amount of work doing to make it really nice................... and I still haven't lost enthusiasm or interest in it despite having a huge amount of workload in my real life
In fact I've just taken on Ivors Barracuda cos I was getting bored of not getting really stuck in to a big project, I must be an idiot but it gets me all excited and is a good escape from all the everyday crap.
For me it works but everyone's different but I'd say stick with it and be assured of the attention to detail that you will carry on putting in to it, good luck with it whatever you decide on............. Happy New Year
Part of the problem, and its entirely of my own making, is that my work is the same as my hobby! After a hard day of whatever you do (plumbing sales?) the car is a welcome change. Me i spend 10-12 hours working on cars, only to get home and find i need to do more of the same! Which doesn't get me excited because all i want to do is rest!

The answer is get out of the car trade, then it will be just a hobby you enjoy doing

. I did some years ago and it's alot more fun now