Finally past the Brick wall of restorers block.

[John M.]

I bought this coupe last Fall with the intent of stripping her down to only the body on the frame and getting her finished up by April for this years show season.

I gutted the engine bay, and the front and rear suspension, had the motor rebuilt to 400HP 460 Ft. Lbs and ordered all the parts to reassemble.

I don't know how it happened, but I hit a brick wall. I bought a Motorcycle in spring and just totally lost interest and motivation on the Vette.

It just sat there and I couldn't do anything to get moving on it. Even after missing all the shows in Spring.

So finally over the 4th of July Weekend something snapped and I rocked on it for 3 days over the weekend and made tremendous progress.

I think I'm back on track but can't imaging how you guys stay focused on 2-3 year frame off restorations without loosing motivation.

I hope I can stay focused but think that with the progress I made I'm obsessed again and should be able to bust it out.

I've restored several cars and bikes and understand the obsessive dedication it takes, but I've never went into a slump like this before.

So how do you keep the motivation and drive focused when you do multi-year projects?

[Wayne B.]

Re: Finally past the Brick wall of restorers block.

Stay focused? "Slump" is my middle name.

Seems to me that working consistantly at a project is, well, work! It is after all, a hobby. Mine was worked hard then I'd just crank it up now and then I'd have another spurt as the pages fell off the calander. I've cranked back up on mine but I think that it's because I looked around and said "hey, it's not that far from done!"

By the way, that garage is WAY too clean and organized...I don't see how you get anything done.

[John M.]

Re: Finally past the Brick wall of restorers block.

Looks kind of cluttered to me.

[Tim S.]

Re: Finally past the Brick wall of restorers block.

So how do you keep the motivation and drive focused when you do multi-year projects?

I try to stay focused, set reasonable goals, & enjoy the work. Plus.......I rotate the inventory in the fridge while I admire the work!

Looks real nice John! Keep the updates coming.

Tim

[Roy B.]

Re: Finally past the Brick wall of restorers block.

I don't think it's a matter of focus but money , most people that take years to finish their Corvette is a matter of money not focus . I did a body off 55 and restored it in six months my self that took money to do. I sold many parts I had collected for "years" that I sold later to get the money to do it. It all comes down to money weather you do it or have some one els do it.
It's hard if you cant do much of the work your self , people that have to use and rely on others is ten times more expensive

[Chris E.]

Re: Finally past the Brick wall of restorers block.

Motivation is something I've struggled with. I took the first bumper bolt off the car back in October 2006. The car is scheduled to be done in the next couple months here. But back a couple of years, it was a struggle. All is well now that the big pieces are done (body paint, motor, frame, etc). Now I just need to get the two halves back together and put an interior in the car. How hard can THAT be?

[John M.]

Re: Finally past the Brick wall of restorers block.

It's funny to Roy's point about Money being the hindrance, now that I'm cranking on it, I realize I need to come up with a couple grand to finish it so I'm going to hit another brick wall.

Then when I have the money, I'll probably be in a motivational slump again.

Oh well, I guess if it was easy, everybody would be driving Vintage Corvettes,

[Clem Z.]

Re: Finally past the Brick wall of restorers block.

i think age has something to do with it. when i was a lot younger i worked are regular job,ran my race engine business and went to the races 3 nights a week. right now i am lucky to get anything done including mowing the grass and i am i good physical condition. as you get older priorities change and working 18-20 hours a day is not one of them. JMHO

[Roger W.]

Re: Finally past the Brick wall of restorers block.

It seems like you will have time to work on the Vette, but those little interuptions will blow the whole work schedule for the evening

[Patrick T.]

Re: Finally past the Brick wall of restorers block.

It seems like you will have time to work on the Vette, but those little interruptions will blow the whole work schedule for the evening

I think the biggest interruption I had was that refrigerator full of beer in the garage! PT

[Bill H.]

Re: Finally past the Brick wall of restorers block.

funny you mention it. I too feel like I ve hit the walll, but then again the money wall hits me too. My 2 year project is almost 2 years old. ok maybe it will take 3-4 years but this is the only way to afford a classic. Some people can just buy a 100k car with pocket money( not me), mine will take me longer and I maybe I'll appreciate and enjoy it more.
either way when you are ready (or your pocket is ready) enjoy the pride in restoring a classic.
they are worth it

[Pete B.]

Re: Finally past the Brick wall of restorers block.

What works well for me is to go to meets and regionals and seeing the completed cars, that gives me the added boost to keep trudging on. If you are doing a body off, and you are doing work yourself, there is a bunch of stuff you can do and not spend money. I work one or two months on cleaning or refurbing things (anything... even bolts and bumper brackets) Then I will go off and order $200-$300 parts that will "create" more tasks and so it goes.
Above all you have to have fun, when its becomes a chore you have to decide to hold off for a few days or weeks. I would never let it sit more than a few weeks....even if I'm just reorganizing parts.