The Ford Barn

TJ · 10-02-2019, 07:16 PM

Bottom line if you are over 65 and don't have a lot of mechanical ability don't buy a project. You may not live long enough to drive it. I tell this to new guys to the hobby who want an old car. I also tell them you can buy one cheaper than you can build one and you can drive it now rather than 5-8 years down the road. At this stage of the game there are lot of unfinished projects out there that are being sold as part of an estate sale. The owner had no chance to ride in it and the kids just want the money. JMHO

DavidG · 10-02-2019, 08:12 PM

Good counsel, Tom.

Dodge · 10-03-2019, 02:40 AM

My Father May take the prize, 64 yrs. WWII, life, a family to raise, earning living, a couple of other projects in between you know how it goes.

Don · 10-03-2019, 08:33 AM

After about 10 years getting my 36 5w rebuilt and ready for paint I sold it to some else to finish,at 84 I didn’t want to leave a mess for the kids to deal with,still have a couple to play with that are done and will be easy to move on some day!!!

DavidG · 10-03-2019, 11:37 AM

My worst example was my avatar '32 station wagon which took the better part of 20 years thanks to an overseas assignment with Ford during that time and other self-inflicted delays. The end result was worth the wait.

RKS.PA · 10-03-2019, 12:30 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I'm a pretty good composite of many of the sentiments expressed above. #1, I don't want to leave a "mess" in my shop/garage for someone else to deal with after I'm gone. #2, When I'm more of less "finished" with a project, I suffer from the "no project syndrome"!, and #3, I'm too old to start another project from scratch for fear I might not be able to finish it!!

Funny how our attitudes change over time. When I was working, I cherished the time on the weekends when I could work on my Fords. Now, I "savor" the time I have now that I'm retired. Let's not rush this an enjoy every minute....because when it's done, what will I do??

Ken/Alabama · 10-03-2019, 01:46 PM

Took me seven years to complete my 39 Zephyr coupe from start to finish and still working a full time job. Going to pickup a 40 coupe basket case in the coming months . It should be a cake walk compared to that Zephyr but I had six way heart bypass in March so I’m not back up to speed but it will keep me busy.

10-02-2019, 07:16 PM	#81
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,023	Re: Amount OF TIME TO BUILD YOUR CAR Bottom line if you are over 65 and don't have a lot of mechanical ability don't buy a project. You may not live long enough to drive it. I tell this to new guys to the hobby who want an old car. I also tell them you can buy one cheaper than you can build one and you can drive it now rather than 5-8 years down the road. At this stage of the game there are lot of unfinished projects out there that are being sold as part of an estate sale. The owner had no chance to ride in it and the kids just want the money. JMHO

10-02-2019, 08:12 PM	#82
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,090	Re: Amount OF TIME TO BUILD YOUR CAR Good counsel, Tom.

10-03-2019, 02:40 AM	#83
Dodge Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Sonoma, CA. Posts: 1,495	Re: Amount OF TIME TO BUILD YOUR CAR My Father May take the prize, 64 yrs. WWII, life, a family to raise, earning living, a couple of other projects in between you know how it goes.

10-03-2019, 08:33 AM	#84
Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ashland KY Posts: 1,159	Re: Amount OF TIME TO BUILD YOUR CAR After about 10 years getting my 36 5w rebuilt and ready for paint I sold it to some else to finish,at 84 I didn’t want to leave a mess for the kids to deal with,still have a couple to play with that are done and will be easy to move on some day!!! __________________ DON P

10-03-2019, 11:37 AM	#85
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,090	Re: Amount OF TIME TO BUILD YOUR CAR My worst example was my avatar '32 station wagon which took the better part of 20 years thanks to an overseas assignment with Ford during that time and other self-inflicted delays. The end result was worth the wait.

10-03-2019, 12:30 PM	#86
RKS.PA Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Marana, AZ Posts: 1,194	Re: Amount OF TIME TO BUILD YOUR CAR Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I'm a pretty good composite of many of the sentiments expressed above. #1, I don't want to leave a "mess" in my shop/garage for someone else to deal with after I'm gone. #2, When I'm more of less "finished" with a project, I suffer from the "no project syndrome"!, and #3, I'm too old to start another project from scratch for fear I might not be able to finish it!! Funny how our attitudes change over time. When I was working, I cherished the time on the weekends when I could work on my Fords. Now, I "savor" the time I have now that I'm retired. Let's not rush this an enjoy every minute....because when it's done, what will I do??

10-03-2019, 01:46 PM	#87
Ken/Alabama Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,254	Re: Amount OF TIME TO BUILD YOUR CAR Took me seven years to complete my 39 Zephyr coupe from start to finish and still working a full time job. Going to pickup a 40 coupe basket case in the coming months . It should be a cake walk compared to that Zephyr but I had six way heart bypass in March so I’m not back up to speed but it will keep me busy.

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