A Means To An End

Posted by 141drew Posted onAug 29, 2019 at 5:34 AM and filed under News & Editorial
Updated onUpdated on May 21, 2021 at 5:42 PM

There are really two types of people in the DIY/Maker world – Those that live to be in the shop and those that get in the shop to live. By that, I mean that some guys get more enjoyment out of making stuff than enjoying the thing they make. And conversely, some folks persist in the shop to make the thing they make so that they can truly enjoy it.

I’m sort of a hybrid myself… Some projects I can’t wait to get done with so I can use them. And others I don’t really even care all that much about using – I just want to make it.

Anyway, the video above kind of spawned this thought in my head this morning and I thought I would throw this out there – which one are you?

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K

K13

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Seems like a pretty cool guy. He was on Jay Leno's Garage with it as well. The body was actually a proof of concept body for Ferrari that wasn't good enough so the builder didn't get the job but kept the body. Also shows some pictures of a pretty bad accident he had in it.
 
G

GarageDog

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This car gets a lot of attention at our Saturday morning Cars & Coffee, stops in occasionally. Appreciate the "rawness" - not hiding anything.
Great clip, appears to be on the Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano. Very nice guy-great back story.
 

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B

bulletpruf

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The build is the journey for me. Once a car is done, it's time to sell it (losing money, of course) and move on to the next project.

EDIT - is there a build thread somewhere on this? Curious about the details. Also, did I hear correctly that he purchased the aluminum body in Italy? Or did he hand form it himself?
 
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S

Stuart in MN

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bulletpruf said:
Also, did I hear correctly that he purchased the aluminum body in Italy? Or did he hand form it himself?
Click to expand...

He found the body in a shop in Italy somewhere, it had been hanging in the rafters for 50 years. That's a pretty incredible story in itself. He fabricated a lot of the components of the car.
 
M

MushCreek

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I'm both, I guess. I make/fix/restore lots of things because I can't afford a new one, but many other projects are about the journey, not the destination.
 
G

gtae07

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Ryan said:
I’m sort of a hybrid myself… Some projects I can’t wait to get done with so I can use them. And others I don’t really even care all that much about using – I just want to make it.
Click to expand...

That's me, too. My airplane is a mix of both--I want the (finished) airplane but I want the process of making it, too.

Working on the cars is generally "because I have to", welding projects have been "because I want to".
 
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Z

zmotorsports

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I guess I'm a mixed bag.

I like repairing, rebuilding, repurposing, refurbishing and just overall keeping things properly maintained not only for myself but for others. I've done it as a way of making a living for 30+ years now but I also like building things for me and my family to enjoy.

When I was racing and showing cars and bikes I liked the feeling of accomplishment and actually enjoyed the cars I built but then it became too time consuming and expensive to maintain and that's all I felt like I was doing. I sold my race/show cars and got out of it for many years and just worked on other people's stuff because I enjoyed building and wrenching but then wanted to be done with them and hand them back to the owners.

I'm at the point now where I am enjoying what I'm building again. My coach, bike and especially our Jeep are all projects that I have enjoyed building and really enjoy using. I don't feel like I am working in the shop to live now as I feel like I am living to work in the shop and enjoy life with my wife.
 
G

gahrajmahal

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My stuff gets driven now. Often the cars are dirty as it is the experience of the journey, not having a vehicle that meets some strangers idea of what my cars should be. Good on the guy for building what he is passionate for.
 
C

CoryDH

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Like it all. Try not to get frustrated with things like car maintenance. Stuff that it isn't really a fun thing to do I try to find enjoyment in at least knowing what the right tool is to get the job done without hurting myself or breaking something. Wrenching on Harleys I look forward to. From tear down to firing it up I like the whole process.
 
D

DavidR8

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I'm a bike guy and I think I'm a mix of both the joy of doing and the joy in the end product.
(That car is amazing!)
 
I

isb cornbinder

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CUT & PASTE:
some guys get more enjoyment out of making stuff than enjoying the thing they make.
My wife says that is me. I have a $122,000, 1940 Ford taking up shop space. I have yet to drive it and I am not motivated, yet. Soon.
 
J

Justind97

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Ottawa, Canada
Seeing videos like this brings a certain feeling of fulfillment when seeing the final product roaring down the road. The car looks beautiful, yet raw. I'm sure just the way he wanted it.
I have the same sentiment, I love the building process. My love affair happens to be with 2 stroke vintage race bikes. The crackle of the exhaust as the motor awakes from a dirt nap of who knows how many years brings a huge level of satisfaction to me. Very similar to this guy.

I need to watch more videos like this as they motivate me to get out in the garage and work on bikes
 
H

Hephaestus29

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When I make a part or “something” I get a
sense or feeling of accomplishment I won’t
otherwise get just sitting on the couch watching
tv or watching someone else do it.
 
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