A Means To An End

[Ryan]

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 conve...
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[K13]

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.

 

[GarageDog]

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.

 

[bulletpruf]

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?

 

[sberry]

Only reason I do it is I want or need something.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Also, did I hear correctly that he purchased the aluminum body in Italy? Or did he hand form it himself?

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.

 

[MushCreek]

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.

 

[gtae07]

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.

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".

 

[zmotorsports]

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.

 

[gahrajmahal]

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.

 

[CoryDH]

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.

 

[DavidR8]

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!)

 

[isb cornbinder]

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.

 

[Justind97]

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

 

[Hephaestus29]

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.

 

[isb cornbinder]

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.

I like watching someone else "do it" Maybe we are not on the same page with this. LOL