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Thoughts, kind of a support group....

775 views 10 replies 9 participants last post by  SuthnCustoms 
#1 · (Edited)
I was thinking the other day and I am sure there are quiet a few like this out there, but months go by and I work on the car then it sits. Now I just completed a new 26x26 garage for the car and realized that I am again not overly motivated to do work on it again. Then I was thinking it would be great to get together a bunch of people that were into restoring and hot rodding and I would be willing to host the group and bring the cars into the shop and we would all work on them. I spoke to one of my friends about this and he was up for it, but he does not have an older car to work on. Has anyone set up a group like this? I think together many more cars could get completed much faster and leave open options for finding engines and vehicles much easier. I checked around and there doesn't seem to be anything like this in my area, but I know I can fit 2-3 cars easily in my garage, ok the bikes would have to be moved, but it is do able.

Thoughts?
 
#3 ·
Good idea...

Think about charging a 'base storage' fee in order to cover utilities costs, stocking the fridge with 'refreshments', etc. Basically just a low C.Y.A. expenses charge based on the size of the person's project, that prevents someone just dropping something on your doorstep and not doing anything with it and making you feel used and resentful.

Find out what storage fees are in your area per month, and charge 10 percent more. I know I'd gladly pay that to have access to a well-equipped shop space to work out of.

Get enough ppl doing this and it's easy enough to sit back and use the fees as a second income, and rightly so.

Of course if ppl come by to help others with labor, tool usage that you do not provide, etc. then give them a fee reduction option as well.

I would shoot for purchasing some small, discrete cameras to set up a CC-Tv system, with a VCR with tape loop such as convenience stores use. 7 tapes will cover a weeks worth of wrenching time, and the cameras will discourage tool theft, arguments about who was doing what, etc. Another C.Y.A . measure. I have known some shady types who will not hesitate to lift whatever tools are convenient, and then claim later, "I forgot I had it in my pocket", or "I left it in the pickup bed..." If it comes to that the tapes are great evidence for the police to use, and your facilities will be known as a secure place to store projects, even if the door hangs wide open most days.

Insurance/liability is another issue, perhabs the 'good ol' boy' mentality can be a double edged sword. Buddies aside, someone getting hurt can and does happen, and I don't believe in this case simply signing a waiver to work at one's own risk would stand up in court. Something to think about. On the other hand there are times I don't do things that normally would not faze me, simply because it MAY be dangerous and I want someone around to call for help, if something bad DOES happen. Such as, I had need to get under the Kustomsledd the other day, looking for a small trans leak. With the air suspension all the way up I got it jacked up and on jackstands. I was still hesitant to get under it without someone else being around just in case it might(however small) have slipped or fallen off, because it sits **on the ground** with the air suspension down. Better to have someone else around able to call 911 just in the off chance.

Charging a bit above the normal storage fee will help prevent simple vehicle storage problems, unless you have room for that as well and can make a buck storing seasonal use items like snowmobiles, bikes, large mowers, etc. You can even do simple maintenance items like greasing, charging batteries monthly, etc and ppl may be willing to pay someone a bit more to have peace of mind, instead of merely picking up a machine from a different storage facility and facing a dead battery or flat tire, etc.

Anyhow just a few other things to consider...

IMO- there should be more ppl like you willing to do this. I remember doing the 472 swap into the 'sledd in the dead of winter with the motor/trans hanging from scaffolding, on a sloping gravel driveway... and I bet I'm not the only one who has done this...

Doc
 
#4 ·
Jackyl666 said:
I was thinking the other day and I am sure there are quiet a few like this out there, but months go by and I work on the car then it sits. Now I just completed a new 26x26 garage for the car and realized that I am again not overly motivated to do work on it again. Then I was thinking it would be great to get together a bunch of people that were into restoring and hot rodding and I would be willing to host the group and bring the cars into the shop and we would all work on them. I spoke to one of my friends about this and he was up for it, but he does not have an older car to work on. Has anyone set up a group like this? I think together many more cars could get completed much faster and leave open options for finding engines and vehicles much easier. I checked around and there doesn't seem to be anything like this in my area, but I know I can fit 2-3 cars easily in my garage, ok the bikes would have to be moved, but it is do able.

Thoughts?
I was thinking more beer drinking would be done than working on the cars. LOL.
I have been there too, many years a go as a young guy we were in to buggies and have friend to work with and go place with is a big plus. other than that your doing it for yourself. Sound like your looking to start a club where guy can hang out and have fun.
Take turn buying the beer and pulling out the grill bring the family's have a Blast.


Craig
 
#5 ·
Sounds like you want to have a very small unique car club. That is possible if you choose the right members. Go to the cruises in your area and talk to everyone who is hanging around. Find out who you like and try to find people who are having the same motivation problems as you. Those are the two guys you are looking for. Good luck.

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#6 ·
Not to hijack the thread as it sounds like a good idea, but the times I have problems getting motivated I go out in the barn and run my hands on a tail fin or two.

The sleek lines, the beautiful stainless get my blood flowing. Rubbing my hands all over my girlfriend almost get's the same reaction.
:thumbup:
 
#7 ·
Hands on some metal.

No fins on my 41 Buick, smooth even smoother now that the drip rails are off and the door handles are gone. I worked on it yesterday, but am quickly running out of lead need to place another order into eastwood. But yesterday was disturbing, every time I sand off the paint around the holes I am filling I find something else wrong, by the time I am done I will have replace 30-50% of the bondo fixing that I am finding with metal. My kids keep asking me what century I plan on finishing. It isn't that I cannot do it, but rather the limited time I have for it and the total depth of the project is the issue. That is the reason for the idea to help others and each other. I think last count I had 96 holes left to fill and I still need to fill in the trunk and the doors, that is not something that can be rushed, but by the end of the year I want the body to be done along with the fiber glass dash, so I can get it to paint by Feb. I figure with a goal I will force myself to achieve it and I know I can always get support from the board. Thanks. :thumbup:
 
#8 ·
Think of each hole as a little job. Celebrate each time you fill one. Remember it is just a whole bunch of little projects. Do you have to have it painted to drive it? I always try to get my projects on the road as soon as possible. Driving them always gives me a better outlook on what has to be done and the inspiration to do it.

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#9 ·
home brew said:
Think of each hole as a little job. Celebrate each time you fill one. Remember it is just a whole bunch of little projects. Do you have to have it painted to drive it? I always try to get my projects on the road as soon as possible. Driving them always gives me a better outlook on what has to be done and the inspiration to do it.
I agree with Homebrew, if you keep looking at the whole finished job you will be put off easily. I broke it down into small tasks which could easily be done in 2 hours, and I go out to the garage each day and spend that 2 hours. I tell myself that soon there will be no more small jobs to do and the car will be finished.

This week my 39 Hudson rolled out of a single 18 foot long garage under its own power and I can't describe to you how much satisfaction that gave me. Next comes rubbing down and painting the body, again it can be done in small tasks because all the panels can be removed and done one at a time. As Johnny Cash once sang "One piece at a time".
 
#10 ·
I have a few friends who have a little motorcycle support group. Not a formal club -- 3 or 4 them chipped in to rent some cheap garage space, and they have a fridge and microwave. If you are one of their friends and need a little space to work on a project, they will help you out, no cash involved, but it is expected that you may buy some pizza or beer in return for the hospitality.

They have helped me out -- the "Chief" even helped me shop for a bike and towed it home in his trailer.

Don't see why the same thing wouldn't work for cars if the people chemistry was right.
 
#11 · (Edited)
when i was in my late teens/ early twenties & living in Newark Delaware,i found a 9 bay garage for rent for my 72 ss chevelle i was roddin out cheap..2 freinds of mine pitched in on the monthly rent & electric bill
the memories in that place is the SWEETEST..thats where about 15-20 of us hung out on the weekends & even some weeknights after work..even had a little office in it & we all decorated the walls with old 50's & 60's car craft & hotrod magazine pictures of rods(man if we only kNEW what they'd be worth now)..was ALOT of bad_____ rods built in there ..lots of laughs..busted knuckles..beers drank over heartbreaks..nights spent on the couch in the office because you were in the doghouse with your girlfreind or wife...ahhhh..those were the days!!

the whole point to this story is..you never lost interest in your project because everyone surrounding you was into it also..if you wasnt seen around much..they'd come drag yer butt out on a weekend night to go cruisin with em or to the shop to drink a few & once your there drinkin a few n shootin bull..you KNOW was gonna end up with a few wrenches in your hand before the night was over...
 
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