What do you do to stay motivated?

[ktneifert09]

Got a 68 that needs lots of work. So much body work that sometimes I want to scream!   What do YOU do when you need that extra bit of motivation to keep from pushing your dream car to the dump?

[1968_Charger]

watch a video of a badass charger driving and think that it could be me. believe me ive slaved away alot of time to get mine on the road.

[DustinSimmonds]

I like to look at my Charger and then look at Chargers of the same model that are all finished and decked out! It helps me realize what I have sitting there and what it could be! Also watch drag races with Chargers it gets your blood pumping!

[terrible one]

Youtube videos of other project and finished Chargers as well as members threads about their progress.

[Cooter]

Don't get involved if you can't see it already finished is the best motivator out there....These cars are NOT for the faint of heart...It takes for the general populous, ALOT of blood, sweat, and tears to complete a restoration...Most here don't have the resources to just open the 'ol checkbook...


Wanna stay motivated? It's simple...Stay busy doing things that don't require spending any money...Some say restore while you drive it..I call BS..Reason being, I have a Dodge Dart that's been in primer for over 15 Years because of this very philosophy...Having too much fun DRIVING the damn thing to finish it...Do simple things like restore that dash, cluster, heater box, grille, plastic items, wheels, etc. Most times all that's needed is a can of spray bomb paint...I have a Challenger in the back yard right now that I can't WAIT to get on the road and enjoy, but I know I can simply get a cheapo exhuast system on it and ride as the 318 is running, but that isn't what I want..So, I will do little things until the car is ready for the bigger stuff and money allows...I don't like replacing floor boards any better than the next guy, but I know it has to be done..Same goes for rust repair..Hell, I wouldn't know how to act if I got a rust free car that only needed the "Fun" things done...

[694spdRT]

I use to get a good boost after coming back from Mopar Nats or Monster Mopar prior to my Charger getting done.

The other thing is post progress on this site often. It gives motivation when members follow along and often times it speeds up the process when they give advice.

Worked that way for me anyway.

[HOTROD]

Some times I just wont to sell it and my wife says no your not ! thats what helps me !
If it was not for her I would still be looking !

[4aThrill]

thinking of THE JUDGE in the movie Sex Drive    all the hard work will pay off in the end.  

[Cooter]

If it's truly your "Dream car", then it will never get pushed to the dump....Another thing to remember is NOT to look at how much is left to do..Look at how much you've gotten done...

[bull]

A good amount of money saved in the bank helps motivate me. Actually, I'm not very motivated during the winter months but one thing that motivates me in the summer months is trying to get everything I can done before it turns nasty outside.

Oddly enough, looking at finshed Chargers actually discourages me because it makes me realize how far I have to go. Last summer I didn't go to any car shows and I got more done than I have in any other 3-month period since I started.

[68X426]

Double Feature: Bullitt and Death Proof.

Motivates me every time.

[charge-it]

Don't focus on the big picture, instead focus on one small step at a time. After a while the little steps will add up to a big step and that will keep you motivated to finish the project. It's a long slow process that should be enjoyable to accomplish. If it is not enjoyable and is stressing you out, cover it up and take a break. If that doesn't work it's time to sell it. It takes me several years to finish a car. I go through bull and thrash cycles, and then I go through get nothing done cycles, so your not alone.   

[suntech]

I can only speak for myself, but .........money is ofcause a factor.. newsflash...right!!
But look at it this way: If you know your car needs 2 quarters and a trunk floor and rear valance to get in the shape you dream about getting it......DON´T waste your time dicking around with some patches, and spend 150 hours in the garage trying to "fix" it that way, when you deep inside know that the end result would be half ass, compared to new panels. ( this is ofcause assuming you are not a sheet metal artist, and love your job!! ) Work overtime, and save up for the parts needed to keep you busy for a while doing the job right, and in the right sequence! With this i mean: if it needs 1 quarter and trunk floor, and you can not afford both.....cut off off both pieces, and buy the one piece trunkfloor, and put that in, instead of buying the quarter first, and end up forced to buy a 2 piece trunk floor, or cut the one piece in half, to be able to get it in! It is much more inspiring to sit in the garage with the parts needed, instead of a piece of sheet metal and a hammer, wondering about how the hell you are going to get this look fairly decent!!
I think personally that a rusty/ crappy done shell is the most efficiant demotivator! Everything else is bolt on bolt off´s that can be fixed/ changed at any time you have the time/ funds to do it.

I think we are in a good situation now, with all the good quality repop parts available nowadays, and these parts makes it a hell of a lot easier to restore a car now, than just a few years ago.
A lot of cars was has been done a hack job on up through the years, simply because of lack of  knowledge/available parts/ money, and not to forget crooks that is looking for a quick buck! With reasonable priced repopped bodyparts of good quality available there is no need to fall in to that pit again!

[tan top]

what the others said  ,   also do one section of the body / sheet metal  at a time  as much a possible  ,  with out looking at the  whole job & thinking  OMG ! , same when shaping up & filling with bondo ! get one panel done & put it in etch primer ! then move on to the next !  once car in hi -build primer , let it sit for a few weeks  ! before blocking   , &  start cleaning up & sorting parts while your waiting !  set a side  say a day for  , cleaning wirebrushing  front end bolts & bagging them up !  etc etc !! , then suspension parts & painting etc etc !!  

[Belgium R/T -68]

I'm into my second resto now. With the Charger I was fortunate to have money to buy all parts
needed before I even needed them, that was very easy as for motivation.
Now, with the Challenger, it's just the other way around. I have to save for every part I need and this car needs almost all repop sheetmetal you can find so it will take years before this car hits the streets. Like Bull I hate the winters in the garage so that also prolong the build but when I think
about the finished result, to be able to cruise around in a Hemi challenger vert then my motivation
to keep on struggling increases several levels.

Per

[chargermike]

i worked every hour that i could. stayed home instead of going out. and it took me 5 years till i drove my car. and then another year until interior was done. but now that it is done. it was worth every penny i spent and every hour spent doing my charger. the looks you will get alone are worth it. old people and little kids just go crazy when they see them. dont give up. just do what you can when you can.  little things count to.

[472 R/T SE]

A good amount of money saved in the bank helps motivate me. Actually, I'm not very motivated during the winter months but one thing that motivates me in the summer months is trying to get everything I can done before it turns nasty outside.

Oddly enough, looking at finshed Chargers actually discourages me because it makes me realize how far I have to go. Last summer I didn't go to any car shows and I got more done than I have in any other 3-month period since I started.

Really?  I thought you were close to being on the road?

It's painted, has new rubber, new drivetrain.  I've often wondered that we'll be seeing you out & about in it one of these days.

Bolt down a 5 gallon bucket, throw some goggles on & drive that sucker.  


Is this your original color?  I thought it was so I hoped to watch it cross the block but IIRC there was a commercial or Speed coverage wasn't on.

[troutstreamnm]

If you're having a bad day or are just not into working on the car....stop and walk away.  Best to work on your project only when you're in the mood....keeps it fun that way. 

As far as keeping motivated, I like to go to car shows or watch car auctions on TV.  Nothing like seeing really nice cars and talking to car people to get you recharged.

[drifter69]

As you can see it is diffrent for everyone........motivation is what turns your crank! For me just having my hands on my car is enough. I am motivated by knowing my car in evey intimate detail and knowing that she will respect me in the morning.

[Lennard]

Since my Charger is going to look like my brother in law's (below) when finished, all I need to do is look at some pics of his car and I'm of to the garage again...

[200MPH]

Do something for the car that doesn't cost money,but does improve its look  EX. polish the trim,scrub the vinyl, cleaning it throughly

I did not take picture of my interior because it was disgusting.. i mean real bad i had to wear resperator and i broke 2 Car Wash vacuums because they were filled with the animal droppings ,Coons,possums and what ever else gets into barns..long story short i cleaned it out and i already 10000x better !!!

[Tilar]

Here is some motivation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6IKwVcQBbs

[SRT-68]

I have done several multi year projects and doing at least one hour a day keeps me going. Even when there was no money to put to the car I would spend an hour cleaning bolts or painting brackets. With just an hour a day you will be amazed how you stay on task. If all you do is set out the tools for the next days task you are still making progress. It is easy to wedge in an hour a day while still taking care of family/work/school stuff.
Next step is to take photos every now and then, after a few weeks look at the first weeks photos to see the change. Try to find another guy near you building a car and team up with them. The task gets done quicker with a little help and is more fun in the long run. 

[Patronus]

Im motivated by the process. The learning of doing it yourself, the tool, the material. The way you bridge to weld. The way your hand slides down the b pillar and down her quarter. It only takes sliding down the car once to remember. I think about when someone comes up and says, "nice paint! who did it?"

[JerseyJoe]

Commit to do something each time you look at the car, no matter how small a job. Also, every time some punk kid in a honda buzzes by like a can full of sick hornets, I say "I gotta finish my Charger"!!!