5 Exciting Milestones in DIY Projects
There are many points of joy experienced by those who spend their time under the hood, hunched in a wheel well, or practicing that unique kind of yoga that is working under dashboards. Reviving or just keeping project cars running is an art, and like any form of art, it can consume the creator if they are not careful. There are bright spots that come out during those late nights trying to figure out why the cooling fans won’t run and the engine overheats. You just have to know what you are looking for.
Everyone gets reward from different aspects of working on cars, and that’s part of what makes the tasks so great. Regardless of what kind of project car you have, these are a few positive milestones you are likely to experience at least once.
Buying one
The thrill of the hunt is one thing, but if we are being honest, the thrill only comes when shaking the hand of the seller as you transition from buyer to owner. It’s a time of incredible optimism for most of us, with vision clouded by the potential of the project which serves to block out the known darkness that is looming. The struggles of diagnosing problems, fixing what you find, and preparing to do it all again pale in comparison to that beautiful pocket of time when your project car is 100% potential for success.
Getting it running
If you purchased a non-running project, first of all kudos to you for being so brave, and secondly prepare yourself for the excitement that comes with hearing that car run again for the first time. Someone else gave up on that project or generally get it get to the point of no longer functioning and you brought it back. Even when amounts to charging the battery and putting gas in the tank, it’s still decent step forward. A running project serves as concrete and inarguable evidence you have completed something. It might not be mastery, but not all progress is so visible. Have to revel in it when you can.
First drive
Even if you bought a running project, the first drive is one of the key moments that establishes a lot of emotions about the car and what kind of relationship you might have. Is this drive a gleeful stepping stone in an engine swap, or the second monumental step in the resurrection of a decrepit hulk that was previously left for dead? At some point it fails to matter as we all get drawn into the wonder that is the contraption around us function as designed, with the bonus knowledge it was us that made it happen.
Accurately diagnosing a problem
There is always a stunningly long measure of time between diagnosis and rectification of an issue on a project car. While performing the fix, it doesn’t matter how confident you are, there is often at least a tiny kernel of a chance that your effort will not solve the issue. Experience can help stack the deck in your favor, but even with certainty on your side there remains a warm feeling that comes from the confirmation that you not only found the issue, but also solved it.
A hack roadside fix
While a lot of the highs and lows of project cars happen in your driveway, garage, or neighborhood, there are a whole crazy subset that happen while out and about. The first time something goes wrong unexpectedly while on a drive is one thing, but handling the issue with aplomb despite being in the wrong place with the wrong tools. Overcoming the odds is something normal people have to go out of their way to find yet those who choose to occasionally drive questionable vehicles often find the opportunity to rise to the occasion is one that appearw more often than we might wish.
Just had one today. Needed to drive across northern Michigan pick up a set of winter wheels for my “winter beater” 2023 Silverado. Beautiful clear day, so I decided to take the 71 Chevy C 20 Cheyenne Super pick up. Stopped about 1/4 way into the trip. Truck would not start. Nothing. Full battery, but not even a click at the solenoid. Ran the shifter back and forth to see if the early version of a safety switch was acting up. Wanted to jump it at the starter but a little concerned laying under the truck and trusting the column shifter to stay in park and the parking brake to hold. About to phone a friend when a couple walks up. The husband is knowledgeable and asks what I need. I have him get in the truck, foot on the brake in addition to the measures mentioned. Turn key to ON. I get underneath ( I keep an old towel and basic tools in the truck) and jump it at the starter and it fires up.
So having an assistant magically show up to make the roadside fix happen is my contribution to the list.
BTW kept the truck running the rest of the trip (about 150 miles) with no further issues.
Milestone. Walking back home because you didn’t realize someone siphoned the gas tank over the Winter.
Y’all forgot the second time you get it running and the third time …
The first time
The first time I fired up the 389ci Pontiac engine that I bought as a “short block”. Called that I found out because it was short parts.
i
Great article. I have been wrenching for 60 years and the thrill of bringing a car back to running condition especially when others have given up never gets old!
Only a few weeks ago we finally got a 1968 Buick Wildcat convert on the road after a lengthy and extensive restoration. An Ontario, Canada car with lots of rust to prove it. We went through all those phases you talk about, as it hadn’t run in 20+ years when we bought it.
This car was very nearly lost forever, my wife loved it so I took it on for her in 2009 but kept at it through many personal ups and downs, now it runs well, drives well and looks great with a quality paint job and beautiful interior.
Keith and Glenda
Excitement is, finding out your DIY may be a rare car, first one made.
you’s guys are the beast!
bist
beest
………..aawwwww, you know😃👍🏼 !
For me, the biggest thrill is hitting the starter for the first time on a freshly rebuilt engine. There is always a huge amount of angst trying the remember if every bolt is trolled correctly and if all of the time spent measuring the parts and clearances were correct, but when the engine actually starts and you get to spend the 20 to 30 minutes running through the initial break-in sequences and tuning the fresh engine and truing to breathe around all of the paint and oil smoke that always accompanies a new engine startup is a real high. Followed, of course, by the first drive!
Somewhere, I have a previously published picture of me laying on my back in an oil stain of a Wal Mart parking lot. Forgive me for not finding it 🙂
I got home under my own power!
I enjoyed and agree with your article Kyle. You nailed the emotions of the hobby. Because the emotions are so high at times (good and bad), “hobby” almost seems like too small of a word. I also like a clean work space and appreciate how you have your projects sitting around you. You can dream and enjoy them even if half completed. My friends 40+ years ago, when I had no money at all, would give me hell for taking care of my tools and the mandatory end of day sweep of the garage floor before we ran the streets of Detroit. Clean and organized are not necessary, but part of our emotions in the hobby.
Keep up the great work!
The comment section more enjoyable 😂 the cars and situations- ok – selling and loosing shirt? No not me. 🐒 unless you get that sentimental Bentley or rare Porsche or delahay 😂
Love that gramma guy – chive on bruh. Like.