I've tried for the past week to get into working on the vette again...and I just can't do it. Need some motivation from you guys...a kick in the *** or something...

Jeremy

 

Jeremy,

Your coming along great, but you do have to take breaks every once in awhile at least I had to otherwise it's more like a job than a project that you want to have fun with and learn. My advice, go to a car show and look at all the cool cars and when you get back you will have a lot more motivation to get it closer to completion.

 

There are rarely any car shows around here rob, and when there are, I always try to attend them.

I just can't friggen move my hands this week. I tried yesterday and just gave up and was all upset. Shut down and went to sleep, woke up this morning and tried again - same as yesterday...all negative and got nothing done, then gave up and went inside, even more upset with myself. Just need some advice...

Jeremy

 

I have been following your thread, and you are doing some amazing work, and believe me that is an understatement to say the least. I don't think you need motivation or a kick in the ***. I think you just need a break in what you are doing, some time just to enjoy whatelse is around you for a change. IMO, the worst thing that you can do is try to force yourself to do something when you don't have to, just sit back for a bit, take in what you have accomplished so far, start an outline to the book you are thinking about writing, do something different, and the motivation will come back, you'll end up kicking yourself in the *** and that's when you will know it's time to start working on the Vette again. ......Tom

 

Good advice! Take a camera and a notepad with you to capture others specialty mods that catch your eye. The only other thing that I think will motivate you is to get out the parts catalogs again and just start ordering like crazy After suffering through the buyers remorse, I can't wait for the big box truck to come rolling down the driveway. You are doing a bang up job and always enjoy following your work. But like Rob said, take a break here and there so you don't get burned out.

Terry

 

Jeremy,
This is supposed to be fun. If not, take a break. If the vette becomes another chore the fun will never return.

 

When I get "blocked" like you are i walk away for awhile and do pursue another interest for awhile. I like firearms and this winter while I was unable to work on the 77 because I have no garage I did the reloading, cleaning and modifying thing until I got sick of that. Now I crave the Corvette project again, and even let some much needed house repairs slide a bit since the weather turned warm. Don't despair or get frustrated, your car will wait until you are ready to tackle it again... it's not eating anything while it waits, and guilt if nothing else will force you to at least keep the dust and rust mites at bay until it's time to work again.Walk away for a bit... the siren's call will return!

 

I write out "things to do" list and tell myself I am going to mark off something every day. Days when I dont feel too motivated I do one of the little nothing type things on the list thats just takes a few minutes. Still moving forward even in small steps keep me positive and helps motivate me into the longer/harder task on the list. This is my first Vette and I bought it in pieces so its been overwhelming sometimes, but it does help me to keep checking things off. The more check marks the better I feel. Then I make a new list and say "oh hell what did I get into" again and start over.. The local car cruises are cranking up around here now and I have a 66 nova to get out and about with so those will help get me fired up a little to.. Good luck!

 

Take a month off - chill out and have some fun....

It isn't like you are 65 years old and gonna die in a year... LOL
(no insult to 65 year olds ... )
You are a young guy - a month reprieve is not going to matter much in the big scheme of things.

Sounds like your body and mind are screaming for you to go have fun with your friends. It will give you some time to recoup and plan.

Besides - I be willing to bet your girlfriend would be happy as all heck too!!!

 

I agree with kicking back and taking some time for yourself. You'll get the bug again soon enough. I have four projects going. 2-68 vetts, a 63 Galaxie, and a 79 pininfarina spider. When I get the *** of one, I move to another. They are all at different stages, so I can do engine one day, body the next, suspension the next, and so on. I might not do anything for a while, then the bug hits and it's ***** to the wall again. Don't beat yourself up over it.....it's not worth it.

 

I agree with everyone here......You've been cooped up in that garage all winter, the body and more importantly the mind need a break. Take some time to enjoy spring in Cow town. There are lots of things to do to give yourself a breather....just step away for a month, then get one of your buddys to give you a ride in their C3. You'll get the fire back to continue

 

 

I had these moments... The project started in 2006 and it still isn't on the road and how things are looking now it won't be for this summer either. I greatly admire your bodywork, I took the easy way and had someone do it. Here the delays started. The guy went sick and couldnt work for over a year but he kept his promisse to finish her. Then I had some work done by a local speedshop who are just after quick easy money with no quality in relation to what they charge (see my resto post). So far I found the engine not seated on the mounts, the mounts are fixed with threaded studs and two lock washers, the radiator bracket was loose, they messed up the new harness, left out lots & lots of bolts, etc bubba style.
I'm going over the whole car again and yes breaking down everything I don't like and redo it (I'm kinda of a perfectionist but things like those motormounts are also a safety issue imo). The only thing I haven't done so far is pulled the motor back out Radiator came out, rerouted and renewed all vac hoses, redid all the headlight components, tore the diff and everything else from the rear. So in short everything is done twice ..; Glued a windshield in, forgot the chrome trim pieces, remove the window break it etcetc
Another problem as being overseas is the availability of parts, nuts & bolts. You know how it goes, a rusted bolt breaks off, redrill retap and put a new bolt in. Not here, every bolt that breaks is a bolt I'll be missing and US thread is not really commenly available here so they have to be ordered. At least two weeks go by...
Same for the parts, I think I've said like 10 times now I'm sure I've got everything lol, now I'm at the point I still need to order the shortened driveshaft & new halfshafts and I think that'll be all. Untill something else breaks
Time wise : The car is situated near my work which is an hour drive fmro where I live. We have are own small company so work has priority. I work on the car during lunch break (1 hour) so you can imagine what you can do in that period. Then sometimes after work (stop at 7pm-8pm-9pm) I go back and work for an hour or two. Guess who's not to happy with me arriving home at 11pm every day .. correct the wife, hence I dont go there in the weekend
Like everyone says walk away. Thats what I learned and sometimes dont work on it for 2-3weeks and it definitly helps as you get a new view/perspective on how to tackle the problem. I also know i personaly have to work with lists which are on the shop wall. Start one item and don't do anything else untill you can get that fat black marker out to strike it through! That for me is the most satisfying moment and I know someday I will drive it !
Nick

 

Jeremy,

I have never attempted anything like you're doing so I can't say I completely understand what you're going through. Sure I've been involved in projects that seem overwhelming and I lose the drive and focus but, nothing of the magnitude that you're in the middle of.

However, the work you have done and the dedication you have shown to doing the job right the first time in an inspiration to everyone on this forum; you should be extremely proud of yourself.

The one thing I have noticed is that it seems like you are doing this restoration all by yourself. While that is admirable, and ensures that the job is done to your satisfaction, I imagine it can get lonely. Maybe you just need one or two trusted, and talented, Corvette buddies to come help lighten the load. I bet having some friends to shoot the $hit with while you're working on a project together would make the task go much faster and would get you motivated to move on.

I know you work into the wee hours on the car most of the time but, I'm sure there are times when you work on it during "normal" hours where your friends could help.

Whatever you do don't give up; take a break, go to some car shows, something but, don't stop now.

 

It's supposed to be fun, a hobby...not a job. My 70 LT-1 is at the end of a full body off. The thing was not to spend eight hours a day working on it unless it was one of those days where you were so into some area that the eight hours flew by without you noticing it. A lot of times I would just go out and put a ball game on the radio and piddle for an hour or even forty five minutes. Sometimes just tackle one small thing at a time like getting that tail light short straightened out or installing the dash then set it aside. You try to work on it in large chunks and you burn out quick and it sits there for a long time. With mine the hardest and most time consuming part was finding date correct original parts for it so it has been a very long journey (again, most of that in part searches) but last week I looked up and said, geez, I've just about run out of things to do, even tiny things!

PS - you can check out the site on my car and see that there were a lot of little projects, most of them would be the only thing I did that day. You start with a small goal, hit it, walk away with the victory and do it all again another day. One day I just did the rear window tray and compartment trays reflocking them, no big deal but a start and complete project. Another day was the leaf springs, and one day all I had was a few minutes so I just put the outside rear view mirror on. At the end I could have kept going but end each day with a completion and it keeps your spirits up and a continuing feeling of satisfaction. That's when hobbies are fun.

 

Mine started in 2000 and just drove it last week for the first time. That car hasn't been on the road since 88 and now back from the dead.

 

Jeremy, it is time to take a break. You already have accomplished more with your restoration than most guys would get done in five years. Your health is much more important than any car. Take a vacation and fly down here to NS and drive my Vette as long and as far as you want.

 

Nothing wrong with taking a break Jeremy. It's a hobby not a job, not a necessity. If you're coming here for motivation you obviously need a break. Take some time to yourself, get some rest, go chase some girls

The cars not goin' anywhere, you'll know when it's time to get back to work

Jim

 

This stuff to me involves a lot of head stuff. Like if you're trying to stop smoking or trying to loose some weight. The motivation will come back .

 

Just take a break, and do something for yourself.