Hard Work
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 147
Likes: 2
From: Bargo NSW
Hard Work
So I was in the for sale area and made a comment of "looks like a nice easy project" their was a post later saying that their are no easy restos they are all hard work. Well this got me to thinking 
I've never considered working on my vette hard work... sure, frustrating, expensive, challanging and very satisfying but never hard work.
So now I'm curious am I the only one that thinks this way
On the other hand it depends on your definition of hard work.
I've never considered working on my vette hard work... sure, frustrating, expensive, challanging and very satisfying but never hard work.So now I'm curious am I the only one that thinks this way
On the other hand it depends on your definition of hard work.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,907
Likes: 3,328
From: NYC NY
So I was in the for sale area and made a comment of "looks like a nice easy project" their was a post later saying that their are no easy restos they are all hard work. Well this got me to thinking I've never considered working on my vette hard work... sure, frustrating, expensive, challanging and very satisfying but never hard work.
So now I'm curious am I the only one that thinks this way
On the other hand it depends on your definition of hard work.
I've never considered working on my vette hard work... sure, frustrating, expensive, challanging and very satisfying but never hard work.So now I'm curious am I the only one that thinks this way
On the other hand it depends on your definition of hard work.
These cars or any "classic" car for that matter always seem to need more than what was in the original plan. There could be lots of reasons that something like that happens. The project exceeds the skill level of the owner, cost exceeds the budget, it takes too long to complete, repairs are more extensive then originally evaluated, and the list goes on and on. So that's where I think a comment like "there are no easy restos" comes from.
with "it depends on what your definition of hard work" is.It's not the same for all of us. It could be "hard work" to do the work needed to complete the resto, or to come up with the money, or find the time, or just about all the same reasons as to why it's not a "nice easy project" in the 1st place.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,186
Likes: 41
From: Pinecrest FL
2015 C3 of the Year Finalist
I emailed the guy yesterday for more info on the car and he has not replied yet.
Looks like a good project to me as well. Hopefully it all checks out and has some type of documentation.
I have been looking for a 4 speed air 396 camaro convertible, but my wife really doesnt like the car. I showed her a quick pic of the red 69 and she said oh, thats nice.
Gary
Looks like a good project to me as well. Hopefully it all checks out and has some type of documentation.
I have been looking for a 4 speed air 396 camaro convertible, but my wife really doesnt like the car. I showed her a quick pic of the red 69 and she said oh, thats nice.
Gary
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 6
From: Pittsburgh PA
I hear this sort of thing from the MG guys too. Some will argue it's about the adventure and journey of learning new things. In other words, a fun hobby and time doesn't matter.
I've had my own body shop since 1978. I'll be 60 this year and have worked on cars since before I had a drivers license. I still enjoy a new challenge like the C5 I recently rebuilt from a total. But I agree, it's hard work. As a friend of mine and fellow shop owner says, "there's a reason they call it body "work".
I don't know that I have the enthusiasm and stamina to take on another full resto..even an easy one. Then again the question comes up of what one considers a restoration.
I've had my own body shop since 1978. I'll be 60 this year and have worked on cars since before I had a drivers license. I still enjoy a new challenge like the C5 I recently rebuilt from a total. But I agree, it's hard work. As a friend of mine and fellow shop owner says, "there's a reason they call it body "work".
I don't know that I have the enthusiasm and stamina to take on another full resto..even an easy one. Then again the question comes up of what one considers a restoration.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
I bought my car from a guy that owns a restoration shop that does mostly Corvettes. The ad read "easy restoration to complete" for him I am sure that it would have been. For me there was the learning curve factor. I am not sure that I would say that it was "hard work" more like time consuming with a considerable amount of effort. 
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 337
Likes: 7
From: South Bend IN
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I think it would be considered hard work if these cars were our daily drivers, but I don't think many of them are so there isn't too much pressure on us to finish the projects quickly. This makes the projects more enjoyable and seem like more fun and less work.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
Hard Work
NO!
But I'm sure if someone's normal 'work' entails sitting on their duff pushing a pencil, then actually getting dirty working on your own car can be called hard work. See, some folks don't really know what hard physical labor is.
And a lot who come on CF are just plain ignorant...they couldn't tell you which end of a combination wrench is the open end even though it sure seems self-explanatory to me.
So the fear of the unknown, being unsure of their every move, causes mental anguish which in turn translates into the task becoming 'hard work.' And of course some folks have no mechanical abilities. So every task, however minor, becomes hard work.
But I'm sure if someone's normal 'work' entails sitting on their duff pushing a pencil, then actually getting dirty working on your own car can be called hard work. See, some folks don't really know what hard physical labor is.
And a lot who come on CF are just plain ignorant...they couldn't tell you which end of a combination wrench is the open end even though it sure seems self-explanatory to me.
So the fear of the unknown, being unsure of their every move, causes mental anguish which in turn translates into the task becoming 'hard work.' And of course some folks have no mechanical abilities. So every task, however minor, becomes hard work.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,172
Likes: 4,250
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
I agree that there's LOT'S of words to describe what we do, but not really the word work.
There's a take off from the 'fishing motto'.... a BAD day playing with an old car always beats a GOOD day at work!
Regards,
Alan
I agree that there's LOT'S of words to describe what we do, but not really the word work.
There's a take off from the 'fishing motto'.... a BAD day playing with an old car always beats a GOOD day at work!
Regards,
Alan
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 465
Likes: 18
From: NorthEast
Hard work? No. Hard sometimes to diagnose the root problem due to limited mechanical knowledge, but fun when I complete something. It may take me longer, but I appreciate the car even more after those trials and tribulations. I have at least another 5 years minimum before I get my car to where I want it. Probably closer to 7 years maybe even 10. I'm just having fun during the ride 
Hard work? I grew up on a farm shoveling $h!t everyday all 4 seasons. Not fun.
Hard work? I grew up on a farm shoveling $h!t everyday all 4 seasons. Not fun.
they make this stuff called "exlax" 
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 8
From: Enid Oklahoma
Last summer I completely rebuilt the front end of my vette in my garage. Every afternoon after work when I started it was around 105 degrees. It took the better part of 3 weeks from start to finish with all of the distractions like like work and family. I will say this, it was by Gosh Hard Work!! As in hot, hard sweaty, knuckle busting etc.. No ifs ands or Butts about it. But.... very satisfying and I loved it. I would do it again in a heart beat. I think many things on these cars are Hard work, but hard Work ain't bad, my dad taught me that montra a long time ago. And I know hard work, I "push a pencil" now, but worked in the oil feild a lot of my life in all conditions, and served in the military in the Middle East, so I am not allergic to hard work.
Last edited by 81pilot; Jul 18, 2012 at 02:19 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 147
Likes: 2
From: Bargo NSW
Well, when its all said and done this is our hobby and I don't know anyone that has a hobby that they don't enjoy... whether its hard work or not we do it because we love it. 
Gary
Your wife is a good judge!
Big block tri power...
I hope it does all checks out for you.
Keep me posted on how you go with it.
I emailed the guy yesterday for more info on the car and he has not replied yet.
Looks like a good project to me as well. Hopefully it all checks out and has some type of documentation.
I have been looking for a 4 speed air 396 camaro convertible, but my wife really doesnt like the car. I showed her a quick pic of the red 69 and she said oh, thats nice.
Gary
Looks like a good project to me as well. Hopefully it all checks out and has some type of documentation.
I have been looking for a 4 speed air 396 camaro convertible, but my wife really doesnt like the car. I showed her a quick pic of the red 69 and she said oh, thats nice.
Gary
Your wife is a good judge!
Big block tri power...
I hope it does all checks out for you.
Keep me posted on how you go with it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
I refurbed my engine compartment without pulling the engine. That included rebuilding all the accessory items (starter, P/S components, alternator) as well. Believe me, some of that was HARD WORK!!! 
And I enjoyed every minute of it...
And I enjoyed every minute of it...