OK I bought a 1971 Ford Maverick, # matching 302, it has been a frustrating 4 years. I have only driven the car a couple of times, before I started redoing the car. Had floor pans installed by someone who didn't do a very good job. trying to redo the interior. finally making some head way. But feeling like it's an up hill battle. How do you guys deal with this feeling? Any suggestions. thinking about cutting my losses. As always thanks for your help. Joe
I hear you I have a mustang that was a 7 year build I kept loosing interest in it. Also have a chop top Volksrod that still isn't finished because it hard to keep focus on a project that is long term and that you can't enjoy. With that said I am trying to approch my Maverick in a different way by only doing weekend projects to it so I can still enjoy driving it. I am I the process to look for a paint job and I know that will turn into time.
I kept adding so many modifications to the build, I burned myself out doing it - I took the last 2 years off and did nothing to it - now I have a renewed interest in completing it so I look forward to the spring time
Try to do more your self. learn some about welding ,body work, etc. Had to teach my self and got jobs in different Professions,like Mechanic ,Bodyman read a lot of book store magazines. I am happy with my projects!
Bob nailed it Sometimes, you have to take a break from it and work on another project. I got very frustrated a few weeks ago and started working on my boat for a few weeks. I could not find missing parts, stuff didn't fit right or fit at all, the car sat too high, the engine had an oil leak etc. The despair I was starting to feel with the car started to fade a bit and weeks later, I'm back on it again with a fresh perspective. My boat project also took a leap forward. Everyone is different, but I for one hate deadlines. You start rushing things to meet a given date, be it a car show or something else. My feeling is if it gets done OK and if it stretches into next year, that is OK too. This is a FUN pursuit. Don't treat it as a job. You will be delighted when your buddies finally see the car and give you the high fives. The amount of time you took to get there will quickly fade.
My experience is limited, but I recommend making a small, inexpensive improvement that would give you some accomplishment pleasure. I read about a courtesy light mod on here somewhere. I am going to do that one myself someday. Currently, while I am hunting for a cheap C4 (everything has to be cheap to not blow my budget) I am fixing my grille and getting it ready for paint. It will only cost labor, and will look beautiful when done!
I have way too many to lose interest but that keeps me going figuring out what project I want to get done on what car next. when Im out of money (which is a regular thing) I look through my parts and see what I have that I might be able to put on one of the cars or sell for part money with 1 base comet 2 comet gts and 1 grabber I have no shortage of work to be done but its small projects and one part at a time that keeps my interest alive and should help you as well
my first Mav was a full blown build. it went south after "paint jail". Patches on the other hand, well it's been one small project at a time. did a mod, drove the car. did another mod drove the car. 9-10 years later still modding and driving the car... I've driven this car with the hood off, fenders off, trunk lid off, and both bumpers off. either one at a time or with all of them off at the same time. along the way I have car showed, road raced, street raced, dag raced, driven 3,300 miles on an 11 day vacation and has been driven to 28 different states.... I guess "finished" has not been my end game... bought it for a "hobby" car but it's... my "project car" ... high...entering Chip Foose's car show... low...pulling/building C-4 fifteen times in 2 years... pic of the car the day I bought it. one of leaving the last day at work when I retired. Foose car show.
Thanks everyone, sometimes this thing just never seems to be going anywhere. I just need to take a step back get my head cleared & then attack it again.
I bought my car as a turn-key driver over 3 years ago. I removed the windshield to fix a "windshield leak" in February 2013 and the car hasn't been on the road since. You can see my "progress" by following my build in my signature. In industry, we call this kind of thing "scope creep", but mine was more like "Scope Explosion"! I kept on going, knowing that I was farther ahead in the long run by fixing stuff now, and not rushing. It IS a sucky feeling though, once spring rolls around and the car isn't ready for the road. I torture myself by going to car shows, but it usually makes me sad... LOL As-purchased Fall 2012: Cowl Replacement 2013-2014 Reassembly 2015: Currently, I'm installing my headliner, and then I have to install my vinyl top. I am REALLY hoping this year will be the year I get to drive it (legally) on the road. Looking back on the last few years is less painful than it seemed at the time, now knowing that THIS year has the potential to be better. Break your work down into modules or smaller jobs and stick with them until they get done, then move onto the next. I hope you stick with it! Good Luck!!
What helps me? I need to see others work to get me motivated. I like seeing all the work here on the message board, as well as in person. I suggest you check out the work in person and see all the great Mavericks and Comets that will be at the Ford Nationals in Carlisle, PA for example. It is great motivation.
Go get'um Paul... You're close enough now that assuming you have time in your budget, it should be on the road in a couple months... I worked on mine regurarly for maybe six months then just totally quit for approx same... Silly part of that was, another six weeks or so would have had it running & driving... That was back in '14 and still isn't finished but looks good(and managed a few drag strip passes)... Some minor nit picky stuff and it'd be show worthy... After seven years of languishing this WILL be the year the T-Bird is back together, 331 is fully assembled, just need to adj valves and install EFI components... Of course there will be several things necessary to make the car road worthy again(total brake rebuild, lots of clean up etc), but it will happen...
What state of disassembly is your Maverick? Is it just your interior that is setting in pieces or is the entire vehicle a jigsaw puzzle? I have seen far too many disassembled projects in the want adds and on Craig's List. Unless you have a rare and valuable vehicle, those disassembled projects aren't worth much. Certainly not worth the original cost of the purchase of a complete vehicle. I've owned my Comet for more than 23 years. I knew my limitations concerning a long term project from the beginning and refused to perform an entire disassembly. One reason for that is my job required me to move my family around the country on an as needed basis. Secondly, I decided early on not to begin any project that couldn't be completed in a matter of 3-4 months. I refuse to have a non-operational car during the summer months. That is still the case today. I did eventually decide to do body and paint work over a winter and it carried on into late June. I still perform any major work during the winter months. Even adhering to my own guidelines I found myself becoming bored with car shows, cruise-ins and the like. At several points along the way I contemplated selling my Comet. About 4 years ago my son who has owned more great cars in his 32 years than I can remember, convinced me to try drag racing before making the decision to sell. I gave it a try and before long became hooked. My Comet's build purpose took off in a totally different direction and I had a lot to learn having never raced a car. I knew that I did not want a full on purpose-built car and have done my best to create a car that is just as fun to drive on the street as on the strip. I have no need for a car that I cannot back out of the garage and take for a ride or on a trip. I hope you decide to keep your Maverick because once they are gone, they are gone!!!!!!
Thanks for your post I am going to try & keep going . The car is in running order just doing the interior then some body work. register it as a antique then I'll be set.
Craig I diffinately have to get out to some shows. I am going to try the Ford Nationals in Carlisle, PA this year. Don't know how that will work out but going to try. Thanks for the words of encouragement.
