[dataway]

I've reached that point in the restoration where I no longer feel I am building a car from the ground up, I'm now FIXING a few problems with a car that actually exists.

The nature of the shop is changing, no longer 40% of the space taken up by parts waiting to be installed, spares to search through for the best one, dozens of different restoration materials and supplies, specialty tools, stands, jacks, hoists and lifts, 20 different paints, reducers, primers and solvents.

Now when I use a piece of equipment I actually clean it up before I put it away because I'm no longer creating dust, grit, over-spray and grease.

Started the car, warmed it up good, backed it in and out of the shop a couple of time, swept and vacuumed under it ... week later not one drop on the floor under it .. not one single drop.

These are the happy times .... until I drive it down the street and it grenades

[400 4spd.]

Congratulations! I’m at a very similar stage with this 70. It has gone from 5 shelves of boxes on pallet rack to 1 shelf.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Yeap. 68 GTO Frame-off RE-Build was finished in 2006. Been driving.

The garage seems set for home and yard repairs, along with some strange readiness to do resto-repairs.

[Bills Auto Works]

That has to be one of the greatest feelings, when you get to the point where you notice the parts pile dwindling & the "car" looks more like a car

God Bless
Bill
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...closed.614419/

[1965gp]

I couldn’t agree more! It can be very unsettling to have a car literally spread out in pieces. The day you can finally put away the majority of the parts bins should be celebrated

[77 TRASHCAN]

I've learned a lot, being 63 YO, considering my recent traffic accident, VERY thankful to be alive and regaining my ability to work on my stuff.

A complete re-build of a cr is a HUGE ordeal. I highly recommend performing repairs that last a weekend or two, then returning the vehicle to driving status. Plan put and ahead of repairs to be made. Make sure you have all the parts and tools needed, (possible extra hands, also)

[1965gp]

Yup- if at all possible I prefer to keep my cars driveable

[1_Wild_Cat]

Yeah sure -- rub it in...rub it in...Hopefully I'll be there in a couple of years.

More seriously - congrats. I know from past experience it is a big deal and a great feeling.

[dataway]

Originally Posted by 400 4spd.

Congratulations! I’m at a very similar stage with this 70. It has gone from 5 shelves of boxes on pallet rack to 1 shelf.

Exactly how the wife and I calculated our progress ... how many pallet rack shelves were taken up with parts.

We are down to one shelf with air cleaner, arm rest bases, couple pieces of trim, little things waiting to be installed. And a few drawers and one plastic bin full of spares. Engine hoist, engine stand, spare OEM glass, extra jack stands etc. all moved out to the shed now.

Going down there now to do some work, going to run around in little bitty circles to celebrate now that I have the room to do so

[njsteve]

Just wait til you have had it in the road for so long that parts you replaced start going bad. I had the water pump bearing go in one of my old Mopars a few years back and I swore I had just replaced it...until I dug into the paperwork and found the purchase receipt...dated 18 years prior!

[Half-Inch Stud]

Aluminum Water Pump Seal dried out from sitting on shelf for "20years". rebuild Kits exist. site =?

[dataway]

I cringe when I look back and the dates on my restoration photos ... realize that things like my "new" suspension bushing that have never seen the road are already ten years old.

[1965gp]

Yup. I just replaced a set of electric fans that lasted 10 miles. 7 years but 10 miles