Came back from a 3 week vacation on November 1, 2017, and have had trouble getting back in the swing of things. My 51 F1 is drivable (no fenders, doors, glass, or wiring harness). Before I left for vacation I repaired and mounted the front fenders and upper valance.

Still has a lot of body work to be done and my garage is in a disaray due to decorating the inside and outside for Christmas.

I have done some small things to the truck, but I am struggling to get back out there.

What do you guys do for motivation this time of year?

I am in CA and the temps have been 36° for the low and 65° for the highs - no rain for the last three weeks, so weather is not an excuse.

Your thoughts ????

 

First, breath.

Then, go back to whatever it was that made you want the truck to begin with.

Look at some of the finished trucks. Look at some of the details that you always wanted to include in your build. Picture the finished product in your mind.

Then pick a simple, fun, little project and do it.

Last, come back here and post some bragging pictures.

 

Car shows always get me fired up.

 

Thinking about the first trip we are going to take - already have it planned out. Keeps me going, and my wife encouraging me to get it done,

 

I understand completely about this pause in motivation. Colder weather brings more aches and pains with it and less of that warm fuzzy feeling of the sun on your back. Pick out one small job and get that done then pick another.. Remember its ok to slow down some to live life but try doing all the small things just to keep you feeling some pride.

 

I understand too. I can't afford to run the heat in the garage and I jumped into finishing the mechanic side of my truck so I can get it running then finish the body work. I know I should have done the rest of the body work first but having it to the point of running helps to finish the body work. You get back to it soon too.

 

There is nothing wrong with taking a break from the project. Lots of people will feel this way at times. Different things for different people help. Some good ideas already. For me, after taking a break, days, weeks whatever the first thing to do is to tackle the shop. Clean it up. It is amazing how you will feel walking into a clean shop. Not sure where you are at work but same thing for me there. I hate walking into a dirty job site in the morning so always clean up before leaving for the day. Also take some time off, after all it is the Christmas season.

 

All of us hit a bump in the road when it comes to building our projects. I keep my shop clean and if I have a couple hours I would do something on the project. Age was a factor for me. I didn't want to leave a unfinished project for my family to have to deal with if something happened to me.

 

Would't it be great if they had a pill that would overcome this like Viagra? LOL It's OK Dan, for all the above reasons. Sometimes I think we all feel a sense of pressure to show progress. Lets face it, TV shows are always on a time constraint, at least that's what they lead us to believe. You have to realize that they have almost everything we don't have. Money, helpers,and all the best tools. I guess what I'm trying to say, they give us a false sense of the real world. Even here on FTE we see member progress and beautiful work that leads us to believe that that we should "be like them". This is only human nature. I would also suggest that you enjoy the Holidays and listen to your instinct. It will come around. Even though I would love to have your weather/climate, I believe there is a reason many of us have to suffer through 3 months of subfreezing temperatures......too recharge

 

Toward the end of my 49 F3 build I knew I wasn’t going to be able to drive it due to a very bad back ( the docs told my wife to take me to our horse vet and have me put down - true story). I was afraid I couldn’t move from gas to brake fast enough in the crowed cab. Thinking about selling a project compared to a finished truck both in ease of sale and dollar amount got me going. The only way I was able to get the beast and enjoy the hobby was to recover a reasonable amount for what I had in the truck. Because I did it I’ve had a lot of fun working on, driving the beast ( the 38 Studebaker) to cars & coffee events, Truckstock events ( the good people of this forum even accept a Studebaker owner) and other trips. I even drove it on the Indy 500 track. What I’m saying is look forward to the fun you can have, the pride in what you have done and yes the value of a finished product as opposed to an incomplete pile of parts. One other thing read some of the post about the joy other family members have gotten out of seeing and driving the truck when finished. Tom’s daughter on a current Post comes to mine. Hope it works out for you above all have fun

 

I was doing real well last winter , then spring came and everything got in the way , At this point I am burned out . I have rebuilt a 50 dodge pick up , 63 ranchero , 54 ford panel , 54 ford f250 ,63 cushman golfster , and a 63 arrow turnpike car , all within the last ten years . S now I have a 53 f100 with a camaro front clip ,motor and trans , that the frame and running gear is done , body is in primer . Now I just look at it as I pile things on it . Also have a solid 53 f350 in the back yard that will never get done . If you find a pill that gets you interested send one my way .

 

Dan a friend called me yesterday looking for a tranny cover he just bought a 50 F1 he’s built a few trucks and just finished a 58 custom with a 302 ho. He lives in Clipper Gap just off the freeway maybe be we get together and check out his shop he just started on this truck I can see if Mark can come out with us.

 

Hey Dan...

I started my truck in '95... so you can imagine I've hit a few walls when trying to make progress... I agree with Marten... spend a day cleaning your shop and organizing parts for the truck... then leave it... Enjoy your Christmas with the family and after you get the decorations out of your way in the shop, do one thing... put on a door... mount a fender... before long you'll be back at it with vigor... Merry Christmas Dan.

 

Thanks for all of the advise and encouragement. I agree, that a clean shop is a happy shop. I need to get all the boxes of Christmas stuff put away and get back to the truck.

I do have a lot of little things to do and now is a good time to do them. We'll be putting all the Christmas stuff away in a few weeks and I can organize the shop/garage and get back to the big stuff.

You guys have been a big help - thanks, I really appreciate the boost.

Take care and have Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Roy
I would like to get together and meet your friend. Hope Mark is feeling up to getting together too. Let's set a day and time.

 

I wouldn't say you were lacking motivation Dave..