Project Car Motivation!

How to stay motivated working on your project car.

[@OldCarGarageUSA]

Some good real world advice. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the work on the 69, it's already come a long way.

[@Shop209]

Thanks Working on it right now!

[@ereid74]

Love the motivation! Much needed. Im just getting over covid and had a good day in the garage today. Engines all together and i made room for the home made wheel tubs for my 1970! Thanks

[@Shop209]

Cool! Glad you’re better!

[@TonyGeneseo]

Great video ! Funny that you posted this video because that’s exactly what your channel has done for me ! Keep me motivated and excited to keep going on my Nova ! I sent you that pic and it’s a great driver and not as much a project but between new wiring harness, at least front power disc, frame ties, radiator and door hinges it’s still a project to get it where I want it to end up. Thanks for the video ! Take care John

[@Shop209]

Thanks Tony!!

[@bertvisser6423]

I agree. I bought myself a 71 Cutlass S not too long ago. At first the plans got made to completely blow it apart,sand blast it all,frame off restore etc. That quickly became a overwhelming plan and it would never get done due to cost,time and energy needed. Now I dedicated a 91 chev pickup to be the donor for my cutlass,power plant,computer,steering collem,anything needed to just get it running and driving so we can start enjoying the car. Then fix and improve over time :)

[@TheCloser1]

Going on 10 years with my model a build. Pushed hard on it this spring, then hit a wall again. Trying now to get back at it as life lets me. It’s basically done, just lacks little things around the body being a coupe and the floors and tunnel cap finished. Last week I went out, made a template I needed for my lower column mount, then realized I needed to pull the engine to have the room to do it right. Put my tools down and walked away lol. Thanks for making the video, it’s nice hearing I’m not struggling alone.

[@19CS91]

14 years later and I JUST bought back my 73 Nova Custom that was my first car and unfortunately had to sell in 2007. Been watching all of your videos and love the detail and information you have provided. I will be watching every single one you post from here on out!

[@Shop209]

Awesome. I wish I could find my first Nova. It was a 71

[@1963corvette327]

yeah man my first was a 73 ss,33yrs later i got one back, great stuff..

[@dackbowland1876]

Ah man I’m here struggling with basic bolt on suspension for my 95’ sc400. Seeing y’all with so much more knowledge and expertise as well as way bigger projects like restoring classics puts my own projects in perspective. This here that I have is rookie work, I’ll get to it tonight.

[@j.lthecarguy5020]

Great video I find getting the car running and moving under its own power, even if it just goes around the yard is a very big motivator. Having realistic time spans as well.

[@chevy-714]

👍👍👌👌👌

[@DIYWHEELGUY1970]

Great video! It's good to see you tackling the things that most would sell or junk a car for.

[@Shop209]

Yep. I hate it when someone junks or parts out a car because it’s too much work for them.

[@chevy-714]

Everything u said is facts. ..that's how I did it ..... I'm working on a trunk spoiler now. ...from a 69 camaro..custom fit ..I'm doing a lot of sanding n trimming

[@Shop209]

I bought a chin spoiler. Haven’t tried it yet.

[@christinar7864]

Glad you are feeling better. I ran into this when I was working on my corvette last year, focusing on getting it driveable helped get my motivation back on track. Lots of great tips. Thanks for the videos-happy new year

[@Shop209]

Thanks!! Happy New Year!!

[@travisjohnson5747]

That's the best advice you can give. Don't overwhelm yourself. I unfortunately over the last couple of year have done nothing but buy buy buy...making more work for myself. Pace yourself. You don't have to spend a million dollars and make a flawless car. Build it enough to start enjoying it. My priorities have changed. I've got 3 projects I want running and driving next summer. Will they be record breaking fast or show cars...no. but I can still drive and enjoy👍👍

[@Shop209]

Exactly. Well said.

[@SweatyFatGuy]

Great advice for the new people. I'm kinda nuts, in that I usually buy a rolling shell and start building that, lately they have been VERY rusty, but I have a sawzall, mig welder, and a lift so I can fix anything. Of course that is what I have been doing for 35 years, and I enjoy the work. Why do I enjoy the work? Because I know what it can be when I get the work done. Being able to drive it at the end of the work is what drives me, and I REALLY want to drive them. Staying motivated is still a problem, which is why I watch other guys on YT, it keeps me wanting to build stuff. January and February are too cold to bother doing anything, so after two months of not being able to do things, I am eager to get dirty again.

[@Shop209]

Lol. I agree. I’ve started with most of a shell a few times. Very satisfying to get it complete.

[@SweatyFatGuy]

@@Shop209 the 65 GTO I daily drive all summer was so rusty you could not put a windshield and back glass in it. It had been a parts car, so everything of value was gone except the roof, cowl, doors, and frame. I saved one front fender too. I have over 1500 hours in just cutting out rusty metal and welding new metal in. About half of it I had to hand form because not much was available for a 65 in 2009-2013. I made a boring slideshow on my channel of the build since I wasn't taking videos back then. Its all stills. I should have put the build on my channel, but I had no idea anyone was doing that on youtube, or anywhere else for that matter. There is a 69 GTO and 68 Firebird sitting here that are even worse than the 65 was, Got them for $200 each, but its well within my skill set and means to rebuild them. They will probably both get fiberglass front ends and doors, for science... The Firebird is most likely going to get a Jegs chassis, because all the structure in the rear is gone, and I have a 9" rear set up for a 4 link or ladder bars that is the right width for an early bird or the Ventura. It might go under the Ventura first, if I take that one to Missouri this fall. The Ventura is a little better shape than the Nova you're currently working on, but its beat up a bit.

[@danboutin8700]

Yup we all need a little motivation ! I have a 71 I’ve had since 99 . But I am working on my wife’s 67 mustang and I need to sell my 78 CJ5 Jeep I’ve done for more room !!! Great videos keep them coming 👍🏻

[@1963corvette327]

great information,,,and inspirational,,,right on mr John,and tks

[@daveploof2200]

I have had 8 novas over the years. I guess I am crazy 4 Novas . I have a 69 with 383 turbo 450 posi with 3.73 gears. 275/60/15 rear tires.

[@CountryBoyGasGarage]

Sounds familiar! I've had 7...lol. I still drive my 70 I bought for $200 in 1991 when I was 16! Nova4Life! 👍

[@daveploof2200]

@@CountryBoyGasGarage good man.

[@hippiemiller]

Good information 👍 main thing is to keep on keeping on

[@dannymccarty344]

Awesome advice, sir! I want to find a wrecked helicopter and put the engine in mine. My brother gave me his 84 Renault Alliance. He put chrome lug nuts on it with cheater slicks already. I want to paint it myself, and the chicks really dig me.

[@Shop209]

Make sure you get a helicopter from the Southern Hemisphere so the rotation will be correct for the rear end. Don’t want the car to spin instead of the wheels. Makes it hard to steer.

[@dannymccarty344]

@@Shop209 southern hemisphere? I wonder if I got rid of the cheater slicks? It wouldn't be so cool looking tho. I think chicks might not like it then. Thanks for the heads up.

[@rodrodriguez1338]

Happy New Year!! congrats on hitting 5K subscribers.

[@jeffrodgers4500]

Love your videos keep it going.

[@SRTrollinz]

Love this!!

[@rudy_6776]

The interior is the hardest in the sedans

[@Shop209]

I agree.

[@68hotrodrs]

Happy new year …. Keep ‘em coming

[@bradonoliver2973]

Grew up doing this out of instinct. Ig my old men taught me well

[@frankallenjr8549]

New follower of your channel as of 3/1/22. I like it! I like how you do things. Good content! Looking forward to more videos!

[@Shop209]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@colescrustycars]

I love the video, I have 9 68-72 novas in various stages of neglect haha. Along with about 30 other chevelles, camaros, firebirds, a GTO, one for f100 lol you get the picture. Automotive A.D.D.

[@ddozzer3889]

Love the PSA! Shake off the Covid blues and Get'er done! Love the channel and the content but I'm a little large for a Nova so now I have a Impala, I've always loved old iron on matter the make or model. But the real question is when are you going to do a shop chair restoration? I see it has some mileage on it, I think it's the same one my shop teacher sat on in the early 90's. LOL a little PB blaster can work wonders!

[@Shop209]

Lol. I have two of them. Slightly different but pretty close. They were my father in laws office chairs from his Air Force base office. Probably 1950’s.

[@SurlyMike]

Good stuff. Happy new year.

[@unknownidentity3824]

I own 96 ek9 civic 6gen it has little problems, but the car runs just fine. The main one is rust. But thanks for giving me advices. I sure hope it will be on the roads by the next year. ❤

[@Nova.1971]

All good tips John.....little wins along the way!!! Have a great 2022 looking forward to the Nova peojects!!!!

[@Shop209]

Thanks! I hope you have a great 2022!!

[@obsessivegarage921]

Can't believe I missed this video. Watching this made me even more confident how I go about trying to keep motivated. I constantly want everything done all at once and kick myself when it isn't but I have to remind myself it isn't as fast as a car build you watch on any 30 minute car show. Anything worth doing is worth taking the time to do it. I Agree with all of this advice you said, so true! A little bit at a time. A little research at a time. Little upgrades. Make the motor run or run better, get some nice fitting wheels, maybe new shocks or even new springs, maybe paint the grill for fun. 1 hour or even 20 minutes out there working on it will slowly progress your project further. And if it runs and drives who cares if it isn't perfect. Drive it!! It'll motivate you A HELL of a lot when you turn heads or get a thumbs up from the old guy on the corner as you're driving down the road or get stopped at the gas pump getting questions asked or "cool car dude!" And It's really inspiring watching other people like Shop209 or many others even if it isn't about your same car model. Stay with it. Think of the destination and ENJOY the Journey!! 👍

[@MegaRusty1973]

Great video! Im still working on my 73.

[@Shop209]

Cool!! I’m working on the budget 69 right now.

[@mgguygardening]

Thank you for this video! I have a 1974-1/2 MGB, and I was hoping to do some work on it this winter. So far, I haven't even cranked it over in the last 2 months (it is a running vehicle, but needs a bit of work.) You're right, don't get overwhelmed which I think is what's happened to me. I'm thinking about everything that needs to be done, rather than breaking it down and tackling things one at a time.

[@DRUMer2412]

This channel has so much potential

[@Shop209]

Thanks! I’m trying!!

[@joeharrington595]

Get the project car running and driving as soon as possible. A driving car is so inveterating for me

[@BigFun4Life]

Great video as usual,thanks for sharing your Knowledge..

[@Shop209]

Thanks for watching!!

[@sonnymanriquez2963]

Wise words from shop 209

[@alanwilliamson9350]

Hope ya had a good Christmas and Happy New Year to you n yours!

[@Shop209]

Yes sir. Happy New year!!

[@grumblykitten6813]

Glad to see your health is better. Can’t wait for more videos on the 69. I get motivation to work on my 72 Nova from your channel. Made it primer grey because it was 3 colors, bolted on the grill, headlight bezels, and got the mirror to stay in position. And congratulations on 5k subscribers!

[@Shop209]

Thanks!!!

[@oregontrailrider]

good to hear you're feeling better John

[@Shop209]

Thanks Jim!

[@purepowerracing442]

You have been very helpful in my 1974 build I have a brand new set of oer big block frame engine mounts but I'm now using a small block will they work or do I need to buy a new aet

[@Shop209]

Probably need a new set. I think you can use small block mounts for big block but not other way.

[@bullshitgarage]

jeez how many of them you got rusting around your back yard?!?!?!?

[@Shop209]

Lol. Too many

[@robertmartin7942]

What’s the best way I can contact you with a few questions?

[@Shop209]

[e-mail]