Restoring Your Classic Car At Home Is Probably A Mistake - Here's Why

This video brought to you by a comment that made absolutely no sense to me. Featuring a snippet of my recent live stream with ‪@DustDevilGarage‬
Oh yeah, and it's my birthday!

[@PhaQ2]

The secret to happiness is not in the pursuit of more, but developing the capacity to enjoy less. Have fun with what you have, not what you want.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I couldn’t say it better than that.

[@doncroitor3248]

I have completely taken it apart but now as it is extremely rust free but am just going to put rust paint on it and send it! I am just tired lol saw the video of uncle tony and you just confirmed it, what not to really do!

[@richjordan9375]

Mine is about 40% apart. Interior is gutted because the carpet and padding got moldy and stank due to leaky storage, the upholstery, dash, and panels were already sunblasted and destroyed (Nevada heat and sun), and I picked up a rally gauge cluster so the dash came apart too. All in the overcrowded garage. Then life got in the way for 20+ years. Funny I came to your same conclusion about a year ago, decided that I’d just get it back rolling and running, even with only the driver seat and no carpet inside. Retirement and a move are not far off and that will open up time, and hopefully working. Then the rest of the stuff can be worked on. That’s why I started haunting KZbin and found you, Uncle Tony, other Mopar sites with good info. We’ll see how it goes.

[@clevelandmaker386]

@@DeadDodgeGarage you can't get get even get to close to daily driver these days You do good finding decent Mopars!!! Cheap!!!! Cheap!!! Back in 91..... I fell in love with a car... Little did I know it was rare... Just happened to be a 1960 Dodge Matador!!! Oops

[@ericlangenfeld7523]

That's an awesome way to put it. I usually avoid working on my Duster because I'm having too much fun driving it around. Well, until it smokes the wiring again. That's why I still don't have a gas gauge after 2 years. If I have a choice to drop the tank or go cruise around, I mean come on! Who's going to do the tank??

[@UncleDonut66]

I tore my '70 Dart Swinger 340 apart in 1987. I am just now starting to work on it. Life gets in the way. I hope I can get it done before I die. Lol.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

You can do it! *Especially* if you shoot for something a little less than perfection. Unrelated… I really, really want one of those some day. What an awesome car.

[@grantr5417]

Crazy! I have same car, 4spd, bought in the same year. Unfortunately in the same situation. Just retired, so am hopeful 😎

[@UncleDonut66]

@@grantr5417 Yep, mine's a 4 speed also! Hey, if you're the northeast, maybe we motivate each other and actually get these damn cars done. Lol.

[@grantr5417]

​​@@UncleDonut66entral Canada myself. Been spending my life getting ready to go, finally a shop framed but not finished yet. Shooting for a start next summer 😅. Ser#225469

[@brendanlittle7127]

Been down this road before. Being young and dumb I stripped down a 69 Charger. Life got in the way and sold it 8 years later having driven a handful of times before getting it and that's it. Lesson learnt. Now i just get stuff that's close enough to running, fix what I can to get it on the road and enjoy the hell out of them. If it rains, get a scratch etc... Who cares... You only live once, enjoy what you have.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Exactly! I’m learning that most people here get it, because they’ve been there and done that.

[@geebopbaluba1591]

Amen Brother and your completely right and that is exactly what most people want to do is just enjoy driving the car or truck.

[@Bob-Whiting]

After I got up off of the floor from laughing, I have to say this, "Right On man" I agree 100%. Neither of my 1970 Roadrunners were perfect, but man were they FUN! And that's the point. The FUN of owning and driving a classic and/or muscle car, period. And I'm lookin' for another one right now. lol

[@TheREALOC1972]

So just find you a car to tinker around with until then, I've been wrenching on a 73 Buick Regal for the last year ish, I wasn't LOOKING for a First gen Buick Regal, I actually went to look at a 66 Belveder but the Regal was sitting right next to it and I bought it for $1300 and it run and drove, the Belvedere was 3K and it was just a roller, I also wasn't looking to spend alot of money, I basically just wanted something to tinker around with and have fun and The Regal more than fit that bill.

[@thomascroft2376]

I agree with everything you said in this video. I've seen a lot of good cars die in the hands of people that wanted to fully restore them. I've brought back a lot of cars that would normally be passed over because of my ability to NOT take them all the way apart and start with the good. Just get them running and enjoyable then worry about the rest. I've been enjoying my first car for 30 years now and it hasn't been perfect,done or even good in some cases but it has run and been enjoyable for nearly all of those years

[@staceyrenner5418]

Damn buddy, I felt this one in my soul lol. I like to keep repeating what Freibuger always says, "Don't get it right, just get it running". My Mustang will never have nice paint, interior, or pretty much anything else but at least I can go beat the shit out of it and not worry about stuff like water spots from rain, peoples belt buckles, little kids touching it etc. There's already too many people here in Taber that don't drive vehicles that have tens of thousands of dollars put into them, I just don't understand that way of thinking.

[@kellismith4329]

Greetings in Taber !! Can’t wait to enjoy some of that corn in a few months

[@altpraize6708]

I agree with you on this subject. My next project car will be 78 magnum. I don't give a rats booty about matching numbers, or showcar paint! I'm just make sure the brakes and steering/ suspension is good, through a $500 paint job on it, cram stroker 440 and modern 5 speed trans, and drive it, do lots of burn outs and have fun.

[@Vicus_of_Utrecht]

The most loved car of mine was an '89 Plymouth Sundance with a Comp Cam .495 lift, duration fuck me I don't remember lol. Modded the hell out of it. IT'S ALL ABOUT THE FUN

[@lapougne701]

Thinking about restoring cars as a hobby for start and maybe taking that to a business level. This video was exactly what I wasn't expecting for. You don't know how much I want to thank you. U just won a life subscription my friend.

[@musclecarmitch908]

Awesome video and awesome point! No car is perfect and the ones that come closest wouldn't be if they were used. Better to have a unperfect car that's used than a trailer queen you can't!👍

[@raywagner8016]

I bought a 92 Cummins dually a couple years ago and finally did the necessary maintenance to make it roadworthy again. I really splurged when I bought new wiper blades. My wife and I took it on it's first 100 mile road trip last night. Loaded 1500 lbs from the auction yard in the box, went for dinner, it was a blast! I have many others lined up but this lit the fire again. No restos. Just fix and drive.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Awesome! Some day I’ll have a really nice 92-3 extended cab long 4x4 Cummins, I hope. That’s been on my wishlist for a long time.

[@dazeofgloryshopworks5806]

You're 100% bang on. I've made many cars look fantastic and many a lot rougher than fantastic. My goal is to experience the flavour of the car itself. So I build em how I want and that means get em running and driving more or less safely then have a ton of fun!! Good video man

[@stage0garage]

Totally agree! In accordance with UTGs plateaus I get to ‘Stage Zero’ where it looks good and runs and drives like it should. And that’s where they stay. I’d rather drive them daily than work on them daily.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yep! That’s like your whole thing! And it makes perfect sense to me.

[@Dirtypretzleman]

Loved this video! I couldn’t agree more!I took a chance 7mths ago on a cream puff of a 2004 Pontiac Bonneville GXP that my son was gonna sell to the junk yard for $250 because of a blown head gasket. (Cadillac Northstar) engine. It was in too good of a condition to see it get parted out. My goal was to get it running and make it a safe daily driver for my youngest two kids. I’ve done much of the work myself and handed the stuff not worth my time off to a mech i trust. After $1750 she’s a 19 y/o daily driver with 123k miles and I must say that I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished.

[@edsmachine93]

Good advice. Good practical, common sense approach. Have fun while you can. If you wait till you have enough money to have your dream car, it may never happen. Time is the one thing we can't get back. Running and driving is good, infact it's great. Thanks for sharing. Take care, Ed.

[@Bob-Whiting]

So true Ed.

[@TheREALOC1972]

it also helps in not losing interest in it and being excited about the "next thing: you do to it, atleast I do.

[@danielventura8073]

I also agree. I cut my teeth at age 19 with a 70 Thunderbird I picked up in 1981. The car needed a little work to make it road worthy and with help of a friend we ticked off the list, started with the gas tank and in 2 months got the power windows working, the carburetor rebuilt, the a/c working and put in a new radiator and fan clutch. That morphed into working out of our barn, getting friends cars fixed up for Massachusetts state inspections. I miss it now but it was hard work.

[@linwoodlane7006]

Nailed it in one - my approach but only after decades of the perfection quest which ive failed at - because as you say its not attainable

[@charleshager8896]

Thank you for an honest video on “restoring and enjoying a vintage molar.

[@ncornilsen]

I'm 13 years into my Nova restoration... my dream car. Had it since I was a teenager. Bagged it. Tagged it. Perfect body work. C5 corvette drivetrain and suspension. DREAM CAR. Enter marriage, kids, home improvement projects. Moving. Marriage struggles. These days, I chip away at it, and it's going to run this spring. It won't have an interior, and it will be missing some chrome trim. If I could go back to 2011 and have a frank conversation with myself, I'd take a far different path, and avoid the restoration trap.

[@rickstine7107]

I agree 100%. Getting the car running is the first thing you do!!!

[@andrewsmith3684]

Great video. I appreciate your input so much I’m in the same spot with so many of my projects.

[@ctwolfgang433]

Recent subscriber, I agree totally. I don't have multiple projects. I have one c10. For me I have to weigh time off the road for any upgrade vs money, knowledge and ability to determine if it's worth it. I see the temptation to jump down an endless rabbit hole. Driving is the goal.

[@TheRnorman33]

You nailed it. I take my sh*tbox to "car shows" and just have to smile when the guy who drove his wife's Kia to the event nitpicks my ride. It's a 77 Vista Cruiser with a (bad) rattle can paint job,, sidepipes, a smog motor and highway gears but it's damn fun and the other half of the crowd will tell me about their times in a similar wagon before SUVs ruled the roads, then ask for a ride!

[@rickrice3221]

I agree with your philosophy-it’s not for everyone, but there would be more neat cars to see out on the roads if it was embraced more often. Keep the down time to a minimum!

[@TheREALOC1972]

Every classic car is neat, doesn't matter what it is. these cars were built to have fun in, Completely restoring a car more often than not isn't worth it, either time or money wise. Take his Chrysler 300 for instance, it's going to cost 35-40 grand to blow apart and restore and after he's done it still be worth 20-25k, is that a wise investment? hell no it's not and it;s retarded to think like that. No matter if your "into cars just the fun of it" or "it's sentimental" it still boils down to money at some point, unless you have more money than brains you don;t do a "full restoration" because it's just not worth it unless your building a 75-100k car when your done.

[@Mr9501]

You’re so right when it comes to car restoration....it’s something that most people want to do, but few can actually do it....I’m one of them that maybe I could, but haven’t...I’ve done small restoration projects like garden tractors ( that’s a great way to see if it’s something you can do, takes less time and space than a whole car)...but doing a complete car takes an enormous amount of space, time & money....the restoration work I have done, I’ve noticed that it can be broken down in 3 phases...1st is taking everything apart and bag & tag it...that’s the initial fun part.....then the boring part comes in...taking this huge pile of pieces one at a time, and making each piece nice again....that’s the phase that eventually kills most projects....then finally, when you have no more pieces left in your pile, you can start reassembling your project and that’s when it starts to become fun again....if you can only stay motivated enough to get a good start on phase 3 do you stand a halfway decent chance of finishing it.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Exactly… It’s that middle part that will kill your project, leaving it in pieces for 10-50 years… even on an older, simpler car like these, there is a lot to it.

[@Kevin-Murphy-007]

Happy Birthday to you Jamie. I hope that you have a Blessed and Superfantastic and Wonderful day filled with Family and Friends and a superhumongus CAKE 🎂. I wish you all of the very best on your Special day and I hope that you have many, many, many more Special days like this one to come. God Bless You on your Special day.

[@kellismith4329]

Totally agree with you, there is only the odd car that is really worth doing a full resto and it is a HUGE commitment as it will be a boat anchor in your garage for years to come and if you do ever finish it you won’t want to drive it for fear it gets damaged. Get the thing running and get out there with it and have some fun, there are always more projects where that came from. A full restoration is a full time job for a dozen people

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Absolutely. And I would still argue that the ‘70 Roadrunner is one worthy of restoration. But we can definitely have some fun and enjoy it until then.

[@HughJanus-xh9dz]

I'm a new subscriber and I really appreciate you thanking us. It means a lot to me. It makes me feel connected and a valued member. I totally get what your saying. And the points your making. The bottom line is that none of these cars made it to the crusher and that's a win for the whole mopar family. Keep the vidios coming sir! I'm hooked. Lol

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Bingo! You are absolutely a valued member here. I even remember you by your screen name 😅 I mean, how could I forget that one? Thanks for joining us.

[@m1a1hm]

I agree 100 percent brother! That why I like your channel it's all about fun and learning how to keep old car on the road. I get burnt out watching other youtubers who have boat loads of money who restore there car and make it sound like that what we should do to our old cars. I'd bet 95 percent of us don't have that kind of money. I just want to keep my old 68 Plymouth Satellite running and have fun with it because life is to short .

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yeah… I’m not even a little bit about that kind of car build. But I’m all about the fun! If I had a bunch of money… well I wouldn’t have to wait so long to afford parts for the projects I want to do. But I think I’d just be collecting more, slightly higher quality cars 😅

[@m1a1hm]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Same here. LOL.

[@Cfchild1]

Great advice and takeaways for the average person with limited time, money, and resources for owning and restoring a classic vehicle.

[@carguy3028]

I broke my 72 GMC down to the frame in 2015, I finished it in 2020, I almost gave up on it. You are 100 percent right and what most people don’t know is how you can get in over your head fast. It came out great it’s one hell of an accomplishment, it’s not perfect but drive’s amazing. I did modify the suspension, breaks, put an ls in it, the ls swap was down before the restoration so I didn’t even have to deal with the drive train. I didn’t bag and tag everything but it ended up being ok because most of the hardware needed to be replaced anyway.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s awesome. I’m glad it worked out for you. But I have a pretty good idea how tough that was…

[@carguy3028]

@@DeadDodgeGarage and I’ll never do that again

[@garageforcerestos]

I understand the point you're making. A video to help someone new to the hobby to understand the pitfalls of a complete tear-down, restoration and build-up would really be worthwhile - in more depth. Most of us know about failed "restorations" like the examples you offered. However ... as you stated, there are people out there with the resources, capability to commitment to make it happen. I'm one of those people and I still enjoy your channel, by the way!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

There absolutely are - and I definitely appreciate that point of view, and having you here. Obviously it’s those new people or people who haven’t thought about the pitfalls who I’m talking to here, and as we’ve seen in the comments, many people people have said yep, been there, made that mistake, and at least a handful of people who have said this helped influence their future decisions. For me - I’ll stick to the things that I am super familiar with, and steer away from the restoration type stuff.

[@TheWolverine1333]

Thank you. Working on a project car atm that at times feels over whelming. Going to focus on "dont get it right get it running." One thing at a time. Thank you.

[@scotttry4517]

Nicely said. have fun within your budget.👍😎

[@T500cal]

Yessir, time is what u pay when getting too ambitious. I have a 67 impala i wanted to redo the entire interior & fuel system. Ended up having to some rewiring, added gauges, rust removal of firewall, replaced heater core/blower, and much more. What i thought would take me just a little over a month, took me 4-5 months. Im finally starting the engine today after all that.

[@packatk7431]

I got my first "runner" just a couple weeks ago, a sky blue 1970 Dodge D200 Sweptline. All I cared about when I went to look at her was she drove and stopped... the rest will come along when I have time or money or it wont. She drives and she stops and that's all that matters to me. Just having something that I can touch that reminds me of growing up in Northern Arizona in the 70s is all I want and honestly that's all old cars are... a time machine to when we were younger and things were simpler.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yes! I have a video making that exact point, too! Fix it up bit by bit - sure! But it doesn’t need to be perfect to be an enjoyable time machine.

[@ustric]

Completely agree. Tried restoring classic car myself. It is a lot of work and I mean A LOT. It is also fun, but it is not for everyone. And yeah, mine is still not running after all those years... After this experience Iam ok with having something little rough, but running and fixing it on the go.

[@Vicus_of_Utrecht]

I know of a 390 built engine waiting for it's '69 Mach 1 to be ready for install for, oh, 23 fucking years.

[@user-cl5gd4xv9m]

You are so correct, my tool box charger was a basket case when I got it 20 years ago,just getting to it now,70 coronet 500,made the mistake of taking apart, dumb,still in pieces. Can't enjoy neither one of them. Charger is going back together finally. Very good advice.

[@Bob-Whiting]

Have fun doin' it too!

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! Yes what your are proud of and make it safe for you and family. ( Family ) is what is important ! Your right on ! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Jayreganmusic]

The exact train of thought I use home, self restoring my slant 6 1966 Dart. There’s no way I’m dumping a ton of cash in an old Dart, it’s just not financially practical. Still I love my car. Love your channel and you’re right it is fun!!! My journey with my car is on my channel if any of you are interested.

[@markallen1413]

Great jobJammie , always love the videos, keep it going brother 👍👍👍👍👍✅✅✅✅✅

[@ftfcycles]

Man you are spot on. Love the content, Peace

[@sandozman6085]

Excellent advice. I spent February to june doing trunk floor, lower trunk extensions, lower quarters, and about 6 other small patch panels on my 52k mile charger. It took a few hours a day 5 to 6 days a week. Granted it was my first sheet metal job, although i can weld well. It was exhausting.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It sounds exhausting. A Charger is worth fixing for sure. My brother is replacing the entire back half of a Roadrunner right now. It’s been two years so far…

[@brkooduh66]

when you have a solid plan, it's fun. when the new parts are going on your old car, it's fun. i truly enjoyed every hour of my restoration of 66 Barracuda, and never even once considered stopping work on it. the entire process was fun, and now i reap the rewards of thrashing around in a bad ass car

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Awesome!

[@steveash9831]

OMG Jamie! You saved my life! Friends and family have told me to get a life for many stupid reasons. Then I found you! I love my new and exciting life watching your awesome videos! Thank you! You are my hero! Anyway, I have four cool classic Mopars. I have a not perfect '73 Charger too. It has a crappy black paint job, 400 big block with a custom made six pack, using three Weber IDF 40 carbs, a Tremec TKO 500 5 speed with a pistol grip shifter, 17" 5 spoke wheels, and totally up-graded front and rear suspensions. I just installed a new AMD air-grabber hood. It's fast enough to out run all the crazy women who want my car, not me! (sigh) 😞

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That Charger sounds amazing. Unrelated, I think you might have a more peculiar sense of humor than even me

[@steveash9831]

@@DeadDodgeGarage For sure Jamie! We are suddenly locked in a wild and wacky humor competition! I don't know who is winning, but it is fun! I have been hooked on the car hobby for many years. I tried the medications, and mental therapy sessions, but I can't kick the habit. Laughing helps me cope with this exhausting affliction! (ugh)

[@patrickwayne3701]

@DeadDodgeGarage I'm contemplating everything you've said, and I am continuing to marvel at the fact that everything you've video'd and posted,,, I have a similar rig in my collection. From the power wagon to the custom van to the 340 [Demon for you, Duster for me], 67 & 68 Barracudas,, 66 & 67 Coronets, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72 & 73 Chargers, a 70 V code 4spd Dana RR, a 71 Challenger convert A/C smalblock car, Couple of Warlocks, a SuperBird and a Bevy of 64 Dodges, and 66 Monaco 500's,,, [and the Dodge school bus I rode to tech school, in high school].... I am pleasantly acquainted with going to the gas station and having two high schoolers ask me, 'Hey mister, kinda car issat?' As they marvel at the gas filler being hidden behind the license plate on my 64 Polara 2 door hardtop that my family used to vacation in Michigan back in '85. Each one has a back story. Me and Dad got it out of Kentucky from a farmer who literally had removed the trunklid and was carrying ROUND BALES with it!! We vacuumed out the hay, put the trunklid back on and rubbed it down for several weeks,, and it responded by becoming a family cruiser for years. It needs upper control arm bushings right now,,, but man,,, when people see pics of me with hair, in high school, with this old sweetheart all polished up,,,, and I still have it in my driveway today.... the fact that it's still running and the pushbutton trans fascinates the high schoolers at the gas station..... I have too much stuff. Lotsa peeps say it. Hell, some of them have stolen some of it from me. If that had happened to the only PERFECT one I had,,, I am not sure what would happen.... lol. They are ALLOT more fun when they run. I laughed at you hitting the starter everytime Matt's Cuda stalled on you. Shootin for perfect is for Ken and Buffy at Pebble Beach. Hank Williams Jr. and Frank Zappa have said it before,, 'Hey all you perfect people out there!!,,,, There's ALLOT more of us ugly mf's out here!!'.... [and a country boy WILL survive!]

[@bigwrenchtech]

Wait a minute! It's Monday this is nice! Happy birthday and this puts a smile on my face on a rough Monday😂

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Brother, it’s Tuesday! I think you stayed in the tub too long 😅

[@bigwrenchtech]

@@DeadDodgeGarage CRAP!!! I had one job

[@vincerencher9128]

for the average person..."restore" it, but keep it running and driving at the same time.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yep. Bit by bit.

[@moparcasey3135]

I’ve been binge watching all your content but haven’t been doing a good job commenting, your stuff is killer, gonna go back and comment on them all!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Thank you! Don't feel obligated to comment on every video I've ever made though. Haha. I appreciate the sentiment.

[@daveb5016]

I've been restoring a car for about 10 years now. Nearly got rid of it a few times. I'm going to finish it and have some fun. It definitely wont be perfect.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

You can do it! Just get ‘er done, as the kids are saying. If these comments are any indication, you are definitely not alone.

[@donstephens776]

Thanks for this, my wife loved it and said that she won't bother me any more about getting my toys restored since she knows now that I just want to enjoy them. Hear from someone that we respect makes a difference.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Nice cars are great, but fun - in my eyes anyway - is much greater.

[@jamesadams4304]

In the last ten years or so , I seen more and more unrestored cars at shows, cars and coffee, cruise-ins, that get way more attention than those trailer queens get. The cars that show their "history " are the best! Like you mentioned if you put a scratch on it who cares ,it's just another scratch or ding, let the next person who buys it try to make it " perfect "

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Exactly! Obviously in the past decade unfinished or unrestored has become more “acceptable.” I think we have Frieburger to thank for a lot of that. Haha. But that’s the world I’m living in for sure. I like cars that work.

[@realmaindrianpace]

I'm restoring a '75 Dodge Monaco 4dr sedan as a replica Bluesmobile. I've restored several cars in the past to a high 2/low 1 condition, but this one is my favorite project so far because it doesn't have to be perfect. I get to detail the drivetrain and engine bay, which is what I like most; while the body and paint will be crappy and imperfect just like the movie car, while the interior will be decent, like the average 5 year old retired police car. No pressure, no loads of cash, just fun stuff at my own pace.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Fantastic! I love it.

[@0004612]

Hope you got 440 cubic inch mill….they got some pickup.

[@realmaindrianpace]

@@0004612 You bet. Originally a 360 car, now has a 440, 727, 9 1/4 rear, and cop torsion bars and sway bar, among many other cop upgrades. Engine was built to 400HP and 500 lb ft of torque. Should have pretty good pickup.

[@0004612]

@@realmaindrianpace Nice. When it’s done, you wanna trade me it for a harmonica?

[@realmaindrianpace]

@@0004612 Got a microphone?

[@gregloy5790]

This video has the most life. changing perspectives I have ever heard.

[@HS-yk9he]

"Just buy a restored car", I learned it the hard way. I bought a 1997 Jeep Wrangler for $7k; restored for $8k and I end up selling it for $10k. I had really fun restoring it but it costed me over $5k. I am not sure if my fun worth the $5k.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yeah… ouch. But that’s kind of the way of it.

[@greasygarage9111]

Man, this is the stuff I gotta hear more often

[@patricklynch1962]

I'm a recent subscriber to your channel thanks to Uncle Tony. I could not agree more with every word you said. I rescued my late grandfather's '68 Fury VIP fast top in 2009. The first thing I did was to get it to run and stop. It had a lot of dents where my grandfather kept driving even with macular degeneration impairing his vision. Once I got it so I could put it back on the road, I addressed some of the cosmetics replacing both front fenders and using the passenger door from my deceased '67 Sport Fury. Also pulled out the quarter panel where the extension bolts on using a block of wood with a super large eye bolt, some chain and a large tree stump. None of what I did was perfect, but it's better than it was. The original 318 has only had external bolt ons like water, fuel pump, timing chain, distributor and a late 70's Holley 2280 2bbl replacing the Carter BBD. The rest of the engine is original and runs fine. Why tear it apart if it still has lots of life in it? The car functions as well as it ever did which is quite nicely. I've driven it on long trips and the Plymouth never misses a beat. People love it when they see it and sometimes comment to me that they like it better not being over done. It never fails to put a smile on my face when I drive it. If I didn't live in the southern part of the Salt Belt (central Kentucky), this would be the only car I'd ever drive. This video was shot a long time ago on a crappy camera, but this was a big day--driving the car out of the garage under her own power, you can hear my friend running the camera making a sound of surprise that the car is actually going: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKbMp5SYatuorNU

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That is so cool! I love that it “cleared {its} moorings,” Because of course… boat. Haha. And that dark red color is just my favorite. A green ‘68 Fury III is on my wish list because my dad drove one before I was born. I love everything about the just nice enough style. It’s such a great way to drive and enjoy a car. Nicely done!

[@patricklynch1962]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Thanks! That '68 is the third '67-'68 Fury we have had in the family. We had a '67 Sport Fury and a '67 Fury II sedan. The Sport Fury and the VIP were bought by the same uncle and got passed around the family a little bit before I ended up with both of them. The great thing about these cars is that if you get out of the Salt Belt, they're still around in some numbers so you may yet find a green '68 Fury like your dad's. Both of my Furys got called "the Enterprise" a lot over the years, so for a starship on wheels, I used that music from Star Trek, lol.

[@rloewen11]

Condolences on your birthday...

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

🤣

[@donaldcurtis9229]

I'm restoring my 65 Rambler Marlin for the second time the SAT too long I had a restoration shop painted 37 years ago and they ripped me off now to the paint shop now and I'm there almost every day all the metal workers done the way it should have been done the first time

[@pdiz]

OMG, you nailed it, DDG! Very motivating...

[@joeshermenti2082]

You are so right I completely dismantled a car did everything really good including dismantling many parts cars it only took ten years to finish guess what it wasn't perfect I hated that car I sold it of course at a loss now I'm building a rat rod I should have built rat rods instead of the money pit

[@tonyb3864]

Everyone is different. This is how YOU do it. That's why I watch. I want to see what you will do next. And maybe learn something. Sometimes I shake my head and say, "what the hell is he doing?". Sometimes I say, "yeah that's what I would do." But I always find your videos entertaining because I love cars as much as you do. Keep up the good work.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Absolutely. And of course in this video I say exactly that - this is my approach. It’s not the only one, the best one, or maybe even a good one. But it’s working for me. Might could work for some other folks looking for some guidance.

[@gx21a]

I blame society for these unrealistic goals- what with the classic car auctions and "reality tv" shows that feature the most "perfect" cherry vehicles that can fetch 6 figures easily. Then there are some that want the ultra modern creature comforts in restomods. But then again, some of us appreciate the less-than-perfect types of cars out there., as-is. We all don't want trailer/garage queens, but media tries to tell us otherwise and some guys and gals buy into that. Not saying there is anything wrong with those tastes, but its not for everyone, to each their own, etc. Thanks for this video as I look at the reason I am just slapping my 69 Mustang GT back together vs trying to address some of the rust and other imperfections that are all around it- I JUST WANT TO DRIVE A CLASSIC MUSTANG AGAIN! Hopefully to be used as a daily driver at some point. And as you mentioned "because its fun!"

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I completely agree with you. All of those things are factors in this. And those TV shows make it look so easy… yes! Get it together. Let it be a whole car. And fix things from there. There’s no reason you can’t do a rust repair here, a bit of bodywork there, etc. But you’ll be so much happier with a car that does things.

[@LSswapGarage1]

I'm lucky because as I get older I have no vanity and I don't much care for other people in large doses. No car shows... no events... just drive. I honestly prefer something I don't care about washingx I don't look at scratches and dings with scrutiny and it just goes up and down the road...not sit in a parking lot with a bunch of pretentious people I have no desire to interact with at any level. Get it running and enjoy it!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I’m right there with you. I’ve never been a car show guy. I’ve entered exactly two. Sometimes I drive my cars to them and don’t enter so I can look at things and then leave. Haha. If 2020 taught me anything, it’s that I really don’t want or need to be around groups of people for any reason. I do have a couple decent looking cars now, and sometimes I even remember I’m supposed to wash the dust off… I love driving ratty stuff. So rewarding - and so much less stress.

[@johnsheetz6639]

I what he is saying you'll get off cheaper in the long run getting one almost there. But I have so much respect for the rare few that complete the basket case. true hero deserving of the car medal of honor!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Couldn’t agree more… that ain’t easy.

[@doncroitor3248]

Great words of wisdom as I “try to restore my 64 barracuda “ lol

[@stevenrice47]

Good video. I have a '73 Charger that I've been working on since 1995!! So much time and money into it!! It is prefect? No, but it's better than 99% of the cars at a regional car show. It's almost done. My next project is a '72 Road Runner. It's a basket case. The plan is to do minimal body work, shoot it rot rod black, get it running, get it stopping, throw some seats in it, and bang on it. Full send style. I'm not doing a proper restore on the Road Runner until I have the thing required to a proper restore in place. Those three things are 1) a place to do it 2) money to make it happen and 3) motivation to keep it going. Until that happens, my '73 Charger and '72 Roadrunner will be like Dr Jeckel and Mr. Hyde; Dr Banner and The Hulk.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I like it! And man… I was five when you started that project. My daughter is seven. If I were to take on a project like that now… yeah, that sounds about right. No, actually, I would have sold it a long time ago. I have sold three 73-4 Chargers partially torn down in project mode over the last 13 years. I’m glad you’re almost done with it, and I love the idea of the rattier Roadrunner. I think cars are best enjoyed when you have two anyway - a nice one, and a fun one 🙂

[@KiwiStag74]

Could not have put it better myself. I have three classics in a condition that I refer to as Rolling Restorations. I drive them, enjoy them and occasionally when one of them decides to show me that a certain part no longer works as it should, I fix them. I have also been known to take them off the road for a few weeks if the thing that is no longer working is connected to something else that will need work shortly, but that's just so that my enjoyment of them isn't unexpectedly interrupted a second time. I have also fallen into the trap of buying a project and parking it in the garage to restore.....and that's as far as it got because it became too daunting a process, because the more I looked at it, the more it seemed to need or that I would want to do in order to make it "perfect" when I had finished with it. So after a year of looking at it, I sold it and learned a lesson Pulling a car apart, doing all the work methodically and then putting it back together is obviously not something I can do. However, I have recently purchased a project where someone pulled their car apart, bagged and tagged everything, did all the hard yards on the body, engine and trans and then lost interest. Now, I've had the engine running on the floor of the workshop and it sounds great, so it is a simple case of putting the car back together after prepping and painting it, customising the interior as it goes back together and she's ready to rock. This seems doable as everything I do to it brings it one step closer to being done and I'm only tasked with choosing the colour scheme and making the interior how I want it. The work has been started, but remember I still have three others I have to keep up with and they do demand a certain amount of attention on occasion. None of the cars is perfect, but all are presentable with their 40-50 year old paintwork and unrestored interiors. The "restoration project" is not going to be perfect either, but it will be something I am proud of and will enjoy because I have put it back together the way I want.....and I didn't have to spend the time and expense on all the work done to date. As you say, the object is to drive the cars and enjoy them.....and by doing so, allow others to enjoy seeing them as well. THAT is what classic car ownership is all about. Who needs a Trailer Queen that you are scared to park in a carpark in case it ends up with another battle scar or a stone chip from driving it there?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Exactly! Presentable is the highest level I’ve ever had any interest in, and even that… pushing it. I can fix any mechanical issues one project at a time. So I will shoot for fairly good looking, but I’m more than willing to settle for totally ratty if it’s a body style I like. A project car is just worth so much more as a runner in my world.

[@510CurtDawg]

Yes, it dont have to be perfect, it just has to work to have fun!! I drive my duster everywhere in california, 6.4 hemi and t56 swapped in my garage....rattle can paint job! Lol I love it!! Mopar on people!!

[@vampirematt101]

I have zero mechanic experience but can learn and work with my hands easy enough. Just brought an 82 Bedford cf van. I wanted something older so there's less electronics and more analog for repair and learning purposes. My budget is tiny but I have loads of free time(silver lining of disability). The end goal will be a camper conversion but for now I just wanna tinker around and get her back on the road. Looks horsepower none of that really matters to me, as long as she moves safely ill be happy

[@randallamik3230]

I agree.. My "project" does double duty as a daily driver

[@alcyr5655]

Happy Birthday young man. And I agree. I have a '57 D-100, so back in early '80s, more or less blew it apart, bought a cheap '69 Fury parts car, for the front clip and drive train. The biggest hick ups were, even though the sub frame, fit nice along side of the clipped front frame, the wheel base was quite wider, and dramatically lowered the front. And no thought went into engine set back until trying to install cab. Last plated in '88, it's followed me all these years. I was planning on buying a Dakota parts truck, similar track width, blow the whole truck apart again. Modernize it, till my brother said, clean up what you got, That F'n truck was a blast after installing a 340. And it does hold a lot of sentimental value. High school teenager, working in small 2 car garage, with his dad, He's gone but the memories aren't. Keeping drum brakes and all our hacks.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I’m with your brother on that one… as long as it’s give or take safe to go down the road. Keep the hacks, keep the memories. I love it.

[@1977jed]

I agree with you! Our 60 Fury is original paint and trust! But we are gonna drive it as is til we get stuff for body work etc! Gonna do the same with our 60 NewYorker two door! Once you take it apart, you cant drive and enjoy it!

[@cumminski]

Amen brother. Painted my 61 Chrysler with black primer and went to local cruising event . First guy at the at the parking lot RUNS to my car and shouts "why did you pain it flat black,, you ruined whole car". (Ive never seen that guy before) I said to him that I like it this way. My car my rules.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yeah… we don’t need that guy in our lives. Haha.

[@timrayburn2461]

Great video and thoughts

[@federicomolina6745]

Totally agree with this. I recently had to do a cylinder head and clutch in my old bimmer, and was tempted to yank the engine/tranny out and do it all out of the car. The idea of having all the parts, hoist, etc cluttering my garage was quite disheartening. In the end, I did the head first, drove the car a few weeks and then dropped the tranny. Took a lot longer but the mini clusterfuck was avoided 😂

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I’d be tempted to go the other way too, but it just becomes such a bigger nightmare when that much stuff is apart. I think you made the right call.

[@zvara9487]

You build a better bond with your car when you put the work in it and you make sure everything is done right because it's yours other people dont care about other people's stuff as much as they do their own.

[@Imnotyourdoormat]

As an American car mechanic gearhead and hotrodder, it pains me to say this but it's real. The 1995 LEXUS LS 400 was a perfect car, or near perfect, or at least a pretty good shot at it. In the mid-90s, TOYOTA snatched and seized Daimler-Benz's luxury car market by catering to their buyer's wants instead of telling them what they needed, so they set out to make a perfect car to do that very thing. They came pretty close.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I love Toyota and those are pretty great cars. That’s probably what I should point people who want to modernize their Mopars toward instead of the Nissan Maxima 😅 but I do have to wonder what it has to do with this particular video.

[@Imnotyourdoormat]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Just a sidebar to your clickbait thumbnail...haha but no lol You covered everything, every problem, every pitfall a gearhead can get into. Most can't resist. And someone else will end up with their car like Leadfoot Bailor ended up with Hermans Munstermobile. For me I see it as so many of these cars survived 50 years of combat, only to die at the hands of the one trying to save it. Thanks for making a sad reality video few have the kahunas to address.

[@wiggyjones]

My 64 Valiant 4 door cost me $2,000. Paid to have the exhaust replaced. Paid to have the 904 rebuilt. Doing the rest myself. Relearning how to do body work from the 1970s. Got good at carburetors. Will do an OK job on carpeting, headliner, and will teach myself to paint. It won't be perfect and that's not only ok, it's great! I took it to a local church car show yesterday! A wise person once told me not to let the perfect be the enemy of the good. I'm aiming for average to good. I doubt I'll spend 10k all in.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Awesome. Sounds like fun. That would be a monumental project for me…

[@Broughsdad]

Great advice I am about equal to you in ability. Have been doing this for 56 yrs. I have gone to see some cars/bikes that are so torn apart they are not worth the time to try and put back together.

[@davidbisnette7673]

Great advice

[@hickeyskustomresto]

Great video 👍 just subscribed

[@karlbaker1943]

I have had my 68 Charger RT since 1983, had fun for 10 years. Since it's been painted twice and interior reupholstered and engine built. But not together yet?

[@keithhill7098]

I feel the other issue with "full restorations" is when they get done most people will be too afraid to drive it or for some to even get dirty and thus they become a garage queen which to me is worse then the crustiest classic that runs and drives. Cars are meant to be driven and enjoyed not stuck in a garage its whole life trailered everywhere might as well just build models at that point.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Exactly! You nailed it. This is another big part of the equation, and one I didn’t touch in in the video. An imperfect car is an enjoyable car.

[@davidsteen1496]

I have 1964 dodge 440 4 door I spent a year sourcing all the parts the father and son thought were useless ya know all the trim n Clips and engine wireing and engine , but I have the rolling shell a quick n dirty scuff job and a lick of summit paint made it look ok not perfect and a roadkill issue motor home 440 and 86 diplomat rear end and disc brakes to just make it drive and enjoy just like you said make it work and drive it thanks for the great vids keep them coming

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Nice! Thanks!

[@brianandrews7099]

Yeah, I agree! Plus, if you get lost in the the idea of perfection, you’ll drive yourself crazy. No matter how good you are with bodywork and paint, your going to have some small flaws … and that’s all you are ever going to see on the body of your car are those tiny flaws! If you bought a car with the same paint job, you’d probably never even notice them. Trying to make a restoration to “perfect” is a recipe for burn out. Your going to fight burnout even if your not looking for perfection. I also agree: make a non running car run, then make it drive, then make it drive better. Now, do you like driving it? Do you still like it or is it not what you’d thought it was going to be? If not, time to dump it now even if that means losing money on it. Why continue to spend money on it if it disappoints you? If you still love it, move on to the next project. Now, imagine having torn the whole car apart, going through burnout and getting back to it … over and over … until you beat the odds and actually complete the restoration. Chance are you’ll be exhausted; to the point you might not even want the car anymore? What if, the first time you drive it, you realize you don’t like the way it feels or handles, you don’t like the visibility, you like the driving position? What happens if, now that you’ve gone far and beyond to make the car as perfect as you possibly could, you realize that driving it means deterioration to all that extra effort … so you don’t drive it … but it still gets hit with rakes and banged into sitting in the garage by your kids? Soon, you realize that your reward for the extra effort to make perfection is having a car that you don’t enjoy and, despite your best efforts, is still deteriorating. Your going to just give up and sell it … but, just like a house, it has a set value, and all your extra efforts to make it perfect won’t raise the book value. If your lucky, you break even on what you spent restoring it, minus all your time, when it sells. I always say that the concept of perfection was created by greeting card companies and advertising agents. If it exists at all, it’s fleeting … and it’s usually only a coincidence that it ever happened.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Very well said. I didn’t touch on the after at all. I can’t tell you how many cars I’ve seen sold over there years with “500 miles on restoration” or similar. That has to be a factor.

[@72442conv]

I am trying to fully restore a 71 Mach 1 Mustang 351 Cleveland 4 speed car I bought close to 2 years ago. The first year I redid all the front and rear brakes, suspension (including front and rear springs), ALL the steering, rear end with new 3.55 9" limited slip, power steering, tune up, clutch linkage, fuel tank & pickup, fuel lines, fuel pump, new tires, and a ton of body work. I never completely tore the car apart, car runs and drives. I have hit a snag in my "resto" project, haven't touched it in 6 months. I have been doing body work for almost a year, welding a floor pan, welding a battery tray, welding patches on both quarter panels, welding new metal on the drivers side rocker panel and A pillar. It has really overwhelmed me. The only thing off the car is the interior, minus the drivers seat, and the glass on the drivers side of the car. I am NOT a body guy and this has been a learning experience, it is a TON of work to do this in your garage. I am trying to find the motivation to start on it again, but right now it is 100 degrees in Texas. My thing on resto projects is to NEVER tear the car apart in your garage, 99% of people will never get it back together. I can put the interior and the drivers side glass back on this car and drive as much as I want, or sell it as a complete running car. It is worth 3 times more as a complete runner than it is as a bunch of parts in boxes...

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Bingo. Good way to go at it. Even if you stall as you say you have, an interior is easy enough to put back in. The bodywork is the part I really don’t like. It can be rewarding, but it just takes so just time. I don’t have the patience for it.

[@72442conv]

@@DeadDodgeGarage I am finding out that I do not have the patience for it either, LOL.

[@22vx]

That Chrysler 300 is one sweet ass rig as-is

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I love it!

[@brianandglendaharkin9457]

You do the talk an the walk . 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🇦🇺💯⛽️.

[@TheREALOC1972]

I absolutely agree! Noone's got the money for that now anyway. get it running and THEN start the restoration. Spend atleast an hour a night, whether that's actually wrenching or watching your favorite KZbin mechanic (I suggest a good one, you know like Uncle Tony), do all the "hard stuff" or things that have multiple steps to do it over a long weekend because then you can walk away for a couple hours when you get frustrated, and you WILL get frustrated, I would be willing to bet my 1/2" and 9/16" wrenches have more time in the air than most commerical pilots, and then come back to it. You also have to take periodical breaks for a couple days from it. I've been wrenching on a 73 Buick Regal for a little over a year and have almost got it done by doing it 1 piece/componet at a time. Like step one, got it running and driving, the next night I cleaned it, really good inside and out, next night I drained all the fluids, next night I painted the engine block pulled the valve covers, intake and oil pan off and clean then painted them silver and put them back on with all new gaskets refilled all the fluids and took it for a little drive. The week end I rebuilt the brakes, sandblasted the hubs and wheels and repainted them then me and my gf went for a little drive and so on. I'm at the point right now where all I have to do is strip and repaint it and yes it HAS to be repainted, I live in Arizona and the heat just kills paint, the paint on Dale's Demon would like a 3 year old car's paint job here..... but i;m not going stupid on the paint, I'm doing a tractor paint paint job, it's a daily driver and I'm not putting a $10,000 paint job on a car that is only worth 15-20k when it's done and will need painted again in 5 years, I'm Dumb, not Stupid..... My point is do one piece at a time and you won't lose interest nor feel it's over your head.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s exactly it! It’s really a mentality thing I think. I mean, you’re still doing a whole lot of the same things, but not all at once. The car is whole at the beginning and end of every operation, instead of a in a stack of boxes, the attic, a shed, etc. You can space them out, one operation at a time, with clear goals for success. And being fully prepared to accept good as good enough, as opposed to striving for perfect, is a huge help. I’m not literally against restoring cars. I’m against trying to do it the way they do on tv…

[@TheREALOC1972]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Well to be fair alot of the T.V. shows like Power Nation (Carcass, Detriot Muscle and Music City Trucks) who I make fun of the time because they don't clean shit, they just bolt a brand new part on something that looks like it lived at the bottom of pond for a decade....... it's like jesus guys atleast clean it up first, do in pieces too. I do laugh when those shows say "Were building this project just like you would at home" it's like No your not, We don't have HALF the equipment you have and were cleaning rust and dirt off and hitting whatever we bolt up new parts too with a at bare minimum a wire brush, some rubbing alcohol and some rattle can black, were not keep it packed full of mud from 1956 on that damn thing and bolting up a brand new part out of the box to it.

[@jeremywilson4326]

As American's were the expercts on not perfect but close enough . I love the 300. Thanks man.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Damn right!

[@TimothyRussell-uv7uv]

I love how you drive it home that your car doesn’t have to be perfect!!! I’m good with nice for me. The average Joe can’t afford or have the time to make a graveyard care restoration!!! Love your channel for the average Joe!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Exactly! You can have MORE fun with an imperfect car - and so much less stress. Nice is awesome. Perfect - if it exists - not so much.

[@davewilson1335]

I can’t tell you how many cars ive run across in my life that someone has “blown apart” lost intrest, lost parts, and then has a empty shell that they say they will restore “one day”. Me and my ratty, rusty, 71 satellite will keep running down the road and dragstrip, rusty quarters and all.

[@jerryfarmer5989]

Hm I have basic 1979 Dodge D150. I have completely rebuilt it mechanically and I mean everything. I also re did the seats, new insulation and carpet. Even new sound system, old school, but new. When it goes to get the new tires mounted and alignment that will be it's test drive.

[@dartdude4084]

My Belvedere been In my garage since I bought my house. Apart since 2015, I’ve been getting more done lately. Hope to have it driving in a few months.

[@dartdude4084]

Not even a full resto either. Started as a wiring overhaul. Now it’s been a semi resto minus body work on the outside. I wanna come drive it up there when I’m done. 408 blue print engine I’ve had for a while and a 4 spd.

[@roberttoews2775]

Not only is a fully restored car big $$$ and time consuming, it's also a stressful car. No Walmart parking lot for it. No getting caught in the rain. No letting it sit outside when going to the movies. Etc etc. Some even end up as trailer queens. Have does a person have the time to really enjoy such a car? My old 68' Newport is far from perfect, but I can take it for a ride, go places and do things. And most of all, I have fun. I can't help but have a stupid grin from ear to ear whenever I'm behind the wheel. It's 2 years older than I am. And all things considered, it's in better shape too, LOL.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yep - exactly that. I think this video was running long and I didn’t even get to that side of things. I like a car that is “nice enough” like my Charger. I sure don’t want something that is so nice I have to worry. It’s going to get dirty… it’s going to get covered in dead bugs… It’s going to get dinged. That’s ok.

[@NoWr2Run]

I worked for a Classic Car restoration shop that specialized in Corvettes & it damn near had too be perfect, like 98% we got but not " PERFECT ". As you said Perfect DOES NOT EXIST EVEN A CAR RIGHT OFF THE SHOWROOM FLOOR. There was many cars that we had too correct FACTORY DEFECTS, YES DONE AT THE FACTORY.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yep… we’re familiar with that kind of thing in Mopar world. One example that comes to mind is the crappy blackout job done around the inside of the windshield frames in E bodies. But there are lots of little things like that…

[@NoWr2Run]

@@DeadDodgeGarage AGREED

[@user-ej9pb8zi3p]

As you say, its a combination of time, money(and parts), and motivation.

[@pauldeschamps8965]

Make them run ,then enjoy them! Good clean fun

[@daddysbrokegarage]

I have torn many down nut and bolt. It always sucks but thr years and years spent are so worth it when done

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I can definitely see it from that point of view. If you can get it done, that’s awesome! But so many people get into these projects with that intention, and don’t.

[@nicksimmons4491]

Sorry I've done 4 classics down to the frame. The issue isn't the build the issue is zero plan. My mustang has 40k but it's my baby. The 66 skylark I did cost 10k total because the plan didn't call for a concourse build. Spend 6 months planning the build and budget stick to the plan. Uncle Tony says build it in stages. That's the way to go. Don't do it all at once.

[@SteffsGarage]

I would love to be on the podcast. I have been in this world of cars for a long time. Starting in the home garage and now have a shop and a few cars under my belt(we know they take some time to do). If customers could be there when your tearing a car apart so they can see the "restored" car they just bought, full of sins.