I think this is my favorite video of yours. Your explanation of project car life is perfect. I think this video will help more people than you realize. All we have heard on this topic is "dont get it perfect just get it running' you took that to the next level. This is what car guys need . You Really are doing a great service to the car hobby. Thank you for giving us what we need to hear not just what you think we want to hear.
I LOVE when someone tells ME what I should do with MY car, usually a guy without a vintage car. Built in excuse as well, "My wife would kill me" Like Tony says, build to YOUR vision not anyone else's.
Thanks! Bought a 1996 f250 for $2k. Ran and drove. 4 different tires on it, 100 psi on 7 cylinders, 30 on the other one. Replaced engine, after 10,000 miles, head gasket went, used engine $1200. Running and driving while I rebuild performance engine. Just finished replacing tires. Maybe slow for some, but it is useful and fun, not in pieces for years, and I'm fixing/upgrading as I can afford. It's paid off, and insurance is cheap. Goal is to have it great shape to tow a travel trailer so my dog and I can roam wherever we please. An ATTAINABLE goal, in a reasonable timeframe.
I think one of the best pieces of advice my car friends have ever given me is "Just get it running." No other part of the build process is more important. Motivation is the hardest part of a car project to maintain, and if you just take everything apart and try to do everything at once, the project will overwhelm you and feel daunting if not impossible. That's why you see so many disassembled project cars in boxes being sold for cheap with the seller's excuse being "just lost motivation." Don't make the same mistakes they do. Before you do anything else with a project car, get it running. The excitement of having a running car will make you want to drive it that much more, thus motivating you to get it roadworthy, and having a running driving roadworthy car will make you fall in love with it enough to put in the hard work of making it nicer. Even if you plan on doing an engine swap, test-fit your new engine in the car and get it running and driving. Having a running car and knowing you can start the engine any time makes all the difference in the world. I almost sold my '66 Thunderbird when it hadn't run in a year and had all kinds of electrical problems, because I was overwhelmed by the scale of the tasks facing me and felt like I didn't deserve to own it. Then I just got it running - and I suddenly remembered why I love that car, and all thoughts of selling it vanished. Now the electrical problems are fixed and it still has numerous daunting repairs I need to make, but it's roadworthy, and that's enough for now.
Yep. Step 1 - Get it running. Step 2 - Get it driving. To me at least it is MUCH easier to find motivation to work on and finish the details on a car that I have at least gotten to a "going to town" state.
It’s nice to have specialty tools before you get to the point where you need them and the project gets put on hold until you get the tool you need to proceed.
YESSS! this is a PERFECT way to word your message. I've successfully completed several projects over the years in " plateau" type stages. And I've had a few unsuccessful projects that I ended up just selling when I went too deep too fast and made it so much like work. 🤦
I spent a few years working in a high end resto shop and I totally agree with your "Plato" approach! I know that my cars and most other peoples cars will never get to the "Full Resto" point so it is important that you start with a car that you can bring to life in stages. That way, you can enjoy it at different levels. Most of the project cars that get taken completely apart never go back together.
I’ve done it both ways, total and the work in progress mindset, I was able to finish 50% of the full restoration cars, but the times I did them in steps it was 100%.. having the ability to set it aside and still drive it is huge! If you are looking for a 100 point concours show car, you can do it either way, but having improvements optional keeps my motivation there, driving a “20 footer” beats a future 100 point car in 2-3 bays in your shop for the years it can take, especially with early (pre-war) cars.
My grandfather had a lot of interesting sayings. One that fits here was “Perfection is the enemy of the possible.” I think the plateau analogy really fits with this theme. Better to have something that needs work but runs and drives than a bunch of parts that may never get put back together. Having said that, leaving emblems and moldings in place when doing all that paint and body work will drive most body guys nuts because it is such a small amount of work now to save redoing the whole thing later. If the clear coat starts flaking off, then instead of a scuff and shoot, there will now be more sanding and feathering and priming and blocking, all because you didn’t take a couple hours to pull off all the trim off now. I’m with you on not wanting to put old trim on beautiful paint, and the whole flat black matching the patina of the old trim, but not taking off the trim given how far you are going will strike most self respecting body guys as sloppy and lazy.
YES!!!! Ive been doing the same thing, but never thought of it in that term! As of now have a TON of parts collected waiting to be installed as soon as things cool down here in TX! I'm also a "while Im there" type.....replacing things while other stuff is apart since its easier to get to...that way you truly know what you have in the car.
I appreciate the commentary Tony. I got sidetracked big time on my Covid project, finally pulled my head out of my ass a few weeks ago. Got it back as a roller and soon it will be a driver. Its just so much more motivating, to sit in it and start it, etc….
I totally agree. My 67 mustang project is planned out in multiple stages. I have super wild plans for the end goal but the first goal is to get my car in primer and I'm gonna throw a mild 302 in it just to make it move and I'm gonna tag and drive it for a little while just like that. Ive been working on it for 7 years and it'll probably be 3 more till it runs and drives and it may never make it to the final stages I have planned but i want to ATLEAST drive the thing before I die of old age 😂
Tony, I remember when every teenager had a 50s car in "hotrod primer" black, or light gray, usually over a lot of Bondo. Those cars often ran really well; the engine & drivetrain were where the work and money went- at that plateau! Great job in getting your point across as always; and thanks for the memories.
You're my hero, Tony. This kind of content makes you so authentic. You're not some Concours poser who takes his classic to a shop, writes a big check, and comes back later never having lifted a finger. You're earning it with real work. Massive respect, my friend.
Ya know, Steve Magnante gave you a huge shout out yesterday from his channel. Didn't know if you were aware. I watch and love both channels. Thanks for what you do man.
You have explained that really well. I would refer to it as having a running project. I've been building my 51 GMC for over 2 years now and I'm learning a lot. People like you with your attitude make a real difference. Keep going!
I am the same regarding my fleet, they're not showroom pieces, get them to the point where they're structurally sound and functioning, that's the baseline, leaving them a little rough here and there makes it much easier to bust them out in the elements without worrying about that perfect paint job.
I’m in the middle of restoring a 76 cj5 and I blew it all the way apart right down to the axle’s all apart. Now it’s half way together and I’m ready to start fitting the body back on… and there it sits, I hit the dreaded mental plateau. I wish I had watched this 3 years ago. Thanks UT!
Tony, you have eloquently provided the best advice and explanation for undertaking and COMPLETING a project. Some people take on projects with the finished product in their vision and are impatient to reach that . I think that is the result of people not fully understanding the drain on resources involved. and/or having significant funding at the ready . I am of your age and your description of 'life back them' rings true. Mates and I played with cars that were our daily drivers. We needed them to get to work, take girls on dates, road trips etc. The builds were gradual but followed the path of where we each were heading with our cars. Along the journey and when ready, we would all accumulate at whoever 's car was being done and hook into the work overr a weekend or holiday period etc. We did it because a) we were mates working on cars, b) we had fun, c) we needed their help when it was "our turn" and , importantly d) the car was needed again as the daily driver asap. And.... they all got finished to the intended final result and we had a whole bunch of fun along the way. Great days. You have a great attitude Tony and your advice and support is priceless. What you say does " make sense" . You rock man. :)
There are always those people commenting on someone elses car " you should buy these wheels, you should get an expensive paint job etc. ; it is all a great idea when you are spending someone elses money. Your idea of building to plateaus is spot on. You are enjoying your car now which is the whole point of having them.
Hello Tony! I am 58 years old and when you started talking about the primer cars it brought back memories from my younger days when older guys (like me now) would show up and blow everybody's doors off on Saturday night and pull over every 20 minutes or so and let the engine cool off😀 . We had much respect for the guys in the primer cars that looked like a map of Europe lol! The paint job was and should always be the last thing as far as I am concerned! Thank you for all the great stories and real life experiences that you share with us! My motto.....if you can smoke the tires from a 30 mph roll, you need better suspension, if you can't, you need more motor!!
I have to confess, I was one of those who said "don't paint it black!". But, your logic is totally practical and sensible. I pulled a car to bits in 1999 and never got it on the road until 2014 (I moved on to too many other smaller projects over that course of time) and that's when I realised that full-restos are fookin hard work. Everything you said makes perfect sense UT. 😉
I could never be a TH-cam content creator, my videos would be too short; because this video would be simple, I would simply respond and say "It's my fucking car and I build it they way I want"!!!!! Love this car and can't wait to see it painted and cleaned up!!!!
I totally agree with the plateau analgy I am a mechanic by trade and have a tendency to bit off more than I want to chew I forget how much of a challenge some of the work is when it's not in the shop and I don't have all day every day to give to the job till it's finished
Dirt driveways, basic hand tools, hot, cold or wet. This will keep one rooted in realism. Lol. Daily driving a 1996 jeep Cherokee 5speed will also make one acutely aware of the Plateau. Wrench and drive! Good stuff Unc
I own a restoration shop and pride myself on top notch paint work but can appreciate you’re tactics. We’re preserving Americana keeping these cars in existence regardless of the level of quality. Keep ‘em alive.
Sooooo true! For the guys that are doing this part time, in their garage or back yard, this is the best way I believe. I'm working on a 66 Valiant station wagon....picked it up 8 years ago and drove it the first 2 years repairing what needed to be done, exhaust, tune up front end work, etc. And LOVED using it! We put around 10k miles on it and started blowing oil out of the breather, so time for a rebuild. This time around it's taking care of the rot areas in the floors and other areas. Planning on getting the engine compartment, inner fenders, floors, and hopefully some of the front sheetmetal in final paint. Engine is completely rebuilt and converted it to a factory AC car and manual 4 speed...... our next plateau. Fingers crossed, back on the road in August. Next year hopefully we can finish all the bodywork and get the interior done. This is the only way we would be able to do this taking into consideration time and finances! Keep up the great work UTG!
I have a yard full of projects that are so hard to get started on they just sit and deteriorate. Last weekend I finally bought something that already runs and drives so I can enjoy and tinker. First time in twenty years I'm enjoying getting dirty again!
Blew my 72 GMC apart like that, took me 5 1/2 years to finish it and I had to rent a storage space to store parts, I had to buy a ton of shelving to keep things somewhat organized so I could work on it. It gets to the point where you have too much stuff in your garage and you can’t even work.
Good advice, its easy to get carried away. I've had good functioning daily driver's which if you restored it properly, by the end you'd replace most of the car.
Yeah whether you were restoring a fairly nice car or a chicken coop, it'll cost about the same(if you're talking like a proper resto with chalk marks) You can't use that fairly mint interior when the rest of the car now looks like new!
So true, once you finally get that beautiful paint job you've been dreaming of, suddenly every single piece of trim, even the glass that had been just fine before, just don't cut it anymore.
NOW YOU TELL ME!!!! Ha ha. Good advice, I'm 3 years into my retirement project and have fallen into some of the traps. I did have a plan, sort of, I get most of my part from salvage yard and avoid high priced non essentials. I will listen to your advice and start marking plateaus. My project is a 2002 Ford Ranger step side on a 2007 Crown Vic police. It's running and driving but does not looked "loved". That is my new plateau. Thanks
You should really bring up the fact that a perfect classic car is no longer a car. It's a very large, very heavy and very expensive knickknack. Scott Newstead ran into this over at coldwarmotors. He set out to make a daily driver out of 2 cars, one a dodge and one a plymouth (Fury). Problem is, Scott is a professional body-man. Any flaws in the car would be perceived as a flaw in his work. It went from a daily driver to a knickknack that only comes out on really nice days in the Canadian summer which is barely 3 months. The car is beautiful. New chrome, perfect body, new paint, all new hand made interior. The entire dash was taken apart and cleaned and fixed and new buttons switched out. Days and days of sanding and polishing the stainless trim. But it's not a driver anymore. 5 years of his life spent on that car, thousands and thousands of Dollars (like 1600 in the bumpers alone). Cars that are 100% cost 3 times cars that are 90%. They are too valuable to drive. Too difficult and expensive to fix. If it has a bad crash it's a total loss.
Listen to Tony, I know, 10 years to Finnish my 69 Dart drag car. The only thing that kept me going was the desire to built a drag car since was a teenager. I'd never done it before. A lot to learn with many mistakes and redo's. Lots of help from friends. Hours hunting parts. It's huge commitment. If I was to do it over again I'd do it like Tony.
No need to explain your thought process on "your" car. And what you say is 100% correct. I have one that I blew apart 30 years ago and then kids and homes and jobs and life happens and it still sits in the garage unfinished. Many other cars have come and gone and it just sits there 65% finished. Would've rather enjoyed it for the last 30 years. Thanks for your videos uncle Tony. you've done more in the hobby than many know. As with your old magazine articles I enjoy being able to click on a video and still get some kicks thanks again!😂
I didn't know that the Charger was a Katrina flood car. You took a forgotten pile of mess and resurrected it. Nice save, Tony! Well done, my man. Love your videos and your drive and motivation.
I traded/bought a running sand rail several years ago. It needed nothing to drive it, but it was a project at the same time. Something to tinker on. It did have a few problems that were "built in" you might say. I would pick a job that I could do in a few hours or a day off work, and do those. Then I'd drive it to work, with improvements. I think that kinda comes close to what you're doing.
Well said uncle Tony ! I've been watching you from day one. Thanks to you I have a 74 318 Duster street cruiser that just works right for my needs . I always enjoy your videos and philosophy on all topics Tony ! Uncle Kathy you rock also !
I’ve done cars both ways…taken all apart and plateau…my TA hasn’t been finished in 12 years, and my chevelle has given me joy every time I touch it. I had blown the original open 10 bolt out of it, and everyone said to throw a 12 bolt or a 9” in it and thought I was crazy when I put a nice little posi in the 10 bolt - two years later, chromoly axles went it - another two years and a good quality set of gears went in…sure she might break one day but the down time to getting my car back on the road and enjoyable was minimal. Thanks for making this video, I find this to be very true. Cheers
If our friend really has done a lot of restoration work, he would also know that trim doesn't just come off and go back onto old cars. You take all the trim off for a quick paint job and half of it won't make it back on due to warping, broken pegs, etc. It expands a project way beyond its intended scope.
UTG...One of your very best. The wisdom in this vid can save the inexperienced from doing "too much, too fast ,too soon." You're saving them from themselves. As a rodder on a disability & TIGHT budget, i really appreciate "plateaus." My word for it is "seat time." I won't tear my car apart for anything that will take me longer than i want to wait to DRIVE😁.
Talking about visions, I had this motorcycle that I was bound & determined to reach 100.000 miles yet my attention started to wane abit, been a determined individual, I was going to finish the task yet it stopped being fun, I talked to this fellow rider about my determination and he gave me a great piece of advice
You know when your young and a Nice girl write something on your hand and you say, im never gonna wash my hand anymore. The state of the mind moment is like, stop its gonna stay the way it is, Forever. That is the Plateau! Then one day you need to wash you hand and you grow up. You change the Plateau. That's how a love story with you car is! Every day you change your mind on the next Plateau. I love the way you make the French word sounds great. Le Plateau ! Great content again. By the way, stop painting your cars, you ... up there Patina! Some plateau needs to stay there. Lol
As a guy who blew apart a dirt bike once and then tripped over it in the garage until I gave it away, YES!!! This makes sooo much sense. This video is the antidote to tv car shows that pretend to finish a car in one fell swoop in a week. Great video Tony!
Thanks for your thoughts a am working on a 1964 4 door fury it is so much work I have removed the emblems and most moldings without braking a emblem 😉stared removing dents and sanding needed that pep talk
Excellent video Tony and this is something all car gearheads (especially younger ones with lots of ambition like me) need to watch before starting a project! I bought a Dodge D150 truck 3 years ago. The engine/trans in it were hurt so I thought might as well go the whole 9 yards...I had big plans of a full disassembly/build and making it my dream truck. SO GLAD I DIDN'T DO IT! The truck sat for a couple years while life happened but I finally put a good used eng/trans in it over the winter and got it running this spring. I'm having the time of my life and enjoying it just like it is! Eventually I'll do more work on it as time/$ allows but I'm just taking it in stages and having lots of fun along the way!
Brilliant! Plateaus are just like any other hobby. Take music. You practice, plateau, break thru and plateau again. That's the function of a hobby. It's unrealistic to expect more. It's a learning process. It's essential to following thru with a project. Cars are the same. You have a vision, but you get there in steps. Missteps, forward steps or sideways steps it doesn't matter. People forget this. Thanks for the reminder, UT.
Makes perfect sense. As they say 'perfection is the enemy of good' and in the real world, you need it running and usable until the next time you blow a load of money/effort/time on it. If you've got the wherewithal to perfectionise from the outset, then good on ya, go for it. But for the rest of us...
I think youtube has made everyone think that if it ain't some perfect build then it's junk. I'm even guilty of it. I have been doing any local car shows with my 73 powerwagon cause it's not perfect. I need to just get the thing in there and keep working on her as I go. Cause it's going to be a while until this truck is car show ready. I have one coming up. Maybe I'll look into getting it in the show. I have met a lot of good guys going to shows, now maybe it's my turn. Damnit uncle Tony, stop being inspiring lol.
This is why I love this channel it's realistic. Many of us don't have the time or money to build a perfect car instantly but we want to drive it. Cheers to you Tony. That's what I did for all my girls. Do a quick fix make it look nice. As they got the money we slowly fixed more stuff.
Before I was a cruising boat bum, I used to work in NYC for a top-tier management consulting firm called KPMG. Our "experienced project managers" (who we charged an average of $600/hour for to dispense their wisdom) pretty much gave the advice that you just did in this video. Great job on this video!
Hey Tony. I've been watching your channel for a while now. And I have to say thank you for all the information you have given us. You have a no bulshit straight-to-the-point way of doing things. Once again thank you
One of the things I learned along these lines is to only build a car to the level you are comfortable with using in the way you want to use it. I once built an Olds 442 up to a point that I could not even park it in a parking lot anymore for fear of the inevitable hog lady who would park next to it and throw her door open against it. It was too nice, which ruined the fun of even having the car, so I sold it. My advice from my experiences is build what is most usable for you, and that is the goal plateau.
This is so VERY true! First thing you do after buying a (project) car: look over the necessary parts (brakes, engine, brakes, suspension, brakes, steering, brakes, transmission and brakes. Fix them to make the car safe to drive. Especially brakes are important there. Oh, don’t forget to check the wiring. And brakes, start with the brakes. Then, drive. Drive it. Drive it at least one season. Get the feel for the car. How does it drive? How does it respond? What does it do for you? if anything, what are you missing / what don’t you like? But most of all: enjoy it! Drive it to enjoy it! We’ve just finished a project car (Mopar by the way) and it’s 100% original, lots of patina and worn non-essential parts. The list of things to do is already two pages long, but we’re driving the car almost every day. Every ride until now got the list to grow but we still enjoy it and most of the things on the list aren’t really important anyway.
Thank you uncle Tony, finally I understand why I feel that I’m not moving forward with my thing. I see where I’m and where I want it to be and nothing in the middle and is holding me back. This solves my problem.
Great advice. All too often you find people's project cars for sale, half apart, nothing finished because they started a 100% total build in their yard and after a year or two realized they they won't get it done. I like your process!! Smaller achievable goals
First plateau for me is always getting it highway worthy. If I can drive it to work whenever I want to, it will continue to put a smile on my face and I’ll always be looking at what I can do next for it.
The great "plateau" excuse for sloppy work! Why didn't I think of that every time I failed to remove even one piece of trim before I shot the car?! Seriously, I just told people " ... don't need to do that if your not clear coating it." Tony, your RIGHT, don't EVER back down! Your right, this is not a 10 point resto! How many times I messed up the trim and fasteners removing them! I like how you dig the car- near the end of the video you show love for the car- " THE FINAL PLATEAU"! Good show!
Your car, your choice. If you choose to take something to a certain place and run out time, money, interest or need to continue this is YOUR choice. Let's not let perfection interfere with good. I get a lot out of your channel. You have revealed solutions that used to be a mystery. THANK YOU
Really helpful. I’m 80 in Western Australia and bought a 80,000 mile 97 Corolla from up in the Wheat Belt. Got it cheap because it was unlicensed - that means it has to pass a rigorous inspection. And that means a long list of picky repairs like the headliner is stapled up, so out it comes and gets recovered. The door seals have bits missing. Yup new door seals. And so on. So getting it running was clearly the first plateau. Now getting it licensed is the next one. Then we get to tinker. Timing belt, bit of body work. Next plateau? Maybe some nice wheels, some paint. Maybe neither. I’m glad you talked about it Uncle Tony. All the issues apply to my project. Like, Energy is an issue when you are 80…. 😊
Listen up, folks. Tony spittin' knowledge today!! This is how you keep a project on the road and not in pieces on Marketplace as a uncomplete project that hasn't run in years but "it's all there and ready for paint".
You said it. I just found a cool old Ford Falcon that is the definition of a plateau of that level, thanks for the video. I think I'm gonna go buy it and just have fun and not worry about it haha
Thank you Uncle Tony, I picked up a 1931 Chevrolet truck about five years ago and I have been collecting parts for it to turn it into a fun Hot Rod. In my mind’s eyes I envision it with “1957 Chrysler Parade green paint “ white vinyl interior and a nice set of chrome wheels. But now I know that I can build it to a lesser plateau and have as much fun and get it on the road quicker.
This is such an incredible, well said video, brother. I have been blessed with an amazing wife who helps with my addiction. Our backyard has 5 cars in it. We believe that the 71 Mustang mach 1 351C C6 M code fastback car and the 72 Chevelle Malibu will be 2 perfect candidates for this message, brother. And the 62 impala and both 79 trans ams will get there the more we collect parts for them, and we can chip away at all the body parts for them.
My friend has a 67 GT500. He spent years working on all the parts. Finally saved up enough to send the shell to the body shop. The guy did such a nice job on body and paint he had to start all over with his parts. Thats how it goes.
Love the way you think Tony! Had a nice 68 barracuda that I swapped the 318 for a 340 I built in the shop I worked at. It needed lots of trim that looked bad, so I just took it off. So it looked like I was still working on it. Someone put the nice crystler gold/green color but left the pitted stuff on!
Totally get where you're going with it. Better keeping in use and a project in progress over time. For most regular folk, this makes complete sense, you know those of us that have regular amounts of cash and time.
I gotta say I felt the same way when I saw the masking tape on chrome. I'd still might remove a bit of it, given the amount of sanding done. However, I totally understand now, and Admit, I've been doing the same without realizing it. Plateaus. Yep. When I was younger, I only had one car. It had many short term Plateaus. When it did get painted, the shop that did the paint, had estimated 2-3 weeks, always turned into 2-3 months. Never failed. When I painted a second car myself, a week, turned into 3 weeks. I really don't have that time these days. Great video!
i agree with you, wise words. im an olds guy, i have a -79 chopped delta wich is my hotrod and allmost all the time im building or fixin it somehow. dont get to drive it much lately and that is a bad thing. luckily i have a completely stock -66 hard top and big block delta wich i can drive anytime and anywhere, its the perfect car, seems like a bit boring but it gives me all the driving experience a car can give to a man. i think american hard top 4 door cars are the most beautiful there are. all in all i think its a lot like your charger, keep up the good vibes tony!
Tony, you made several very good points about tackling such a project. Some cars are meant to be Restored to Showroom , Some to Concours , Some to daily drivers , and some to hard use , dependable Iron Horse status......The "State of the Car" depends on the State of time, energy and money the owner has.
satin black is a good choice for that car... for shiny paint its going to take a lot more work, cause of the waves you know.. It will look great in satin though, and I agree with Tony, the car looks like it wants to be satin black, perfect fit.
Build what we want, drive what we want...
FREEDOM 🇺🇸
I think this is my favorite video of yours. Your explanation of project car life is perfect. I think this video will help more people than you realize. All we have heard on this topic is "dont get it perfect just get it running' you took that to the next level. This is what car guys need . You Really are doing a great service to the car hobby. Thank you for giving us what we need to hear not just what you think we want to hear.
I LOVE when someone tells ME what I should do with MY car, usually a guy without a vintage car. Built in excuse as well, "My wife would kill me" Like Tony says, build to YOUR vision not anyone else's.
Spot on, brother!
best advice ever
make it useable and use it
way easier to keep interest in something you can use
Thanks!
Bought a 1996 f250 for $2k. Ran and drove. 4 different tires on it, 100 psi on 7 cylinders, 30 on the other one. Replaced engine, after 10,000 miles, head gasket went, used engine $1200. Running and driving while I rebuild performance engine. Just finished replacing tires. Maybe slow for some, but it is useful and fun, not in pieces for years, and I'm fixing/upgrading as I can afford. It's paid off, and insurance is cheap.
Goal is to have it great shape to tow a travel trailer so my dog and I can roam wherever we please. An ATTAINABLE goal, in a reasonable timeframe.
I think one of the best pieces of advice my car friends have ever given me is "Just get it running." No other part of the build process is more important. Motivation is the hardest part of a car project to maintain, and if you just take everything apart and try to do everything at once, the project will overwhelm you and feel daunting if not impossible. That's why you see so many disassembled project cars in boxes being sold for cheap with the seller's excuse being "just lost motivation." Don't make the same mistakes they do. Before you do anything else with a project car, get it running. The excitement of having a running car will make you want to drive it that much more, thus motivating you to get it roadworthy, and having a running driving roadworthy car will make you fall in love with it enough to put in the hard work of making it nicer. Even if you plan on doing an engine swap, test-fit your new engine in the car and get it running and driving. Having a running car and knowing you can start the engine any time makes all the difference in the world.
I almost sold my '66 Thunderbird when it hadn't run in a year and had all kinds of electrical problems, because I was overwhelmed by the scale of the tasks facing me and felt like I didn't deserve to own it. Then I just got it running - and I suddenly remembered why I love that car, and all thoughts of selling it vanished. Now the electrical problems are fixed and it still has numerous daunting repairs I need to make, but it's roadworthy, and that's enough for now.
Yep. Step 1 - Get it running. Step 2 - Get it driving.
To me at least it is MUCH easier to find motivation to work on and finish the details on a car that I have at least gotten to a "going to town" state.
It’s nice to have specialty tools before you get to the point where you need them and the project gets put on hold until you get the tool you need to proceed.
YESSS! this is a PERFECT way to word your message. I've successfully completed several projects over the years in " plateau" type stages. And I've had a few unsuccessful projects that I ended up just selling when I went too deep too fast and made it so much like work. 🤦
Level #2 approach. Nothing wrong with that. Drive it and enjoy it!
I spent a few years working in a high end resto shop and I totally agree with your "Plato" approach! I know that my cars and most other peoples cars will never get to the "Full Resto" point so it is important that you start with a car that you can bring to life in stages. That way, you can enjoy it at different levels.
Most of the project cars that get taken completely apart never go back together.
Plateau.
@@pastywhite6669 Thanks! Sorry, "Plato" was someone else, LOL!
I’ve done it both ways, total and the work in progress mindset, I was able to finish 50% of the full restoration cars, but the times I did them in steps it was 100%.. having the ability to set it aside and still drive it is huge! If you are looking for a 100 point concours show car, you can do it either way, but having improvements optional keeps my motivation there, driving a “20 footer” beats a future 100 point car in 2-3 bays in your shop for the years it can take, especially with early (pre-war) cars.
Drive , enjoy, repair as you go! "Perfect" is the enemy of "Done".
Exactly
They are never done but progress is progress. I enjoy the process
My grandfather had a lot of interesting sayings. One that fits here was “Perfection is the enemy of the possible.” I think the plateau analogy really fits with this theme. Better to have something that needs work but runs and drives than a bunch of parts that may never get put back together. Having said that, leaving emblems and moldings in place when doing all that paint and body work will drive most body guys nuts because it is such a small amount of work now to save redoing the whole thing later. If the clear coat starts flaking off, then instead of a scuff and shoot, there will now be more sanding and feathering and priming and blocking, all because you didn’t take a couple hours to pull off all the trim off now. I’m with you on not wanting to put old trim on beautiful paint, and the whole flat black matching the patina of the old trim, but not taking off the trim given how far you are going will strike most self respecting body guys as sloppy and lazy.
It is actually scary how much sense Tony makes…
YES!!!! Ive been doing the same thing, but never thought of it in that term! As of now have a TON of parts collected waiting to be installed as soon as things cool down here in TX! I'm also a "while Im there" type.....replacing things while other stuff is apart since its easier to get to...that way you truly know what you have in the car.
I appreciate the commentary Tony. I got sidetracked big time on my Covid project, finally pulled my head out of my ass a few weeks ago. Got it back as a roller and soon it will be a driver. Its just so much more motivating, to sit in it and start it, etc….
I totally agree. My 67 mustang project is planned out in multiple stages. I have super wild plans for the end goal but the first goal is to get my car in primer and I'm gonna throw a mild 302 in it just to make it move and I'm gonna tag and drive it for a little while just like that. Ive been working on it for 7 years and it'll probably be 3 more till it runs and drives and it may never make it to the final stages I have planned but i want to ATLEAST drive the thing before I die of old age 😂
You are right on target, I also would love to enjoy my project before I die.
Tony, I remember when every teenager had a 50s car in "hotrod primer" black, or light gray, usually over a lot of Bondo. Those cars often ran really well; the engine & drivetrain were where the work and money went- at that plateau! Great job in getting your point across as always; and thanks for the memories.
You're my hero, Tony. This kind of content makes you so authentic. You're not some Concours poser who takes his classic to a shop, writes a big check, and comes back later never having lifted a finger. You're earning it with real work.
Massive respect, my friend.
Ya know, Steve Magnante gave you a huge shout out yesterday from his channel. Didn't know if you were aware. I watch and love both channels. Thanks for what you do man.
You have explained that really well. I would refer to it as having a running project. I've been building my 51 GMC for over 2 years now and I'm learning a lot. People like you with your attitude make a real difference. Keep going!
I am the same regarding my fleet, they're not showroom pieces, get them to the point where they're structurally sound and functioning, that's the baseline, leaving them a little rough here and there makes it much easier to bust them out in the elements without worrying about that perfect paint job.
I’m in the middle of restoring a 76 cj5 and I blew it all the way apart right down to the axle’s all apart. Now it’s half way together and I’m ready to start fitting the body back on… and there it sits, I hit the dreaded mental plateau. I wish I had watched this 3 years ago.
Thanks UT!
Just finish the frame and put the body back on.
Tony, you have eloquently provided the best advice and explanation for undertaking and COMPLETING a project. Some people take on projects with the finished product in their vision and are impatient to reach that . I think that is the result of people not fully understanding the drain on resources involved. and/or having significant funding at the ready . I am of your age and your description of 'life back them' rings true. Mates and I played with cars that were our daily drivers. We needed them to get to work, take girls on dates, road trips etc. The builds were gradual but followed the path of where we each were heading with our cars. Along the journey and when ready, we would all accumulate at whoever 's car was being done and hook into the work overr a weekend or holiday period etc. We did it because a) we were mates working on cars, b) we had fun, c) we needed their help when it was "our turn" and , importantly d) the car was needed again as the daily driver asap. And.... they all got finished to the intended final result and we had a whole bunch of fun along the way. Great days. You have a great attitude Tony and your advice and support is priceless. What you say does " make sense" . You rock man. :)
There are always those people commenting on someone elses car " you should buy these wheels, you should get an expensive paint job etc. ; it is all a great idea when you are spending someone elses money. Your idea of building to plateaus is spot on. You are enjoying your car now which is the whole point of having them.
Hello Tony! I am 58 years old and when you started talking about the primer cars it brought back memories from my younger days when older guys (like me now) would show up and blow everybody's doors off on Saturday night and pull over every 20 minutes or so and let the engine cool off😀 . We had much respect for the guys in the primer cars that looked like a map of Europe lol! The paint job was and should always be the last thing as far as I am concerned! Thank you for all the great stories and real life experiences that you share with us! My motto.....if you can smoke the tires from a 30 mph roll, you need better suspension, if you can't, you need more motor!!
I have to confess, I was one of those who said "don't paint it black!". But, your logic is totally practical and sensible. I pulled a car to bits in 1999 and never got it on the road until 2014 (I moved on to too many other smaller projects over that course of time) and that's when I realised that full-restos are fookin hard work.
Everything you said makes perfect sense UT. 😉
I could never be a TH-cam content creator, my videos would be too short; because this video would be simple, I would simply respond and say "It's my fucking car and I build it they way I want"!!!!! Love this car and can't wait to see it painted and cleaned up!!!!
I totally agree with the plateau analgy I am a mechanic by trade and have a tendency to bit off more than I want to chew
I forget how much of a challenge some of the work is when it's not in the shop and I don't have all day every day to give to the job till it's finished
Dirt driveways, basic hand tools, hot, cold or wet. This will keep one rooted in realism. Lol. Daily driving a 1996 jeep Cherokee 5speed will also make one acutely aware of the Plateau. Wrench and drive! Good stuff Unc
Spot on Uncle T. 👍💪👏👏👏👏
Yes, do enough to get it going and enjoy it. You can always improve along the way .
I cannot freaking wait for slag hammers paint job!!! Its already my favorite looking car in the fleet!
I own a restoration shop and pride myself on top notch paint work but can appreciate you’re tactics. We’re preserving Americana keeping these cars in existence regardless of the level of quality. Keep ‘em alive.
Sooooo true!
For the guys that are doing this part time, in their garage or back yard, this is the best way I believe.
I'm working on a 66 Valiant station wagon....picked it up 8 years ago and drove it the first 2 years repairing what needed to be done, exhaust, tune up front end work, etc. And LOVED using it!
We put around 10k miles on it and started blowing oil out of the breather, so time for a rebuild.
This time around it's taking care of the rot areas in the floors and other areas. Planning on getting the engine compartment, inner fenders, floors, and hopefully some of the front sheetmetal in final paint. Engine is completely rebuilt and converted it to a factory AC car and manual 4 speed...... our next plateau. Fingers crossed, back on the road in August.
Next year hopefully we can finish all the bodywork and get the interior done.
This is the only way we would be able to do this taking into consideration time and finances!
Keep up the great work UTG!
You're absolutely right. It sucks all the enjoyment and momentum out of the project when it sits and only costs you money! Facts
You really know how to express in words how to not overwhelm yourself with a project. I 100% relate.
I have a yard full of projects that are so hard to get started on they just sit and deteriorate. Last weekend I finally bought something that already runs and drives so I can enjoy and tinker. First time in twenty years I'm enjoying getting dirty again!
Blew my 72 GMC apart like that, took me 5 1/2 years to finish it and I had to rent a storage space to store parts, I had to buy a ton of shelving to keep things somewhat organized so I could work on it. It gets to the point where you have too much stuff in your garage and you can’t even work.
Good advice, its easy to get carried away. I've had good functioning daily driver's which if you restored it properly, by the end you'd replace most of the car.
Yeah whether you were restoring a fairly nice car or a chicken coop, it'll cost about the same(if you're talking like a proper resto with chalk marks)
You can't use that fairly mint interior when the rest of the car now looks like new!
So true, once you finally get that beautiful paint job you've been dreaming of, suddenly every single piece of trim, even the glass that had been just fine before, just don't cut it anymore.
NOW YOU TELL ME!!!! Ha ha. Good advice, I'm 3 years into my retirement project and have fallen into some of the traps. I did have a plan, sort of, I get most of my part from salvage yard and avoid high priced non essentials. I will listen to your advice and start marking plateaus. My project is a 2002 Ford Ranger step side on a 2007 Crown Vic police. It's running and driving but does not looked "loved". That is my new plateau. Thanks
That is a great way of looking at it! I never really thought about it in that way, but that's really my approach too!
You should really bring up the fact that a perfect classic car is no longer a car. It's a very large, very heavy and very expensive knickknack.
Scott Newstead ran into this over at coldwarmotors. He set out to make a daily driver out of 2 cars, one a dodge and one a plymouth (Fury). Problem is, Scott is a professional body-man. Any flaws in the car would be perceived as a flaw in his work. It went from a daily driver to a knickknack that only comes out on really nice days in the Canadian summer which is barely 3 months. The car is beautiful. New chrome, perfect body, new paint, all new hand made interior. The entire dash was taken apart and cleaned and fixed and new buttons switched out. Days and days of sanding and polishing the stainless trim. But it's not a driver anymore. 5 years of his life spent on that car, thousands and thousands of Dollars (like 1600 in the bumpers alone).
Cars that are 100% cost 3 times cars that are 90%. They are too valuable to drive. Too difficult and expensive to fix. If it has a bad crash it's a total loss.
Listen to Tony, I know, 10 years to Finnish my 69 Dart drag car. The only thing that kept me going was the desire to built a drag car since was a teenager. I'd never done it before. A lot to learn with many mistakes and redo's. Lots of help from friends. Hours hunting parts. It's huge commitment. If I was to do it over again I'd do it like Tony.
No need to explain your thought process on "your" car. And what you say is 100% correct. I have one that I blew apart 30 years ago and then kids and homes and jobs and life happens and it still sits in the garage unfinished. Many other cars have come and gone and it just sits there 65% finished. Would've rather enjoyed it for the last 30 years. Thanks for your videos uncle Tony. you've done more in the hobby than many know. As with your old magazine articles I enjoy being able to click on a video and still get some kicks thanks again!😂
I didn't know that the Charger was a Katrina flood car. You took a forgotten pile of mess and resurrected it. Nice save, Tony! Well done, my man. Love your videos and your drive and motivation.
I traded/bought a running sand rail several years ago. It needed nothing to drive it, but it was a project at the same time. Something to tinker on. It did have a few problems that were "built in" you might say. I would pick a job that I could do in a few hours or a day off work, and do those. Then I'd drive it to work, with improvements. I think that kinda comes close to what you're doing.
There’s so much real work needed in the world.
The idea of perfect cosmetics is a mental disorder.
Well said uncle Tony ! I've been watching you from day one. Thanks to you I have a 74 318 Duster street cruiser that just works right for my needs . I always enjoy your videos and philosophy on all topics Tony ! Uncle Kathy you rock also !
Mopar A Bodies Forever!!
@@AtZero138BOOOOOO!!!!! Boo this man!!!! 😂
Anyone with half a brain knows the C-Body is where it's at 😉
'69 Fury Sport
@@jseal21 alright.. the Half Baked Reference works for me.. hahaha
@@AtZero138 😉 I do have a 69 Fury but I secretly wish it was an E Body
I’ve done cars both ways…taken all apart and plateau…my TA hasn’t been finished in 12 years, and my chevelle has given me joy every time I touch it. I had blown the original open 10 bolt out of it, and everyone said to throw a 12 bolt or a 9” in it and thought I was crazy when I put a nice little posi in the 10 bolt - two years later, chromoly axles went it - another two years and a good quality set of gears went in…sure she might break one day but the down time to getting my car back on the road and enjoyable was minimal. Thanks for making this video, I find this to be very true. Cheers
"Any *fool* can criticize, condemn and complain. And most do."
.... Dale Carnegie.
If our friend really has done a lot of restoration work, he would also know that trim doesn't just come off and go back onto old cars. You take all the trim off for a quick paint job and half of it won't make it back on due to warping, broken pegs, etc. It expands a project way beyond its intended scope.
UTG...One of your very best. The wisdom in this vid can save the inexperienced from doing "too much, too fast ,too soon." You're saving them from themselves. As a rodder on a disability & TIGHT budget, i really appreciate "plateaus." My word for it is "seat time." I won't tear my car apart for anything that will take me longer than i want to wait to DRIVE😁.
Talking about visions, I had this motorcycle that I was bound & determined to reach 100.000 miles yet my attention started to wane abit, been a determined individual, I was going to finish the task yet it stopped being fun, I talked to this fellow rider about my determination and he gave me a great piece of advice
You know when your young and a Nice girl write something on your hand and you say, im never gonna wash my hand anymore. The state of the mind moment is like, stop its gonna stay the way it is, Forever. That is the Plateau!
Then one day you need to wash you hand and you grow up.
You change the Plateau.
That's how a love story with you car is!
Every day you change your mind on the next Plateau.
I love the way you make the French word sounds great. Le Plateau !
Great content again.
By the way, stop painting your cars, you ... up there Patina!
Some plateau needs to stay there. Lol
Here with the snow and east coast salty ocean air, the rust makes us change the Plateau of the paint every 2 years. Hahaha
Spot on, build to a plateau and enjoy the process, while having a useable classic instead of a garage full of parts. Thanks Tony
That is exactly what I'm trying to teach my kids my daily driver is finally getting to where I want it 3 years later,
40yrs ago I used flat black. Everyone laughed at my color. My favorite lack of color. I still can run faster. I still love it.
Mikel
As a guy who blew apart a dirt bike once and then tripped over it in the garage until I gave it away, YES!!! This makes sooo much sense. This video is the antidote to tv car shows that pretend to finish a car in one fell swoop in a week. Great video Tony!
Thanks for your thoughts a am working on a 1964 4 door fury it is so much work I have removed the emblems and most moldings without braking a emblem 😉stared removing dents and sanding needed that pep talk
Excellent video Tony and this is something all car gearheads (especially younger ones with lots of ambition like me) need to watch before starting a project! I bought a Dodge D150 truck 3 years ago. The engine/trans in it were hurt so I thought might as well go the whole 9 yards...I had big plans of a full disassembly/build and making it my dream truck. SO GLAD I DIDN'T DO IT! The truck sat for a couple years while life happened but I finally put a good used eng/trans in it over the winter and got it running this spring. I'm having the time of my life and enjoying it just like it is! Eventually I'll do more work on it as time/$ allows but I'm just taking it in stages and having lots of fun along the way!
Brilliant! Plateaus are just like any other hobby. Take music. You practice, plateau, break thru and plateau again. That's the function of a hobby. It's unrealistic to expect more. It's a learning process. It's essential to following thru with a project. Cars are the same. You have a vision, but you get there in steps. Missteps, forward steps or sideways steps it doesn't matter. People forget this. Thanks for the reminder, UT.
Makes perfect sense. As they say 'perfection is the enemy of good' and in the real world, you need it running and usable until the next time you blow a load of money/effort/time on it. If you've got the wherewithal to perfectionise from the outset, then good on ya, go for it. But for the rest of us...
I think youtube has made everyone think that if it ain't some perfect build then it's junk. I'm even guilty of it. I have been doing any local car shows with my 73 powerwagon cause it's not perfect. I need to just get the thing in there and keep working on her as I go. Cause it's going to be a while until this truck is car show ready. I have one coming up. Maybe I'll look into getting it in the show. I have met a lot of good guys going to shows, now maybe it's my turn. Damnit uncle Tony, stop being inspiring lol.
Dude bravo!!! Who on TH-cam are painting cars to any show or NICE!! Quality!!! Everything is a driver!!! ✌️
This is why I love this channel it's realistic. Many of us don't have the time or money to build a perfect car instantly but we want to drive it. Cheers to you Tony. That's what I did for all my girls. Do a quick fix make it look nice. As they got the money we slowly fixed more stuff.
I noticed that on my truck, 2002 Tacoma I Raptor liner… those things that didn’t stand out would if I painted it any other color then what I did.
Before I was a cruising boat bum, I used to work in NYC for a top-tier management consulting firm called KPMG. Our "experienced project managers" (who we charged an average of $600/hour for to dispense their wisdom) pretty much gave the advice that you just did in this video. Great job on this video!
Phil Mickelson approves!
I've been saying it for two decades now. Every big challenging job is just a series of smaller jobs done in the correct sequence.
Hey Tony. I've been watching your channel for a while now. And I have to say thank you for all the information you have given us. You have a no bulshit straight-to-the-point way of doing things. Once again thank you
One of the things I learned along these lines is to only build a car to the level you are comfortable with using in the way you want to use it. I once built an Olds 442 up to a point that I could not even park it in a parking lot anymore for fear of the inevitable hog lady who would park next to it and throw her door open against it. It was too nice, which ruined the fun of even having the car, so I sold it.
My advice from my experiences is build what is most usable for you, and that is the goal plateau.
Uncle Tony instilling wisdom in those of us who have lost their way, again. This is the stuff I'm here for!
This video is gold.
This is so VERY true!
First thing you do after buying a (project) car: look over the necessary parts (brakes, engine, brakes, suspension, brakes, steering, brakes, transmission and brakes. Fix them to make the car safe to drive. Especially brakes are important there. Oh, don’t forget to check the wiring. And brakes, start with the brakes.
Then, drive. Drive it. Drive it at least one season. Get the feel for the car. How does it drive? How does it respond? What does it do for you? if anything, what are you missing / what don’t you like? But most of all: enjoy it! Drive it to enjoy it!
We’ve just finished a project car (Mopar by the way) and it’s 100% original, lots of patina and worn non-essential parts. The list of things to do is already two pages long, but we’re driving the car almost every day. Every ride until now got the list to grow but we still enjoy it and most of the things on the list aren’t really important anyway.
Don’t get stuck in project purgatory!!! Toocheaptosmoke did an excellent video detailing this years ago. Good stuff Tony
Thank you uncle Tony, finally I understand why I feel that I’m not moving forward with my thing. I see where I’m and where I want it to be and nothing in the middle and is holding me back. This solves my problem.
Great advice. All too often you find people's project cars for sale, half apart, nothing finished because they started a 100% total build in their yard and after a year or two realized they they won't get it done. I like your process!! Smaller achievable goals
First plateau for me is always getting it highway worthy. If I can drive it to work whenever I want to, it will continue to put a smile on my face and I’ll always be looking at what I can do next for it.
A big 10-4, good buddy. That advice would curb some of the frustration that causes some folks to quit.
The great "plateau" excuse for sloppy work! Why didn't I think of that every time I failed to remove even one piece of trim before I shot the car?! Seriously, I just told people " ... don't need to do that if your not clear coating it." Tony, your RIGHT, don't EVER back down! Your right, this is not a 10 point resto! How many times I messed up the trim and fasteners removing them! I like how you dig the car- near the end of the video you show love for the car- " THE FINAL PLATEAU"! Good show!
Your car, your choice. If you choose to take something to a certain place and run out time, money, interest or need to continue this is YOUR choice. Let's not let perfection interfere with good.
I get a lot out of your channel. You have revealed solutions that used to be a mystery. THANK YOU
I like the Plateau method . It's like "not yet " It also keeps the fun instead of making a hassle.
Having a friend like Ron is golden! He does great work!👍
Really helpful. I’m 80 in Western Australia and bought a 80,000 mile 97 Corolla from up in the Wheat Belt. Got it cheap because it was unlicensed - that means it has to pass a rigorous inspection. And that means a long list of picky repairs like the headliner is stapled up, so out it comes and gets recovered. The door seals have bits missing. Yup new door seals. And so on. So getting it running was clearly the first plateau. Now getting it licensed is the next one. Then we get to tinker. Timing belt, bit of body work. Next plateau? Maybe some nice wheels, some paint. Maybe neither. I’m glad you talked about it Uncle Tony. All the issues apply to my project. Like, Energy is an issue when you are 80…. 😊
Listen up, folks. Tony spittin' knowledge today!! This is how you keep a project on the road and not in pieces on Marketplace as a uncomplete project that hasn't run in years but "it's all there and ready for paint".
This is so excellent. I am a vp of finance and think this could be used conceptually and translated to business as a way of thinking.
You said it. I just found a cool old Ford Falcon that is the definition of a plateau of that level, thanks for the video. I think I'm gonna go buy it and just have fun and not worry about it haha
Thank you Uncle Tony, I picked up a 1931 Chevrolet truck about five years ago and I have been collecting parts for it to turn it into a fun Hot Rod. In my mind’s eyes I envision it with “1957 Chrysler Parade green paint “ white vinyl interior and a nice set of chrome wheels.
But now I know that I can build it to a lesser plateau and have as much fun and get it on the road quicker.
This is such an incredible, well said video, brother. I have been blessed with an amazing wife who helps with my addiction. Our backyard has 5 cars in it. We believe that the 71 Mustang mach 1 351C C6 M code fastback car and the 72 Chevelle Malibu will be 2 perfect candidates for this message, brother. And the 62 impala and both 79 trans ams will get there the more we collect parts for them, and we can chip away at all the body parts for them.
My friend has a 67 GT500. He spent years working on all the parts. Finally saved up enough to send the shell to the body shop. The guy did such a nice job on body and paint he had to start all over with his parts. Thats how it goes.
This is some good info! Going to use this for my project truck thanks!
You Nailed it Tony, I made that Mistake in the past, Car never got done, was taking so long i got tired of it and Sold it.
Love the way you think Tony! Had a nice 68 barracuda that I swapped the 318 for a 340 I built in the shop I worked at. It needed lots of trim that looked bad, so I just took it off. So it looked like I was still working on it. Someone put the nice crystler gold/green color but left the pitted stuff on!
Tony, I hardly even read your video descriptions. I enjoy hearing you talk about any dang thing
Tony, this is the exact mantra for my ‘66 mustang build. Embrace the semi patina, well seasoned look, with a functional & reasonable paint job.
Totally get where you're going with it. Better keeping in use and a project in progress over time.
For most regular folk, this makes complete sense, you know those of us that have regular amounts of cash and time.
I gotta say I felt the same way when I saw the masking tape on chrome. I'd still might remove a bit of it, given the amount of sanding done. However, I totally understand now, and Admit, I've been doing the same without realizing it. Plateaus. Yep. When I was younger, I only had one car. It had many short term Plateaus. When it did get painted, the shop that did the paint, had estimated 2-3 weeks, always turned into 2-3 months. Never failed. When I painted a second car myself, a week, turned into 3 weeks. I really don't have that time these days. Great video!
I totally understand bro I do this kinda stuff every day. It more like a way of life at this point 😂
i agree with you, wise words. im an olds guy, i have a -79 chopped delta wich is my hotrod and allmost all the time im building or fixin it somehow. dont get to drive it much lately and that is a bad thing. luckily i have a completely stock -66 hard top and big block delta wich i can drive anytime and anywhere, its the perfect car, seems like a bit boring but it gives me all the driving experience a car can give to a man. i think american hard top 4 door cars are the most beautiful there are. all in all i think its a lot like your charger, keep up the good vibes tony!
Tony, you made several very good points about tackling such a project. Some cars are meant to be Restored to Showroom , Some to Concours , Some to daily drivers , and some to hard use , dependable Iron Horse status......The "State of the Car" depends on the State of time, energy and money the owner has.
satin black is a good choice for that car... for shiny paint its going to take a lot more work, cause of the waves you know.. It will look great in satin though, and I agree with Tony, the car looks like it wants to be satin black, perfect fit.
The basecoat Clearwater thing is also for a final plateau. To me acrylic enamel is just fine and way cheaper and less work.
Too new for satin black.