Excellent article by Rich L in corvette fever

IH2LOSE · 10-05-04, 02:48 PM

So are you thinking of planning a project car.Read the article by Rich L (worth finding the magazine if you dont subsribe) all about building a custom car.

Rich excellent reading,Not only is it an excellent read but its very imformative.This one is a keeper,

BarryK · 10-05-04, 03:39 PM

well, since it wasn't inn the Nov. issue I figured from your post the new issue must be out. I just went and checked the mailbox and there she was - the latest issue.

you are right, a GREAT article by Rich.

Thanks Rich - great article and VERY interesting reading

richscorvettes · 10-05-04, 05:06 PM

You guys sure get your magazines early!

I haven't received the December issue yet but guess it should be here in the next few days.

Thanks for the compliments. I thought about putting some of our experiences and information on paper while laying out the project plan for the 63. It was also based on the e-mail questions I have received about how to find cars and get started on a project. I hope it and the list of resources helps folks thinking about this kind of project.

Rich Lagasse

67HEAVEN · 10-05-04, 07:46 PM

Rich,

Thank God* you, JohnZ and several others around here didn't take a liking to Miatas, Fords or VWs. Where would we all be then?

Fuelie · 10-05-04, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67HEAVEN

Rich,

Thank God* you, JohnZ and several others around here didn't take a liking to Miatas, Fords or VWs. Where would we all be then?

We would all be figuring out how to put f*rt pipe mufflers on our cars because our generation would have gone the same direction as them

richscorvettes · 10-12-04, 07:34 PM

We finally received our copy of the magazine today. I guess we must be on a "low priority" mailing list!

The final version of the article itself looked okay even though they mis-spelled our name in the SRIII product information section on page 12.

We hope the article is of some help to those interested in similar projects. It was fun to put together but takes more time than you would think. So much time in fact that I think I'll scrap any plans to do something similar for Miata's, Ford's or VW's...........

Rich

Ken · 10-12-04, 08:36 PM

I received my copy yesterday or the day before. I only briefly scanned it but it looks like a good article Rich.

JohnZ · 10-13-04, 01:15 PM

Yup, great article, Rich - I wrote a similar one many years ago for "Kit Car" magazine as a guide for folks who had never taken on that kind of project before; lots of kit cars go unfinished because first-time builders have no clue of the scope of the project or how to plan and organize it, get overwhelmed and frustrated, lose interest, run out of time and money, the wife gives them an ultimatum to "get that junk out of the garage", and all the stuff gets sold in boxes. Just change the name from "build a kit car" to "restore a Corvette", and the story is often the same.

richscorvettes · 10-13-04, 01:57 PM

Thanks John, that's high praise coming from you and I appreciate it. You well know that it's not unusual to feel that things aren't going as well as you would like at several points during a project even with a good plan but, without one, it's almost a guarantee. Often things beyond your control, or those you hadn't considered in the original plan (including those "Might-As-Wells"), will impact the timeframe, cost and effort. I recently received a distress call from a fellow I've been helping with his project who was experiencing problems. I thought it might help lighten the situation and put things into perspective to give him a "Pessimists view of car projects" or "When things go wrong, they really go wrong":

1). Bright Idea & Planning Phase - excitement and enthusiasm overcome logic, reason and advise of others but, you have a "concrete" plan & budget laid out,
2). Search for the Holy Grail Phase - reality begins to set in as this is more elusive than you thought,
3). Car Acquired Phase - beginning of realization that what you bought has no resemblance to what it looked like when you bought it,
4). Reality Check #1 Phase - "concrete plan" shows first signs of cracks, rethinking of what you have gotten yourself into, double timeframe of initial plan, double initial budget, attempt to pump up enthusiasm,
5). Fresh Start Phase - based on new plan and budget, begin to question sanity, alter components, modify plan and second-guess your reasoning,
6). Determination Phase - ignore all obstacles, press forward with revised plan and try to enlist help of others to share the pain,
7). Reality Check #2 Phase - having found few willing to share your "vision" or the pain, broaden search for anyone who is willing to take your money,
8). Disassembly Phase - disassemble entire car, lose track of critical parts, fill basement, garage, attic and dining room with greasy parts,
9). Construction Phase - first attempt to bring all the old and new parts into harmony,
10). Reality Check #3 Phase - failing to achieve harmony, begin seeking professional help to achieve a drivable end product,
11). Marriage Counseling Phase - try to repair damage to family relationships and reacquaint yourself with the kids and dog,
12). Vacation Phase - things have got to look better after a long cruise,
13). Reality Check #4 Phase - things really don't look any better but, since you've invested this much in the project, you might as well get back at it or sell it,
14). Placing Ads for Uncompleted Project Phase - you decide to get a boat instead and sail away into the sunset..............:-))

Well, I guess that would be the most pessimistic view of how some of these projects have gone for some folks. I hope it gave the fellow a chance to realize that things could be worse and place things in perspective.

Thanks again,

Rich

bossvette · 10-13-04, 02:10 PM

Looks like I'm going to have to go to the mall to find it; I've looked for days and all I find is "Mustank this and sport compact that and truck mags galore" we must really be in the minority

richscorvettes · 10-13-04, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bossvette

Looks like I'm going to have to go to the mall to find it; I've looked for days and all I find is "Mustank this and sport compact that and truck mags galore" we must really be in the minority

Usually, but not always, subscribers will receive the magazines ahead of the new issues appearing on the news-stands. Some folks I know received their's over a week before ours finally appeared. I haven't looked at the book stores yet but would think it would be a week or so before they are available.

Rich

Tom Bryant · 10-13-04, 02:22 PM

Rich,

I resemble several of those 14 steps to doom and dispare but I'm either too stuborn or too stupid to go to step 14.

Tom

67HEAVEN · 10-13-04, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bossvette

we must really be in the minority

Fuelie and I had a similar conversation last night, and agreed that "being in the minority" is a good thing. I'd hate to meet my car coming around every other corner.

Congratulations on your article Rich.

bossvette · 10-13-04, 02:37 PM

I have seen Corvette Fever somewhere around here because I have a few copies laying around, my wife says I get too many magazines altho I only subscribe to 4. I don't want her to see the part about "going on a cruise" because she says my 76 was a "Vacation she should have had" and I don't want to cruise on anything bigger then a riverboat.]

I also have an unfinished project car that I have been neglecting too long, I hope we have a mild winter so I can work on it.

Tom Bryant · 10-13-04, 02:42 PM

Craig,

Try the Bryan Newstand across form Pepple Motors. They get all of the magazines but sell out some very fast.