Life has changed quite a bit for me over the last 6 months as far as things at home go. I haven't touched any of my cars other than driving them since August. Here we are approaching February already and there is a ton of stuff I'd like to get done before Spring rolls around. What winter projects are you guys wrenching on? I think it would help get my butt in gear to see some pictures and hear some stories. First on my list is a 1985 Corvette. Long story short, bought it running and driving for $4k in mid 2020. I fixed a few minor things, then decided to rip the whole car apart to fix some floor pan damage, install a stereo and swap in a ZF6 6 speed trans. Had the car on a test drive in August, then took the seats, dash and steering column back out to finish insulation and installing the heater box. It has sadly sat that way since. After the Corvette is back together, my 67 GS400 needs some love before the GS Nationals. I bought this car in 2017, sold it in 2019 and then had the chance to buy it back again last year. The rear is due for a rebuild, I want to swap on a TA Performance water pump, the carb needs to be rebuilt and I would really like to attempt to bring the original paint back around a bit. I don't expect miracles but I bet something can be done to make it look a little nicer. There are a few other odds and ends needed in between, but this car runs and drives so nice as it sits. I only want to tackle one thing at a time, start to finish, so that it doesn't end up sitting if I get side tracked. The back burner project car is my 1959 Buick LeSabre 2 door hardtop. I bought this car for my wife in 2021 out of SC and I really lucked out with it. Great price, very complete car and the body is fairly solid. It runs and drives but I only took it out once in 2022. It needs a recored radiator, torque ball re-seal, and there is a hairline crack in the frame where the steering box bolts up that needs to be addressed. Of course this car will need a total restoration, much like my 67, but I really want to keep it complete, running and driving until I am ready to start that. I may also be selling it as part of some of the home life issues I am dealing with. It would be a shame to see it go though. Last car on the list is one most will probably suggest putting out of its misery, but I love this thing. It is an 85 Toyota Celica GT-S 5-speed. I bought it as a beater car when I lived less than 2 miles from work. It has 200,000 miles, plenty of rust and burns almost as much oil as it does gas. Still it is a blast to putt around in and I have wild dreams of one day fixing it up and swapping in a 1UZFE Lexus V8 in place of the very, very tired 22RE. What should I focus on? And what are you guys hoping to get done? I know having an event to attend is usually a goal that helps me buckle down and get moving. I absolutely plan on getting the GS400 to BG this year.
I recently downsized to one Buick and two trucks, it really helped reduce stress in my life. Having 6+ projects led me to stress out over my lack of progress on them. I say sell the Toyota and 59 Buick, the way your post read you are ready to move em on. The 67 is running and driving so I say chip away at small jobs on that! You already have a good goal to go to the Buick event with it so stick with that. For the vette it’s so darn close! I watched your test drive video with the 6 speed that thing is bad assed! Slap that interior back in there and make some miles with it! Regarding the changes at home, I wish you all the best and if you ever need to talk message me. Exactly a year ago my wife and I separated, I had to re evaluate everything! I’m happy to say we worked it out however I certainly wasn’t working on my Buick as often as I had planned. Best of luck!
I agree on focusing on the '67. Let the others take the back burner. Once you have the '67 where you want it for the Nats, you may have clarity on the '59, and if you really want to tackle a purpose build on the 'yota. The 'vette is another "finishing" project. And mostly labor, not so much outlay of cash.
After getting full force (back) into a non-car related/not physically demanding project last year (long story but researching/writing a book) & not doing too much w/the cars (didn't drive my Stage 1 at all), I set out this year to find some balance and make sure I get out in the garage every day and do something and make sure I do something towards my basement remodeling project every day (in addition to all the daily BS & reading/writing). First up after making some space & some other little things (I'm also dismantling a Skylark which is the sheetmetal donor for my '70 350 4-sp) is getting the newly rebuilt rear back in my Stage 1 then maybe before bleeding the brakes (or after just to make sure everything works as it did) I'll put the supposedly rebuilt/correct master cyl. & a new booster & change out the pedals to correct. Then I have to address a leaky water pump. I definitely want to drive it (a lot) more this year. I'm looking forward to seeing your '67 at the Nationals!
I've found with several big projecr to do, its best to pick 1 pull all effort into that so it feels like its moving along not just sitting doing nothing. Small goals
I can/have done that too to the detriment of everything else but just can't right now so at least I make a little progress every day.
Focus on the ‘67 first Sell the ‘Vette and Toyota With those two gone they’re not a distraction. Keep the ‘59 Buick, you got it for your wife, and if she truly likes it, keep it. You’ll have your Buick and your wife will have one, simple
Whatever you choose to do - best of luck! I've got my engine out and ready to clean up the engine compartment - but I need to wait for the weather to warm up. Meantime I'm taking care of household projects. Do what makes you happy - find a balance. Couple of quotes: "It will still be here tomorrow. Get done what you can today, what you don't finish will be there to work on tomorrow and you won't need to stress about having a big to-do list." 'If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change the way you look at it.'
I'd tackle the Vette while driving the 67. Once the Vette is driving again swap to small projects on the Buick. This way you always have something ready to ride in case you need a reminder of why you're working on the other stuff.
If you told her that the '59 was for her, that's it. It stays. Fix the 67. Sell the Vette and the Toyota.
Keep the 59 and the 67. The corvette is a lot of work and will not have much resale value. The Toyota would be cooler as a hatchback, but a import v8 swap is a big project. The key is to have a driver and do easy projects and only have one big project at a time. It is easier to buy cars that are already mostly completed and you can get enjoyment out of them. It gets harder when they have sentimental value.
Jacob, I'm guessing you are being pulled in 100 directions right now. Life throws lots of curve balls at us (I know). Just keep your head up, handle the issues and then move on. Things will get better. As for cars, I would focus on the 67. You can then bring it to the nationals. You made it last year without a car. This year make it your goal to drive the 67 there. You have been a Buick guy for many years. I remember you coming to my place for parts and you were just a kid. Driving the 67 will be an accomplishment that will be your 1st victory in what comes ahead. The other cars can wait. Fred
Finish the 67 as I think all commenters have mentioned that. If you don’t want to sell anything and don’t need to don’t It’s your choice. That said concentrate on one instead of doing a little bit on each. (Speaking from experience here.) I have this one in paint but it needs suspension redone and motor assembled and broke in all the wiring and lines a interior and top. I put the truck engine install on hold because it’s just a distraction . I would like to have the convertible drivable and at the Nationals also. Hope to see you and your car there.
I was thinking the same thing about the ‘Vette not much interest in the Corvette circle for that year
The beauty of the vette is it's cheap fun. In stock form it's no where near fast by today's standard but that can obviously be fixed cheap with the normal SBC. They handle decent enough to be fun in the corners.
If you get it for cheap and you hack a turbo ls into it, yes cheap fun. You drop 15k into trans and engine into a 3500 dollar vette, you have a 3600 dollar vette or a 5k motor donor. Drop the same money into the 67 and have a 40k car.
My poor '66 Wildcat is 700 km (450 Miles) away waiting for a rebuild. My mechanic brother-in-law, disabled with numerous back and blood infection problems. And the worst part, I can't go help him as he is in a Saskatoon hospital for the next two months. My poor family.....
I am stressed about 4 cars and all the projects my house needs done, so I totally get where you are coming from. The Toyota is such a cheap car and it runs and drives so for now I really don't have much to gain by selling it. In the summer I use it just to fill up the gas can for my lawnmower so it doesn't sit too long. It may not be the most desirable Toyota from 1985, but I have never seen another one in person. I figure I have the space for it, so it will stick around for now. The 59 is a super cool car with an awesome story and I got it for an extremely fair price. I did buy it for my wife though and we have been separated now for a few months (a long story not fit for a Buick message board haha). She loves that car but I don't think I could bring myself to do anything to it without being reminded of that. Still, I'll hang onto it for now until she decides what she wants to do with it. I just hate that it is sitting around. I'd like to at least fix the radiator and a few other minor things so it is safe to drive short distances around town. I love the Vette, it is one of the few non Buick cars I have grown attached to and I did do a ton of work to that car. Even with the stock L98, it feels like a whole new car with the headers, 6 speed and 3.45 rear. I have a TPIS miniram waiting to go on it and I plan on doing AFR 195 heads and a decent roller cam in the near future. Just not sure if I want to bolt those things to the stock shortblock or not. C4 Corvettes are not high dollar cars, still, their prices have come way up in the last 3 years since I bought it. I knew going into that project that I would never get my money back out though. There is no good reason for me to sell it unless I get desperate. I would lose quite a bit. I have all new interior and decent suspension parts waiting to go on the car. I think that is my plan for right now. The 67 could make it to BG right now if it needed to, but I'd still like to address a few things if I have the time. Once the Vette is drivable again I'd feel better tackling some projects on the 67. For right now I will likely hang onto it, but I will certainly keep you in mind. The Corvette is a lot of work, but most of it is done now. I knew when I started buying parts for it that I would be underwater quickly. Still, it is a blast to drive and I hope to keep it around for long road trips and the occasional track day at the local road course. I put thousands of miles on the C4 when I bought it during covid. I was really impressed by how fun it is to drive. There will be a massive improvement over stock by the time I am done. The Toyota V8 swap is definitely a way off project for right now. I have been keeping my eye out for a cheap LS400 though. A few guys have done it and I think it would be a real conversation starter at car shows. The 1UZ-FE is a super tough engine, it makes decent power for its size and would make the Celica a blast to bomb around in. If anything, it would at least increase the value of the car enough to make it worth selling as it is a swap not commonly tackled. I can't imagine there are too many Celica purists out there that will lose any sleep over the 22-RE truck engine getting tossed either. I appreciate that Fred, it is crazy to realize how fast time goes by and how things can change. Going to BG last year was certainly the motivation I needed to try and go back in 23 with a classic Buick. I look forward to running in BSA and I'm hoping for my first 13 second pass. My GS400 has gone as quick as 14.0 with a terrible 60ft at LVD , so I think I high 13 is possible.
