How to make progress on a stalled project car

Carl
By Carl Heideman
Aug 4, 2024 | race car, Track Car, Project car | Posted in Features | Never miss an article

Photography Credit: Chris Tropea

If you’re reading this magazine (and you are), it’s pretty likely you have one or more project cars in your stable. 

And if you’re like many of our readers (and you probably are), one or more of those project cars probably sits on the back burner, or on no burner at all. 

So, how to take a project car from stuck to …

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Comments
Tom1200
Tom1200 PowerDork
3/15/24 12:27 p.m.

Love the 30 minutes at a time part. This is how I get things done.

My latest car is going to be the 90 Mustang LX. I already have it planned out.

1. Fix the small things it needs. The power steering pump, the door handle then the AC.

Drive it

2. Install chassis braces

3. Upgrade the brakes.

Drive it.

4. Drive it while I build up the spare motor it came with. The goal for that engine is 275-300hp. The earliest I will put the motor in is the summer of 25.

Drive it some more.

wearymicrobe
wearymicrobe PowerDork
3/15/24 12:29 p.m.

For me its aiming for a 85% car. One that will run and drive and be fun to use n the weekend. Then over time once I get really settled in I start on that last 5-10% and I don't feel so bad spending money to get it done or on better parts that install easier. 

fidelity101
fidelity101 UberDork
3/15/24 2:38 p.m.

make a to do list and do 1 thing a day!

Terrific article! Great insight and suggestions!   

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
3/15/24 3:40 p.m.

In reply to Danny Shields (Forum Supporter) :

Yes, totally loved this piece as well. Thanks, Carl!

Blunder
Blunder Reader
3/15/24 11:12 p.m.

In reply to Tom1200 :

Build thread please and thank you. 

DaleCarter
DaleCarter GRM+ Memberand Reader
8/4/24 9:02 a.m.

You MUST have a spy in my shop. That is the only, reasonable explanation for sending this article to me.

jimbob_racing
jimbob_racing SuperDork
8/4/24 9:21 a.m.

This is the motivation that I needed.

theruleslawyer
theruleslawyer Reader
8/4/24 3:04 p.m.

A lot of the time I feel like the big enemy is having so many things you need to get done that you get stuck in analysis paralysis. A lot of the time its just picking what you can make progress on today rather than always waiting for when you do the big tear down, or have money to get all the parts at once. Some progress is better than no progress.

kb58
kb58 UltraDork
8/4/24 3:13 p.m.

Work on it a little bit every day or even every week and it will get done. I worked on constructing Kimini and Midlana on Sunday afternoons. The rest of the week was spent planning what would be done next Sunday, and ordering needed parts so they'd be on-hand by Friday.

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