Project Halted - What to do?

[AChev]

Ok so I purchased a 1973 that ran and was in fairly good condition, it needed some paint and minor rust repair and that was it. The car was fully complete and ran very well. I began stripping the car with the intention that if I wanted to paint the car I would like to have it done correctly. Then I eventually gained the mindset if I was stripping the car I might as well do everything there is to do. Then my summers began to consist of full time jobs, then I left for college.

Now I am approaching the breaking point, my father tells me that I need to rid the garage of the project because I plan on not living at home next summer. So here I am with a completely stripped Z frame, all the parts organized on a shelf. In addition to the original equipment, over the years I had purchased a 280Z engine bored out .030, high compression pistons, and a hot cam. I also sand blasted and refinished the front suspension and purchased all new tokico struts and springs along with complete set of new bushings. There is also a set of floorboards and frame rails here as well. Upon completion the vehicle would have been a killer ride.

The possibility of me completing the car at this point is non-existant. I have the money to complete the restoration although the time and space is the limiting factor. I go to school in Pittsburgh, 5 hours away from my house. I have thought about storing the project until I can resume, although that will not be until I graduate from college and can afford to have my own garage which will be 3 or more years. I also thought about selling it to another enthusiast, although i feel my chances of finding a buyer on an already stripped vehicle are slim, even though all the parts are here.

Does anybody have any suggestions? I'm running out of time

[Mr Camouflage]

Tough break. how much would storage cost? Maybe you could offer the cash to your parents instead? Got any buddies that could store the chassis for you at there place?

Maybe you could put a shed up in the back yard or beside the garage to store the car in, then your olds get a free shed after the car is gone.

Or you could move out and take the car with you.

[DeesZ]

Lehigh, PA... not far from Bath, right? (or am I way off there?)

Not many Z-cars in the area, although I did just pick one up in Emaus....

If 'bad really comes to worse', I may have a sale and/or storage solution for you - about 2.5 hour drive for you on Rt 209..... where 209 meets the Susquehanna River...

[Rockr69]

I have a solution for you, box everything up and ship it to my house And don't forget the title

[Carl Beck]

Hi Andy:

There are points in your life that mark certain "transitions". You seem to at one of them now. It sounds like you have your priorities set in the right direction. Get a good education now between the ages of 19 and 25. Put everything else aside and focus on that.

Put the Project up for sale... Set a price on the disassembled body and all original parts. Then put a price on all the new stuff you have bought. The new stuff you'll lose about 50% on, the car you'll just have to chalk it up to "education". You learned how to take it apart.. got some hands on experience that is all worth what you paid for the car to begin with. So cut your loses short and bail out..

In effect your making the transition from a kid living at home... to a man going forward to develop your future. All transitions in the future will cost you something... If you recognize them, bit the bullet and do whatever it takes to get through them - you'll find that will always be the quickest, easiest and least costly path. Hemhaw, dillydally and screw around refusing to face reality - and you'll waste a lot of time that could have been otherwise more productively spent, and you'll dump even more of your resources into the delay... that will all be a waste.

I'm 62 now - but believe me when I say that I remember being 19 like it was yesterday. With the full recognition that we all have to make our own mistakes, I also believe that it is possible to learn from others {otherwise why go to college to begin with?}. Getting a good education was the best thing I've ever done for myself and it paid a lifetime of benefits. But like you now - I sacrificed a lot for it at the time.

Bottom line - as much as it hurts mentally at the moment - dump the project, clear your parents garage out - and move forward. Later you'll have the time and money to do what you want...

good luck

Carl B.

Carl Beck

Clearwater, FL USA

http://ZHome.com

[Montezuma]

Carl is right. I remember back when I left home in PA and all the things I had going and the projects I had to get rid of. I grew in Coopersburg, a Southern Lehigh class of 82 guy. I had a hot little AMX project I was doing but had to leave for a Navy career....I have not been back yet and nor will I be. I let go of that AMX(kinda of regret it sometimes, since 1970s were the rarest). What part of Lehigh County are you?

As for the car, it should not be a problem selling it in parts with all the work you have done. If no one wants to pay you what it is worth whole then sell it off in parts, parts selling is profitable.

[zbane]

Ditto with Carl.

I used to have a great 75 Fiat Spider, great to drive and fairly reliable. I had a chance to move to Wyoming, and knew that the little Fiat probably A) wouldn't make it, and wasn't able to move all my stuff (we all need a place for our stuff). Shipping my few belongings was out of the question, so I had to get a larger vehicle (Buick).

I GAVE the Fiat to a friend (it was stolen a month later), and while I miss it from time to time, I wouldn't be where I am if I had kept it.

Sell the Z, either as a package deal or for parts; apply the money to your education, or deposit it into a high yield account (online banks are great for this).

Set your priorities, and keep them.

Good luck.

[zpizzaman20]

Carl,

I did not realize what a philosopher and poet you are,

and you are absolutely right, my project was a 37 Ford pickup.

Fred

[beandip]

This strikes a cord with me also. My Wife and I married when she was 18 and I 21. I had a '56 Chevy nomad and a '32 Ford 3 window with a big V-8. A real Vette stomper. But changing life style was meaning the Deuce had to go. With no place to store it , kids were stealing parts from it . So I sold it . That was about 1960 . Four children, now all on there own, 2000 I found my 240 that I had wanted since '70 . Do I wish I had kept the Deuce , sure. But it was just not in the cards and part of growing into adult with responsibilities . If you are a car guy you will find another car and project in your future. Once infected there is no cure , All the best . Gary

[AChev]

Yea, I assume you all are correct. I don't really have too much of a choice, and if I had a chance to go back I would have still purchased the vehicle, excellent experience, plus it resulted in a great tool collection. As much as I would like to take a little time each week working on it, an internship is slightly more important to put the time into. I still get my automotive fix while at school through our Formula SAE team, which keeps me goin while I'm there.

I'm located in Emmaus right outside Allentown. I guess I'll have to create a classified tomorrow. If anyone on this thread is interested just let me know.

Thanks for the advice guys, it helps out hearing it from older guys who have gone through the same thing