|
|
|
Some of you will have seen my Midas rebuild thread on this wonderful forum and will know that it has taken a bit of a back seat this last year or two. My initial plan (9 years ago) was to get myself a project and give it a refresh with a view to using it. The best laid plans of course, seldom go the way you want them, and the Midas itself was in a far worse stage than initially thought. Therefore the "refresh" became a huge complete strip down and rebuild of EVERYTHING. I don't believe that there is a single item on this car that has been left alone. Everything has been fiddled with, rebuilt, replaced or upgraded somehow. The trouble is, I had no experience of anything bigger than doing a gearbox change on a Mini so everything I have done on this car had to be researched and self-taught. And, being a kit car, there had been previous bodges and curse word ideas that I have simply had to redo or improve. The car had no engine and gearbox let alone an exhaust. The interior was utterly rotten due to water leaks. All this has to be redone, and it's getting tiring. I have no knowledge of how to do wiring. I don't understand electrics, and never have. I am lucky that I have a very good friend who is in the trade and knows Mini electrics like the back of his hand. However, he has a young family and trying to get him to myself for a couple of hours for just some brainstorming time is a very rare occurrence as he is much in demand for family stuff. It is also difficult to do much in the way of heavier work as it's not often I have a garage companion - most of my friends are not that into cars, so even just a session to hold one end of something as I fit the other end is a rare thing. It hasn't helped that my Mum has been in and out of hospital since last year, so there's been no motivation and no time - doing the Midas has not been a priority for me. And of course, as I am the "local" family member, I am constantly back and forth to see the parents to make sure they're ok, leaving little inclination or free time to get in to the garage. I look at what I have done to the car since I got it and realise that I have achieved a huge amount. This poor little plastic pig that was in someone's front garden for 11 years has been transformed and you could argue that I am well on the way to finishing it. It just seems that every turn I take I either can't do because bits have been lost / don't work or I simply cannot do it on my own or at all and have to learn about something else. Again. For example: I have made a new dash top out of fibreglass (WAY better than the POS that came with the car). However, it needs to be fitted. I now have to somehow find a way of fitting it to the dash itself (also not finished) as well as fixing it to the bulkhead. There's no manual or guidance for this - it's all down to me. I am finding it infuriating and the lack of support from like-minded people is getting to me. I have the ideas - it's just the lack of knowledge on how to do it and the constant need to "make something new". Another example is the exhaust - this was a "pea-shooter" from the factory and exits on the other side of the car to a Mini. A normal Mini Performance system doesn't fit. There was no exhaust with the car. So I have to make one fit by adjusting / cutting / welding etc. I don't have a ramp so you get the picture. So, dear friends of RR, I need to ask how I get round this? Have I bitten off more than I can chew? What would you do in this situation?? I don't WANT to jack it all in - I just have no inclination to do anything as it stands. For anyone still reading this, here's a before and after pic for you
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mr Bounce, I've followed your progress over the last few years and have always enjoyed it and been really impressed with what you are doing with the Midas. If you feel despondent right now, just put it away for a while. Have a break. You can go back to it in a month, a year, or two years, or ten. If I remember correctly Blackpop's Anglia from start to finish was a 25 year span ( blackpopracing please correct this if I've misremembered). You have done a sh1t tonne of stuff to this and it's looking ace. don't beat yourself up about struggling to make meaningful progress lately. Have a break. Life gets in the way. If you have a break you'll probably decide to mess with little tasks in the evening and before you know it a break from the car has become progress on the car. When I've got despondent in the past and hit a point I cant go beyond, I've set myself ten minute mini-tasks. Might just be cleaning the glove box latch mechanism or something of that sort. It's all progress. Don't throw in the towel, wrap the towel around your head for a while.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Having read your comments, it would be a shame if you were to admit defeat and let the car go. I must admit that I to have the occasional stumble with various projects that I have. I find it best to try and establish some way to walk away and usually things sort themselves out, and progress can then resume again. You must look at what has been achieved, as you describe it "I have done on this car had to be researched and self-taught". That is a lot more than many others can say. It also doesn't help when family issues come onto the scene, and you become the main pillar of support. So if the car doesn't have to be sold and can be stored in a manner to avoid deterioration, then put it to one side and let things take their course. Keep on in there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For what its worth, I think that's an awesome little car, it looks like you've done most of the work, it just needs finishing, even if the bits that need finishing are awkward due to their bespoke nature. I would have thought that the best route for the exhaust would be to get a custom one made, but getting the car there might be an issue. In the past when ive had no inclination to continue with something ive taken a forced break for a month, and marked a date on the calender to get back out there and continue. This might not work for you, just an idea. I don't have all the skills I wish I had, I cant weld, I get easily frustrated when things arnt straight forward and aside from that I'm simply not in a position to have a second car, otherwise id have the best modified A60 in the world in my garage (and a fold out bed for Pid so he doesn't have to go home between shifts). What I do have is a head full of ideas and almost endless enthusiasm for old cars and stuff. I know its easy to say, but take a break from it for a bit, and when your ready get back on it. Its too awesome to give up on. The rubbish weather at this time of year doesn't help. I think that's as much as I can help, if that helps at all.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Building something with a lot of bespoke content can be "challenging" at times (been there, done that like many others on here) even without things like family "complications". Your before & after shots show just how much you've done so maybe take a break from it until things settle down and use the time to think about how to do what remains.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
And this is why I come on this forum. The people on it are just brilliant. Be it a bit of banter, some excellent ideas, or nothing but support, Retro Rides does it again. With hindsight I probably do need a break from it. And the kind words above have told me what I need to know. I CAN do this. I just need to take a step back, re-evaluate for a few weeks and go back rejuvenated and with fresh impetous. Thanks for your kind words everyone
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
To me, the very very untrained eye, it looks like the Midas isn't that far of being ready. I think that you just need a break.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Or in a mini-based plastic-fantastic pun, a kat kit. Sorry....
|
|
Last Edit: Mar 12, 2020 22:12:48 GMT by bmcnut
|
|
|
|
|
Too right you can. You've done 90% of it. Have a rest. Make a To Do list on your time off but break it down to manageable chunks so you get to cross stuff off regularly so there's visible progress to keep you motivated. There's a saying "How do you eat an elephant ? One bite at a time." You're picking over the carcass now. Eat up & enjoy !
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What I do when a project gets to me is start another one ( and/or get back to a previous one )
I bet this is something that doesn't work for everyone, but it works for me...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I know only too well how life can get in the way of project progress, and my project is only a stereo in one of the easiest cars to put a stereo in, ever!
You have come a very long way, I have been wanting to build a kit car since I was about 13 (a Dutton to begin with, then a Midas!) but in the intervening 36 years I have failed to even pull the trigger on buying a kit (I haven't even bought enough tools yet) so you are well ahead of millions of us!
Whatever you do, whether you take a break, crack on, or get a third party involved, don't give up! It's going to be amazing when it's finished!
What I've found for my projects (such as they are...) is instead of leaving them for a while (they just get left!) the best thing for me is to book some time off work and throw myself in to them. If you can get a few days or a couple of weeks on it, you may not finish but you will make noticeable progress that will carry you through the tough times. I know this won't work for everyone, ut worth a try
|
|
Last Edit: Mar 2, 2020 5:24:03 GMT by mr2fc
|
|
|
|
|
Electrics aren't as bad as you think. I've bought off the shelf looms and always had to modify them as they aren't quite right! I had a loom made up recently for me from a wiring diagram and even that wasn't perfect.
What I'm going to do in future is get a big board of wood and make my own looms by laying it down on there . I find if you print off the wiring diagrams in colour and get them laminated it's so much easier to follow.
|
|
1967 Beetle
|
|
bricol
Part of things
Posts: 287
|
|
|
Do the bits you, save up and buy the bits you can't. You can probably get a wiring loom from somewhere for one.
Find a man with a van and trailer - get it to a bespoke exhaust place - they'll do a better, neater, more long lasting job that fits than you would.
You don't actually have to do everything.
Do it when you enjoy it - shut the door on it until then. Come summer when it's warmer, it's a lot easier to get motivated to go do some little job and before you know it . . .
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Can fully relate to your situation. Family needs must come first but don't neglect your own well being either , if nipping away at little jobs on the car is one way of doing this then great , if not then if space isnt an issue just mothball until the time is right to pick it up again. Agreed that electrics can be daunting but i very much doubt that there would be anything insurmountable when scratch wiring this...RR and the wider interweb will be your friend with this and any other jobs that you feel are beyond your skill set. If you are needing guidance with any particular job just ask on here. The wealth of knowledge and eagerness to share/support will amaze you! Keep your chin up.
|
|
'80 s1 924 turbo..hibernating '80 golf gli cabriolet...doing impression of a skip '97 pug 106 commuter...continuing cheapness making me smile!
firm believer in the k.i.s.s and f.i.s.h principles.
|
|
cb11acd
Part of things
Posts: 132
Club RR Member Number: 122
|
|
|
Its the middle of winter, we have just had about 1000 storms, not many want to work on a car in these conditions garage or no garage. Shorter days make you feel like you don't get enough done and when you work on a project alone with not many (or nobody) visiting the garage it can be isolating.
Run your own race and don't compare yourself to others.
|
|
|
|
60six
Posted a lot
(╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻
Posts: 1,664
|
|
|
Its the middle of winter, we have just had about 1000 storms, not many want to work on a car in these conditions garage or no garage. Shorter days make you feel like you don't get enough done and when you work on a project alone with not many (or nobody) visiting the garage it can be isolating. Run your own race and don't compare yourself to others. Nothing other than the wettest feb on record along with the howling winds has stopped my fettling progress - the clocks go forward end of this month which always makes me feel better about all things.
|
|
Some 9000's, a 900, an RX8 & a beetle
|
|
|
|
|
Re the exhaust, have a look at ATM Engineering on Facebook.
A TM Engineering
This chap attracts work from all over the UK and now customers are also coming from Europe, and a recent car from USA. Down to earth and one of the best.
|
|
|
|
The Doctor
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 3,435
Club RR Member Number: 48
|
|
|
What helped me in the past is making a list of stuff which need to be done, and disect it in smaller stuff. It gave me motivation to cross things of the list, how small they where.
Which reminds me, I need to make a list for my project, as it has been standing still for 3 years because of this exact reason. So much to do, I can't oversee it and then the motivation goes away.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Don't know exactly where you are (west of Felixstowe isn't that helpful) but if you are anywhere near me,i'm pretty good with car wiring! I'm in the (very) west Midlands. help and advice freely dispensed! Steve
|
|
|
|
ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,203
Club RR Member Number: 170
|
|
|
After being there with the Merc and the M3, I do hear you, albeit with less of a stressful time in some cases.
However, once the time did become free, I was reluctant and procreastinated in working on the cars. The Merc never had a working heater and the M3 had a vibration I knew would be awkward to fix.
However, one main thing made me fix the cars. Necessity. I knew I'd struggle in some areas, but that necessity came from a couple of things:
1) Selling the Merc. With no working heaters and a broken window regulator, I knew it would be a hard sell, even if the rest of the car was rock solid 2) As per the M3 thread, my dad's car going back. I didn't have to loan him the Mondeo but help works both ways. So, that also partially drove me to get the M3 done and working again.
For a difference reason, but still necessity (needing a spare car), I got my MGB fixed to a running state, and for a first restomod, that was ambitious by any stretch of imagination (it became a Sebring Wide arch replica).
If you can make it a necessity to get the car done and chip away at it now and again, even if it is for only 2 hours a month, it's better than nothing, despite it not seeming so at the time. But family and friends do matter, so only you'll know what is right here. But I'd stick with if you can ; for me, it's become almost therapeutic and calming to some extent, albeit it's taken me time to get that mindset.
|
|
|
|
|