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When to walk away from a project?

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drooartz

drooartz

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I had some time off last week so was able to work out in my shop a bunch, getting cars ready for the driving season (when it gets here) and getting my motorcycle ready to sell (it sold). As I was working on the Morris and MGB I got to thinking about my Bugeye Sprite project. I bought it 10 years ago, got the bodywork sorted maybe 6 years ago, and it has pretty much sat since. Lots of complex reasons, but that's the timeline.

The question that came to mind as I looked at the Sprite is when do you walk away from a project? What questions do you ask yourself as you think through that decision? So I thought I'd ask y'all.

I'm not seriously considering passing my project on, but since the question popped up in my mind I wanted hear some other takes on the issue.
 
When it's not fun any more.
 
Do small things on the Sprite. After the B front-end is done, put some effort no matter how small into the Tunebug when time is available. Consider it a "side job" of sorts. Things will soon get to the point where you get enthusiastic.
 
Listen to Doc. There have been many times that I could have walked away from a project. Like the year I spent on my Bugeye bonnet or right now when I’m faced with task of endless body work on the TD I’m restoring. I instead tackle little tasks. Clean and paint a couple of parts that have nothing to do with the big job. I tag and bag them and put them away for when I need them. It will make the end result easier than having to do them when they’re needed immediately. Then I start back up on the main thing. Don’t give up.
 
Mickey Richaud said:
When it's not fun any more.
Click to expand...
Exactly.... After i got the Herald in good mechanical shape I started dealing with the body... and after spending a day cleaning up old bondo I suddenly realized I wasn't having fun and worse yet it felt like an obligation (especially since it was taking up our only parking space.) Sold it a few days later.
So -- you have the storage space in your garage - so it isn't a problem to just ignore it until you feel like doing something.
I suggest you make a list of things you need to do on the bugeye to finish also try to evaluate the BE as opposed to the other cars/ projects. As Rhodyspit75 suggested start and finish some small task. Do you feel good or was it an obligation?
The day that I felt that I was obligated to work and under pressure to get it done quickly was the day I also knew it was time to move on.
 
1.When it’s not fun.
2. Before it bankrupts you.
3. when someone else is doing most of the work (see 2 )
4. Before it makes you single (again)( see 2)
5. If you don’t have the space.

As an aside I really don’t understand why some do mechanicals first - engine, gearbox, axles ? All that expensive engineering sitting for years whilst welding and body work takes place.
the mechanicals are reasonably straight forward apart from limited machine shop if necessary it’s all spanner work and or new parts this a systematic process.
 
Thanks all for the thoughts.

I knew this would be a challenge when I bought the car. I'm really not a restorer, but this particular car was rare enough (original RHD Bugeye in the USA) that it was going to be a thing I had to do. I will say that getting back to working on my MGB is getting me a bit back in the mode to be working on the Sprite.

Hamish Racing said:
As an aside I really don’t understand why some do mechanicals first - engine, gearbox, axles ? All that expensive engineering sitting for years whilst welding and body work takes place.
the mechanicals are reasonably straight forward apart from limited machine shop if necessary it’s all spanner work and or new parts this a systematic process.
Click to expand...
I did the bodywork first, thinking that was the most efficient. Strip the car, have bodywork done, then build the mechanicals back. There are days when I wish I had done it in the reverse order, mechanicals first. The body was structurally sound, so it would have allowed me to drive it for a while before sending it out for the bodywork -- so I can understand why someone would do things in that order.
 
HealeyRick said:
One of the smartest Sprite guys I've known, the late Frank Clarici (aka SpriteNut) used to advocate going out to the garage every night for just an hour and getting something done. It really helped move the project along.
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I miss Frank.

Time has really been my biggest roadblock. I work a fairly stressful day job and also work as a musician, so my free hours for car work are limited. Daily wouldn't work for me, but I did get a suggestion from another source to schedule time on my calendar for when I'm going to work on the car -- makes it more official and may get me motivated. Going to consider that option.
 
drooartz said:
I miss Frank.

Time has really been my biggest roadblock. I work a fairly stressful day job and also work as a musician, so my free hours for car work are limited. Daily wouldn't work for me, but I did get a suggestion from another source to schedule time on my calendar for when I'm going to work on the car -- makes it more official and may get me motivated. Going to consider that option.
Click to expand...
This is totally 'do as I say not as I do' but, following the Seinfeld strategy - Seinfeld would write a joke a day and put a big check mark on the calendar when he did - I have a calendar in the garage and (I kid you not) stickers. Every day I work on the car I get a sticker - and I have bigger stickers for milestones. To get started I set my phone for 1/2 an hour and just do that. It also relieves stress.

Full disclosure we are in the process of selling the house so that has taken almost all our time but, got some time this week and was so proud and happy to put on a sticker again. :D

jamesclear.com

How to Stop Procrastinating on Your Goals by Using the “Seinfeld Strategy”

Don't break the chain.
jamesclear.com jamesclear.com
 
JPSmit said:
This is totally 'do as I say not as I do' but, following the Seinfeld strategy - Seinfeld would write a joke a day and put a big check mark on the calendar when he did - I have a calendar in the garage and (I kid you not) stickers. Every day I work on the car I get a sticker - and I have bigger stickers for milestones. To get started I set my phone for 1/2 an hour and just do that. It also relieves stress.

Full disclosure we are in the process of selling the house so that has taken almost all our time but, got some time this week and was so proud and happy to put on a sticker again. :D

jamesclear.com

How to Stop Procrastinating on Your Goals by Using the “Seinfeld Strategy”

Don't break the chain.
jamesclear.com jamesclear.com
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing. (Notice I gave your post a “check” 🤪)
 
59diamond said:
I think it is okay except I think you are getting rid of the wrong car.
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To be clear, I'm not getting rid of anything right now, just pondering the path forward.
 
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