Hi list,
One of the things that rarely gets mentioned around here is what is required
of a person to get through a restoration. I'll admit I don't know all there
is to know about it, for I am not even halfway done. However, now that I am
seeing some light at the end of the tunnel, I feel I know at least something
about it. For those of you who are would-be restorers I recommend you try
it some time, for it is a worthwhile endeavor. For those of you who have
been there and done that I would love to hear you add your 2 cents worth.
I will not address the issue of how to best choose a suitable project
because in the end, I believe that sometimes the project chooses you.
Believe it or not, old iron has a voice. You just have to listen for it.
Nor is my purpose to speak of the technical aspects of a restoration. I
merely wanted to share with others some things that I would have loved to
have read about before I jumped in with both feet.
>From the I-started-with-only-a-right-side-windshield-wiper-arm kind of
project to a I-only-had-to-touch-up-the-paint kind of project, I believe the
process is more about the person doing the restoration than the restoration
itself.
The day I dragged my diamond in the rough home and placed it squarely in the
driveway for all to see was the same day I went public with my commitment to
seeing the job through, come Hell or high water. I received a lot of
criticism and sideways glances for it. Luckily, those who know me best were
content to adopt a wait-and-see attitude. On the other hand, my father,
whose opinion I hold in highest regard but who actually doesn't know me as
well as he thinks he does, refused even to acknowledge what I had
undertaken. What a disappointment, as I would really enjoy sharing my
successes with him as I think it would bring us closer together. So the day
I brought the Scout home was the also the day when I began learning a lot
about myself.
The skeptics arrived like locusts and begin chanting a mantra, comments
like, "You'll never get it done." or, "You'll never find all the parts
you'll need." or, "You're wasting your time with that old thing." or, "Why
don't you do something more worthwhile?" I remember them all. Oddly, my
greatest critics have become admirers since the project has started looking
like something that has potential. After all, they have been in on the
restoration from the start and strange as it may seem, I suppose they feel
some kind of weird kinship for it.
A restoration is like a love affair. At the start things are all steamy.
Lots of hot blood and sleepless nights full of desire. Desire is important
but desire alone won't take you far because it has no power to smooth out
the rough spots. It is the most fragile of commodities. I suppose the
failure to understand this is what leads most would-be restorers to a dead
end. For the restorer, it is important to keep the flame of desire kindled
to a slow burn because restorations are for most of us, long and drawn out.
If one is lucky enough to have the wherewithal to do a non-stop high speed
restoration project (we occasionally read of these with awe and admiration)
then I say let the flame burn high and hot! I am certain having the
financial ability to throw money at a project until it is done is a
wonderful situation to be in but (without any prejudice against those who
can do) I think it lacks something.
I maintain that the one thing absolutely necessary to get through a
restoration is faith. It should be the foundation of your project. I do
not mean blind faith, but faith tempered with patience, prudence, dedication
to keep the project in motion, the exercise of good judgment, use of common
sense, commitment to see the project through to its completion; faith in
yourself and your abilities, including those abilities not yet developed.
Faith, that by putting one foot in front of the other, the journey of a
thousand miles will end.
I am looking forward to the day when I turn the key on my completed Scout
Car and hear that old Herc whirring away under the hood. But a restored
Scout Car is not really what I am getting out of the project.
Let's keep em rolling!
TJ
MVPA 21162
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