Father-Son bonding

[matt376]

Hello all,

I've been chomping at the bit to get started on a build and have spent the past year lurking the site and envying the awesome builds. The project has been on hold in anticipation of having more space. Well we finally broke ground on our new home that will have a nice little workshop for me to get started. The downside is that we're looking at 14-16 months to complete the home. My hopes are to have a kit ordered and delivered around the beginning of 2022. I've also decided that I'd like to get my father, currently 71 y/o, involved in some of the build process. Hoping to treat him with the build class Fall 2021. When it comes to the build, the issue is that I live in KC and he lives in Maryland (been this way since 1993). That being the case, there's no way we can build the car together through the whole process. Sooo... I'm hoping that a few of you could chime in and give me some ideas on the parts of the build that might be the most fun/rewarding for us. My goal would be to fly him out 2 -3 times during the build allowing us time to put in some good work on the project and have some fun while we're at it. I'm really excited at the prospect of involving my dad and hopefully my daughters in this build. It will mean a lot to all of us!

Looking forward to your feedback.

[nucjd19]

I hear ya about getting your Dad involved. My day is 75yo and a type 1 Diabetic ( He has been giving himself 3 shots a day since he was 16 yo) and my brother and I are planing on bringing my dad over during portions of the build coming up. I am curious to see some responses as to when to involve him with " high yield" portions of the build.

[Fman]

My dad has been helping me on my build, he is 74 years old. He comes over on average once a week for 4-5 hours. This has been one of the highlights for me, the build is fun but spending one and one time with him is priceless! I also did a '62 VW beetle with my youngest son which was a great experience, gave him a little taste of blue collar work which most kids don't seem to get these days.

Definitely would have your dad around for the engine install, that is a great day!;) I still have not had my first start but my dad will definitely be there for that as well.

[GoDadGo]

Build Timing & Parent Traveling Suggestions:

1. Bring your Pop in when you do the suspension.
... This part of the build goes quickly and can be accomplished over a weekend, especially if you go with a 3-Link rear.

2. Get him to come back into the process when installing the pedal box, brake, fuel lines, and fuel tank.
... This part of the build also goes quickly and can be accomplished over a weekend.

3. The next time your Dad needs to travel to your place will be for the installation of the driveline.
... If you tackle the wiring of the chassis and dash, then you can likely pull off the 1st start while he is with you.

4. Once you get past some Meaningful Go-Kart Runs under your belt, then get your father to come back into town to install the body.
... This process will be another major milestone and big mental game-changer, plus he only needed to travel in four (4) times.

Good Luck & God's Speed!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8m-MdRZvaH45Y6h4orIm7w/videos

[capt1black]

My father is 80 and has been over to help several days. Just this week he was over to help put engine hoist together and get motor out of the create. We all look at it as our time but I think it is as much for him as well. He will drive 30 minutes without me knowing he is coming just to see if I am working on it. Sometimes he just sits and watches. I have found that for him just to be able to put a bolt on or give advise on how to do something makes him feel he played a part. I understand that he is far away and you can't have him there regularly, but I would not worry about what part you are doing at the time, even just drilling or pop-riveting is fun to have a partner Pop. Anytime you can get him there will be a good time. Mine will defiantly be there for motor install, first start, go-cart drive, body install, title day and graduation.

I will also say that we think of our fathers as they were when we were young. I forget sometimes he is 80. He does not look 80 and is in great health for his age. But there have been times where he did too much and has a hard time, particularly in the Fl heat. I have to remind myself that and make sure I don't give him too much or try to have him do something that is too strenuous.

Overall, enjoy the process and the time.

[Sdonnel]

I was lucky when we built our car. My father is local, but does not get around very well. My mom and I would arrange “work days” where he came over and sat in the garage watching and telling stories of his days wrenching. When he couldn’t be there and wanted to see what I was doing, I would simply FaceTime with him and set the phone in a tool box nearby so he could see the general work area. For those times in between the project milestones, you could literally give your father video tours of your recent accomplishments. I will say that the best day in the garage was when we did first start. My buddy revved the car to about 5k rpm and my dad just smiled and said “That’s awesome”.

Scott

[tony]

My dad came over every Friday for about a whole year while we built the car. He's 77 and I'm 36. It was fun having him around. I'd give him a task and he'd go right after it. Of course, he was eager to jump in before reading the manual enough to see what needed done and get frustrated something wasn't working before having the aha moment. The car is all done now and ended up being much nicer and better build than I ever imagined.

[matt376]

Thank you all for sharing your stories and suggestions. I really am looking forward to this project. 2022 cannot come fast enough.

[Davew70]

I have a good friend here in Tampa, FL that built a hot rod with his cousin. His cousin lives in Belleville IL. His cousin has built numerous other hot rods and has a shop with all the necessary tools and parts and that is where they built hot rod. This one is not a kit car however. It’s an original steel bodied 1940 Ford which now sports an LT1 out of a 1995 Camaro. That car is now here in Tampa and it is a beauty. It’s definitely show quality. It took about 4 years to build. My friend, who is about your Dad’s age, flew to Illinois maybe as many as 20 times in that four year period and each time spent about a week up there helping his cousin work on the car. My friend often went up there when his cousin need a second pair of hands or had more than his fill of busy work like sanding. And, my friend was there for the first start of course. Maybe ask your Dad what parts of the build he’d like to work on. I suspect he won’t mention body work. LOL

I know the plane tickets can get expensive and now with this COVID stuff it’s more complicated. Years from now, you probably won’t remember the money you forked out but will remember the time you spent together. Whatever you work out with your Dad, good on ya.

[Rdone585]

Definitely also get your daughters involved if you can. My daughter helped me when I built the car a good bit. She still remembers and cherishes the time. We even joke around that she was the first to drive the car. She was twelve years old and "drove" while I pushed it as a roller from a detached garage (transformed wood shop) to the garage where we were going to install the engine. She later helped out by manning the start finish line at GIR test and tune track events with the DSCC.

[first time builder]

I will be 75 next month, I would start a new build by myself in a heartbeat. It depends on health and the want to do more than the age. Oh did I mention I am walking around and doing household chore with a broken back that I got falling off a ladder chasing a tree trim machine. ? Oh I also cracked three ribs but they are doing great.
I have built many cars and the FFR Roadster was by far the most fun.