Favorite line ever, "Why buy it for $500.00 when you can build it for $100.00 after buying $1,200.00 in tools."

I can't believe Matt just exposed the entire project car community like this!

"So I'll be finished when I'm dead." Amen, brother. Amen.

FAVORITE LINE "I'll be driving this in 3 months. " Evidently I HAVE NO REAL FRIENDS! Buddy, if I had no project to do at all I would watch your videos JUST FOR THE HUMOR! Some of the things you say I've heard in my own head and to hear someone say them out loud makes me think "I'm not the only one who struggles with that! " or similarly "He just as crazy as I am! " Both comforting in their own way. Thank you sir! 😊

All projects are fractal. It really amazes me that anybody ever finishes anything ...or do they?

the "pit of despair" on my project car (a SAAB 900, no, not a classic one) lasted almost three years before I got the motivation to pick it back up. I'm four bolts and some new tires away from a rolling chassis now.

In my 32 years on the planet I've attempted to restore four classic cars. The first was a land rover at 16. It was a complete failure. My dad sold it as my faith in my abilitys began to falter. The second at 18 was a ford capri, I've currently been working on it on and off for 14 years. (it's almost done but the time scale indicates it's more stubbornness then cogent planning on my part) the third was a Toyota mr2 at 24, I built it in a year and a half in my driveway and I love it more than almost anything. The fourth is a dilapidated mx5 I bought this year. It's been 3 months and I'm one third finished. Theres nothing quite like taking something apart, knowing nothing, learning everything, failing and repeating until one day you turn the key and it starts. That's not a feeling you can replicate and it's worth it every time

The fast "neeeaaaww" had me in stitches, Matt! 🤣🤣🤣 Cheers. Leigh. PS: I'm about halfway through my 2 year build which started in 2014!!

This is so accurate that it hurts, even as a professional, on custom work, there's a due date, but assume it will be late... and then back a few months later for more upgrades/repairs.

I wish I actually started with 3 month projects, instead of 18 month projects, because that time REALLY stretches out ;)

"Wondering if I'll be driving this thing before the sun goes supernova." I laughed so hard I blew coffee out my nose! Brilliant!!

“I don’t make the rules. I just think of them and put them on KZfaq.” 😂

Projects don't get finished because people get hung up on perfection and give up. Sometimes you have to say "that will work" or 'that's good enough for now" and move a ahead.

Hah, my project was in the pit of despair for about eight years. Two years after getting out of that, I'm about halfway through the three month project. So it's going well.

LMAO. I’m rebuilding an FJ Cruiser, and this hit the nail right on the head on so many fronts. Especially the “pit of despair” part.

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why it takes 7 years to fit toyota celica gtfour running gear to a mini and paint it.

Pit of Despair is my permanent address.

"it's been about 5 months, so naturally I'm about halfway done with my 3 month project" This hits WAY to close to home!

My best advice is start with something easy like a rolling restoration, a car that can still drive but needs work, one weekend you might rebuild the brakes, the next you might deal with the rust hole ect, but in between those fixes it can still drive. Getting a car and immediately stripping the whole thing down for a full restoration is a terrible idea unless you're experienced and know what you're in for. They always need WAY more work than they look, and with parts everywhere people get overwhelmed and simply don't know where to start. Also the time money and effort you put in will always be far more than what the car is worth in the end, so if you just want cool old restored car and don't care much about fixing or making your own then buy one thats already been restored. Other than that restoration is fun as hell, you've just gotta commit, the longer a project sits the more you forget how it goes back together and the more small bolts you lose. And take lots of photos, like alot from every angle before you pull something apart and even of the whole engine bay on occasion, you will thank yourself later when trying to decide if that vacuum hose was supposed to go under or over that linkage. Don't get hung up on perfection, its probably the cause for 98% of projects failing.

Obviously not applicable to all projects, but one thing that can help people stay motivated is to just tackle one thing at a time while still keeping the car as drivable as possible. This doesn't work for larger projects like the Jag where you are basically replacing everything, but on my 67 Dart I have also replaced nearly everything at this point, but I just did it one system and weekend at a time. I know I had plans for the car as a whole from the beginning, but it was also just fun to have a new car to drive around, even though it was a piece of junk with pretty much no interior. I swapped out an axle one weekend, interior another, etc., but it was always drivable between those smaller projects. That way I could still enjoy the car in the meantime instead of just staring at a huge chunk of parts and a mostly disassembled car. Also helpful for budget where you aren't buying everything at once. I could have slowly gathered all the parts and waited and gone from what I bought the car as to what it is now, but that would have been a pretty huge undertaking to do all at once. Doing it in chunks sometimes means doing it twice (I've rewired my engine bay something like 3 times now), but it also means the longest my car say without being drivable was a month while I was waiting for a transmission to deliver that kept getting delayed.

100% true with everything about a project. For me the wall is after everything has been taken off, ripping it apart is fun and fast Then you are left with a huge load of parts that all need work. So overwhelming with the end seemingly never in sight. I try do like 1 job at a time on 1 project and make sure its still looking how it should. So like have a rolling shell. and instead of the project being "the whole thing" i tell myself the project is just doing the brakes. Could never tackle something on this scale. Rolling projects only for me that i can still basically daily drive as im doing the stuff. Only downtime without it working is for an engine swap or respray. Your project looks amazing though man, really does. The look on hot rod enthusiast and classic car owners would be priceless if you rocked up in this with a transparent or no engine cover lol.

You can't fool me, I can spot a filler episode miles away. Still funny and awesome content nonetheless, you've got an awesome channel, looking forward to more

Just love your sense of humor.

What is the software you use with all those awesome expandable lists? That is brilliant!

This feels like a personal attack to my channel. See: my 1967 Cougar; 1983 Celica; 1964 Impala; 1972 Datsun 620; 1976 BMW 2002. I promise I'll finish them all some day....

I learned a lot from my project car and refused to give up. Restored a 1972 El Camino 350/TH350 inside out, all thats left is paint. While it's true that i will always seek to keep upgrading it, ive done a lot. Rebuilt the engine and transmission, adjusted carb, set timing, swapped to electric fuel pump and pressure regulator, replaced power steering box, made my own patch panels and replaced the floor pans, made my own seat brackets and swapped to racing buckets, attended to the frame and replaced all ball joints and bushings. Swapped to an electric fan, rebuilt the entire dash and swapped in red leds fir the instrument panels, made my own custom center console and imstalled a reverse backup camera and touchscreen double din radio. Etc. Also i stalled a mini spool rearend assembly that teplaces ny spider gears and makes a straight rear axle to fix the one leggedness on a budget. Eventually going to swap to EFI (MSD Atomic 2) and conplete paint (car is primer black right now after block sanding and bodywork). Right now, i daily drive the car and yes it has broken down on me a couple times (vapor lock from fuel boiling due to exhaust cross over), nuetral safety switch shorting out (ended up replacing all wiring harnesses) but once i worked the bugs out, that car ran like a scalded-assed Ape. Got it up to 121 mph no problem. Can cruise or can run it 10.7 in the 1/4 mile. Still good on gas too for a old V8. The main thing is, you cant give up PERIOD. i came home from a deployment with the Army, and the same day i got off the plane and got home i pulled the fuckin engine and trabsmission out of that car and tore it down for rebuild. You have to really really want it and refuse to give up. You have to he willing to learn and find good people to learn from. I can gladly say ive done all of the work on my car on my own, and i take pride in that. But it took learning certain basic skills like welding, bodywork, sewing and wood working, electrical work, etc before i started to dig in. You also have to have mechanical aptitude and the deisre to understand how and why things work. Also important to note, i did this on a fixed budget, while taking 23 units a semster in college, working, serving as a soldier in the army, and taking care of two elderly grandparents. It can be done, but there is a cost.

I hit the "pit of despair" when my MR2 was on jacks for 3 months. Started with "I'm gonna change the oil pan gasket!" Well, to get to that you have to take off the B pipe to get the oil pan off, but while I have the B pipe off I should replace the exhaust manifold and gasket, and I need to fix the speedometer, so time to tear the interior apart for troubleshooting. While I was removing the manifold, I snapped an exhaust manifold stud, but vise grips and pb blaster didn't get it out, so obviously the best solution is to weld a sacrificial nut and get it out. Problem is, I don't have a welder, and it became impossible to borrow a welder from a family member. So it sat for 3 months. Then one day after coming home from work, I give it a try with a small pipe wrench, and I'll be damned it worked. The next time I had days off, I spent them wrenching to get the car back together. Once I got it all back together, find out the new exhaust manifold doesn't line up to the exhaust pipe, so off to the exhaust shop to make it not sound like garbage and draw unnecessary attention.

I'm at the pit of despair on my daily driver (1999 Mercedes C230K). Head gasket blew and now it turned into a full engine rebuild, it's week 3 of a one week project. Back to porting and polishing I guess, thanks for the nice distraction!

Man, I wish I had your determination. My 3 month build has taken about 12 years so far. So about half way to the midpoint of zeno's dichotomy.

Many years ago (about 35) I built a kit car, expected timescale was about 100 hours, it took about 30 months. Like you I never really "finished" it but I did use it for about 5 years. It got left with a list of improvements to do, then about 5 or 6 years later I have it away, it looked in a bit of a state, but at least I could clear off the to-do list. Keep up the good work you KZfaq posting are a joy to watch.

man i cant wait for Jay lenno to have a spin in this, that S600 interview was great already but THIS would be right up his alley

This video should be required viewing before starting any car project. The emotional roller coaster I went through watching this...... Well done

Since I stumble into the "pit of despair" easily, I don't tear it all down at once, but do in sections so I never have the entire project in front of me, but just bits of it. Sound like you do similar. I also have a rule that if I don't make significant progress in a year I sell it. I'm in or out, not somebody on the sidelines. I did have a 1967 Toyota S800 LHD - competitor to your Honda and one of very few in the US I bought from the original owner that I decided not to tackle the restore (which I regret now).

This is just the best. I’ve a MKV same year and non-colour sitting waiting patiently for its turn as ‘main project’. I’ve spare rear quarter light openers which I’m happy to supply gratis. Laser cut is awesome, but the actual thing liberated by a 7 year old from a bone yard in 1987 to one day wind up on the other side of the world in a Jagla, also awesome.

telling the trouth in such a light hearted way ... your videos never fail to make my day

There is so much truth in this video, especially the part about buying tools to do the job cheaper. The biggest mistake I make is starting another project before finishing the one I'm on now. More projects compounds the cost/space/time/tools/insanity and eventual divorce if you're married, if not you will stay single.

This video is a very good teaching tool for my auto students, who continually want to start new project cars! They usually get to the "disassembled", and the next step is the auto recycler... We'll be following your progress!

This isn't just accurate for project cars, this is accurate for nearly every large project to a scary degree. I'm in the middle of a programming project and had to stop because, well, life, but it's on-brand for me and everyone here to never finish a project and instead "finish" it

I’m a IT PM and can tell that you’re a f…ing self-reflected genius! I adore your analysis skills!

As always Matt you are a soo accurate on projects / mission creep / shipbuilders disease / etc. Thanks for the humor, I am off to the garage.

Love these videos. I just got my vw Cabrio project on the first drive phase. You hit it on the head.

I’ve never worked on a car, but I’m currently renovating a house and I felt this video in my soul.

Completing a build is a huge commitment. I do metal restorations on classic vehicles for a living. I do about 10 a year or so.. out of the 50 or so cars I’ve done metal work on over the years, I think I’ve only seen around 4-5 cars get completely finished. Most are still sitting around waiting for paint. Then assembly, power train, drivetrain, wiring, interior, exhaust, glass, weatherstrip, etc etc etc.. it’s a big endeavor.

This might be my favorite car-channel of all time. Keep up the good work!

"I'll have time to work on it after this summer" *Fall starts "I'll have time to work on it in the spring"...

I bought a fiat 124 classic to restore. It’s my first project car. It’s overwhelming. I watch this channel every week to keep the motivation going and learn. Awesome channel keep at it!

Fantastic deep dive into reality. I have a few friends I'll be sharing this video with. Good on you for getting it done, and sharing your methods! Keep that motivation momentum up!

I love your insights. They resonate with my experience on projects!

Lol, I am in the process of cleaning up a 86' Winnebago that now has turned into a complete stripped chassis. The original Renault diesel that just needed some TLC has now been scrapped and their is Japanese Mitsubishi Diesel engine on a pallet that needs to get mated to the French 5sp transaxle. Ya, it's exactly like you envisioned it from the beginning said no one! lol This video is pure truth, love it, thanks Matt!

The part about getting overwhelmed about the details and it making you give up. The allure of "finished" fades because of this. I've almost quit on my desoto I'm restoring because of this, but I just took a step back and got in a different mindset. I'm not a customs garage on a schedule. The car will always be there. So I decided it's not a project, but more so therapy. A place to escape for a few hours and be ok with whatever progress I make. Also, the mindset of getting it finished makes you rush some things which causes mistakes. Restoring a car really is about enjoying the journey rather than reaching a destination.

OMG that hurts... but in a funny, but deeply hurtie way. So many true statements - plus some going pointers - I have also passed the point of maximum disassembly. Thank you, I needed this.

"Why buy it for $500, when you can make it for $100 in parts, and $1,200 in tools". Are you my Dad in disguise ? :)

Love this video. I'm about halfway through the 3 week project of reinforcing my dashboard. Which I started in December. I took the dash out, leaving the loom in the car, did the reinforcing, put it mostly back, broke some of the reinforcements and discovered I couldn't put it back in without attaching the loom to the back. So now I have the dashboard sitting on the bonnet while I try to work out how to deal with the random wiring provided by many previous owners that I swore never to touch.

Rooting for you, you got this matt!

This is on point. (And THIS is if you are of a class with spare money and a large garage) The pit of despair is real. I tell guys "Take whatever you think it's going to cost and double it. Then take however long you think it will take and triple it. Not Kidding".

This is seriously my favorite KZfaq channel ever.

the line between "finished" and finished is infinite. I like that.

Lovely editing in this video Matt.

Thank you! I really appreciate this project being relatable. As a mechanic by trade, now an operations manager who studies economics on the side, this was the perfect balance of entertainment, information and "studying". Helps me with my project managment classes i currently have.

This was really great. New subscriber. Lots of catching up to do.

What's great is actually having gone through this entire process and being able to relate so heavily. My roommate and I spent about 2 years FWD to RWD swapping a RX7 13B FC rotary into a 1990 Nissan Pao.

By your graph I'm almost finished with my car project! That makes me feel good. So thanks for that! Now, I just need to complete the little details, like the brakes, (I'll have to watch your running brake lines video), then install the engine, (once the engine build is complete, probably in 2 more months). Then all that's left is ordering the Tremec 5 speed, (or maybe the a833?), installing the interior, oh wait, I forgot the front suspension needs to be installed after I paint out the engine bay.... Then I'll be close to finished! I hope the sun doesn't go Super-Nova too soon... Thanks Matt!

I saw the micro machines boat tail wheel in there, love to watch that build as well. Cant wait for your next installment, cheers

Loved this video, Im swapping in a Gen 5 LT engine into a 68 Camaro so Im totally living this right now. Also, it looks like we are neighbors almost!

Dear Duke of Design, great video. As a high school student who, with my brother and 2 parents plus a girlfriend, had 11 cars which constituted 6 total project, boy do I know what you are talking about even now, 46 years later.

Another great video. Doing cool stuff with cars and tools combined with good wit / humor 😀. I like it!

Single MOST important video on any vehicle project EVER. So true. UberKudos for You. As always, great to watch and listen to. The motto of this channel is so close to my heart. And brain. Deeply relate.

Ah yes. the infinite procrastination and despair. 1955 chev one tons with a duramax. got it all here 3 year ago, and got busy. still sitting on the rock pile. :(

This content hit me right in the feels right now. I'm just entering the pit of despair. I just finished tearing down my donor motor and sent it off to the machine shop. Now I'm looking at the rebuild like ugh.... then there is the trans, driveshaft.... and the wiring... interior... steering.... etc. Oof.

Great advice. You're an inspiration to KZfaqrs and car builders alike!

looking forward to see more about this eternal project!

Excellent! The scope and content are big. The humor brings us to reality. I finished (all except a few things) my Custom Nash Metropolitan and somehow thought I needed another, so I am just starting on a Jaguar Mark 9. If it was not running down the road, I would be stuck in the garage with her, and she would never roll out the door. Fortunately, I can take a drive when I am not fiddling with a key component. Press on, man!

Take your time... we love your work.

Great work. I am waiting for more.

I am currently in the pit of despair with my '66 MG. It sucks. But oh well, in too deep now. Great video explaining exactly why I'm not done yet. Glad to hear you aren't going to chop the roof on your Jag. Also, love that you watch Macro Machines (or at least his steering wheel video.)

this is the 1st of your videos I've seen, love the honesty, I found personally that the reason a kitchen lasts 20 years, is because it takes 19.9 years to "finish! " it.

Brilliant stuff Matt

All of the other car channels on YT should watch your videoes. Especially this one. Now, I am just gonna watch a few of them before I finish my project...

this video is a strong reality check for me as an aspiring car guy. The more I learn about stuff the more I learn how insanely hard full drive train swaps are. One car isn't one project, its like 10 mega projects each with 10 mini projects. And new mega/mini projects will never stop presenting themselves along the way

I have a method I follow for all my projects which works for me, basically I do the bits I like most, last, gives me max motivation to get there. So engine, gearbox etc come last and I can drive it soon as it runs. I also never take anything off without restoring it- unless it’s being replaced of course. So I end up with a big pile of clean, painted wrapped up parts before I tackle the rusty body. Then metalwork, paint, cut and polish before I start the fun bit reassembling it all.. It’s worked for me so far anyway.

Combining projects! I’ve always wanted to build a mid engined sports car, and I’ve always wanted a 37 Chevy pickup, so…

Your presentation and humor is gold.

This explains my Capri project better than I could.

Non the less it already looks badass!

This hits home really hard as I am reaching the "Finished" part of my restoration. And I cannot agree more with the Literally Infinite Time before being actually finished, there's always something you could improve.

Out house... well, I know in Australia this usually meant the old outdoor dunny. 🤣 Great vid. Bag and tag things works well. About 25 years ago I used brown paper bags while disassembling a 1968 Falcon for an engine swap and respray.

Love the channel and your humor 👍

This.. yes. Planning has been a huge part of why i didn't finish a lot of my past projects. my current truck is doing much better but its still in dire need of a GOOD plan, as well as being my daily.

Hello Matt, I like your sense of humor. Great stuff. Kind regards from Germany, Ralph

Thanks for this, I had a great laugh the entire time because everything is absolutely true and is how i do my car projects. You put all the information so well together that I can send this to my friends who don't have projects cars and don't understand why steering is not a one weekend job :p

Thanks for explaining B-dubs finished compared to Olive Garden finished. I can’t wait until my MR2 is Arby’s finished so I can work my way up to those two higher levels of being finished.

interesting, I just picked up a 59 Healey Sprite. I'm hoping to be done in time next spring to take it down the "overseas highway before summer. It came as a rolling chassis, engine and transmission and boxes of things, lots of things.

Glad you changed your mind about the roof! Suggestion for over-complications after you're 'done': make a Plaid yoke-style steering wheel, but mahogany...

this all rings so true. greetings from the current pit of despair. Last one i just powered through by just making a habit of going to the the garage after work for couple of hours each day, now knowing all i know based on the previous project, the pit seems even deeper, and darker. Previously when i was 95% ready when in reality it was 50% ready , atleast the i didn't know the depths of my predicament.

Just keep this up and i will keep watching.

9:51 my mom was telling me how they had to run to their lockers to duck and cover, she and her friends thought it odd like the lockers would do anything to protect them... i held my tongue on saying it was more likely so they could identify remains. grim, apologies.

Matt, you are quickly becoming my favourite youtuber ever! Love your work! Looking forward to some "All hail the algorithm" merch ;)

This was actually pretty fun to watch. I am in the midst of starting my first car project, a 1965 Ford F100. At first I was like... I just need xyz then as I started delving more into it, it started branching out to, well I can do this.. i need to do that... This is what its going to take to do all of this. I was a bit overwhelmed at first but then I stepped back and thought, one step at a time and it'll come together.

excellent video, as allways!

Having just recently purchased a Saturn SC2 as a project, there's quite a lot that I can relate with this. Since this is my first project, a lot of things can be overwhelming but somehow making the move is always going to be a challenge.