I'm currently doing a body off "resto-custom" build on a 70 chevelle that is in the Bodywork stage. By trade I am a Auto Painter/Body man. I consider myself to be too much of a perfectionist at times (I take great pride in my work) which concerns me because I plan on SHREDDING in this car. I plan on driving this car whenever it is not raining. I don't want to create a car too nice to drive... Any advice to find middle ground or quell my habit of "perfection?" There are so many levels of accepted perfection in what each and all of us perceive....Should I lower my standards:confused:

Heck no don't lower your standards, as you know you would never be happy with that. But be thankful you... yourself control your destiny. As far a shredding tires in it....to me that would be a given....But again that's just me and I wouldn't own one for any other reason. Just make sure DRIVING the new out of it puts a huge smile on your face....If not...then its time to sell......:thumbsup:

What Bill said..also you will know all the shortcuts you took and wish you didn't later.
We all pretty much strive to get the Chevelle's built the best we can unless you want only a beater.
Finish will get the biggest thumbs up if done well...everybody loves an "atta boy" ;)

Chuck

I say "perfect-away". It's your trade, so show off what you can do

Don't get too high on yourself....;)....Build it and drive it..:thumbsup:.

Make it as perfect as you can. You know that if you cut corners and "lower your standards" you will always look at the car and think "I should have done this" or "I should have done that". Make it as nice as you want. When its all over, you know you can say that the car is exactly as you want it. Dont be afraid to beat on it after you are done. Thats the fun in the hobby. Nobody really wants a car that they are afraid to drive because it is too nice. To me there is no such thing asa car that is too nice to drive, now a car that is too RARE to drive is another thing. Build it, and enjoy it, otherwise whats the point...

Make it nice and drive it anyway. If something happens fix it again and off you go. Only you know what level of good is enough.

I plan on shredding mine when I'm done! I have no use for a show only car I build it to use it on any thing I do! I am by no means in your league of body man but I am expecting high results from the abilities I have if I have to do it twice than so be it.I can't wait till my now 2 and 4 year old boy and girl encourage daddy to put the pedal down and let the smoke fly!! An unused toy is a useless toy!!

Awesome! Exactly what I needed to hear!

Restore it to #1 condition and drive it to #2.

I'm gonna go the other way with you. There are certain things you will not make perfect. Contour of the front fender to front of door. If you get a contour match great, but, don't count on it. Getting the doors and 1/4's flat is relatively easy, original sheetmetal is a nice heavy gauge. Far too much depends on how hard the car was driven over the past 40 years. I got mine pretty nice - but - I do drive it - hard.

Like others have said, build it to your level of quality, then enjoy it. I'm a perfectionist myself, and have also worried about this.

I've come to the conclusion that if nothing else, when (if) I get it done, it'll be perfect, and I can enjoy it for years until I wear it out enough that I can do it all over again! :D

Its the circle of car-guy-life.

Do it the best you can. Don't worry about anything else.

All good input...my 38 cents worth: If you are going to all the trouble and work to do the body off, then DO IT RIGHT, especially the floor pan and firewall...no matter what you do under there (orig finish chassis black or show quality top coat color) don't skimp...attention to detail...and keep within your budget and end goals...but do it right ! Shawn

It's a bit ironic that GRN69CHV mentioned that I shouldn't count on making the contour of front fender to door match...Because I happen to be having a HECK of a time with that area(passenger side only). I'm using all original sheet metal that is pretty hammered, but salvageable...