Good character traits/behaviours to have if you're going to take on one of these kits

[Papa]

I don't know exactly what this says but some of the best built cars that I've had come through here have been done by Doctors. I suspect it's because they have a methodical and well thought out approach and great attention to detail.

Jeff

Interesting! I'll wager you can probably make the following generalizations:

Doctors - Appearance... the more beautiful the better
Pilots - Performance... the more power the better
Engineers - Functionality... the more complex the better

[Chainsaw]

I'm not a great engineer (much better at operations), but I sure seem to be making this more far more complex than it needed to be.

[flyboyjy]

Interesting! I'll wager you can probably make the following generalizations:

Doctors - Appearance... the more beautiful the better
Pilots - Performance... the more power the better
Engineers - Functionality... the more complex the better

Pilots perspective: Appearance- yeah it's shiny with a few scratches
Functionality- what do you mean it takes 4 switches flipped on in sequence just to turn a light on?
Performance- You say it will do 0-60 in the sub 4 second range? YES Let's go try it, and even if it doesn't by the time we get done telling the story at the bar at the end of the day everyone will believe we
went that fast.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Interesting! I'll wager you can probably make the following generalizations:

Doctors - Appearance... the more beautiful the better Yes,but with functionality. Both form and function
Pilots - Performance... the more power the better Absolutely! For proof let me introduce you to my good friend Erik Treves!
Engineers - Functionality... the more complex the better Only half right on this one. I'll let you guess which half (Here's a hint---I've cussed more on engineer's cars than any others) Thankfully Dave your car didn't fall into that trap!

Cheers,
Jeff

[rthomas98]

I would like to add committed. Having focus, drive, patience etc is great when you are working on the project. But committing time to do it in the first place amongst a busy life can be just as much of a challenge for people on these kits as the other attributes.

Another one is ensuring you adhere to the KISS (Keep it simple Stupid/student) method. If you find your self fabricating some crazy bracket system for a simple problem that a bolt will fix. Step back for a minute and reassess what you are doing. Remind yourself if that crazy complex bracket fails your the one that has to fix it (usually on the side of the road).

Other then that, like others said this is great thread.

[Papa]

Cheers,
Jeff

I'll guess that Engineers use bolts to make everything removable instead of just using rivets.

[egchewy79]

I don't know exactly what this says but some of the best built cars that I've had come through here have been done by Doctors. I suspect it's because they have a methodical and well thought out approach and great attention to detail.

Jeff

and the worst...?

[Jeff Kleiner]

I'll guess that Engineers use bolts to make everything removable instead of just using rivets.

True story about one that came to me from an engineer...one splash panel had rivnuts and machine screws, another had the self tapping TEK screws that FFR temporarily attaches panels with, the third splash panel had 1/8" rivets and the last had 3/16" rivets. Maybe it was a science experiment to determine which he liked best???

Jeff

[Jeff Kleiner]

and the worst...?

I.T.

Jeff

[Blitzboy54]

I don't know exactly what this says but some of the best built cars that I've had come through here have been done by Doctors. I suspect it's because they have a methodical and well thought out approach and great attention to detail.

Jeff

Interestingly enough, my dads oldest friend is a doctor and built over a half dozen airplanes over his life. He is very meticulous, the attention to detail was spectacular. Flew every one of them.

Fun story when I was 10 he had his first plane operational (a front/back 2 seater open air bi plane), he took me up and after a little while let me "steer". It was just the best day

[Skuzzy]

True story about one that came to me from an engineer...one splash panel had rivnuts and machine screws, another had the self tapping TEK screws that FFR temporarily attaches panels with, the third splash panel had 1/8" rivets and the last had 3/16" rivets. Maybe it was a science experiment to determine which he liked best???

Jeff

Well, there are all kinds of engineers. I am guessing he was not a structural or mechanical engineer. Maybe he was a civil engineer?

I.T.

Jeff

I could see that, but we in the engineering community do not consider I.T. people to be engineers. As a network/electrical engineer it really irritated me when people would comment, "Oh, you work in I.T.".

[progmgr1]

My guess (as a degreed engineer) is that it was a "frugal" Mechanical Engineer, using whatever was on hand to avoid ANOTHER McMaster-Carr order. Also, was it possible that the builder was trying to make some of the panels removeable for maintenance / repair access (not familiar with roadsters / coupes myself)?

IMHO a Civil Engineer would have installed the panels with a concrete footing and welded rebar, or at least 1/2" lag bolts into lead anchors.

Keith HR #894

[DIBaledo]

An unlimited budget or at least the ability to spend more than you anticipated when you first planned your dream. Perhaps this falls under flexibility but everyone, especially those of us who are first time builders, undertaking one of these builds should understand that the claims of a sub $30k build are unrealistic unless you're using a cheap donor car and donor parts. Adding everything in for cars like those built and displayed by many on this forum and you're well north of $50k. If you want to buy tools that make the job actually easier, the actual money invested can be double or even more - ask me how I know (my wife keeps a detailed spreadsheet of every penny spent). Every time i read a build thread from some of the incredible builders on this forum, my mind starts spinning and looking for a fix of Summit, Amazon, Ford Performance, Breeze, Forte, Levy and many other suppliers of FFR candy. In the end, it's not what you spend, it's the fun, enjoyment and satisfaction of successfully accomplishing a challenge never thought possible. Priceless!!

David....

[egchewy79]

I.T.

Jeff

I can see that. Most of my friends in IT just buy their "toys".

"bought, not built"

[narly1]

An unlimited budget

I'm not sure if being wealthy is a character trait, more likely a character flaw, LOL.

No matter one's financial situation I think the appropriate character trait that applies is pragmaticism and being realistic about what you can afford and how long its going to take you to afford it.

Earl

[RBachman]

As a character trait, I'll add to "Know what you don't know." Basically, accept that you don't know everything and then get "educated" on things. Read, research, ask questions, learn, etc..

[narly1]

As a character trait, I'll add to "Know what you don't know." Basically, accept that you don't know everything and then get "educated" on things. Read, research, ask questions, learn, etc..

Agreed! Covered in the first post under self-awareness & humiity...

Earl

[GoDadGo]

Perseverance!