Piece of history

[B said:

Cptnbob[/B];12670]Especially at this point! I mean......I need things to be as simple as possible.......

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Robert.... I know what you mean!!!! Especially at this point in the Opel project!!!!

When I look at things you, Steve, Vall, Mark and so many others on this site and others with their project cars I get a few different reactions. Things I would LIKE to do that ...... things I WISH I could do that ...... and HOW am I going to do that?????

Looking at all of the amazing & thought provoking work accomplished by hot rodders on all kind of vehicles really keeps my mind busy.

What prompted these thoughts is I just finished looking at this Fiat Gasser's build thread which really got me thinking about so many things:


Like CptBob just said "gotta stay focused" ..... I do NOT want to bite off more I can chew..... Sadly..... I see so many different things that would really be great/perfect for the Opel ...... BUT I am also trying NOT to "shell-out" any work/$$$$ unless I HAVE TO.

I guess one of the biggest questions where to "draw the line"...... between what I CAN DO..... and what I CANNOT DO...... and what to DO about it????

OpelGasser said:

I guess one of the biggest questions where to "draw the line"...... between what I CAN DO..... and what I CANNOT DO...... and what to DO about it????

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John , I would draw the line were your comfortable, and don't do anything your unsure of...... Only make the mods your sure you can handle safely, and if not can have others do without blowing your preset budget. Doing the Opel with in those constraints and being able to finally drive it, is better then turning the build into a finacial and stress burden build.

I'm treading light when I ask this but, is the tube chassis putting the Opel in a build category that makes it a whole lot more difficult of a build ?
Would you be able to use some of the components and continue with your original plans ?

Remember the main focus of this build was to drive it and enjoy it. I'm speaking from the heart, because I see it enough with customer cars that are building there own project and end up dropping it off to have work there not comfortable with and when I price out what really needs to be addressed they ether back up on there wish list or bail all together.

Really hope this helps

Prostreet said:

John ..... I'm treading light when I ask this but, is the tube chassis putting the Opel in a build category that makes it a whole lot more difficult of a build ? Would you be able to use some of the components and continue with your original plans ?

Remember the main focus of this build was to drive it and enjoy it. I'm speaking from the heart, because I see it enough with customer cars that are building there own project and end up dropping it off to have work there not comfortable with and when I price out what really needs to be addressed they ether back up on there wish list or bail all together. Really hope this helps

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NO NEED for you to tread lightly Steve....

I really think I can speak for EVERYONE here on GHR that your opinion is VERY HIGHLY REGARDED!!!!! In fact for people like me it is something that is becoming a "go to".

Even when we here on this forum do not ask you directly for your advice & suggestions you step in and take the EXTRA time & effort to explain things in detail in an easy to understand way and in addition you very detailed "post pictures" which is something that amazes me.

Most of the guys on this site have been where I am many times over the years with different or current projects.

My original plan for the Opel was to beef up the back end by adding 2x3 frame rails and adding to the front sub frame .

As it is now the back of the sub frame & unibody have already started to tear itself apart under the torque of the mild SBC that came with the car when I got it.

Once I heard the tube chassis was available for "next to nothing" I was given the options of using it "for parts" or using it as is & putting the Opel's body on it.

After a LOT of time spend starring at the tube chassis even more time using a tape measure, checking, re-checking and comparing ..... the debating back & forth went on & on for quite some time before I made up my mind to do the "body off" and use the tube chassis as is.

Needless to say I was more than surprised that the Vega & Opel are so much alike. Wheelbase, width & length, roll cage height and placement are almost identical. If not for that I would NOT have considered using the tube chassis as is.

Of course I won't see any of the differences until I get the Opel's body on the Vega's tube chassis.

Another thing that prompted me to use the tube chassis is being able to have a car that is done right. Without it I would NEVER be able to build or afford a tube chassis for the Opel.

Bottom line.... with all of the work & potential issues I will have to deal with along with the additional modifications I will no doubt have to make (or have some one else make them for me ) I will end up with a great gasser.... and not be restricted by the Opel's current "make shift" unibody with sub frames setup.

It'll be well worth the work, hassles & time it will take to happen.

John, anything good is usually a struggle. But once you set down and plan and really look hard at everything right in front of you. Things can just fall right into place. Just don't get discouraged. I know you've worked on motorcycles a lot. Just let what you've learned carry over to the car. I get overwhelmed at times when I think of all the stuff I have to do and all the parts to make it come together. But as long as you have a vision, or a plan, each part or group of parts you work on and get completed brings the whole together. My overall plan is still intact even though I've changed things within the overall plan. The changes still bring me to the same final ending, broke, LOL---I mean---my vision of how I want the car to be after it is all over. It will all be worth it once you fire it up and take it for that first ride. And you did it your self. I have complete faith in you John. And any time you get stuck or wondering what the hell you did-- talk to any of us. That's what friends are for. Mark L

Hey John,

Keep in mind to " Enjoy the Journey" as part of the big plan. Sounds like you ARE doing that, just checkin on ya,,


When we look back its the Journey we usually remember the most. Gotta "feel good" about the Journey.

Which brings me to another tune up I do for myself along the way.. Ask yourself, " How do I feel about this plan"

Geez,,,I may be getting a bit to Phil-eh-sof-i-kull here.

You see I don't usually go there cuz I can't even spell it!! hahaha


56 Vic - Tom

56 VIC said:

Hey John,

Keep in mind to " Enjoy the Journey" as part of the big plan. Sounds like you ARE doing that, just checkin on ya,,


When we look back its the Journey we usually remember the most. Gotta "feel good" about the Journey.

Which brings me to another tune up I do for myself along the way.. Ask yourself, "How do I feel about this plan"

Geez,,,I may be getting a bit to Phil-eh-sof-i-kull here..... You see I don't usually go there cuz I can't even spell it!! hahaha .....56 Vic - Tom

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Thanks Tom & ALL...... One thing about "this time around" is I am "really enjoying" what I am currently doing and planning to do in the future with the Opel.

What amazes me the most is how everything about the Opel & all of the many "things" (engine - tube chassis and in fact the Opel as well) have magically "fell into my workshop" without me even trying very hard or spending too much money (so far.... ha !!!!) to have what I have.

The BIG PLUS is what I LACK in skill & the ability to do many of the things that will NEED to be done will be done by "NEW hot rod friends" that have come into our lives in the past couple of years..... to say "we have been blessed" is an under-statement.

So as you can see naming the Opel "I Wonder Why" is very "apropo".....

I KNOW it will take a LONG-TIME to complete all of the MANY things I want to do to transform the Opel into the street/strip gasser of my dreams. It'll be "worth the wait"..... a "Journey" I will ENJOY!!!! ...... even though it will be a "long & winding road" to travel !!!!!!

Another song comes to mind .... "...I get by with a little help from my friends"....