By Dean Sprague
Now that the holidays are resting in our rear view mirrors and fall has officially submitted to winter, car club activities have noticeably diminished. What to do-what to do? Those of us that have heated garages, basements and/or hobby rooms have a great opportunity for pursuit of productive endeavors. It is here we can spend many industrious hours completing tasks that just seemed too daunting or time consuming for the summer months that would have taken time away from the entertaining outdoor-based activities.
I know many of you may have made New Year’s resolutions but this is not about them. Your commitments to lose some weight, exercise more, eat better/less or discontinue/start something have no relevance here. Besides if you’re like me your resolve is probably already weakening so this is about making our list of “to do” projects. Before we begin, it’s not just important to know what you want to do but when and how you want to do it. The goal setting process used in business can be applied to any project here. If we actually want to finish something we have to schedule individual tasks within each project, which are then attached to realistic deadlines or time lines. This is where I have fallen short in the past. Since I have retired I have become a little sloppy with the deadline thing but now I have new resolve. I resolve, “to finish what I start and not start anything I don’t intend to finish.” There I said it.
Of course, while I may have already committed to do more than I can possibly complete in this lifetime I still don’t want tasks to become “work”. Unfortunately, some elements must be completed before others can begin, you know like fun stuff. Let me expound a bit. My “infamous” 1964 Volvo P1800s titled (project #1) is coming along but some of the bodywork is still waiting for completion. Bodywork is my least favorite thing to do but thanks to help from fellow club member Bobby Cox the hood, boot lid and doors are finally ready for paint (I think). The body is maybe 90% ready. All this must be completed and the car painted before we can start any of the fun stuff like well, everything else.
Fortunately my Son’s V-Tech classic Mini titled (project #2) is painted and well on its way. We actually developed a time line for this one. Which is making a great difference. Our goal is to have this car running (but certainly not finished) by early spring. Then we can bring the Volvo back from storage and put it back in the cue for completion of its restoration. The Mini drive train is finally in the car and most of the body, interior, instruments, seals, rear and side glass etc. are completed and behind us so its now time to build a special modified wiring harness. My friend David Arendt (electronic genius) is helping us with this and we will definitely need the help. We are merging a 1992-93 Mini rear harness into a 1980 Mini dash harness (greatly modified) which then must be connected to a custom made drivetrain/engine harnesses that has been designed to accommodate an ECU changed from OBD-II to a modified OBD-I which then all must talk to a Japanese Honda V-Tech drivetrain and a classic British carcass (body). When finished the entire car will look like a classic 1960s 10” wheel Mini from any angle as long as no one looks under the car or opens the bonnet. Somehow this project seemed simpler when we started.
My next project (titled #3) is to complete the cosmetics and a few mechanicals on my 1971 MGB-GT (formally Joe Green’s) affectionately named “Yellow Rose”. The inside of the rear hatch must be painted along with the drip rail. Then I need to replace all the hatch gaskets. After this I need to re-block, contour and re-paint the right rear quarter panel combined with replacing the steering column and bunch of other stuff. Of course, I will need to continue work on the Volvo at the same time so detailed planning and programming will be critical here.
Now for project (titled #4) my wife’s 1959 Century Ski Dart “Baby Blue” (formally Joe Green’s again). You may remember I convinced her to let me strip the paint from the top deck surfaces, re-plank in solid Mahogany, caulk and then open varnish it. It will be beautiful when finished but not without spending lots of time and effort. When I was about 15 years old I built a Luger wood boat kit purchased from an ad I found in the back of Popular Mechanics. I remember it was a lot of work and had to be accomplished under cover. So I took over the basement. I assume Baby Blue will have to go in the garage as well. I hope someone makes garage stretchers. I heard they might exist but may be on permanent backorder. I think I am going to need one. Finally, in between I have committed to do some work on several other club member’s cars, we will just have to fit it all in somehow.
This all feels like eating an elephant, you know one bite at a time and try to remember never bite off more than you can chew. Greg McKeown wrote a book entitled “Essentialism” where he discusses the concept of over-commitment. This occurs when we underestimate the time needed to complete a task. He calls it “planning fallacy” and despite our knowledge of this we keep doing it over and over. He has several suggestions to avoid this. First estimate the time required (count the full costs) then multiply it by three. Second, once committed follow through “finish what you start” and finally, set realistic goals by not striving for perfection. Perfection can never be achieved. In essence, lower the bar a bit, remain focused and stay on track.
I know Greg has great advice but can it be followed? I think I have over-commitment-itis but if I can remain dedicated and motivated while adopting realistic goals both in terms of quantity and quality I should be able to get there, someday. Oh well my doctor keeps telling me, “an object or a person in motion tends to stay in motion and he said this applies to you”. So I think I am just going to follow my doctor’s advice. Maybe you should too; lets all get busy and have a great winter!
