They are expensive. They are painful. They are annoying. But nothing worth doing is rarely easy. The Project Car is a rite of passage for any self-proclaimed car enthusiast. Most dive into this world for the actual car part, but there are hidden benefits to project cars that many overlook. 

The most important part of owning a project car is the community. No matter the make, no matter the model, there will always be others out there with a like-minded love for cars. These people are essential for any car build. The most unexpected benefit I experienced was the support I received from other car owners. I was often given a great deal on parts or a heads-up on some super rare parts. It’s these moments that make the project car for me. You can plan all you want, but nothing is better than accidentally stumbling upon that unicorn part you’ve been searching for years in the back of someone’s garage just because you said “Hello” at a car meet.

Another overlooked component you get from a project car is the skills you learn. When living the “built not bought” mentality, you need to learn to do things on your own. Never in a million years would I have guessed that I would learn the intricate particulars of detailing your paintwork. But I did, and I love that I did. When I see a scratch, it doesn’t necessarily ruin my day because now that I know a few ways to remove it. By building these skills over the course of time, it feels less like an uphill battle. Learning at your own pace, on your own time, lets you control the investment you want to make in those skills. This is so crucial to the development of any skill as you need to want to learn, or you never will. So hit YouTube and learn how to buff a car properly or weld those rusted panels. You may never be a professional, but in the project car world, it’s better to be a jack-of-all-trades. Trust me, your credit card will thank you later.

For me, the biggest reward for owning a project car is personal growth. I know it’s kind of sappy, but it’s true. For me, I have always had a hard time taking leaps into the unknown. It was always too scary. When I first got my latest project, I was quickly in over my head and was stressing about how to figure it out. But I learned very quickly that it will take time and commitment to finish it. Similarly to my last point about learning skills, getting out of your comfort zone can take you places you never knew, and that especially holds for the car community. A few uncomfortable leaps have landed me some unique friendships, a crapload of euro import parts, and a communications director spot on a nationally recognized car club board. None of these things were expected, but they all happened because of my willingness to jump. So buy that project and start getting uncomfortable. You will look back at yourself in five years and be so grateful for doing so. 

At the end of the day, project cars truly become about people. It’s the people you meet at shows, on the forums, in your garage. They will help you grow personally and professionally and have fun. And when it’s all over, isn’t that all we want, some fun? So if you don’t have a project car now, head to Craigslist and type “project car” in the search. You can thank me later.