So if I have understood you well, there is nothing you can't fix? Everything is repairable, but you have to put time and effort in it?
Depends on the skill level.
I've tackled projects that others had given up for dead. Back when Pop and I owned our restoration shop the biggest part of our business was restoration on vehicles for sentimental purposes. The car had been bought brand new by the owners dad, that car was bought brand new by the owner, the car belonged to some long deceased family member and sat around for decades... You get the idea. When sentimentality enters the ball game all monetary figures about what the cars are worth are off the table.
But buying a project car? Depends on the intended use of the car, what it needs, what the upfront cost is, how many years it might take to get there.
I have a few projects in the works right now with my nephew. Click on the '72 Duster and the '81 Cordoba in my signature. Read the stories on 'em when you get to the links. Look at the pictures. If he had wanted to buy 'em from someone else the biggest thing would have been cost. The second thing would be commitment.
But I see the potential in 'em. They can - and
will be - brought back to life. I was watching my nephew, all of 16 years old, cutting spotwelds on a parts car yesterday with a grin from ear to ear. To me, his projects are teaching tools. Something with which I can pass on my knowledge, having no living children of my own. My dad did it for me. And still does when I need the help.
I guess a project just comes down to the end run. For me, any more, it's not always about the end run. It's about the journey to get there. Each goal I set myself on a project, rather it's helping the kid cut the parts car up, welding a certain piece together, getting it in primer, is a feeling of satisfaction as to what I accomplished
today. Goals not met are frustrating. Parts not found are frustrating. Having the money and not the time or the time and not the money are frustrating. But when the goals are met there's a feeling of accomplishment. It's all part of the journey to get there.