Bang on . No one here is Howard Astill . Just get it on the road and enjoy it . Less is more . Most of my cars are 4 out of ten , but at least I drive them

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

And even if they are that’s fine too… he’s getting shit done so this video doesn’t apply too him. 4 out of 10 is better than not running

@Redpepper7376

5 ай бұрын

Totally agree, my Xb isn’t perfect but it gets driven often.

Spot on mate. I have been restoring my XA one owner however whilst doing it myself I’m not going overboard on it and trying to keep a cap on it and not create a show concourse car.

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Perfect

My CM was resprayed back in 2010 by the previous owner. Shiny but has quite a few imperfections but stuff it,I keep it clean and cruise it. Love it. I’m with you mate.

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing

And here’s me I have a XE wagon and daily drive it, cleaned it and drive it with its imperfections but people love it

@watsisbuttndo829

5 ай бұрын

My dad is still dailying a xd wagon. It has some light hail damage and a bit of humidity blistering in a few spots. Its all one colour with no big blemishes, It looks fine sitting in the driveway. He has expressed interest in getting it resprayed a few times and ive told him not to bother as it would only cause him angst parking it at woolies. He also has people attempting to get him to sell it all the time.

@mackey2680

5 ай бұрын

@@watsisbuttndo829 yeah iv had my wagon for a year it has some flaking paint, rust and dings but that’s what I wanted, bought it off a guy who had it for 35 years. I made it mechanically A1 and just enjoy it Glad your dad is still enjoying it 🙌🏻

@benni727

5 ай бұрын

​@mackey2680 I was dailyin my xe wagon for abit till the old cleveland was due for a rebuild then sold it

Absolutely spot on Mark, I've seen a bunch of great old running cars over the years get pulled to bits "for a street machine resto" and then sold off 10 years later for scrap. A lot of guys dont realise the costs involved, and the massive amount of time. I actually gravitate to the 7/10 cars at the shows - more character for sure 👍

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Sweet! Cheers

speaking absolute facts Mark. Its exactly the reason why I follow your channel. You are spot on. Get these cars back on the road and enjoy them as they are and do what needs to be done to a level thats affordable and still looks great.

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Right on

Everything you say is true and great advice for everyone, but sometimes building the car is the most fun and best part.

Its so hard to find anyone shop to do a 7/10. I have been to a few but they all seem to only want show quality finishes. I can understand it to some extent as its their reputation but when I was told 35000 for paint alone without rust work and that's just a solid colour. I don't want a show car. All I can do is plod along doing it myself and come out with a 4/10 even though it will take many years. The other problem in the future is there will be no one to do this kind of work. Shops can't find apprentices anymore. I can see by your emotions just how much you care which is refreshing.

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Outsourcing the work and finding the balance is the hardest part, I should have really touched on that a bit more but I’m glad you know what I’m saying. Just do your best mate, keep pushing. Cheers

100% and a lesson I've learnt. My XF is still in pieces 95% painted. I pulled it fully apart to do a mint job and got sick of it. Haven't touched it in 12 years. I got over it. With my Chaser, I got it good enough from a few meters away and drove the crap put off it. Gonna get the XF out again this year and finish it off now that I'm no longer over it. There is no need to have a perfect car. Someone will end up opening their door on it at the shops anyway.

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Get onto it!

Spot on , I realise now less is more👍

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Indeed!

Hey Mark, this was a great insight. I have an 80 VC Commodore wagon that I've had for almost 30 years. It wasn't great when I got it,and I've just kept it as clean as it can. Fading paint and all. Most of the guys iin my club have the shiny resto's and they all say iit's only original once. I've just kept it registered and running with the occasional wash. The best 5k I've ever spent.

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Perfect mate! Your doing it right!

100% I’m 10 years into my 1977 Cressida which started with some rust repair under the windscreen and snow balled into a full resto. In that time I have put together many other cars that I’ve enjoyed more just getting running and driving. It is almost running and driving but it’s high end and I am gonna be scared where I use it. Learnt the hard way so a good video for anyone else.

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Cheers mate Good luck

Soooo true,especially if you kids/family. How much of yout time do you want to sacrifice... And then be to scared to drive it. We need to be told. Thanks Mark. Community service announcement!

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Absolutely!! Public speak now! Haha

So true. I have no idea how many stories I've read in car mags about guys that just wanted to fix a few things on their car, then 3 years & 2 marriages later they've got a tubbed & blown pro streeter that they're afraid to add up the total cost of.

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Haha yep, exactly! So stupid!

How true. How many cars do you see pulled apart and sitting still in garage for years 😢

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

I see 5 in this video alone haha

@gregsmith3366

5 ай бұрын

😂at least you’re getting through em 🍻

Love the passion Mark...As much as I don't want to admit it but I have fallen in over resto section of my HZ kingswood build...but after this video I now get and understand the concept and look to adjust my mindset around the build

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

I hope you get done soon 🙌🏼

I couldn’t agree more with everything you have said here mark I say unless you want a show car don’t do anything more than the way it was new 👍👍👍 I do love your work it is also the way I do it 😂😂

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

🙌🏼

I agree with some of this I built a car and had to finish it, there was no way I could afford to readdress it in ten years time. My kids have a car they hop in now that is turn key forget about it. Only thing is fuel service and cleaning details. We need them 11/10 cars in the scene because that pushes up the 7/10 quality..

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Perfect, you found the level you needed and achieved it! 👌🏼 Cheers

100% agree mate, get out and enjoy the car. As you said, even a 7/10 took 200hours. Then to get to a 8 probably doubles the hours again. Seen so many people take cars off the road and 20 years they are still sitting there, get out there and make memories. My charger is a 6/10, did a 6.4 swap in it, mechanicals are easy in comparison, drives really well, presents well but cbf’d going down that paint panel path for the reasons you’ve mentioned. Means time off the road.

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Yeah sick! Nice combo! Enjoy

I’ve never even restored a car and never will and I love this video, love how ya got pationate at the end and then pulled it in haha… fuck yes!

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

😂 I was laughing while editing this shit

Your passion for cars is a 10/10 bro and that’s all that matters

@dylannewby3926

5 ай бұрын

Plus the UC engine bay is show quality be real now

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Haha it’s far from it, but thanks

100% agree with what your saying, what is the point of having a car you put on a covered trailer and tow around because your to afraid to drive it, having something practical makes so much more sense.

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Totally

Hey Mark, I find your content the most entertaining as it’s for the common man. It’s stuff we can really relate to and inspire us to expand our skills and knowledge. I really like how you work on different brands and models. Keep up the fantastic work and content mate!

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

I appreciate that! 🙌🏼

Thankyou for saying this stuff, iv been building 7/10 cars for years and was happy to get them back on the road and not doing my headin..understanding your happy levels is important, its not all about the car quality you produce its important to get projects finished in a budget and time frame..the car can always go to the next owner to keep improving..this topic is great to talk about..well done..

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Well said!

Yep I fully agree with your assessment, my car is a one owner that my wife bought as a young woman 40 years ago and is just a good straight rust and accident free car, I rebuilt the engine and driveline 21 years ago when it had travelled 300,000 k’s and the only other thing that I treated it to was a closed door respray in acrylic lacquer 11 years ago, it still has its original interior and carpet in nice condition and it doesn’t cost much to keep it in its essentially original condition, It’s always out of UV rays and the weather and I reckon the way it’s stored is key to prolonging their condition it’s a good 6 out of 10 for sure

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Perfect scenario 👌🏼

I like the way a guy around town in his Charger is going about it , he drives it on all cruises and every now and then he upgrades it , recently he rebuilt the engine and repainted the engine bay , he's driving it and improving it as he goes and the results are great , it WOWS people .

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Perfect! And he’s loving life!

I drive my ute for fun, 'not trophies, 'Driven not Hidden' more importantly to meet & catch up with like minded people. I don't believe in spending more money on my ute than its worth. I just polish the turd each week 😎 🚗

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Nice! Problem is, sometimes ya can’t fix a car for less than it’s worth.. you have to make that choice along the way

Love this! There are many things you can do yourself to clean up a car and still turn heads.

Totally agree with this mate. I know some ppl that have spent well over 100K on a car and are too scared to even take it to the fkn servo to put fuel in it. Cruz the shit out of the classics and just enjoy them!!

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

💪🏼

Couldn’t agree more, even with my XD. I love it, but I don’t use it any where near as much as I did before the makeover. My favourite car that I’ve ever owned was my patina’d F100! Great advice to a lot of people.

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

I tried to help you save that!

G'day Mark, I agree with you 💯 %!!!!! I'm 43 now and since the age of 7 I've been into anything and everything that has a spark plug and you're spot on! 👌 have a great weekend, go grab Andrea and take the rest of the day off! 🇦🇺

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Right on

Spot on Mark, 100 percent enjoy whatever classic old car you have just seeing these car out N about on the road weather there done up or not, it's your car project to enjoy

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

💪🏼

G'day Mark, I totally agree with the restoration with all of what you are saying to people, I wouldn't have even bothered by new seats for a restoration car either I would totally agree by repairing what you've got in the car to keep it all original to pretty much enjoy. I totally agree with everything that you have said. Secondly, I have enjoyed your content, and I still continually do that supporting your channel. Regards from William. Mount Gambier South Australia.

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Cheers mate Much appreciated

Well said mate , I think the pride should come just from finishing it , sand blasting seems to be what every does but I can be game over if you do .

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Yeah man, next level

Nailed it Mark, while it's nice to see fully restored vehicles, I prefer the well maintained only fix whats needed to make it nice and safe. Vehicles that tell a story.

Agree with you totally Mark. My classic cars are original and i drive them everywhere and enjoy them.

Wow finally talking sence, I think this also applies to life in general,

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

You mean I don’t usually make sense? Haha

Love it bro well said and the funny thing is the people that pick your 7/10 are driving the Hyundai in the car park around the corner LOL

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

😂

100% mate! restoring an old car of rust spots even on the smaller scales can be a mammoth job in its self, let alone bare metal ground up restorations. Obviously if you've got the money, time and the car warrants it go right ahead.. But if not get it back on the road again and enjoy them while we still can 🙃

100% well said - great explanation and context

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

🙌🏼

Great video buddy I totally agree iv got two rebuilds on the go a gtir pulsar and mk3 supra the prices of the paint and materials has gone throughout the roof I'm 62 do my own paint and panel ID hate to think how much it cost me for the labor at $50 a hour doing my own work to achieve that %70 - $100 can be done at what cost im going to try and get mine to %80 cause I'd like to get them finished drive them again get some enjoyment out of them before I conk out or sold for nothing as un finished projects or be to scared to to drive them cause it mite rain and they get dirty they are a big money pit keep the videos coming Mark! cheers cs nsw Australia

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Cheers mate Good luck with it

@chrisschofield5310

5 ай бұрын

Cheers buddy your got a great channel that is interesting and Australian content with the cars we grew up with! CS NSW

Thanks Mark just what I wanted to hear , at the point of feeling guilty about not doing enough but going to push on and get finished , time to create some memories sort the rest later cheers

100% correct Mark. My 70 Mustang fits this category totally. It was painted in the US 7 years ago. It still looks great and all I have to do is drive it. Which I do all the time. I go to car meets and wander off for hours 😅

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Right on! Perfect

Love your passion about the process Mark . . . and too blooming true too !! Get em back out there, enjoy them and share them with others, that's the key !!

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Absolutely 👍🏼

Thank you Mark! I spent 4yrs so far on my rig and I reckon Id be lucky to end up with 6/10... and yes, I look at cars on show and look for imperfections to feel better

Awesome vid mate, speaking the truth some great information!!

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Much appreciated

You nailed it man 👌 80/20 rule through and through 👍👍 Love that LTD 💦

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

🙌🏼

Great vid mate 🤟 I’ve got a vk Calais and exactly what I’m thinking, just get it driving.

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Oath!

Spot on Mark! Just have to get the car on the road and enjoy it.

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Absolutely

Thanks Mark, yep i was one that needed to hear this. Working through cutting it all the rust in the Torana. Still going to cut it all out, but will dial it down just a little now.

Happy with that mate. Well said. Get em sorted and back on the road and enjoy. Noted. Time to put the fairlane back together 👍🏼

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Absolutely! Bam

Yes so true! Why would spend so much money on a car? I recently bought a 2010 50th Anniversary 2010 xr6 ute and the paint job is in perfect condition but finding myself parking it away from other cars, if I had to pay thousands of dollars to have it like it is now. To me, it doesn't make sense to accomplish a show car, I was lucky as the person sold me the car very inexpensively as they upgraded a new vehicle. I really enjoyed this video, thank you, Mark.

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

👍🏼

Love how passionate you got about this lol. I have fallen into the trap of spending way too much money and time on certain cars, my Ute took me 18 months after the build to appreciate it again, my current hz build is a full resto, but only done by myself at home, aiming to have it just be a nice driver on a budget and it’s been way more enjoyable

Totally agree I own a 7 out of 10 xm falcon drive it all over the place absolutely love it don't have to worry about a little scratch here or there just drive it cheers mate

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

🙌🏼

The LTD looks great. Your first LTD looks a similar color to my first car.

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Good choice! My new one is sovereign, can’t recall what my first one was

I have to learn to sit watch a video all the way before committing, I always have to go back edit or delete because you cover what I was thinking...nothing wrong here couldn't be any more true and as you said it's mad having a garage full of choice then sit and wait for one ultimate build to more or less become a show queen with no kms on the clock because it's trailered everywhere...

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

True story

Love the passion bro, we all at some stage get sucked into taking restos too far, I'm guilty with my Torana build.

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

As long as you’re driving it mate

Lovely honesty and passion.

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

😜

Spot on Mark build them and enjoy the cars.

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Oath!

great vid mark !!! love your channel

Good on ya Mark. Say it man. You are too right. Get em on the road boys, perfect isnt always better.

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

You got that right!

Got a rough Torana coming. Going to make it safe, registered and drive it every day. Thank for the vid to show I'm not doing anything wrong.

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

There are no rules

Great vid mate. 100% agree. Just get em on the road!! 🤙

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

🙌🏼

Awesome vid mate…. We’ll said. Helps me keep perspective on my Tonzarust build 😂

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Get amongst it! 💪🏼

100% , I own half dozen cars I need to get done , one will be getting painted properly and the rest are gunna be rough and patched up . Fix what you have to and drive them 👌🏽

This is just what i needed to hear !!! Half way into an xc and just want it on the road !!

100% I agree I've got alot of cars that I need to build . This clip was exactly what I needed to hear . Thanks for all the videos u do I'm learning alot

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Glad to help 💪🏼

One of the best car related videos out there, I needed to watch this well done 👍👍👍

Channel is 10/10 mate. Spot on advice.

Spot on mate get them done and back on the road and enjoy them

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

💪🏼

Agree with this, I can see how it happens tho, I pulled my kingswood ute off the road to rebuild the motor and now have the chassis split from the body and have repaired the rust and stone guarded under the body. It’s easier to keep adding to that list while it’s not on the road tho 😬 love the colour of that sandman ute too 👍

Good stuff mate. As a kid I dreamt about having the best looking falcon and as I've gotten older, I've noticed at car shows or even driving around people just love the older not so perfect cars. Obviously everyone would love to own a GT500 but I used to feel bad about the stone chips and other dings and dents in my own car but people still love to come up and talk about it. Plus not everyone has deep pockets. Good on you mate

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Exactly! Enjoy it mate

Awesome Video mate I’ve been in the same boat myself wanting to build a show car and the thing never getting finished and I sell it as an unfinished project. Where as the cars I’ve put together to use I’ve enjoyed so much more.

How true Mark. There was that guy that babied that monaro or charger or gt ect from new but most were drivin in all the elements and now there all that guy that babies them they will hold up a lot longer. And we all know if you have that one jewel in your collection its always an ongoing thing as long as you're enjoying it. And yeah mine is still in the shed. 🤙

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

👍🏼

That word maintained says it all. I enjoy driving a well kept XT Falcon. With a few suspension tweaks and slightly wider rims, I love cruising knowing it's nicer to drive than when it was new. 👍

Great video I don’t feel so bad about my panelvan now it’s on the road and I’m enjoying it 😁

Personally I’d rather look through an old (pre 80s) wreckers yard than a high end car show. I respect people’s opinions and choices but an old survivor or just something nice is more appealing to me than something that looks like a Hot Wheels toy . Get out and enjoy cruising in any weather and don’t worry if you come across a dirt road or roadworks . Preserve , maintain and enjoy the vehicle . Love your rant at the end too Mark , Cheers 🍻

I really needed to hear this !! Time to get moving with my build !

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Get onto it mate! “Don’t get it right, just get it running”

Spot on Mark

I restored a HZ premier over 5 years, still hacking at it 3 years later , not even a show car........🤑

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

It happens!

Fantastic video and absolutely spot on wise words.

@TheIronEmpire

2 ай бұрын

🙌🏼

So true Mark 👍 keep good work up

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Thanks 👍

so true the worst thing about owning cool old cars is when they're off the road and not being enjoyed

100% agree with everything you said here, exactly why my cars are built the way they are. An OG car that might be a little rough around the edges is way more satisfying than a top 60 Summernats spec show car

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Exactly And just tidy as ya go… or repaint ya bars every coupla weeks 😜

@bennylowride

5 ай бұрын

@@TheIronEmpire haha 😂 what a headache🤦🏽‍♂️ Hopefully by the end of this week it’ll be finished and doing some laps on the coast 😉

Spot on Mark. ❤

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Thank you kindly

💯 Hit the nail on the head! 👌🏻

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Apparently 😜

Totally understand where you’re coming from when you’re getting angry about it. I’m a painter panel Buda mechanic I like both levels of achievements but I’m guilty of having it really good as well. I’ve gotta get my last project on the road and try to enjoy it worrying about what other people think all the time, they put me up on a pedestal for so many years I’ve done good jobs but I’m getting older and just want to do one for myself but lost interest. Hopefully I will get into it

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Totally! I love a high end car, don’t get me wrong. But more often than not, it isn’t the answer to what people think it is

Restore sonething and keep australia beautiful fellas, love the content mate keep up the good shit 🤙🍻

Definitely 1000% agree!! Im one of those was going to full on resto... wtf for fix it and drive it!! Thank you sir gave me a better perspective 🙏....

Spot on mate. This is exactly what I have done with my LTD

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Isn’t it for sale?

@holset82

5 ай бұрын

It is! Speaking of hours..There is about 40hours on the sideskirts alone… I’ll never get that back haha

We are our own critic at times

Your not wrong bro my HT Premier is still sitting in the corner after 16 years The HT Brougham is still sitting around after 10 years haha But the HT Belmont ute the boy and i are working on has had my love in 6 months using second hand parts and have fun Top video Mark 👍👍👍👍

Well said Mark , im getting my HR Prem Mechanical perfect , then interior as useable Paint not so much , i fully intend on it being a driver

well done Mark 10/10 for your advice, 7/10 cars are good, and there is more fun/enjoyment in a coffee and drive, Were you able to read my comment in your last video about the radiator size?

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

Cheers mate! I haven’t got through all my comments yet, will try Cheers

Well said my man

Pure facts. Would way rather spend my coin on making sure the car is super ultra reliable, maintained and I can drive it anywhere.

Spot on. I went down the rabbit hole of trying to restore my XD ghia to a 10 back when I was young. Wanted to impress others and over 3 years wasted money and never got it on the road. Sold at a loss when I got pissed off at. i could have gone for it being a 7 and enjoyed it.

Great video mate and I love your passion in the last 5 minutes 👍🏽 My mates and I call it 20-20. 20 metres away and 20 mile and hour it looks fucking mint 👌🏽 I used to worry about the paint on my car, now I just drive it slowly doing things to the drive line and interior, getting it the way I want it then do the paint last

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

👌🏼

There's also "Rules & Regulations" to consider as is my situation. Kinda nice to see you fired up, makes me want to contact you being local so to speak. Cheers.

@TheIronEmpire

5 ай бұрын

This is a different story though, you can’t get around those 🤷🏻‍♂️

Agree. If the car is restored to perfect, you don't use it as much or in the same way. I have the most fun in my very used Morris Minor utility. Including taking rubbish to the tip, picking up timber from Bunnings and so on. Would I do this if it was pristine?