For my grandpa...

My grandpa just died and to honor him and spend some time with my dad I want to build a car for the 2012 GRM challenge. Its a way for my dad and me to use what he taught us and use the tools he is leaving us. My grandpa loved cars and he would love the GRM challenge.

So any advice for a newcomer, and any leads on good starting points in the Houston TX area...

Sorry to hear of your loss. Lost both my grandpas in a span of a year, both were incredible men.

I would start by looking on Craigslist. Go to "By Owner" and I always set a limit of $2000. Sometimes, you get a rogue car thats listed as a $1, dont pay attention to those. Craigslist and Ebay is a Challenger's best friend.

I'm sorry for your loss. I can't speak of any leads in TX, but based on what I've seen there is no wrong answer on what to bring to the GRM Challenge. Just come up with a good idea and bring it by.

Welcome to the board, sorry to hear about your loss, but glad to hear you are honoring his memory.

+1 on the Craigslist searching.

Local newsletters can also yield good finds on inexpensive cars.

Also, always keep in mind that competing in the Challenge isn't really about winning. It is about enjoying the build (thrash) of the car, and getting a chance to hang out with great folks with a similar interest. (ie. sickness!)

This forum is also a fantastic place for advice, as many of our past Challenge participants hang out here.

One more thing.......don't listen, or believe anyone who tells you it can't be done for under $2K. Out of all the nay-sayers I've run across NOT ONE has attended a Challenge. It can be done, and is done every year by dedicated, and talented ( ie. sick) individuals and teams.

Good Luck! You will have a blast!

Good luck! I'm up at Texas A&M, and we've got a somewhat established Challenge team now, so I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Sorry to hear of your loss. I spent time with my father after his died. We just hung out and relaxed.

I would love to do the challenge with my dad. Toss $2000.00 on top of my tool box and thrash til we run out of cash. Dad has some wicked field expedient fab and repair skills, of course at 80 he has slowed down a bit.

Sorry to hear but sounds like a good idea.
Are there any "grandpa" ideas for the car purchase?
Maybe something from the year he was born, year he got out of school, year he was married, the year he bacame a father, etc...

jrw1621 wrote: Sorry to hear but sounds like a good idea. Are there any "grandpa" ideas for the car purchase? Maybe something from the year he was born, year he got out of school, year he was married, the year he bacame a father, etc...

I like the grandpa ideas - although mine was born in 1903 - tough picking for a car (he's been gone a long time) - there was also a cool pic of him with his model A.

Most important is to have fun with the process. The event fun takes care of itself. Just rough out an idea (like old brit car with v8 or 1920s/30s/40s car) and start keeping your eyes peeled for stuff that fits in the plan. And don't worry if the plan changes. Oh, and advice I received from a legendary participant...the cheaper the better for your donor vehicles.

Sometimes cruising down some back alleys in an older part of town can yield some good candidates. Best to do on a bike as car speed you miss things.

What an awesome way to remember your grandpa! Im sure that any car guy would like to know thats the way people chose to honor their memory. I will second Joe Gearin and say theres really no better car to bring than one youve always loved. A cheap, nearly stock version of a car you love that runs is a better racer than t a stumbling mess that should be fast.. Plus, as long as you keep the budget where it needs to be, and you take advantage of the extra dollar in the budget each year, your challenge car can be a work in progress, getting better and better each year as you work out the bugs.

I am sorry for your loss, and looking forward to you being at the Challenge. There are many flavors of family approaches to this event.

The starting point is, what do you love? What inspires you, excites you, what have you always wanted to do? What did your grandpa love? What does your Dad love?

The event will accommodate whatever you love, and you will have much more fun if you are doing it because you love something about it.

My first Challenge was with my son (then 15). He loved Japanese sports cars. We built an SVX.

I returned with other weird stuff, like a Yugo, and a 323 GTX because I love quirky stuff.

I am now building a car I've dreamed of since I was a child. I don't know if it will ever be competitive or not at the Challenge, but I am loving building it.

Some guys love Mitsubishis, some Turbo Dodges, some American V-8's, some nimble imports, some love Zambonis, most like quirky. They all fit.

The event will sell itself. The people will sell themselves. Just bring something you love, and you will fit right in.