The Dad Project: Readers Share Their Favorite Father-Son/Daughter Car Projects

“It runs in the family.”

How often have you heard someone say that when referring to athleticism, musical talent, or even artistic ability? The saying refers to gifts, traits, or passions that are inherited or passed down from generation to generation. It can apply to mechanical skills and the appreciation for all-things automotive, too.

We sometimes hear that hot rodders are born with gasoline in their veins and horsepower in their brains— a condition that’s often passed down from dad. And often it’s our fathers who help us embrace this sickness and nuture our inner-gearhead. Over the past couple of years, Summit Racing and OnAllCylinders have asked their social media followers to share car/truck builds they worked on with dad. We got tons of responses, but here are just a few of our favorites (there are many more).

You can share your own father-son/daughter build in the comments below.

Happy Father’s Day to all the great dads out there!

“I lost my dad when I was a kid but I have the ’50 Chevy that he ordered new from an Iowa Chevy dealer back then. I got the car in 2000 and have used ‘tons’ of Summit Racing Equipment parts to build the car into what it is today. It has a Big Block 454, Super T-10 four speed and a ’57 Pontiac 9.3″ posi rear in it now.”

— Paul

…

“In 1979 when I was 15 years old, I had saved up enough money to buy my first car. I found a one owner 1957 Belair two door hardtop for $350.00. My Dad and I towed it home, tore it apart together, and rebuilt it over a period of 6 months. We bored the 283 an 1/8″ over, added a solid flat tappet cam, ported 461 casting heads, Weiand tunnel ram, 5.38 gears, and a Muncie M21 4 speed. This is my first drag strip pass in the car. Shortly after this photo was taken, we removed the front bumper and installed 15×3.5 and 15×8 Ansen torque thrust wheels with M and H rubber. 35 years later, I remember it like it was yesterday.”

— Marc

…

“65 Falcon that me and my dad got 2 years ago when I was 15. My dad had a 1970 Mach 1 when I was young and I was always hooked on classic cars since then. My dad has taught me how to do so much stuff by working on this car with me. My dad even taught me how to build engines and let me build a 347 stroker for it this winter that we just put in the car!”

— Tyler

…

“My 1976 Mercury Comet. The deal was my dad would buy my first car but I had to help work on it. He paid $750. I had to take everything out of it (seat belts, door panels, chrome, seat) and clean it. He primed it for me then I had to sand it. I love and appreciate that experience so much. It was my first car and I still have it 20 years later. In need of a new paint job but my dad sadly passed away 5 years ago.”

— Shurell

…

“My dad built most of the car, it was his first car, a 1973 340 Plymouth Duster. I bought it from him and installed my 6-71 Blown R3 340 engine in it.

We dialed everything in together, tweaked, adjusted and got her running great. His mods/work were done in the 70’s/80’s. He drove it from time to time and then put it in storage for 17 years. My mods/work were done after I bought it from him, usually with my dad helping out.”

— Chris

…

“My dad’s first car was a 1976 Mercury Cougar XR7. It was stolen, stripped and found in some alley in Detroit. It had to be completely rebuilt from the ground up but we did it and she’s a beautiful car today powered by a 351 Cleveland bored 30 over. The memories my dad and I made while rebuilding that car will last a lifetime.”

— Jack

…

“Me and my dad are restoring our ‘twisted race car’ a 1968 coupe mustang. We have had her for a year now and try to find every weekend to work on it.”

— @twisted_gears

…

“My 1966 Jeepster Commando 225 Buick odd fire V6, 4 (used to be 3) seed:)… First car. Bought it with my own saved money at 16, my dad matched what I saved, and since I did not know how to drive manual at the time, he drove it home for me on rotted RV tires and a homemade and sketchy spring over!!! Everything has been revamped, repaired, or restored by my dad and I! Engine rebuilt, new trans, new paint, etc. Daily driver and off-roader. Praise God every day for a dad that taught me what I know about cars and even more so, what life lessons the experience taught me:)”

— V8 Kate

…

“Built a ’82 Camaro drag car with our dad. He has been racing it and we just started building a ’69 Nova and we just have two months until we turn 16, then we will both be racing the Camaro until the Nova is done then we will each have a drag car to race, we have been going to the Redding Dragstrip since we were 4 years old and never stopped loving the sport. My grandpa, my uncle and my dad all race so we are so excited to get in the driver’s seat after being the pit crew for so long. We are hoping to go pro one day!”

— Kelsie & Kylie

…

“Me and pops built my forged LS1 in my ’00 4th gen running strong with help from @summitracing parts and going to be building my grand national motor next.”

— @hammer_nomc

…

“My dad and I took three years to build my 1967 Chevy C10 with fuel injection. We started the project my freshman year in high school. And we finished it my senior year. I got to take it to my prom.”

— Sean

…

“Work with my dad in his restoration shop. Worked on many different cars with him. Starting pulling dents at 4 and messing around with hot rods from the beginning. I can’t thank my dad enough.”

— Via usmusclerestorations

…

“Building a 1969 El Camino. It’s so much fun! We have been working on it for about 2 years now. I can’t wait till it’s finished. I think everyone should build a car with their dad.”

— Michael

…

“My dad has many classics of his own and when it came time I bought a ’71 Chevy truck. Full frame off that I will always cherish because he and I together turned all the wrenches. Just finished up last year and a great way to spend time together.”

— Casey

…

“My Dad and I just finished building my first classic car #1962lincolnconvertible He’s been building cars for 50 years, buts it’s my first one. Turned out top notch.”

— via #1962lincolnconvertible

…

“This was my dad’s first new truck. I bought it from him as my first vehicle. A 1984 Dodge Power Ram 50 Sport (Former Turbo Diesel truck). When I was little, my dad and I rebuilt the original engine together, I drove it for years with the original engine. Later on my dad gave a helping hand with the Small Block engine swap, solid axle swap, etc. I still own and use the truck as a daily driver. We’ve lost count how many times the odometer has rolled over. It rolled over at least twice when my dad owned the truck, and it’s about ready to hit the second time for me too.”

— Chris