rodder mails "what is low budget"

I just got the new(1/09) issue and read Russel D's letter in Rodder Mail Column  entitled "What is low budget" about how expensive it is to build a car and that he is quitting.
True if your looking to build a show off car to be in a mag or to win trophies, it costs dollars. Around 1998 I sent in pics and letters to Street Rodder of the car I built(while unemployed) from scratch.aka "cardboard coupe"
in those letters I described that the thrill was in watching your creation come alive not in how much you spent. Alas the "Cardboard Coupe was just sold for $300 to help finance my new project.
I too am a family man with a mortgage and a $20 a week allowance to go for my present project.
   I have a 31 Studebaker 5 window coupe, chopped 3" on a 34 Ford Coupe frame.A 4" dropped tube axle 78 MonteCarlo front brakes on Chevy spindles,hair pin radius rods,1969 Lincoln 460 mounted to a toploader 4spd,70 Lincoln rear axle mounted on Camaro leafs,a 92 Jeep laredo for seats,electric windows,ac, hindges and anything else I can use,two front fenders and one rear(I am going fenderless though)  a Model A radiator shell,assorted slotted mag rims and origional 5 spoke mags to choose from, radiators gas tanks, steering columns, omni rack steering and i only have $3400 total into it.
When I have the time I am thrilled to have my coupe, in my yard and myself doing the work on it.
  I may never finish it but,I had a dream the other night that it was done and I was driving it. For those 10 seconds in that dream I was in heaven and loving it so it doesnt matter if it does get done. I already experienced what it was like behind the wheel.
 Point is. It is not how much money you spend it is how much time you spend enjoying it.  nuff said  

Very true, you don't have to spend a fortune if you love what you drive.