What’s your side hustle? Have you been able to put a passion project into play?
Do you gig with a local band? Offer welding services to local racers? Trick out die-cast cars that you sell via Etsy?
I guess mine started with photography. Race car photography, of course.
As a student at UGA, I had Road Atlanta about an hour away. Once I figured out how to request a media pass–hello, business center fax machine–I was set. I might have also made up my own official-sounding company name and printed some letterhead on one of the Mac Pluses in the computer lab.
A photo pass meant a front-row seat with the possibility of selling some pics–or at least getting them published. And maybe that would, one day, lead to getting paid. (A boy can dream, right?)
I landed some early takers, too: the Atlanta Region SCCA newsletter plus Alfa Owner, SportsCar and a magazine out of Florida called Grassroots Motorsports.
But I never launched my own venture. Instead, I started full-time at GRM about two years out of school. Closest to doing my own thing has been my BMX/punk rock/whatever zine that, sadly, has been on hiatus the past two years. Things got busy, you know.
If you think about it, most large companies started as small ones–just an idea hatched by someone with some entrepreneurial spirit. Hop into your time machine and go back a few decades, and today’s cornerstone companies like Hagerty, FCP Euro and Tire Rack once operated as little mom-and-pop shops. (Check your old, old issues of GRM for those early Tire Rack ads: “OUR SALES PERSONNEL ARE CAR ENTHUSIASTS LIKE YOU.”
Over the last 30-plus years, one of our Central Florida locals grew a little BMX side hustle–stickers and T-shirts at first–into some of the biggest brands in the industry: Subrosa, Rant and Shadow Conspiracy. In addition to supplying all manner of bikes, parts and gear, his companies back some of the scene’s biggest riders and events.
Ronnie Bonner is still at the helm of that BMX juggernaut and seems just as passionate as ever. During a recent podcast interview, he said something that rang loudly: “If you take, you must give.”
He explained that a little further: “If you’re going to make something from this, you must also make sure you’re giving back into it.”
In this case, he was talking about supporting the scene–doesn’t necessarily have to be money or involve a lot of time, he stressed. His point was that those in the position to give back should do so. And over the years, we have personally enjoyed much of his hospitality.
Following Ronnie’s lead, here’s some giving back: four side hustles that add a little spice to our motorsports world.
Do you have an automotive side hustle? I’d love to hear about it.
I wasn't smart enough to figure out how to make money with an automotive side hustle so I switched to photography. In 2018 I left my "day job" and the side hustle is now my sole source of income. It took 12 years. I started with magazine articles in 2006.
Yup, been flipping 3-4 cars a year for the last 16 years.
I think we may have killed Enamel Garage.
Also, I need one of those "I <3 Terrible Cars" stickers on my Triumph.
RadBarchetta said:I think we may have killed Enamel Garage.
Also, I need one of those "I <3 Terrible Cars" stickers on my Triumph.
Well poop on Enamel Garage. Love their stuff.
You can check them out on Instagram, too.
I'm pretty sure every automotive designer/stylist I know has had a creative, money-making outlet during their career. I'm no different, though not doing anything currently. I have at times done automotive photography, car illustrations, motorsport graphic designs, body kits, magazine illustrations and a few other things.
I'm trying to. I just do weird motor/transmission swaps for locals.
Sure do! I buy lusty cars at the bottom of their depreciation curve, spend 1000 hours fixing/upgrading until they are perfect, and then sell them for a loss.
Sure, I buy parts for projects, stick them on a shelf or in a plastic tote somewhere, then a couple years later, I sell them for less than I paid for them!
I've always had an entrepreneurial way, and always done something on the side. I think it runs in the family.
I've been interested in camshafts since I was a kid, and with what I'd learned over the years racing cars with no aftermarket, I recognized a market in need, and started a side business doing custom camshaft grinding. That soon evolved into custom cams and cylinder head work, then sourcing and selling all the associated parts. At one point I had to decide whether to scale it back or quit my job and pursue it full time. I did neither and took on a partner, but a few years ago, as the market slowed, and I got old, I decided I'd had enough, sold all my parts and now only grind every 3 months or so. When I fully retire from my day job, I may decide to build a few engines a year, but I'll probably continue to flip bikes and the odd car.
My friends pay me in beer to have my help and use my garage and tools for brake pad/rotor or oil changes, and electrical issues.
I also accept chocolate chip cookies as a form of payment.
I have a passion for the 50's-60's sports racers. I've been fortunate to be able to design and build several cars inspired by those shapes. I've been building for almost 20 years now.
Some people that have seen my cars have wanted to build their own. Since I had to create molds and jigs I've sold some kits. This is a hobby for me.
Having Fun
I do a few different things. As far as automotive, I designed billet aluminum center caps for A.R.E. wheels so Torque Thrust and other model wheels can look unique or have a more factory appearance. Also fabricate chassis reinforcements and reproduce some parts for 2nd gen GM F body cars. Laboratory Fourteen is the name of the company. lab-14.com is the online store. Everybody likes pics so here's a couple of my products.
[URL=https://app.photobucket.com/u/NOTATA/a/270f1c5b-a724-4635-9d56-759183911130/p/71c2ffe7-a151-4d02-b42d-f46c18044ebb]
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[URL=https://app.photobucket.com/u/NOTATA/a/0c70a641-5715-49ae-a805-594abcdafbf1/p/70a694c9-4602-48ff-9af0-9c8d29ad4341]
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[URL=https://app.photobucket.com/u/NOTATA/a/0c70a641-5715-49ae-a805-594abcdafbf1/p/d78aad66-2057-4e60-933a-9495a626fb73]
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[URL=https://app.photobucket.com/u/NOTATA/a/0c70a641-5715-49ae-a805-594abcdafbf1/p/4963108b-2976-4017-ad21-2a147ecc8b81]
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Actually, I'm considering taking on something that the business wouldn't. Won't be lucrative but it would be cool. But I guess that's why it's a side gig and not a main gig.
When I was in the Navy on shore duty I had multiple jobs and side gigs. One of them was doing vinyl on cars and race cars. I may start doing that again, as I want to do something pretty cool for the challenge MR2. I'm struggling with how much to invest in a new cutter. When I divorced my first wife I sold the cutters, large printers, heat presses, all of it. I bought the stuff for my Subaru cut and put it on myself. It got some wrinkles, but I had 3 kids under 10 that wanted to help, and since it's a rallycross car, sure why not. When I go full rally replica later, I will take the time to do it perfectly.
For a year or two I worked on old Fords that people would bring into the shop that I was a service writer at, but both my manager and corporate didn't want to mess with them. I'd write down my phone number and tell them to call me and I'd come poke at it and give them an estimate.
Broke even a couple times, beat the hourly rate a couple other times, then stopped being a service writer. It was enjoyable for the most part.
I used to wheel and deal on Datsun parts. It paid for my racing for several seasons. On occasion it brought extra money into the house, usually at a very handy time, so the wife liked it.
Don't know if the paid instructor gigs counts but I did several of those as well.
These days I'm blessed that my job pays me very well.
With that said I've been encouraged to start writing again. While I managed to sell some short stories many years ago it didn't exactly pay well.
Small update on my side hustle: I'm back making zines. 
I'm sighed up for Orlando Zine Fest December 18, so I need to have the next issue finished and printed by then. So I'm a working on it.
Dig those enamel pins-they even got the Honda's Phoenix Yellow right.
Good luck with the Zine!
This describes my automotive side hustle
I do automotive video-graphy as a hobby. I wanted to become the 'next big thing' in the YouTube car world, but I own an Intrepid and then it became dormant for 3 years getting paint so I had nothing world posting (like track days) so now I mostly attend events and film as much as I can to put that footage to music, it really doesn't pay at all, but its fun! Hopefully I plan to attend more events this coming year depending on how busy my paying side gig (wedding DJ) keeps me.
Standalone installs, tuning and systems kptuned.com and now doing some other important hard parts (gears, engine parts) for specific platforms. Likely it's my retirement gig.
I have been stuck at home with an injury, so I taught myself how to do illustrations and am creating posters like this now. Considering selling them if there is enough interest. (I was advised by another user to watermark my work in another post on the forum) Thank you! Farnsworth House and 356 NO.1
CrustyRedXpress said:Dig those enamel pins-they even got the Honda's Phoenix Yellow right.
Good luck with the Zine!
Thanks. Got another piece written and pasted up last night. It's kinda like my real work but different.
Never turn your hobby into your job.
Then you've lost a hobby but you're still working.
I might be lucky that I have a career I really like, though.
In reply to BA5 :
It depends. I have so much freedom now and even when I'm working it's about a gazillion times better than working for someone else.
I take many, many photos at events that I attend (https://www.yogile.com/sexydave) but have never charged for the pictures. To me, that adds more responsibility to cover all the cars, take great photos and upgrade gear. I just want a way to burn off nervous energy at events...when I feel like it. I suppose I could ask for donations or something, but its a hobby and sometimes turning a hobby into a business ruins it. (and sometimes it makes you rich LOL)
I make and sell transaxle adapter plates on the side (Mazda BP engine to Toyota E15x transmission). They aren't a fast moving item at all (well, at least not until my customers get them installed 
), but the sales do help supplement the budget for my other automotive hobbies. I've finally started amassing my own collection of metal fabrication tools, hoping to start selling engine/transmission mount sets along with the adapter plates at some point.
A friend/customer of mine just broke into the 10's this week! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLnmSIWYgWk
In reply to BA5 :
Let me revise that. Only turn your hobby into your job if you understand that you're also going to have to get a new hobby.
One Hell of a Town just shared this–coming soon.
I use to part out Porsche 924/944 for awhile on eBay. Not a big fan of the platform lately, so I just flip an odd car every now and then now.
When I have time, I enjoy automotive art as well. I try to do slightly cartoonish versions and also do custom designs of people's rides. I've done hundreds of designs, and try to sell them on some different websites like Etsy, Zazzle and Cafepress. It used to be a nice little extra $$, but the sales haven't been as good as they once were. Here are a few that might interest this group.
In reply to grapeape :
You re exactly who I've been looking for. Let me know when you have time to do a couple of pieces.
That said I, in the past, had a small shop selling crap made from car parts and wahtnot. The business closed when I moved cross country but I still have some stock if anyone is interested.
In reply to therieldeal :
Oh, it's that car! I've seen videos of it before. He's pushing a lot of power so it makes sense he needed a better transmission. The stock ones don't hold up under boost, it's a known problem in the BP/Escort GT tuning world.
Who knows, maybe I'll need one of those adapter plates someday 
I moonlight as a chauffeur. Mostly weddings. Rolls Royce Silver Cloud II.
I bought a Rolls Royce SC II and started a vintage wedding car business with my son. It was a ton of fun for several years...now run and operated by EdHigginbotham. It paid for a cool car in pretty short order, and now is dropping money to the bottom line. I imagine it will be a way to stay busy in retirement. Edit...see above post! Hahaha!
Jinx
I also sell Mocal oil cooling products. 3cgarage.com. If you need anything to make the slippery stuff less hot, let me know.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
And...they are cool. I have laid my hands on a few of these issues...cool stuff. They are passed around my shop and thoroughly enjoyed.
In reply to Ed Higginbotham :
Owe you a beverage.
grapeape said:When I have time, I enjoy automotive art as well. I try to do slightly cartoonish versions and also do custom designs of people's rides. I've done hundreds of designs, and try to sell them on some different websites like Etsy, Zazzle and Cafepress. It used to be a nice little extra $$, but the sales haven't been as good as they once were. Here are a few that might interest this group.
Grapeape, let us know when you're looking to take commissions.
In reply to Ed Higginbotham :
I paid my way through college as a chauffer. In some ways it was the ultimate college job - most of the time you're waiting for the client, so you get a lot of homework done, and it keeps you busy on weekend nights so you blow less money on booze and women.
I am lucky enough that the only "hustle" I like is my job.
I do professional exhaust, header, turbo and IC fab (and really anything relation). I worked at another shop for years (that was like 95% strictly exhaust) while I did turbo fab stuff on my time. Now that I have my own business I get to do it anytime.
I have been working on special chassis parts for Terseos (Tercel-Paseo), and I currently make the only 3-point strut brace for these cars
However I have been itching to get into composites, primarily for self use. But I can definitely see it becoming a side hustle once I have things down and sorted to perhaps do small runs of stuff for odd cars. The first thing I want to create is carbon fiber hoods for 95-99 Tercels. I have 3...and they all have either rust and or dents from negligent previous owners. I got a nearly perfect hood from the JY to make a mold from. Just have to find time and get materials.
In reply to Olemiss540 :
At least you sell them
I help my dumb racecar friends do dumb racecar things. Sometimes it pays, other times not. *shrug*
A couple of times, but not in a number of years.
My ex- ran a reasonably successful side-hustle making custom tire bags for new MINIs and later Smart cars. She would make them in custom colors to match an owner's cars (within the available colors of duck cloth from JoAnn Fabric). Then she bought a computerized embroidery machine and added additional options. She also made cargo liners for R50-56 MINIs. For awhile she was selling some in bulk at a discount to a local MINI vendor. For awhile we had a good system going where she would get an order in, I'd help by cutting out the fabric and then she would sew them pieces together. Then I think it started to wear on her as her real job responsibilities increased (along with her pay scale) and it got to the point where the few extra $ wasn't worth the loss of free time. When we tore most of her house apart for a major renovation, it gave her the excuse to shut down the hustle and never restarted it.
My own side hustle was limited to making MFE "service position" tools for the R50/52/53. This was back when Moss MINI was selling the tool for $100 and I would sell them for $50 with about $10 or so of materials and a few hours of cutting, drilling and threading a bunch at a time. I sold 7 sets (including the set I made for myself) before Moss eventually dropped their price to $50 as well. I have the parts to make more, but probably won't get around to it until I need a set to work on my own car.
jh36 said:In reply to David S. Wallens :
And...they are cool. I have laid my hands on a few of these issues...cool stuff. They are passed around my shop and thoroughly enjoyed.
Thank you for the kind words, and the next issue's quickly coming together.
Instead of writing tonight, though, I made a mix tape for the zine.
In reply to RadBarchetta :
Try https://www.etsy.com/shop/tunerpins
In reply to Sarah Young :
Thanks, Sarah, and we updated the piece with the link to Enamel Garage's Etsy store. Now go get your 37 pieces of flair.
My automotive side gig has been pretty well documented here:
I sell stuff, not always automotive related, but still lots of car stuff. It's built up into a nice nest egg I'm planning on using as my "racing fund" once I get back to racing! (Kids make it hard..)
I get some various toyota parts from the yard and flip them for a few extra bucks to buy more car parts
Wouldnt call it a side hustle, just a way to make, maybe 300 bucks a year...very little. But every bit helps, right?
My 'side hustle' is making teaching material and posting it on TeachersPayTeachers. This year wasnt as good, but some years Im right at $600 for stuff I use myself, so that's a nice bonus.
Again, I use it for car parts and records
slowbird said:In reply to therieldeal :
Oh, it's that car! I've seen videos of it before. He's pushing a lot of power so it makes sense he needed a better transmission. The stock ones don't hold up under boost, it's a known problem in the BP/Escort GT tuning world.
Who knows, maybe I'll need one of those adapter plates someday
Yes! He did an excellent series of videos covering his build. Much better documentation than I've ever had the time/talent to put together.
You know where to find me if you need one!
My side hustle is writing, and I sorta blame David S Wallens for pushing me over the edge and convincing me that I can actually do it way back at the $2014 Challenge (it's all your fault, man!). After we got home, I leaned on some contacts at BangShift.com and started submitting stuff. They liked it, and I've been at it ever since. I even got to do a few stories here for GRM, which was amazing! I've gotten to do some really great stuff over the years, and even went to my 1st ever real deal press event a few weeks back and sat amongst some writing and car culture legends. Everyone was super accommodating to "the new guy" and happy to have me there. That was a big moment of validation for me that my stupid hobby of writing about stuff was actually something real. Hell, I sang Happy Birthday to Wayne Carini (the Chasing Classic Cars guy). Never had that on my checklist when I started doing this.
These days, I'm mostly writing about Project Power Laggin', my '79 Dodge W150 Power Wagon, both here and on BangShift.com. I also started a YouTube channel earlier this year, but the day job got real busy so I haven't had much time for producing content. I'll revisit that soon, hopefully, as it's a lot of fun.
It was recommended I pop in here. I started used oil analysis side gig focused on us amateur racers. From my other thread:
Bob-"too many dang korean eurasian linx"-zilla said:
Have the contact and form live. I have kits ready to roll. Offseason is kinda the worst time to start but at least I'm ready for spring!
bob-"too many dang korean eurasian linx"-zilla said:It was recommended I pop in here. I started used oil analysis side gig focused on us amateur racers. From my other thread:
Bob-"too many dang korean eurasian linx"-zilla said:
Have the contact and form live. I have kits ready to roll. Offseason is kinda the worst time to start but at least I'm ready for spring!
I think it's the perfect time to start! I will be dumping my oil in the next couple of weeks, prepping for 2022 and totally on board for your service.
I don't have a side hustle anymore, but did for several years. Without getting too specific, I started out fabricating an exhaust component that streamlined a popular engine swap for a niche platform. That grew a little at a time until I had an online store with headers, downpipes, cats, cat-back mufflers, and all kinds of stuff to make it work together.
It was equal parts rewarding and exasperating. In a lot of ways, it was a perfect match. I had been driving the car for which the parts were developed for many years, and that made fabrication and test fitting a driveway affair. I already had a connection to and rapport within the community that worked in my favor. Nobody else in the world was really offering exhaust systems for this platform, and it was intensely satisfying to fill that niche.
But there was too much volume and too many tasks - everything from product design to fabrication to component outsourcing to banking to website maintenance to shipping to customer support - to make it alone. On the other hand, the sales volume wasn't big enough to justify quitting my day job and going full time, let alone hiring anybody to help or outsourcing production.
Profitability was tough because the customer base was inherently low-budget and couldn't justify paying for handmade parts. On top of that, many of them were largely unskilled kids with their first cars. They didn't always have basic mechanical experience and needed a little hand-holding. And being of the Amazon/eBay generation, they were accustomed to a delivery timeline that just wasn't possible. After a series of frustrating events, I finally threw in the towel.
All in all, I'm proud of what I did, and I wish it would have come to a more graceful end, but I'm also glad it's over.
Oh yeah, Issue 5 of my zine is now available. :)
In reply to David S. Wallens :
So I tried to google the title, and I looked through this thread and I looked at your Twitter page and I don't see where one could buy said magazine. Do you have a link to purchase somewhere or can I stuff a fiver in an envelope and send it to you or what?
In reply to NY Nick :
I have an Etsy store. (I need to create a bundle with all five issues.)
Or you can Paypal the money to me. I'm easy.
Thanks.
The drivers occasionally throw money my way when I shoot grassroots drift events. I do it for fun but getting tips is nice.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
My side hustle started out restoring cars. I did that post Vietnam through 2000 because of that I started making trailers. Finished with the 28' 3 axle. Figured I had over 40 hours in it and wound up with a profit of $11 ( still have the molds).
Restoration turned into race prep. That carried me through some lean periods. But started to interfere with my career. Ended when I started construction on my house.
Technically since I drive a bus and income from that is my side hustle, do I•••?
In reply to David S. Wallens :
I had Mrs. NYN buy it on Etsy, started with issue 1.
Thank you very much for the order. Packing it up now. :)
I hand build slot cars from scratch:
I also build scale model car replicas and do freehand car art. I designed the logo for a local hillclimb.
At age 55, I started Cars of My Youth two years ago this month. Best thing I have done in many years. By making my hobby into an official business, it has allowed me to expand my projects and use the tax laws to my advantage. Two years later, I am completing my new shop, have an inventory of fun cars, two client projects and a big smile all the time. If I had to depend on this as my sole source of income, the hobby would become a job and probably take the joy out of it, but for now it is really just covering my expenses and allowing me to expand my collection and build a shop I would have only dreamed of a few years ago. Been a fun ride so far.
I have been rebuilding T5 manual transmissions for years. Started out as part of my day job restoring old Mustangs and now it is about the only automotive work I do for customers. I have slowly over the years expanded and now do T5s, Ford Toploaders, Muncies, 3650s, T56s, and now MT82s (I am still a Mustang guy at heart.) Good months, I will do 12-15 transmissions a month. Nov and Dec, I may only do 1 or 2. After 20 years, most of my business is word of mouth, but I do have an ad on FB market.
Day job pays for household expenses and the "side" cash helps pay for track days. Like most here, I found something that I like doing a there was a demand for.
Always looking cores if anyone near Atlanta has a few busted ones sitting in their way!
dherr (Forum Supporter) said:At age 55, I started Cars of My Youth two years ago this month. Best thing I have done in many years. By making my hobby into an official business, it has allowed me to expand my projects and use the tax laws to my advantage. Two years later, I am completing my new shop, have an inventory of fun cars, two client projects and a big smile all the time. If I had to depend on this as my sole source of income, the hobby would become a job and probably take the joy out of it, but for now it is really just covering my expenses and allowing me to expand my collection and build a shop I would have only dreamed of a few years ago. Been a fun ride so far.
I just enjoyed a few moments on your site. Well done!
I have done powder coating for years. I have put it on hold due to Covid since I'm under mandatory requirement to work an extra 48 hours per week at my main job. I'm not complaining. Overtime at my main job far exceeds any side hustle financially. It's also pushing my retirement closer due to the added retirement contributions.
But, last week I did disassemble my main blast cabinet and begin refreshing some seals and new hoses and such. It looks like things are starting to quieten down a little on the work front so I'm hoping to be back at it by summer. I sure enjoy the craft. It's very cathartic to me.
Cousin_Eddie (Forum Supporter) said:I'm under mandatory requirement to work an extra 48 hours per week at my main job.
An >extra< 48 hours per week? So you're mandated to work 88 hours a week? Or just 48 total? What do you do that has mandatory overtime?
DWNSHFT said:Cousin_Eddie (Forum Supporter) said:I'm under mandatory requirement to work an extra 48 hours per week at my main job.
An >extra< 48 hours per week? So you're mandated to work 88 hours a week? Or just 48 total? What do you do that has mandatory overtime?
I work for a city fire department. Last year I worked right at 4900 hours.. It's starting to take a toll on the guys and we are beginning to see some resign and seek their fortunes in greener pastures elsewhere. That puts us understaffed and further burdens the remaining people.
A fire department does not run short. You must have a minimum set number of people to staff the trucks. If you don't have that number you just force the guys to stay and work in 24 hour blocks. The rule is 120 hours maximum in a row without taking off at least 12 hours.
Cousin_Eddie (Forum Supporter) said:DWNSHFT said:Cousin_Eddie (Forum Supporter) said:I'm under mandatory requirement to work an extra 48 hours per week at my main job.
An >extra< 48 hours per week? So you're mandated to work 88 hours a week? Or just 48 total? What do you do that has mandatory overtime?
I work for a city fire department. Last year I worked right at 4900 hours.. It's starting to take a toll on the guys and we are beginning to see some resign and seek their fortunes in greener pastures elsewhere. That puts us understaffed and further burdens the remaining people.
A fire department does not run short. You must have a minimum set number of people to staff the trucks. If you don't have that number you just force the guys to stay and work in 24 hour blocks. The rule is 120 hours maximum in a row without taking off at least 12 hours.
Mental note... do NOT become a fireman.
About fourteen years ago, I took my Lotus Elise to California Speedway for a track day. By the end of the day, I noticed the dealer mandatory option clear bra was getting little cuts from debris being kicked up by other cars. Maybe I was following too close, but isn't that sort of the point?
Anyway, I started trying to find some sort of tape I could use to protect the bra and to make a long story short, founded what is now TrakkTape.com. My first order was twenty rolls sold to guys on lotustalk.com and it just kept going. Essentially, I started the track day protection business, in which there are now a number of other companies offering similar products. Over the years, it has always just been a little sideline business for me, but it has also been so much fun helping people protect their trackday cars.
As Trakktape was going along, I also started another little venture called TrakkRats.com. TrakkRats is a bit more hard core racer oriented with tools for setup and alignment. But, it is still tiny and I like to say that we sponsor EVERYBODY, because our prices for quality products are so inexpensive, it leaves more money in everyone's race budget. Again, getting to talk to so many great people is such fun. TrakkRats is my way of helping weekend warriors get out and pursue their passion, whether they run short track ovals, or asphalt road courses.
I am basically a retired architect who just fell into a couple of fun little side hustles and still enjoys pounding on his Lotus whenever he gets the chance.
After a long career as a auto mechanic. A work related injury put me out of work for a year. So I went into sales. Automotive tools & equipment. Then 2 years selling Industrial supplies for KAR Products and back to managing a store for the 1st company.
After more physical issues, went on my own, selling not only tools & nuts 'n bolts, but now a AMSOIL independent lube dealer. All the while involved in SCCA racing [as crew] Then 20 years of auto-cross, hill-climbs/rally-cross and safety with the local Ice Racing club. I became a Tire Rack dealer, selling to my fellows. My oldest son has a British only restoration service, in Isanti Minnesota. He also retrofits/upgrades MG's and other sports cars with more powerful engines.... *** He installs Camaro 3.4 V-6 engines/trans into MGA's & MGB's.... And other cars....
grapeape said:When I have time, I enjoy automotive art as well. I try to do slightly cartoonish versions and also do custom designs of people's rides. I've done hundreds of designs, and try to sell them on some different websites like Etsy, Zazzle and Cafepress. It used to be a nice little extra $$, but the sales haven't been as good as they once were. Here are a few that might interest this group.
NICE! I used to do caricatures at a theme park and I kept a copy of AutoTrader with me so I would offer to draw them with their car. I *loved* doing cartoon cars, never ran with it. I like your work here!
My favorite vehicle body draw was a tank mechanic who came in to get a caricature. I spent like half an hour on all the little detail work
My crappy summer college job got eliminated during the pandemic, so I decided to try and put my years of Volvo ECU hacking experience to work selling chips for 240s, 740s, and 940s. Now I finally have a real website at redblockpowered.com and have branched out into custom stuff (and hopefully other kinds of similar vintage Euro car eventually!)
I have been in the Motor Oil and related products distribution business for over 40 years. About ten years ago I decided to spring for a used Dodge Viper. I had contacted the local Viper Club and was invited to one of their events. At the event one of the members came up to me and said, "You know, you really should be tracking that thing." That's how the slide down the slippery slope accelerated (yes, pun intended). Then came the fourth biggest lie, "All you need is a helmet." I found out I couldn't buy one in St. Louis and had to order one online.
We have a large warehouse in St. Louis that has a separate area that is heated and air conditioned. I decided to re-purpose part of it to do car storage under the name Elite Auto Storage and then concluded that people with cars to store would likely be enthusiasts so I decided to make the move to create St. Louis Race Gear so those local enthusiasts could skip the hassle of trying to order safety apparel including HNR's online and could come try on the helmets, suits, gloves, shoes, etc., etc. they needed. Then just in time for the global pandemic I had the opportunity to buy U.S. Race Gear in Cincinnati because the owner, a really great guy, was closing it down. We now stock Alpinestars apparel, Bell helmets, HANS devices, Racequip and Simpson helmets & apparel and, of course, Simpson's Hybrid Sport and Hybrid-S plus an array of other lines. I have also become a bit of an evangelist in my efforts to get more drivers in all sorts of different amateur racing categories to wear head and neck restraints, including HPDE instructors.
Cousin_Eddie (Forum Supporter) said:I have done powder coating for years. I have put it on hold due to Covid since I'm under mandatory requirement to work an extra 48 hours per week at my main job. I'm not complaining. Overtime at my main job far exceeds any side hustle financially. It's also pushing my retirement closer due to the added retirement contributions.
But, last week I did disassemble my main blast cabinet and begin refreshing some seals and new hoses and such. It looks like things are starting to quieten down a little on the work front so I'm hoping to be back at it by summer. I sure enjoy the craft. It's very cathartic to me.
I need some calipers powder coated if/when you get back to it
I make YouTube videos on automotive related games, it started as a hobby but has become a part time job in addition to my full time one. I also sell stickers related to my YouTube channel.
Yep. I am doing controls reverse engineering for a specific shop in Canada. We're targeting platforms that are utterly excellent dynamically, but have core powertrain issues and no reasonable (cost wise) way to fix the issues. Currently, I've reverse engineered the 997 C2S, C4S, GT3, Turbo & 987 Cayman/Boxster/S/Non-S and the mechnical side of the kit is nearly complete. He plans to sell the kit with a plug and play ECU to swap in a certain Honda engine, and yes EVERYTHING works like OEM and I mean everything. I have the CAN reversed engineered at a laughably higher level than all the backyard LS swaps that either piggyback the OE ECU or use an Ardiuno to emulate CAN messages. Anyways, it's been a fun side-gig and I think I'm gonna tackle the E46 platform next!
For side hustle i detail about 2 vehicles a month from April to September. It usually covers my hobbies(racing) and my consumables to detail my own fleet.
Im still flipping junk yard parts.
In reply to goingnowherefast :
RX8
I do some work on the side creating 3d CAD models and drawings of classic car parts for a local restoration parts supplier. They have tons of old parts, but it's difficult and risky for them to ship those parts around the world to get quotes for new tooling to make duplicates. Having the CAD models and drawings saves them a ton of time and money shipping parts, and creates a digital repository of parts in case anything ever happens to the originals that are 50-60+ years old now.
It can be a real challenge to take 50-year-old seat foam and try to figure out the original dimensions! But it is fun working with all the old parts, and being a part of the process helping people restore their cars.
I'm glad I found this thread.
While I was with my ex-wife for 12 years, I felt like I was in a vice. She killed every dream or aspiration I had of any kind of side hustle or venture that would help with getting one foot out the door from the world of cyber security.
Since I've been single, I've been trying to reinvent myself. I've been traveling the world and doing things I've always wanted to do. At the end of the day I still have this itch to start my own business and do things my way.
For a few years I was building furniture and selling it on craigslist and FBMP. Nothing intricate, mainly right angles and things that look great in a farmhouse modern setting. Never got around to procuring the right tools or learning the techniques to make some truly spectacular stuff. (killed by ex-wife for spending too much time in garage between cars and that)
Got into programming arduinos and raspberry pis for people to do one off things. Time vs. profit payoff wasn't worth it.
I've been successful in flipping cars but that's a risky market and profit margins aren't always there.
An easy button now would be doing arrive and drive sales for Champcar and Lemons. We've been talking about building a second car and renting out our Accord for beginners or kids looking for W2W experience.
When I was in elementary school I started my first side hustle selling candy on the bus. Most of my life I have always had more then one job. I still buy and sell parts, cars, karts, video games ect.. Sometimes it's a homerun and other times I lose money, but it can be fun. However 3 years ago I had a second job with the government seasonal that paid really well and wish I could find a job as such because I made a lot more money doing that than any of the other side hustles and part time jobs put together lolz.
Driven5 said:In reply to goingnowherefast :
RX8
The CAN is really easy for that one, I can bring it up to him. We'd definitely need to make our own subframe.
Happened to have a conversation about this very topic with someone last night. Does getting paid to do something actually remove the fun as it adds expectations?
His example:
He's a coder. There's a difference between helping a buddy with a coding project vs. doing freelance coding for someone.
In reply to David S. Wallens :
I've been saying it as long as I've been on this forum, never do what you love to do as a living because it will eventually become just a job, and you'll no longer have the thing you love.
And usually get told I'm crazy every time I mention it. But it's real and it's called the over justification effect.
Peabody said:In reply to David S. Wallens :
I've been saying it as long as I've been on this forum, never do what you love to do as a living because it will eventually become just a job, and you'll no longer have the thing you love.
And usually get told I'm crazy every time I mention it. But it's thing and it's called the over justification effect.
I'm about to put this theory to the test.
Holy E36 M3, my life has taken incredible turns in the past few years. Among other things, you guys know I work in auto insurance claims and I love it. I love the challenges, overcoming obstacles, building success, etc... At the same time, after 25+ years I'm ready to "retire" from it and move on to the next phase of my life. I have been offered enough instructor/driving coach jobs that I can make it a full time job and then some. My wife and I just formed an LLC in anticipation of trying some other auto related things, such as providing driver school training for teens. Meeting with a financial advisor next week to see if this is a reality. Going to require a big leap of faith....
Good luck!
Some people can do it. I couldn't
If you are doing driver training , maybe add a couple higher cost options ,
"Security driving" where you teach defensive driving , but more like your passenger is getting kidnapped etc ,
And if there is a way , Stunt car driving , mostly ultra car control , sliding into a parking spot etc , they did something like that on Top gear / 5th gear ,
I would love to pay for a couple hours chalkboard training and then time in an ex-police car doing controlled slides etc....
In reply to californiamilleghia :
That would be cool, but not something I can do on public roads, LOL. Besides, I don't have experience sliding into a parking spot, etc... My target market would be the typical teenager getting their license and needing the driving instruction for insurance or because their parents don't want to teach them. I would certainly offer my services for HPDE, but mostly for beginners to intermediates. I believe I'm a good driver, but not someone who's going to be able to coax that last 1/10th of a second out of someone. I'm not that good. But I can teach people all the basics of road racing, first and foremost being safety, while putting a smile on their face.
my current side hustle:
https://www.chrisv-design.com/mini-lights/
I may be extending it due to demand...
Yep. Parting out SVT Foci (dodges bricks). Been doing so for over 10 years now. It's allowed me to have some fun, not spend my traditional income, kept my wife happy (here you go love, $200 - go shopping), and kept me off the couch.
SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) said:
My wife and I just formed an LLC in anticipation of trying some other auto related things, such as providing driver school training for teens. Meeting with a financial advisor next week to see if this is a reality. Going to require a big leap of faith....
You will need lots of insurance. Meet with your insurance expert early in this process.
I wrote my first book about designing and building a mid-engine car, "Kimini", putting everything I learned in one place for those considering doing the same or similar (like putting a FWD engine in the rear of an existing car). That book isn't targeted at any particular design, giving it a wider audience.
The second book was more of a cookbook for creating a mid-engine Lotus 7-ish car, called "Midlana", and provides plans on how to build your own, plus many possible variations builders can incorporate. So far, one car is on the road in the UK (interestingly, about 15 miles from Jeremy Clarkson's farm), and 3-4 others are moving toward completion as well.
From the start, the books were to help pay back some of the expenses incurred during the construction of both cars, and they pretty much have. They were also to spread what I'd learned to the next generation before I forget it all... Since selling Midlana, sales have dropped off, as expected, but the occasional sale still makes me happy for enabling a dream for a potential builder.
I mentioned flipping junk yard parts - it's just a side hustle. Go when I want to go, get what I THINK will be cool and would sell. Knowing car stuff, as well as an ebay app on phone, sometimes, helps in procuring things here and there.
But it's tee shirt money. Coffee money. I got a job, this is just something that I ENJOY doing and it helps out with keeping certain things from hitting my bank account.
Would I want to do this full time? NO. I dont want to be in the garage all day packaging things, photographing etc. Ive parted one car, it wasnt THAT much fun.
This, at least, keeps me auto-involved a bit.
hybridmomentspass said:...helps out with keeping certain things from hitting my bank account...
Haha, yeah I suspect a lot of people supplement their hobby with a "secret corporate slush fund."
kb58 said:hybridmomentspass said:...helps out with keeping certain things from hitting my bank account...
Haha, yeah I suspect a lot of people supplement their hobby with a "secret corporate slush fund."
DWNSHFT said:SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) said:My wife and I just formed an LLC in anticipation of trying some other auto related things, such as providing driver school training for teens. Meeting with a financial advisor next week to see if this is a reality. Going to require a big leap of faith....You will need lots of insurance. Meet with your insurance expert early in this process.
Thankfully I am an insurance expert. 25+ years in the business. 
calteg said:kb58 said:hybridmomentspass said:...helps out with keeping certain things from hitting my bank account...
Haha, yeah I suspect a lot of people supplement their hobby with a "secret corporate slush fund."
As a PC/guitar/car/photography/motorcycle guy, I finally feel seen 
.
Yes. I sell these carbon wheel well covers for FD RX7's. They cover the ugly plastic wheel well covers and clean up the bay nicely.
It's helping to offset my ongoing rotary build and running costs..
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