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8/22/2019 7:43 PM  #1


Have you ever asked yourself

When its time to quit spending $ & time on these old cars.

 

8/22/2019 8:11 PM  #2


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

Yes, today actually...after I got the price quote to rechrome all of original convertible top related chrome trim on my 64.5 vert.   

 

8/22/2019 8:31 PM  #3


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

Yes, but I have gotten my car to where I want it after, low, these many years.  There is nothing more I want to do to it other than normal maintenance.  Also age is catching up with me.  I can't do what I used to and my stamina is in the tank.

Now I just go out and enjoy it.


Original owner - 351w,T-5, 4whl disks, power R&P
 

8/22/2019 10:00 PM  #4


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

No, but my wife does all the time.


'66 Fastback since July 27, 1981. Springtime Yellow, originally a 200 cu in, 4 speed. Also a '92 LX Coupe, 5.0, 5 speed.
 

8/22/2019 10:18 PM  #5


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

Muzz 66 wrote:

No, but my wife does all the time.

 


Ditto!
6sal6


Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
 

8/22/2019 10:50 PM  #6


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

Not recently.  

Now there is nothing bad left to discover since I know what every square inch of sheetmetal looks like on the car.  Things are looking up now since there are no more roundhouse kicks to the groin to discover like cowl rot.

Got to say that my parents don't get why I spend as much time and money on the car as I do, but the wife understands.  My parents buy fancy rugs - I buy fancy suspension.

 

8/22/2019 11:23 PM  #7


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

Not really... I used to not spend money on mine. For years and years I would drive it and put up with things that needed doing. Then I had an a-ha moment and thought to myself that I am not getting any younger and that I really do enjoy these old cars. I service the thing myself and when something breaks, the part is not usually as expensive as a late model part, so all in all I think it is cheaper me owning this old car than owning a late model car. I feel that I have saved myself thousands of dollars in all seriousness...
The wife has gotten a bit grumpy at times, but a friend pointed out to her once that the money I have spent recently is nothing compared to the costs of owning a late model car. She thought about that and has never gotten grumpy again (about the car)

Last edited by Stevo (8/22/2019 11:26 PM)


1964-1/2 D Code Coupe - 289 V8, 4 Speed Toploader, 3.00 ratio rear, Autolite 4100 Carb, 15" tires, Pertronix ignition
 

8/23/2019 12:25 AM  #8


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

No Rich, I haven't ... probly cos I don't have the $ or the time.
But, if you want to give me either of the cars, I'd try to find some.
Didja get the 96 back together?


"Those telephone poles were like a picket fence"
 

8/23/2019 5:43 AM  #9


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

red351 wrote:

When its time to quit spending $ & time on these old cars.

 
I will stop when it is finished but there always seems to be something else to do.


Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
 

8/23/2019 11:50 AM  #10


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

red351 wrote:

When its time to quit spending $ & time on these old cars.

 
Every day for the last twenty years. But nobody listens to me, so why should I?

 

8/23/2019 12:24 PM  #11


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

Not even once.  Eventually I'll stop, but only long after I'm dead. 

 

8/23/2019 12:27 PM  #12


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

red351 wrote:

When its time to quit spending $ & time on these old cars.

When you no longer have enjoyment with the cars, then it will be time to stop.  

Now something else to think about since some of you have multiple hobby cars and multiple daily drivers too….. I have one hobby car and I guess Sheryl’s little BMW 325 convertible (160K miles) will be the second. Add in my non work day driver Mazda Tribute (180K) and I have plenty to work on. The BMW and Mazda have about a $1000 worth of parts that I installed on them over the last two months. I have wrenched on the last two enough that I am about ready to send them off the next owner. I can see where having big herd of cars to maintain can get very costly and time consuming. At some point, would you be willing to thin the herd without getting rid of all of them?? Just food for thought.
 


John  -- 67 Mustang Coupe 390 5 speed
 

8/23/2019 2:06 PM  #13


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

When my driveline is the way I want it.
Perhaps after the body and paint.

Just imagine what ya could do if you spent even a bare three years of new car payments on one of these cars.

Throw in 5-7 years??? WOW

So...probably never!😁

 

8/23/2019 2:34 PM  #14


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

My wife's and my DDs definitely cost less than new car payments on a yearly basis.  At the rate they change what's available in the new car market when we find something we like we tend to hold onto it.  Neither of us is concerned about image or keeping up with the Jones, so we don't need a new car just because its new.  We get something new when the old one no longer fits our situation or becomes unreliable. 

A couple months back I bought her a "new" car.  It really isn't new, its an '07 FJ Cruiser, but it had only 96k on it, which for a Toyota is like nothing, and its in amazingly good shape.  We just needed something bigger than the WRX, but weren't willing to sacrifice AWD or a manual transmission.  The FJ fit the bill.  I've got it sounding a lot better with headers and exhaust, but haven't had time to get the blower on it yet.  Should be a beast once I do.

Life's too short to drive cars that suck. 

Oh, and we kept the WRX because we wouldn't get much for it selling it and its still a reliable car that's a blast to drive.  Insurance on it costs like nothing, and its a spare car if one of the others is under the knife.  I have no objection to selling vehicles, but the question I always ask is: "Is it worth more in terms of what I get for it if I sell it, or as a functional vehicle that can help me out in a pinch?"

 

8/23/2019 2:50 PM  #15


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

red351 wrote:

When its time to quit spending $ & time on these old cars.

No, never and what's the alternative anyway?

 

8/23/2019 5:34 PM  #16


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

Yes, and I decided I'll quit spending money when I'm dead or the EPA says I cannot drive it anymore because it pollutes to much. 

In 10 years I wonder if the fuel available will be compatible with our 60+ year old carbureted engines. We may have to all convert to fuel injection to be able to run the fuels of the future. Of course as gear heads we will just install the latest and greatest internal combustion engine and keep driving.

 


Gary Zilik - Pine Junction, Colorado - 67 Coupe, 289-4V, T5
 

8/24/2019 6:15 AM  #17


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

Well, not exactly, butt (TS&T) I did decide that I would keep the size of the classic herd down to ONE!  Too many other interests that I put off until retardedment and I just don't have the go-getum...or spare cash...to do everything.  So it'll be just the Heap from here on.

Now, having said all that, I took inventory on the additional mods I want to do on the Heap and that should satisfy my need for a grease-fix until I'm way too old to keep wrenching.  In fact, I just ordered a lift to accommodate old knees, fake hips, and no sense.

The Ten Year List:  (No order of priority)

Change mufflers and get the exhaust a couple of inches higher
Change rear brakes from Exploder to Mustang type. (Parts on the shelf)
Upgrade transmission from AOD to 4R70W with 94 EEC-IV computer. (Parts on the shelf)
Continue my quest for front end mods that drive the way I want it to....without doing an RPM.  (Parts in my head)
Maybe build the new roller block I have into a 331.
Learn how to tune what what I have...AFR heads and Comp cam...to reach it's potential.  I have the Moates Q-Horse but haven't quite figured out how to do the tweaks.

By the time I finish all that I'll be pushing 90...or daisies.  So that will be time to quit.

BB
 


"you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
 

8/24/2019 8:09 AM  #18


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

I've had mine since 78 using it for my daily driver. I have always fiddled with it. I've always been physically able to mess with airplanes and cars so I guess as long as I the good Lord allows and I am able I keep doing it, I will. I am getting tired of airplanes, but I guess that is because they are so demanding. The Mustang just likes to be perused.


70, ragtop 351W/416 stroker Edel Performer heads w pro flow 4, Comp roller 35-421-8. T5
 

8/24/2019 8:48 AM  #19


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

Well maybe its time too thin the herd, but each one has a purpose.

67 is a great Sunday afternoon cruiser going out for ice cream.
Red 72 for when you need a big speeding ticket.
98 is DD winter car. (Yes Barry It got put back together when we got home from the bash)
03 Silverado for camping'   but it break down a lot.   Might put a ball on the 98 roof for pulling the filth wheel ( its more dependable)
2010 is there. I'm not sure why, you have to ask Bonnie.

 

Last edited by red351 (8/24/2019 8:49 AM)

     Thread Starter
 

8/24/2019 8:58 AM  #20


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

My friends bass boat cost a lot more than all my Mustangs and he works on it a lot more than I wrench on the cars. But wrenching is my hobby I do for fun! I don't have to be fast at it or the best, just fun!

 

8/24/2019 9:26 AM  #21


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

I thought my car was completed last year. I had finally done all the mods to the car I had ever planned. It took since 1992 to get there so, most of you, ... just hang on.

But, it used eight quarts of oil in 3,200 miles on the bash trip. Still ran perfect. Maybe just the valve cover baffle under the pcv valve. Will install Ford valve covers to find out. If it still uses, will just carry extra oil on the next trip. It runs too good to mess with.  Then there is that pesky harmonic vibration at 75 mph I refuse to give up on until it is 100% gone. New rear axle assembly coming up soon. Hey, it’s only $3,000.  Other than that, I am now into the “EVERYTHING IS JUST PATINA” mode. Can’t wait til it looks like Dan’s gold coupe.

The F100 is still a “NEW TO ME BUILD” so it maintains my interest.  Will try not to go overboard.

The 65 Corvette I have no real attachment to. I love the way it looks, but don’t really enjoy driving it. It needs alot of little things done that will $100 me to death.  Will keep it if I have the room for it, but might just sell it and go to the lake in the boat instead of working on it.  Like Bullet, lots of parts are in a drawer awaiting the proper round-tuit to show up.

So I guess the answer is a qualified YES. I am tired of spending time that is HAVE TO FIX IT time, but don’t mind the time to try something new. The MONEY part?  Heck, it will get spent on something, so that is not a concern. I am very fortunate to have had a good career and saved enough to now just have fun.

It would be a crying shame to take all this good experience and knowledge and skills and let it rot in my recliner in the living room.


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

8/24/2019 10:40 AM  #22


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

MS wrote:

It would be a crying shame to take all this good experience and knowledge and skills and let it rot in my recliner in the living room.

 
This right here.


Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
 

8/24/2019 10:08 PM  #23


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

red351 wrote:

Well maybe its time too thin the herd,

 
Not a bad idea at all. Last Saturday my brother and I drove over to Santa Maria to check out the 49th North/South F100 Run which features 53-56 F100s. We chatted with a really cool dude who has 17 top line hot rods, but has realized he needs to start selling. He's 70 and none of his kids want anything to do with his cars. He has to employ a guy to keep his cars in shape and not dry rot.

Bullet Bob wrote:

Well, not exactly, butt (TS&T) I did decide that I would keep the size of the classic herd down to ONE! 
Continue my quest for front end mods that drive the way I want it to....without doing an RPM.  (Parts in my head)

BB
 

Hey, I thought we agreed we were gonna build some tube control arms. Now you're bashing me? 


I guess it depends on how many cars you can manage. Me, I have a hard enough time with one.


Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
 

8/24/2019 10:33 PM  #24


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

MS wrote:

New rear axle assembly coming up soon. Hey, it’s only $3,000.  Other than that, I am now into the “EVERYTHING IS JUST PATINA” mode. Can’t wait til it looks like Dan’s gold coupe.

 
My daughters would have to correct you Steve...”Prairie Dog Brown” 😁

 

8/25/2019 12:38 PM  #25


Re: Have you ever asked yourself

red351 wrote:

Well maybe its time too thin the herd, but each one has a purpose.

67 is a great Sunday afternoon cruiser going out for ice cream.
Red 72 for when you need a big speeding ticket.
98 is DD winter car. (Yes Barry It got put back together when we got home from the bash)
03 Silverado for camping'   but it break down a lot.   Might put a ball on the 98 roof for pulling the filth wheel ( its more dependable)
2010 is there. I'm not sure why, you have to ask Bonnie.

 

I've found what to me is how to keep my interest up. Buy a new vehicle for DD, and then the projects are strictly for fun. To me there's nothing worse than *having* to work on the vehicle, it needs to be you *want* to work on it. Or at least the times when you don't want to work on it there's no effect on the rest of your life

Long way of agreeing with you, thin the herd get a DD with warranty and then wrench when you want to on the "fun stuff".
 

 

Board footera


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