Re: Old cars

Posted by Fish'n Jim On 2023/7/20 9:49:11

Having had about 8 boats and an RV, they weren't a hobby, they were aides for my prime hobby which made expenses at least. Cars fall back to third or fourth. Those assets mostly just depreciate and you trade them like a used car. You eat the wear and tear(cost/mile) and market valuation changes. When you pull a rusting hulk out of a field/garage, that's real commitment and shouldn't be viewed lightly or left to impulse. Gambling has better/fixed odds.

The caveat emptor: when you buy a "needs restoration" vehicle, there's a lot involved and more than most will admit in time and money to excuse it as a hobby. I'm not sure if the internet has helped or hindered in that regard. From one view, it aides in getting info, (but shifts the burden to knowledgeable others) in another it spreads the infection faster. I gave up my other site because of the time it steals from other tasks. Someday, not to distant, I'll probably quit here. Life is constantly moving on. It makes sense why some have "yard art" but that also ruins a vehicle over time for the sake of nostalgia. Nearly everyday, I drive past a pile of about 8 old cars holding up dirt that were used to stabilize a bank, and shake my head what could've been. The throw away society.
I guess everyone is familiar with cars so gets attached/has memories, and that drives the "urge". I started at age 5. Usually, it's because they could not at the time. I think new car manufacturers have the 'they all look alike' disease which destroys desire for one's personal touch vs the styling of yore. Stand out from the crowd so to speak.
Personally, I don't care what people do with their property, so long as it doesn't mess me up, but have seen to many "butchered" in the name of restoration or customizing. Or taken apart and then quit on for various reasons. It's just a personal pet peeve, so to speak. Someone had to carefully protect or otherwise repair those "good ones" and it doesn't just happen. It takes money, time, tools, and know how - act accordingly. If one wants to learn the craft, there are trade schools now for that vs DIY. It's kind of like they say for the world, leave it in a better condition than when you got it. Otherwise, there won't be any left at some point.