Folks Of Interest How do you know when it's time to let one go?

That's it right there........what make YOU happy. Cars I usually sell make it to the piss me off stage......I work on them only to have something else break (It doesn't help that some of the cars I buy are a POS). I did buy some that I have now just to build and sell (not thinking that I'm a pro or that I'm going to make big $$$), I enjoy building so they're just to kill time after I retire. If I don't think I'll finish them all, they'll get sold.

This is all I really want to do, the shitty thing would be if I can't when I retire.

 

I need to get crackin’ on my Olds before I can’t. Most everything it needs (exhaust, brakes, and wiring) is under the car. I don’t mind getting under the car, it’s getting back up that’s tough…

 

I sold my Tudor ( I REALLY loved that car) that I had for over 25 years , 5 years ago because it just sat in the garage covered in dust. I had big plans of road tripping it everywhere but life always got in the way. I had a surprise phone call from her new caretaker the other evening and it appears that she is living life to her full potential in Morgan Hill Ca., getting driven and used like a Hot Rod should be. Good move on my part. And the '25 Dodge (SAW MILL SPECIAL) I was going to build went ByeBye because I just didn't "feel it", now its yard art somewhere down in Denver!..Still keeping my Chevy pickup, too much sentiment and years attached to that one. Mitch

 

Times change. People change. Things change. When the things you have, do not line up with the things you want to do, it is time for them to go.

The hardest part of sending a car you used to love away, is determining what the asking price, and what the willing to send it away price should be.

Its very hard to not let the old memories drive the price up or down. The emotional attachment can blind us to the real value of the car. Asking friends a car's value doesn't help, most can't picture anyone else owning your car, especially if you have had it a long time.

If you figure out how to determine a car's value, please let me know. Mine didn't sell, so apparently it was not worth what my friends and I thought it was worth.

 

I have sold off every car and settled for one at this day and age. Not sure I made the right decision or not, but it makes me smile when I look at it even the state that it is in now and knowing I have a long way to go to get my vision.

 

Hey Jim .

you got me thinking I have never owned a car more then 4-5 years before cutting it loose.

wether I bought it and it’s not what I expected , too big of a project , ended being made a ridiculous offer and sold it for a big profit or simply got tired of it .

I find there is always some other old car that will tickle my fancy and put a smile in my face .

I got my 40 merc for sale , while I love the car and if I keep it I’ll still cruise it with a big ol’ smile , I’ve come to the conclusion it’s not quite what I want .

at the end of the day it’s just “ Stuff “ I dunno as much as I love cars and the hobby , I’ve never fallen in love with one .

do what you think is right , if you have had your fun , let it go and get something else .

 

I'm posting my reply after reading Jim's original post, I'll read the other replies later. I've had far more started projects than finished ones. Started collecting parts in 1961 when I was 10 year old finally bought a car in 1966. Never had the funds to buy a Good Car, it has been a lifetime of upgrading the pile of parts for a better pile. Life did get in the way, and stuff found new homes so I could build a house, put two kids through college, along with a few trips to the West Coast. Bought one project back after 25 years, and NOTHING had changed with it. I want to find one other and I'd be happy. Every other car or project I sold just became an answer to a needed money situation, no regrets, they were the answer to a problem. Bob

 

My cars usually sell when someone else ask if it's for sale and I say not really and then they ask what I would want if I did sell it and I give them a insanely high price and they say okay. Ask a stupid high price and the decision might get made for you. With all the notoriety that car has had over the years I am sure someone wants to own it really bad.

 

Sounds like it's novelty has worn thin, that's usually a good time to let them go, when fun is replaced by anguish it no longer is a viable piece of ya.

 

I have changed with the last 10 years. I'm a better builder than owner. I enjoy the feeling of accomplishment when finished. It goes with out saying about creating if you start with parts and build a complete vehicle. I drive them for usually one summer and then sell and begin again. One thing that stands out in this is that I have never had or built the perfect vehicle. A few years ago, I had 3 hot rod trucks. They all did things a little differently. Storage space was a real problem. But I found that I was happier building than owning so I have a little different answer than most.

 

I've let go of one wife and some girlfriends more than I've let go of cars. Bad thing at my age I don't know if that's entirely good or not lol. But talking about your car, I guess at one point everyone has to move on. Let someone else enjoy it. It sits and deteriorates in the aspect of keeping it or you sell it and it lives on. Life changes everyday, why hold on to things. Especially when there's so much to do, change or build. Should take my own statement as advice, I've got more then I'll ever get to and it sits... excess is unnecessary unless you want it for no reason other than your own gratification.

 

I'm still on my first girlfriend (well, wife for the past 40 years).

I know that it's only worth what someone will pay. The fun part is finding that person, and how much they are willing to pay.

Probably, but I've only had one person tell me to let him know when I wanted to sell it, over all these years. It's a strange car, and really hard to put a value on, as not many people want a car that is built with this weird set of priorities.

 

BUT.....Only car's change if we change them..........I think it's US that really change..........

 

Are you keeping the engine? It's been in more than one car.

 

Jig saw to the Vette hood would be the talk of the town.

 

I had the blower on a few different ones, but this engine has only been in this car...and all the pieces of it came from different places.

 

maybe one of these days, but probably not the blown 427. That engine is pretty happy in it's current home.

 

Cars age like any of us they rust and wither. Just depends how you keep up with it and our selves.

 

Thought the engine was in the 55 or was it a 454? So if you sell it will be turnkey ready ? No roller.
I'm guessing it will be a easy sell.

 

I have the 454 from the 55 sitting in my shop.

 

"And my wife will ride in it!"

"I'm still on my first girlfriend (well, wife for the past 40 years)."



Looks like your priorities are correct! I'm at 55 years and 49 days. But never made any money on a car.

.bjb

 

Next time you do a drag challenge type event, put a 'for sale' sign on it. A good way to get coverage.
I retired 5 and a bit years ago (at age 61) after selling my classic Holdens, one of which I'd owned 18 years and another for 14 years. I also sold my '39 Chev pickup that was 90% done. It was the price I paid to retire before I got too old and damaged to enjoy life. Three of my friends dying of brain cancer within weeks of each other spurred me on as well.

 

I picked up a 1965 Nova SS , one of those good deals not to pass up. All the pieces were there, 6 cylinder, auto and some what driveable but it needed to be completely tore apart and gone through (inside and outside) front to back. Kept it for awhile but it was #3 on the getting too list. One day I walked out to it in the backyard and said to myself your never going to get to it sell it. Put a ad online and sold it two hours later. Made a few bucks off it and the guy was happy to buy it.

 

if you are having to ask others, you obviously aren’t ready to let it go ………

 

I've always been known to have a hoard. I'm also a cheap arse. If it's hard to spend money on it when it needs parts then I know I'm open to getting rid of it. The thing is, when you say "yes" to one thing, you're effectively saying "no" to something else. Upkeep on one car is going to take away time and funds from others. Problem is I also get sentimental about things a lot, I have some cars that I don't want to spend money on but will never get rid of. That's why I bought acreage so they can be out of sight out of mind but not really gone forever.
(Take this with a pound of salt. I have no wife or kids and I've been known to go on the Ramen diet because all my money goes into my hot rods...LOL)

I'm to the point now where I keep 2 or 3 on the road and the rest are stored far away, having too much in front of me at once makes me lose my mind.

 

I think @CME1 summed it up perfectly, the fun is in the hunting, finding, enjoying then on to the next. You can't keep them all!

 

My love affair with a car ends as soon as I get it home so I’m not much help. It’s the hunt that matters.
I have never been a builder, put a few together in my younger days but didn't enjoy it.

 

I built one of the first Factory Five Cobra replicas back in 1997. I knew it was a car I would keep forever. Someone asked what I would take for it. I priced it where I didn't think he would take it. He accepted it. I had it 4 years.

 

Thing is, it ain't the only thing that gets old-more parts on cars can be replaced than on humans. I had 3 also, one day I realized I didn't drive 'em as much, still spent $ on them, upkeep just sitting there, etc.etc. and I didn't get the care they got. Sucked it up, sold two, but kept one that serves as a memory machine and requires as little time as possible. I am delighted with the results, have more time for the upkeep of me, and the rest is great. My best vet car bud passed and I realize what's the most important thing about cars and humans.

 

...when I read the title,... I thot you meant when to fart! yuk, yuk,...yuk