Ryan submitted a new blog post: Four Feet Away & Going Nowhere Continue reading the Original Blog Post
From an old man who’s 20 years older than you. You will forever wish you didn’t let the 38 go. Some things are more important than plans and good intentions. Memories and nostalgia fall very deeply into importance as we slowly sneak into old age. Good luck on your move.
Unfinished. That’s not entirely as bad as it sounds. Got one in my shop. Torn apart in my youth. Thought it needed the latest efi engine, modern suspension……. It sits. As I fix other people’s cars……it sits. The IFS parts are gone now, along with dreams of modern engines. A dropped strait axle and a pile of stove bolt parts …sits. Waiting. Bought tons of parts. Weather stripping, interior pieces, old straight 6 speed parts, Fulton visor. It sits Just bought another distraction. for probably the 15th summer in a row it sits after I told myself I’d start on the ch***is when school is out. Its still sits. But at least it exists. That dream of one day building is probably more important than the truck itself. The joy of finding a random part The mental rebuild in the head that refines decisions. It’s there in the shop watching me build other things. Kinda like a strange motivation. Sell? I guess I could. But no one at home is starving. Sell due to the guilt of it sitting there? What guilt? That’s self generated in our heads as we examine our remaining time and energy. lost a couple good friends during the pandemic. Both spent the bulk of their lives building rides. They left a few unfinished ones. Some were dreams. We will never live long enough to finish everything. I think that’s probably the point.
I wasn't going to read the comments. I knew what they'd say and I wasn't sure I could handle being right about that. The car isn't for sale. But I'd listen to the right man if he came along with honest intentions. Thirty years I've owned that coupe. Thirty years, and there are days it feels like the arrangement runs the other direction. The car owns me. It owns the guilt I carry for letting it sit, for all the promises I made and the money I spent elsewhere and the years that stacked up while it waited on jack stands for an attention that never quite arrived. It deserves better than what I've given it. That part isn't complicated. What I want now is less. Less room taken up. Less weight to carry. Less inventory to justify. I've been moving toward simplicity for a while now and the cars are the last frontier of that. Strip it down to what actually matters. Two cars. Both of them weapons. A track car and something genuinely mean on the street, built without compromise and without apology. Hell, I've even been turning over the idea of selling the Model A and building a proper lakes car. Early to late fifties. Dual purpose. No half measures. Two race cars that just happen to have plates on them. The thought alone is enough to make me stupid with excitement. I love the way bare floorpans sound when sticky tires kick up gravel. But I'm not a rich man. And I've learned that for people like me, freedom isn't bought. It's made. You make it by cutting loose everything that isn't essential until what's left is exactly enough. That's where I am. I just don't know if the '38 is essential for me anymore... Maybe it is... I dunno...
selling will only lead to future regret. there are enough regrets in life that a person should not go looking for one. Why don't you just do this. Instead of a finicky full race Y block (you do have other "race cars") build a mild street Y block and enjoy driving it on the street. I remember when I saw that car at the 2000 KKOA show in Wichita when McPhail introduced me to you and I marveled at how nice the paint and body was on that car.
Leave it at Tardel’s. After he finishes it the spark will return. You would surely kick yourself for selling it. I have a 40 tudor that I’ve owned longer than anyone else (44 years). I’d never live it down if I sold it. And I’d never forgive myself.
Turned down a dream job opportunity about 6 years ago working for a manufacturer. Timing just wasn’t right with kids in school and I guess I’m not the nomadic type. Wife asked if I’d sell or move my junk collection. I told her I drag that **** with me. Thin down the stuff I’d never use but the truck goes with us. My kids can deal with it when I’m gone. My youngest digs it so he can have it. Maybe his kid will fix it. however, about 3 yeas ago I sold my daily. Just simple f100. Has an engine I built in high school. just seemed like time to go. I bought some equipment and another project with the funds. Kinda miss the truck but I haven’t lost any sleep over it. The first engine I ever built? Well it’s still going. See it cruising regularly. Always brings a grin
I sold my first skateboard deck for car parts probably 15 years ago...when old skateboards started bringing real money. "Why am I dragging around a pile of old, worn out decks," I thought at the time. Now I have a son who skates with me. He'll jump on any board I have in the garage. And all the time I wish I had my first deck to hand over to him...for another ride, a wall hanger, or whatever. Don't know what that means for you, but you know...for what it's worth. Also, Colorado? Whoa...that's awesome. Congratulations.
I had the door lettering on Rusty done by an old time respected sign painter/pin striper in Riverside, CA. He had a ton of stories and gave me a tour of his work area. In the rear was a '30's 4 door Mopar with a small block(340/360?) It was a hot rod from days gone by. He drove it cross country to the first Street Rod Nationals. But now it sits covered with boxes and other stuff. Its former glory barely recognizable but still there under everything. He said he had offers to buy it but not from anyone who checked all the boxes. Hopefully if you don't finish the job you find someone who does check all the boxes. Not just someone to buy it but someone to become its next caretaker. JMO
As the great Chaotician Ian Malcolm once said, "Life finds a way" .....to get in the way. I'm the same way with my Model A at the moment. It's about a month from being able to bucket drive it. Been neglecting it for the past few years with other things, some that are warranted, some that aren't. But life is long, and things that are meant to be, will be. Don't sell it. And I hope your move to Colorado will be fruitful.
Maaaaan to be in a position that the only reasons to sell a car are to free up space or clear inventory! At least make it roadworthy and drive it before considering letting it leave, you'll find that love again and make the space to keep it at your new place. I've no doubt that the majority of the multiple vehicle owners on here have earned through hard graft, but remember the bigger picture and the old times when budget (financial & time) and space weren't so flexible. Make the most of what you have while you have it.
WOW! Revelations abound. Leaving Texas for Colorado, interesting. That's a BIG step. Ridding yourself of the '38....Blasphemy! Downsizing, simplifying, you're still too young for all that. Don't do something you will always regret. Now...the Model A, don't let that go without telling us first.
I fully get this and have a car that is similar. I built the car in 1992 and it has been traded back and forth between me and my brother a half dozen times because we both lost interest and got distracted by other cars. Then, we decided to sell it to another friend that had been pestering me about it for a while about 10 years ago. Anyway, watching someone else drive the car was sort of tough. He blew up the engine but then built a better one. Then, he added a roll bar, ladder bars and coilovers. The opportunity to buy the car back happened a couple years ago so I bought it back. And, it just sits in the shop broken again most of the time. My interests have changed and I often wonder why I keep that car around. Then, there are the memories that my two boys have growing up in the car. Hoping to actually p*** it down in the family this time. Even though these old cars are just junk that will rust and be worthless at some point, they also contain lots of memories and remind us of earlier times in our lives and the friends we found along the way because of them. So, I get it completely...
The decision to sell should only be made tomorrow. Better things of more importance need you today. Anthony (as usual ) put his able finger right on it.
I like Colorado alright. Still having trouble finding decent Mexican food tho. If you sell the '38 you'll miss it as much as I miss CA style burritos. Which is very much a lot.
Oh man that car would be so fun in Colorado. I can think of few things I’d like less than to get rid of that car but you already know that. I think end of the day you fell into a trap few people can navigate. The “make it perfect rebuild” rebirth even. If you don’t have the time and money to make it happen fast after you take it off the road it’s nearly a death sentence we have all seen to many times. I honestly believe you should just stick a good “normal” Y block in the slot and get it on the road as quickly as possible. Finished or not. keeping your *** out of the drivers seat that long can make it awefuly hard to trudge forward. So sage advice that’s been given a million times. Get it driving and when that spark hits blow on it.
I've owned a car that probably defines who I am and who I've been for 49 years. It's not a Traditional Hot Rod by definition or anything close. I bought it when I was 19 matter of fact picked it up on my birthday. It was street raced and daily commuted sat dormant in my mother in-laws back yard for a few years while I was in the service. Collected parts and knowledge and bought doubles and triples of parts at times. Put it back on the road had a good friend of Dad's paint it for me I traded labor for the work he did. Rebuilt engine after engine as I tore up streets and track time. Decided it was a better street car than racer put a mild engine together. It brought my twin daughter's home from the hospital. They went to so many car show events they can't stand to attend another one. Drove them and their new husbands from the church to the wedding reception's. It has brought 6 of my 7 Grandchildren home from the hospital. Yes it has spent plenty of dormant time in pieces over the years for one reason or another. Thought about selling, trading, quite a bit. Just could never pull the trigger. Had plenty of good offers none could replace the memories and sentimental value I have with that car. Now grandkids are having experiences, I hope they put in their memory bank and cherish for their lifetime. The car never minded waiting for the road again. It's a fixture a family fixture, a memory of a lot of good times weather it was on the road or sitting dormant. So letting it go will have to wait until I'm gone then whatever happens, happens. As for the car we are still making memories and having a damn good time doing it. So Ryan pack up that 38 Ford with the trunk full of parts and memories and take it with you. You will be glad you did. It won't mind waiting for what ever comes next. Joe
@Ryan From a guy that has messaged you randomly over the years about the status of the 38, I hate to see you thinking of selling. Like you have said, That car made you the person you are today, to include this place for all of us to enjoy. I am no good at words, But it would be a sad day for us HAMB long timers to see it go...Its a part of the place and you, that could never be replaced....
Wow. on the other hand, I don't want back the ones I let go. They meant a lot to me at the time, and they still do, but not in a way that I have to still own them, to keep their meaning.
I added a custom ‘idiot light’ on my 59’s dashboard that usually helps me get through the crossroads. 90% of my shop time is just trying to make up my mind.
Sounds eerily familiar, except my parts pile is deeper. If they held a Jackstand Nationals I'd be in the hunt. PS Better sell the coupe Ryan, you do know that you will need to change the jets in that fresh Colorado air. Who needs more work!
I think sometimes we make things way more complicated than they need to be. Keep.it simple. Who cares if its not strictly traditional? Drive it. Make it better or more what you want in small steps. Doable. Or sell it and move on. No worries either way.
Sorry, Boss! Can't put a Like to this one. A few times in my life I faced a decision that I had difficulty with. I put down on paper the pros and cons and weighed each side one vs. the other. Even this is difficult because each side must be Honest and Without Bias. Like has been mentioned, definitely do not rush unless you are entirely warm and fuzzy about the next step. I'm pretty Keith wouldn't mind baby sitting, either. So there is That! We are Always here if you Need Us.
Of all the '35 to '41 Ford designs the '38 has the most beautiful art deco front sheetmetal design. I'm with the suggestion that you leave it with Tardel and go visit him when it's done!
I still have my first car, a crudely chopped '53 Ford with a 348 in it, which I've had since grade school. It needs everything, and it sits waiting for a "someday" that I do hope comes but never gets scheduled. I thought about selling it when I was younger and poorer. It's not doing me any favors now, but I know if I had sold it back then, and got the opportunity to buy it back today (in any condition and for any price) I'd be overjoyed to reclaim it. I've sold many others that I don't care to ever own again, but this one's different. Interesting side note, I've watched a few do***entaries/interviews on minimalism, it's interesting. But whenever I hear the people who went hard-core mimimalist talk about all the things they gave up to simplify, they never had anything cool or interesting. It's always a list of latest-and-greatest status symbol consumerism ****. Not sure if that means anything.
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