If I Sell My Stuff And Get Out of the Hobby, Can I get Back Into it Later?

I might not go too much into the details, but I'm thinking of selling my treasures in totality and putting the hobby "on hiatus" for a while.

Time, monetary, and post-divorce (5 months ago, as some of you already know) bankruptcy reasons (not to mention I may not have a place to live or store any of it ever again) all factor in.

It seems like later on I can always drop less than $500 on an F1 or something, lurk on Craigslist until I find a "junk" S-10, and go to town when I want to pick it up again. But will it be that easy?

I mean, I've wanted a '59 or '60 Cadillac since I was 10, and have had one for like 10 years, and have finally come to the conclusion that I may never have the time or money, although I have about all the parts, to do it up (including lots of extra stainless, power windows, a couple of extra wiring harnesses, rear Eldo grille, other options, etc).

I'm one of, if probably not THE world's biggest proponent of the 318 Poly, but I'm thinking about selling my '66 Coronet Wagon, 3 Polys, a super rare 3x2 for 'em, along with like 12 carbs and 2 extra transmissions, etc. I don't want to be a hypocrite.

I've got a '41 International and a Cadillac 472 (which I've never gotten around to trading to Raven61 due to crazy life BS), a crapload of MOTOR manuals, and a NICE 16" Car hauler.

Granted, this is not a "commercial", and I'm not quite up to selling it all just yet - this is just a taste of what I've "collected" over the years to fix these things up, to kind of give a sense of the crap I have. My main question is that if I do get rid of all of this, will it be easy to get back into it later, or to buy something that's a running, driving "roller" later? I'm 34, and not getting any younger, but it could be 20 more years before I'm in a place where I can get back into it again.

Feel free to thrash me for being a sellout, but come on - all of us have probably been in a situation like this one. What did you do?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selling_out

 

sell it all, get out of bind, then get back into it when you can.

 

I've done this before.
It's possible to do, but usually more expensive the second time around.
PM sent.
r

 

I completely understand. I had to do it 6 years ago when my first wife left and took all my tools and my house and my car and equipment. I didn't have much but I had to sell what I had to survive. Sorry dude. I know how it feels....

 

If you're in a bind, I'd say unload your stuff. Sell off the things that are easily replaceable for max profit, and the few things you think you'd like to see once again to people you trust will do them good. It sounds like you have a passion for the hobby, and not just for a certain item, and the hobby will most certainly go on. Here's to things working out for ya

 

having a project has gotten me though the tough times in life. i couldn't imagine not having at least one old car to work on, or at least sit in and dream about. if anything dump all the project cars and stick to one old low maintenance driver.

 

I would agree with this. Parts are just parts. Money issues suck. Do what you can to get that monkey off your back.

Tim

 

I feel for ya....really do.

My 2 cents worth is this....make a list of a few almost impossible to replace parts, keep those for someday down the road and sell everything else off. Let's face it, there are some parts that will be just as plentiful even 20 years from now, it will just be a matter of money to purchase them...then there are parts that not only will they cost a ton, but even if you have the money at that time, you could spend another 20 years looking for someone with them who wants to sell them.

If you truly feel you'll get back to it someday, then keep a few nice pieces, leave them out where you can use them as motivation for the future and sell the rest. YOU come first the hobby comes much further down the line...

Matt

 

You gotta do what you gotta do
If that means getting the cash out now then thats what it means.
Hot rodding will still be here when you get back. Why not turn one of your projects into a daily. I know my 64 Belvedere is a hell of a lot cheaper to drive maintain insure and drive than a new car. I also drove my F1 for years before I got wild with it. The 64 is the newest daily I have had in quite a few years. Just a thought

 

Let them go. I've had to sell up several times and while you don't get back what you had something else always comes along. Get your shit sorted and then look around for something you really want and build it.

 

YUP, a lot of us have been in a similar boat. I sold my 51 Merc a few years ago that I had had since I was 16. At least it went to a good home and is looking great today.
I'd suggest keeping the "one project" that is most important to you and selling off the rest of the accumulation. that should give you some recovery funds and some cash to spend on the project.
And there is nothing wrong with bailing out for a while to get your head clear if that is what works.

 

Man that situation sucks, sell what you think you can replace in the future and keep (if possible ) the super rare stuff and get yourself out of that hole. We will all be here waiting for you when you can come back! Hot rodding will always be here.

 

Keep in mind that if you sell everything your tastes might change. Fall in love with that different type of vehicle down the line. Time, $$ & build room dictate my tastes ... within reason

 

10 years ago I was left with squat. I was finding what I could to take to the local auction for a few bucks to get through the week (same old story, divorce).

I've got a decent amount of stuff now.

Not having alot of stuff to worry about actually made it all a bit easier.

 

keep the rare shit, sell the more common...

move to one or two projects,

KEEP THE CADDY if its your dream...

i ran into this issue not to long ago when it was looking like i may sell my hot rod ... my fiancee snapped me into reality and said she would leave me if i did, REGARDLESS of the struggle, she knew i could never replace it for what i have into it, or replace the memories of wanting it SO long... i sold my 62 buick, i regret it a lil, but i have my dream.. it took a few months.. i had to hustle some things, but i MADE it work.. get a second job, do whatever it takes.. just dnot sell the dream, EVER

 

Clean house sell everything and buy this guys book www.daveramsey.com

In the end it is just junk. Family and health are more important.

 

I think I agree with Ray. Sell what you have to, but keep at least SOMETHING around. Without mine and Miss Tina, I doubt I'd be around to type this after going through some of the things I've been through.

I don't mean to come off sounding like a dick here, but it also comes down to your level of commitment. I think you have already answered that though by asking for advice concerning your "hobby". If it is just a hobby, then sell, get outa trouble, and come back.

 

I'm with Ray , keep one. That's about all I have right now, except the wife's 54 Plymouth. A guy gave me a 52 Buick with a title the other day, it's rough but it's a start. I had to sell it all when I got layed off from my job. It's tough but doable.

 

That's the best advice. The rare stuff is hard to come by again, although it is the most profitable to sell.

Many of us have been there. My divorce left me with a couple of folding chairs and a poker table. I definately sympathize with your position. Be careful about selling everything, though.

It's much harder to will yourself back into the game when you've got nothing to start with. You will come back, but the more you get rid of, the longer it will take.

Sorry for your troubles, and I hope that whatever decision you make works out for you.

 

I agree with Tman's advice 100%.
r

 

I guess you're right - you don't get to take it with you, and in the end, it's all for a 6' plot of land.

~Jason

 

you don't need a car to be into this hobby. if I needed money and sold everything I owned I would still go to shows, read books and magazines, come here to the HAMB and other car sites, draw cars, take pictures and all the other junk that we do that does not directly involve owning or working on a car.

not quite sure where the problem is.

 

that book is great and i have actually read it for work...

however...

it doesnt speak about the happiness of a car guy driving his car... and that means a LOT to my quality of life... maybe im just a jerk hahah

 

Sell what you have to and be ready to spend the rest of your life saying "I wish I had that back." Never sell your tools. Keep what you can for something to fool with.

 

Yes, but you will have to go through the hazing again!

 

No doubt.

I've been buying/selling/trading stuff for like 16 years. It's a hell of a long time to be caught in "Parts gathering" mode, aspiring...



~Jason

 

sell it all, get your life back in order.you can always buy more shit, it will/may cost you more

 

Money now is worth more than money later.

 

Right.


Unless it's some specialized piece you will never need again.

 

Keep the rare/hard to find parts, and sell off whatever other parts you can. I would keep 1 project car, if possible.

NEVER sell your tools! You only get pennies on the dollar, and you end up replacing them sooner than you thought. Why pay for them twice? Keep the tools, even if you have to store them at your parent's place, a brother or sister's house, etc.

Nick