i got 2 daughters and 2 son in laws 2 grand sons all were raised around cars and car people none cares about cars or car shows so all my parts are going to some younger friends that i have meet and helped who want to be involved in making this life style last. while i can still help them out
My buddy is in the process of buying a home, with a sweet detached garage. The owner died and had no children, just some out of state nieces who were selling the house. During the first walk thru he discovered the garage was LOADED with mid 60's vette parts, engines, trannies, heads and even fuel inj setups...you name it. The nieces had no clue and wanted it cleaned out. He offered to "clean out the junk" for the nieces, but one of the guy's friends stopped by and did the favor. Oh well, at least it didn't go in the dumpster.
I didn't mean to imply that anyone here was like that. I've met people that didn't want anything to do with a "know-nothing youngster" like me, and would much rather I left them alone than teach me anything... I apprenticed at a body shop with a guy like that.
It's just stuff. I used to cling to everything like collectables and parts and all that like it was gold. Then I realized, it's just stuff. It's not really important. My kids could care less either. I've given so much stuff away, and it makes my brother mad as hell. I just enjoy what I have; enjoy people more, and I get to see and appriciate things even more. When I go, none of it can go with me. Someone could toss it into the grave with me I suppose, but all it would do is rust or crumble, so why? I just enjoy the journey. My garage is a lot cleaner today; and I find I can afford the good stuff I never could because I was buying an holding all this other junk. Don't worry about it, just enjoy life; store up your treasure in heaven where moth and rust won't destroy it.
My brother gets what he wants out of my tools. I told the wife to have a LARGE auction-even spelled out what auctioneer I wanted because he has a clue about auto parts. The daughters will get their choice of signs (as many as they want) out of the shop. I'll be past caring by then!! Just spent half the summer cleaning out Mom & Dad's home and shop. Dad passed in 2001 and Mom passed last March. She would not let us clean out the shop or house somewhat after Dad passed away. After cleaning out their place, I am going to have to get busy and start cleaning out some of my "stuff"-don't want to dump so much of it on the wife and kids. Unfortunately, my wife a pack-rat, too.
when i die I want my some of my asses put in my gas tank of my car... I ain't the spelling police but that is funnny. Insert jokes about how much gas it may contain About a year ago I went through all of my stuff and tools with a video camera and said what it was and what it might be worth in a real world value. Took about an hour gave the tape to the wife to put in the safe deposit box at the bank.
i'll just be noted as one of them hoarders who kept all this shit and now its being auctioned off... hope yall hear about it cuz i got some neat stuff ... and yes its the stuff you want either that or dig a bigger hole i overheard some real old (80 +)guystalking about how such and such just passed away and now his widow is having a tough time dealing with his collection of old car parts.. one guy pipes up and says he is gonna have a swap meet at his wake that way all the people will show up and disperse his stuff one other guy asks him hows he's feelin today .... why ? he answers cuz i need them extra fenders you have for my model A project and i'm gonna be busy next week in case your wake happens in the next few days i am callin dibs
I have spent the last 50+ years collecting this stuff and I have had some of these thoughts myself, I guess by writing this I will plan to get rid of the left over parts and collectables. There were some good ideas as I don't want the parts going in the dumpster. The trucks will go to the grandsons (3) and the Corvettes to my two sons, and all the parts, I am going to find someone who will appreciate them.
I saw an ebay listing tonight that made me laugh, a guy said he was having a pre death estate sale... I too had just been thinking that same thing, clearing out some of the stuff that I will never get to. the best you can do is get a will set up, and leave people things that you had, after a death , certian stuff has some sentiment to it, and I am sure some will be just turned into cash... IF I am gone , all this will not have consequence to me, but It would be nice not to burden survivors with the disposal of it.
This is the coolest answer give it to the younger guys who are passionate but cant afford the retarded jacked up prices. If you leave it to family your prized stuff just becomes dollar signs or land fill.
I frequently go to estate sales/auctions put on by a local auctioneer. Its usually a good mix, with mostly antique store ladies looking for deals, and 2 or 3 guys going after the garage stuff. These are usually sell everything on the property type sales. I went to one where the guy had alot of old car stuff, sheds full of parts, cars for sale, as well as the whole house full of furniture, etc. I assumed the people died, which is usually the case. No, they finally got their kids through college and were going to enjoy their lives. Sold the house, cars and all the shit. Nothing to hold them down, unless they run out of money... It does not sound like such a bad idea to me.
well, if nothing else ,this thread has got a few of ya thinking..and maybe re arranging your 'stuff".. If we can keep the thieves from raiding the estate, this junk should all find good homes.. yeah, there are some young guys still buyin' and collectin', but more that aren't.. think I'll just keep buying and building ,and piss off the relatives and neighbours even more.. thanks... 1939fiat
I am 47 and have no kids so what my two sisters and niece dont want will probably get auctioned,I need to get a will soon and make sure the good stuff goes to a good home.
I started to do this post yesterday when the power went out! How 'bout that for a hint from someone above? Especially since last week I did the big Route 66. We've moved around the country a lot in our 42 years of marriage, but I've managed to keep most of my magazines, programs, Bonneville & drag trophies, die cast, wall art, posters, etc. Cars have always come and gone pretty quickly, and I've never been a parts hoarder. After our move to Georgia last year, I decided the time had come to turn as much of this stuff into my last shot at building my dragster/Fiat Comp Coupe. Six months of E-bay and the rail is just about done, and I really don't miss all the stuff that's been shipped all over the world. What I did learn its that a lot of the stuff really doesn't have much value in the open market. Mid 50's on up Hot Rod's...can't even get a bid. Other Street Rod Mags, forget it, don't even bother. Once the Track Roadster, now on E-bay, finds a new home and I have my fun with the digger for a few years, it will go also, and I'll concentrate on becoming the grand old geezer teaching the young guys the true meaning of "Traditional". Any of the wall art, Bonneville trophies, etc will go to the Don Garlits Museum to be with Swamp Rat 33.
Same thing I was thinking. I would like my Snap-on tool box full of tools to have a good home, probably give them away someday. Anything my daughter doesn't want she can take to the dump, that's how I got most of it anyway.lol
You do have to wonder were it's all going to end up. Just think about the lives many of your parts have already passed through. My Dad handed down to me the love of hot rods and cool old stuff. We are very sentimental that way. My son (like many of your kids) has not shown much of a interest in cars. He is 10 years old and just recently that has changed. It's a nice feeling because it gives us more one on one time. But at the same time it eases my mind a little because I would like him be able to hold onto my stuff as a adult. Hopefully he will get the same enjoyment from it as I have. If not, there is always somebody looking.
I have a good friend whos wife says ,"When we bury him the funeral will be at 10 AM the yard sale will start at 11:30 AM." I have told them both,,"Don't ask me to be help carry the body to the grave site,,,i'm gonna be one of those early birds at the yardsale!" This guy has a unbelievable collection of long guns and very early Buddy L toys,,,not to mention a nice collection of cars and parts.HRP
Hey Rich; Glad I could help spend your money..(re;dragster).. Good luck...I NEED to see this car make a pass or two. 1939fiat
My wife was busting my chops one day about how much stuff I have. I said, " Hey! When I die, people are gonna be lining up at the door to buy that stuff!", to which my 12 year old son quickly replied, " No they won't! It's all mine! The collections will be in good hands.
Small side story but not O/T ... IMHO About 20 years ago I had a few Chevrolet High Performance parts and pieces for sale. A guy came to my house to look at the stuff and bought his elderly Dad with him. I had stuff packed in every corner and way too many projects. My 32 Roadster, a 56 F-100 Big Window, a 49 Mercury coupe, a 70 LS-6 Chevelle, a 69 real Z-28 Rally Sport and other assorted lesser stuff. Lots of engines, transmissions and over 100 factory Chevrolet high performance aluminum intakes. The Dad asked me how old I was and I said 40 ... he pulled a tape measure from his pocket and pulled it out to 72 inches. He then took removed 40 inches. He said ... the average guy lives to be 72 ... this is how much time you have left. You have used a lot more than you have left. You have all these parts and projects and NONE of them are running. I suggest you pick out the one you really want and sell the rest. ... I said to myself ... what a idiot. But about a week later, I started thinking about what the older gentlemen said ... and decided he was right. I sold most everything ( over a period of 18 months or so ) and had a BIG pile of cash. I kept the roadster and the 32 stuff ... but all the rest was sold. I then had plenty of cash to finished the roadster. Having only one project was a great thing. I was focused on it and got it done. Still have it ... most likely NEVER sell it ( the wife can when I am gone ). It was nice not having all that stuff to worry about. It was refreshing to go to the shop and only have to focus on one project. Unfortunately, over the past 20 years ... the stuff has grown back into a sizeable pile. Mostly 32 stuff. After the 3W is finished, I believe I am going back into the sell off mode and cut everything down to one or two spares. My wife has a few good folks to rely on for help when I die ... but she can handle a checkbook a lot easier than a gargage full of old Henry parts. Randy
hey Deuce; good story and likely true.. But "he who dies with the most toys wins".. that's my story and I'm stickin' to it !!! If I walked out in the shop,and only had one project,I'd be out shoppin for something else..just in case I got that first one finished..It's a guy thing man... 1939fiat 1939fiat
I'm 41 and in good health, but I've already started preparing for when i take the long dirt nap. I've been labeling parts and if they are actually Worth some thing i put a "$" on the tag. the wife knows that nobody has anything stored at my place, so the vultures can't scam her. my daughter has no interest in my stuff, I'm hoping for a grandson someday. and like Beachbum said, it's fun finding and collecting old stuff but it also becomes and anchor around your neck.
Who gets it? Folks like me and many of you. I'm the black sheep that is into wheeled goods. Nobody else cares. But here I am...I like the stuff. So new folks come out of the woods like I did. My kids have some interest,though, and I plan what happens to the junk that is left when I'm gone. It ain't going into the dumpster!
I know my youngest son is into cars my oldest isn't. I will leave it for the younger one and some of my music stuff to both. I have a buddy that is donating a bunch of stuff to speedy Bill's musem in Lincoln. It is tied in with the smithstonian so anything that is donated to it can't be touched or sold off to enrich someones kids pocket so to speak.
i know that my nephews will take up where i leave off if i do not have kids. i can not get those little guys away from my cars. i know when i was growing up i loved this stuff, but like all teens i went through fazes where i thought it was lame or "uncool" to like old cars. luckily i bought my car when i was young and cute and stored it away untill i was ready to build it and could afford to build it. i bought my 31 sedan body when i was 14 for 60.00(was missing doors) and a set of fenders, splash aprons, running boards for like 100.00 or 150.00. i was given a set of sedan doors that were rough but hey they were free, and most of the small stuff was given to me for free or next to nothing. i just hope when i have kids that they are not little punks and hate cars.
I think we've all thought about this. We have no children (on purpose) but have a shitload of neices and nephews. Always sent them money on birthdays and graduations. Don't even get a Christmas card from them so fu*k them. Have two beautiful God-daughters that never miss a birthday or Christmas or our anniversary. Guess who gets the whole pot. House , cars and what money will be left. ________________________________________________________ Like I told the kid, "Your music's not too loud, it just sucks and so does OKC!"
The Jalopy Journal
