Hot Rods Long term ownership

This applies to Hot Rods & Custom cars as well, In my case I have owned my old beater for close to 33 years and I have done very little as far as making any changes, I'm still pretty satisfied with the way I built it long before I joined the hamb, if I had it to do over I would change very little, I did change the wheels and grille insert from red to a cream color, I have installed a interior and heat, that's basically it with the exception of maintenance.

How many times have you updated or changed your old hot rod or custom? HRP

 

< 35 years with only minor changes except when body work (mod's) and paint was done in 06.

 

47 years with my 37,its only been on the road 21 years and now on its second interior. I fell victim to the tweed interior fad when it was about ready to hit the road and after a few years I could not wait to get rid of it so 3 years ago it got fixed.

 

Danny
We bought our 67 Nova just before getting married in 1983.

 

Bought it from original owner 42 years ago. It has looked like this for 25 years.

 

When I was young I would buy, sell and trade like crazy. At some point I started to keep some and they became “savers”. My ‘53 Dodge panel at 47 years is the longest in my fleet.

 

Had my avatar '34 for about 35 years. 2 frame offs, 2 paint changes, 2 interior changes, 3 different engines and transmissions. Probably never drove it 1000 miles.

 

Almost 24 years, I’ve had my 51. Multiple rebuilds.
The 29 cabriolet, I’ve had since 1958-59, 63 years, mol. Major rebuild starting ten years ago, lasting 6 years.

The closed cab 29 has evolved since 1963, from a Tudor, to a roadster, to its present configuration.

From its start, it had an ***igned DMV number I had to stamp on the frame.

I have had a number of other cars, but none stayed so long. I still have a 29 coupe and most needed parts, I have had for about a dozen years.

 

2022 will be 40 years, tires and freshen up pinstriping that was somewhat fading.

 

My Moosestang since 1976. It was only a 6 year old car at the time.

 

I have owned my 61 Dodge Dart Seneca about 30 years. had the slanted six rebuilt when the crank broke, had the 3 speed gone through when the front bearing went out, changed the original rear for an 8 3/4 because you can't find brake drums for the original, dropped it about 2" and that's it. I don't even remember the last time I drove it. too much **** in the way to get it out of my shop.

I bought my 49 Chevrolet in 1976 at age 16. around 1996 I tore it all apart and took it all down to metal. body off the frame. MII suspension, now it is sitting in primer with the body mounted and rolling with a 305 and 700R4 wondering WTF is wrong with me for letting it sit for so long.

I've had about 30-35 old cars over the years. can't really tell you why these 2 stuck around so long.

 

The first picture when we were working on overhauling the 235 was taken in 1977, most recent at the drags was last year.

 

I have had the drag coupe for 21 years this coming February.

 

34 years. Things that went:
'Gl*** front end
Tubular A arms
327, 396, 454
Muncie M22 Frankentrans

 

Owned this for half a century..50 years

 

Had my avatar roadster on the road for 32 years (1987-2019) plus prior 8 years to build it.
Miss it every time I go in the shop. SIGH!

First mock up circa 1978

Exceeding the limit

 

I’ve had my 1950 Chevy 3100 since I was 12. I learned to drive on it, painted it when I was 14, and really only driven it since. I’ve put tires on it and fixed brake cylinder leaks, but other than maintenance, that’s it. Every year, I take Little Truckdoctor to his first day of school in it.

 

Seems like some of us just hang on to our favorites. Some of my long-term other ones - over 30 years; my ‘51 Plymouth since 1984, ‘64 Comet - 1985 and ‘37 Chevy - 1990. All of them received improvements, engine swaps, interiors, etc, over the years. All are drivers - some more than others. Like old friends I am surprised how long I have had them, 30-40 years, and how fast the time went.

 

I've had my '63 XL since the spring of '72 so coming up on 50 years. Paint and body work a couple of times and a new interior about 30 years ago.

 

My dad bought this 38 in 1971 as a roller. Finished it in 82. He’d did everything but s***ch the upholstery which was done by Jim McFall. It has had little done since 82 and it needs TLC. I’ve been gathering parts for years and it will get a mechanical and suspension update soon. Probably won’t do a thread because it’s not all hamb friendly.

 

I laid claim to the 33 pretty much day one on this planet, lol. Turn the big 3-0 this year. Its next in line for a fresh overhaul.






My grandparents have had their 55 Chevy now for 45ish years. Always been blue and white, but been our Project X with many different motors and trans combos. Frame off was done a couple years ago.

 

I've had this since 1972, a year before I could get a license, and it started my '40 addiction. The kid in the play pen is 30 now.

 

53 years with my T , this iteration has been on the road for 22 years ... No old pics, house fire

 

When I was a lot younger, I couldn't afford but one maybe two old cars at any one time ($350-$700 price range).
My problem was I wanted and liked so many cars and the only way to get them was to sell/trade what I had.
So, long term ownership never happened for me but I have enjoyed many cool rides over the years!

 

Sold my ‘32 Tudor a couple of years ago after 42 years. Needed room and cash to build my ‘32 5 window.

 

Will be 22 years in July. Thinking about moving it along. Snowman ⛄️

 

I have my 57 Plymouth 57 years. I got it in 1964 before it was being sent to the wrecking yard. In that time I have had the original Dual Carb 318, a 383, a 426 Max Wedge and the 440 that is in there now. It has looked the same now since the 80's. I have had several other 57 and 58 Plymouths over the years but have always kept this one. It has been on the road for all except the two years I was in the Army.

 

I've had both my '51 Club Coupe and '67 Corvette Coupe since 1987 (as Frank Sinatra sang, "It was a very good year"). I built my "T" on the mid '60's (it carries a 1966 Minnesota "Homebuilt" ***le), and is now in the process of a complete re-construction.

 

l have had this one for 30 years.

 

Little Blue, owned for 30yrs. Always kept outside. Daily driver for 10+years during that time....only
modification is conversion to 12 volts....