Hot Rods Big decision today.

Hi again to all here.
I used to be somewhat of a regular poster especially prior to my retirement from automotive and powersports(H-D) dealerships. Life got in the way for a lot of reasons. Haven’t been very active in many vehicular forums especially since 2020, FB forums, yes, because they were in my face.
Anyhow, I have one on and one off topic car. The on topic is a stalled project, up until 2009 it was drivable. It needed some freshening up, I had a 401 nailhead for it until it was stolen , so I started a O/T (1971 M/Y) swap and that later morphed into a frame swap.
It was going along well until 2011, my friend from ‘67 who was helping me p***ed away and suddenly the project stopped. Pushed it into the garage, acquired a few things for it here and there but nothing done of any importance since.

Well a couple of stalled attempts we have gotten to this junction. Several days in the hospital, conversations with a step brother with a similar stalled project and with another friend made me think. Long and hard I did.

Another long time friend of close to sixty years has had a couple of cars here and there, on and off topic. Hot rodder, big three engineering staff. Has a couple of grandsons, the youngest is his big worry. This grandson mentioned is just about driving age, his dad is building himself a new life. Grandpa wants to connect with the grandson, they have been over hunting and hot rodding especially this summer. Oldest one is on track to better himself.

So I made a big decision, texted my friend around midnight, told him that maybe this would bring all three of them closer together, I was giving him the project car gratis including a lot of pieces, things like a set of early Ansen Sprints, etc. I never went cheap on the parts. As the frame the car was based on was a late 70’s GM ch***is itmgotmEnergy Suspension bushings front and rear, Moog steering parts before their quality went down, Ididit steering column, Rebel Wire harness. Engine and trans were rebuilt before I got them but things like Comp Cams, Edelbrock, B&M were used in its rebuild.

Told my wife, I’ve had the car since 1979, so say the least she was shocked. Adult daughters, neither of their spouses are interested in it and my grandsons are way too young (oldest is 9) so p***ing it on to,them is a,no go. But it was something I needed to do. Sure I probably could have sold if for something, I’m not wealthy by any means, living on SS and a part time job.

So unless something goes entirely sideways it’s going to a new home.
I didn’t do this thread for attaboy’s, a pat on the back, accolades, anything. I don’t even know if I’ll check back into this thread, just wanted to get this off my chest.

The day they come to get it, I’ll have to take off before they get here. It’s going to be rough. I say to myself “it’s only steel” but it becomes a part of you especially that many years of owning it.

Thank you.

 

Speaks enormously to who you are. Thanks for sharing

 

^^^^^^^^^. Ditto
Come hang out with us occasionally.
Dan

 

What was the vehicle? Any pictures?

 

No photos. A 1955 Buick Special on a 1978 Buick modified frame with a 71 455 and TH 400.
Solid western car.

It really bothers me to have to make a decision like this but dreams are for young guys, reality is for us old guys.

I’ll still not be completely away from the automotive world, but my present car is a couple years past 1965, still a car of my younger years. And one O/T off road capable D/D plus the bikes. But this chapter is now closed.

Kind of ironic, my wife said in so many words the project was jinxed, doomed from .the start. Having my 401 stolen (I didn’t press charges, it was in a parts car for another person’s restoration project I was managing and the “s**** guy” hauled it off without asking the business owner for permission. He got banned from the premises over that and karma got his ***, big house time. Not for that, we just let it go, it just wasn’t worth it. He got nailed over Fed charges connected to a demo job not connected with the previous company. The 455/78 donor car was a for awhile D/D for the previous owner until it was parked and someone stole the carb. He then towed it to his dad’s house where it languished until I bought it. My friend, cancer got him. In fact his last lucid phone call I received was how when he got out we’d be back on the project, never to happen. Maybe she’s right, jinxed from the start. I know the story sounds like B.S. but it’s all true. There used to be a few people here in “the real world” that knew me, they’d vouch for me that nothing here was made up/tall tales.


Last summer, I took a friend who’s in his 80’s to look at a car of his younger days. His heart was set on it, he asked me for my opinion and I had to advise him that this wasn’t the one for him. I sensed his change of spirit on the way back to his home.

 

Good on you man! that an incredibly hard thing to do, but this way there is a very good chance you'll see that car back on the road.

Those guys will be forever grateful and no doubt take you for a ride/let you drive it.

There's something to be learnt in this story for guys hoarding multiple vehicles "Il get to that project one day"

I'm not saying everyone has to give all they have away, but you gotta be realistic

I'm a ways off yet but if its still possible id rather see these vehicles still on the road than my future uninterested family sending it off for s**** after I'm gone.

I guess that raises the other question of where the enjoyment comes from this hobby? Some folks live for the the chase and the build and never drive em, others its all about getting as many miles under them as possible.

 

Sad story but, likely one that we all will face at some point in one variation or another. Thumbs-up to you for making a tough, emotional decision. These things do become part of our souls as we spend countless hours, days, blood, sweat and tears, not to mention dollars, in a relentless effort to see them "live" again. Non car people simply have no clue as to why we do this stuff.

 

The friend that was heavily involved in my project had several cars in various states at the time of his p***ing. I have no idea whatever happened to any of them, for all I know all probably crushed.

The jinx factor, well there are things on this plain of conscienceless that defy definition. Maybe this was one of them?

 

I know this has to be a tough decision but sure seems like it will be a great opportunity for the new caretaker. Thanks for sharing and praying that your friend and his grandsons can all come closer together working on it. Young boys need time with grandpas especially when it comes to p***ing on how to work on stuff, etc. You are likely helping create a couple of next generation hot rodders here.

 

I’ll still not be completely away from the automotive world, but my present car is a couple years past 1965, still a car of my younger years. And one O/T off road capable D/D plus the bikes. But this chapter is now closed.

You said you’ve been away for a while. There now is an Off Topic forum under Misc. Anything but EVs is allowed, bikes, muscle cars etc.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/forums/off-topic-hot-rods-customs.98/
Dan

 

First of all, bravo on your common sense decision!

At age 72.5, I can fully relate to the decision you made.
I had a driveway full of my cars and trucks that all ****ed up money at one time and they were great fun, and then over a period of time, they became a liability and and they just sat.

So I made the decision to get rid of all of them, and the money I had stashed for the 47 Dodge Business coupe project I had, all of that money converted into a a new fence, a new porch, new pavers for the front and back yard, which meant no more yard work or fighting berry bushes, and a new tuff shed built, that is now a work shop, and a empty driveway that I can use!

​

I still have hot rod friends and I still am a gear-head.

"A mans got to know his limitations" Stolen line from Dirty Harry.

 

We have an Off Topic Section now that you could post your other stuff in.

 

Thanks everybody. I’ll get into the O/T forum tonight.

Not to be morose but I’d stopped going to one big local cruise nearby. Each year the amount of familiar faces I’d see has diminished, some moving on, some p***ing on. For the last few years a local M/C that I have friends in sponsors a car show. Saw my one friend there, he was manning the supporter tent, he and I spent most of the afternoon there just talking. Also ran into another fellow there, one of my old customers in the automotive world. A couple of months later I wake up to FB and see that my friend p***ed. That hit me hard. In February I attended the memorial for the second guy, I had a rough time deciding if I would go this year which I finally did.

There’s always the possibility that this first giveaway will fall through, I hope not. But if so, I have a contingency plan, I have someone else to ask. But really hoping the first offer goes through.

 

It almost sounds like you’re giving up on life because your friends are gone. Hell, do what I do, go and find new friends to help you. Maybe some younger kid in high school that you can p*** on knowledge to. A helper monkey as I call them. If I’m out of line let me know and I’ll shut up. I have been wrong once before. I was married. We all should go out kicking and screaming. Not like sheeple to slaughter.

 

No I’m not giving up, just realizing that its not going to get finished. I still off road, nothing too wild, it’s my DD, gotta get home from those days and still drive it so I can’t bend it up too much. Still have one O/T car and the two bikes.

It just speaks of the sometime hard decisions we have to make, aging, realities of life.Believe me I’m not going to go down without a fight.

 

Rage; rage against the dying of the light; do not go gently into that good night...

 

As a "younger" guy that always made a point to hang out with car guys your age range. I can say that even if you never touch a wrench or speck of rust again you still possess a great value to the vintage rod world

 

Nice thread.

For the OP’s consideration …
Consider keeping the ***le until the
build is done, that will incentivize
the father to build the car with the
son without undue distractions.

Jim

 

Not that I'm much good at making friends, much less new ones. Too many trust issues these days. I have my little British car, probably my last serious project, no particular hurry to get it done. It gives me satisfaction; the realization of small victories. No grandkids with any interest in cars at all; son is out of the picture, his choice; wife is used to me selling off stalled projects when I lose interest in them. I gave away several hundred dollars' worth of O/T engines and parts last year simply because it was getting in the way.

 

Seems to me like you've done the sensible thing. Time is a diminishing commodity for us human beings; am 64 and I know I'd NEVER get my car anywhere where I want it if I suc***bed to temptation and bought a second fun vehicle (also the reason why I try to avoid doing more than one job at the time). That, and spreading the good karma

 

dreams are for young guys, reality is for us old guys.

wow.

 

I ***ume the two you mention are Shovelheads. I am deep into the Shovel craziness, and will likely never get over it until the day they replace my blood with embalming fluid.

Printed on the back of my favorite 40 year old riding jacket is "Hear no Evo, See no Evo, Ride no Evo".

 

One of the perks of being a member of the H.A.M.B. , is how you can stumble onto various projects, that the younger people are doing, and its really cool when a person ( me ) realizes, that a lot of the spare parts and stuff bought at swap-meets that are just sitting around, doing nothing, can be given away to a younger person that can really appreciate it.

Enjoy the adventures of young Gus, as he opens up the packages, sent to him, for his doodle bug project!
Thanks from Dennis.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=nate+forsberg+doodle+bug+drive

​

 

You asked for no pats on the back, so I'll just mention that paying it forward is worthy.

With your background and history, even if you aren't going to start up a new project, you can help and advise others with what you have learned over the years. There are some who can't be told how to tighten a screw, but there are a lot of members who can use a bit of what's still between your ears while it's still working. It may not be mentoring the old fashioned way, but there is rarely a day goes by here where someone doesn't ask something you might be able to help with. I enjoy the "What Is This Car?" posts because I often learn too. Beats playing board games at the retirement home!

 

A couple answers here.

truvintage, well,,the grandfather has been a friend for decades. He was one of the,people who always has been here for me when I’ve needed him, and the same the other way around. He summed it up “we’re like brothers” a long time ago.
For legal reasons, he’s getting the ***le immediately. Jumped ***les, many times I’ve seen them with disastrous results from abandoned vehicle tows and impounds up to getting dragged into a potential lawsuit resulting from a crash and personal injury in 1969 ,my late best man’s dad had that one. If I get screwed and they sell it so what?

ebbspeed,no, only one is a Shovelhead, 82 FLH that is getting an FX rear fender, FB front fender and a few other appearance changes. It’s already a mild build with a Andrews cam, solid lifters, CV carb, single fire ignition, nothing radical but still fun. The other is a *****, ‘02 cop bike with a batwing, FLHTPI to be exact. Stage 1, hydraulic tensioners upgrade, Progressive Suspension front and rear,Touring link to tie the motor to the frame and full LED lighting.

Went to my Cardiologist late today, he gave me encouragement. I start cardiac rehab next week. My P/T employer is working with me, told me whatever it takes. It’s not all gloom and doom, I’m not trying to buy a halo, just doing what’s right.

And yes, I’ll start participating in the forums again especially the O/T. Besides H-D parts on a part time basis for 23 years I was in GM dealership parts 47 years and two weeks. So I’ll try to do what I can.

 

Again, thanks for p***ing this on. Pretty sure some good will come out of it one way or another. And, sounds like a couple cool bikes. I have a couple similar ones in that the one I ride daily is an 03 FLHRCI and my old one is a 54 FL. I rode a 75 FLH about 30 years ago but sold it before my kids came along.

 

RodStRace, “board games” yeah, like the response I gave to my Medicare Advantage insurer a few years back when they were hounding me to accept a home visit as the missus and I are both there.

Three days, three calls. Kept telling them we weren’t interested. They weren’t taking no for an answer. So I play along and said “what does this entail?” Her response was “we’re going to do medical checkups on you and your wife and advise you of safety hazards you should correct and things like bath rails, chairs to help on the commode, things like that.”

Now she thinks she has me. I replied “Lady, I wish you could see me.I just got off my 850 pound motorcycle driving around 85 mph for over thirty mile while trying to not become the hood ornament for some texting driver that wants my lane. And after eight hours I’ll be returning home with the same challenges. Now do I sound like your normal target market?”

Well the call ended pretty quickly thereafter.

 

Palladin1962, yes trust issues. The world has changed, people of my generation are looked on by some as targets. Targets for scams taking their money, property and sometimes their lives. How many times have you heard of seniors that have been robbed,,beaten and even killed in their homes because “someone said they have money hidden like all old people.”?

Last summer some door to door soliciting a****** despite a”No Soliciting”sign wouldn’t take no for an answer. Fortunately the wife is as distrusting as I am. He started off asking if he could inspect our roof. Politely I declined. He wouldn’t take a “no”,he then asked if he could “Come in and look around as he was a handyman. Kept trying, each time he asked he received the “polite”but true answer “I already have someone” and finally I said “do you know what no means?”

Last thing I’m going to do is let unknown or a little known person into my house. Who knows what’s really on people’s minds? Like the old song Smiling Faces by The Undisputed Truth in 1971, Smiling faces sometimes
Pretend to be your friend
Smiling faces show no traces
Of the evil that lurks within (can you dig it?)

Sorry to sound so cynical….

 

Cynical and skeptical have kept many a soul alive.
Anyways; I have my Morris to play with and the models as the inside hobby.
The Morris has a good coat of dark red on it now and waiting for color sanding and maybe another coat....
Making it the third car I've painted without using rattle cans! Not a minute of training in it except what I've gathered here.

 

I understand your delima. Over the past 30 years I drove my various rods all over the U.S. I'm approaching 84 and noticabily slowing down. I have a couple of projects left in the shop and a 33 Dodge coupe I built about five years ago and find myself driving it less and less. My wife and I now go south for three months in the Winter so I lose that time that I used to spend in the shop. Despite having six boys none of them are the least bit interested in hotrods. Neither are any of the grandkids. So, I am struggling with whether to sell the coupe and the projects (50 chopped top Ford-49 Buick sedanette) so my wife doesn't have to eventually deal with the cars.or continue to work on the projects. It's a hard decision.