Who has has their car for a really long time

me and my dad found a nice 32 in1979 dam 29 years ago! putting the body on the new frame maybe 1980 ? I was a lot shorter back then












had it kinda running by 82 and motated to merced,
oh yea by then I learnd how to channel and chop 32`s I was 15



years of abuse fun and drag racing and sitting out side has givin it some patina
since I painted it in 84 it`s been down the track a few times

 

While talking to the Old Man on the way home from Blktopbandits get together.We counted and he has had his 55 model 210 2 dr hardtop 46 years. In the 60's and 70's had 401 Buick power.. Chevy 6 in it now and not running. Nice old ride but I can't him to do shit with it..

 

i can only hope to fall into this category one day... you guys are RULERS for sticking it out no matter what!

had parts for mine only 3 years, only had the car together for a lil under a year...

heres a photo in front of our house that "looks" like ive had it since early 60s, hahhaha, i can dream!

 

I purchased my 56 Vette in March 1968, so that is now 40 years for that one. Here is a picture of it from 1970 and a later picture that shows how it looks now.

 

hmmm.... I've only had the Kornbinder for about 12 or 13 years But I've had my Model A since '60 Shoot, I guess I've had the A a lot longer than I've ever had my hair

 

Had my '55 Chevy 2 dr sedan since '70. It was my high school car. Got my '34 Chevy coupe in '82. Had a '32 Ford 2dr body since '80. It's now a father and son project. Way too many stories for here.

 

I Have Had My 31 Model A Tudor Since 1952. My Dad Bought It For Me
For 250.00 . I Was Eleven Years Old At The Time. About Three Forths Thru A Frame Off Restoration.
Boydyer

 

Owned My 1935 Plymouth Coupe since November 1974. Built it and wore it out once .Redone and back on the road again.look left to see. more pics on Dreamcars.com web site

 

I've owned my 51 Chevy HT since '84.I was 17 when I bought it.Customized it in '85.Drove it to my High school graduation.Did a little bit when the finances allowed.The car still looks the same today.

 

We've had our A Coupe since '66:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=272564&showall=1

Damn....you guys posted some great stories & old pictures!! I need to find my old pics....big time!!
-Jeremy

 

I've had my 38ford std. coupe for 42 years. I got it in 1966 from a guy in my town for a broken down '29 tudor sedan and $400.00 in cash. It was powered by a 265 chev. with the stock trans and rear end. The guy I bought it from got it off a used car lot in Cuba , Mo. About 4 years ago I saw him at a rod run and he mentioned that he had some pictures of the '38 sitting on the lot before he bought it. Said he would bring them to the next run . He brought them with him and said I could take them and make copies. I gave them back to him and a few months later he passed away. I could go on and on about that car. Well 42 years later and its in primer and I'm having a ball driving it. Everyone asks when I'm going to paint it.What the f**k, it is painted!

 

My dad & I built my T bucket when I was 12 in 1972.I also still have my first legal car. A 1966 Chevelle Malibu. I will never part with either. My Dad has drove his 1956 chevy pickup almost every day since 1958.He says its just now getting broke in. says if he had known he was going to keep it this long he would have looked around and bought a better one than the one he got ! He oils the whole underbody every time he thinks it needs a good oiling(so far no RUST)

 

My Dad bought me my first car in 1959 it was a 41 Ford tudor SuperDeluxe with a radio, clock and the water type heater. By 1961 we had it restored and it was powered by a 53 Chrysler Hemi, bored an 1/8" and the heads cut a like amount. It was hell on the Ford trannys but always ran good and I had no real problems with it. I parked it in the garage in 1975, been there ever since and now that I'm retired I will have enough time to start driving it again.
Might need to charge the battery and prime it though.

 

Bought my deuce sedan B model out of Hemmings in 1989, from third owner who had sedan for 27 years. Running driving 4 banger. Complete car, everything worked. $6700.00
_____________________________________________________
Like I told the kid,"Your music not too loud, it just sucks!"

 

got the 50 chevy in 85 was a old custom when i found it redid it in 93 been driveing it since got the ford in 88 been driveing the shit out of it got to love them y-blocks

 

This is totally off topic as far as the car... but I got a 94 Explorer when I turned 16 and I told it that if it kept me alive, I would keep it alive... That was almost 10 years ago. Okay, on topic, I have had my 36 coupe body for 4 years... Can't wait to get started on it.

Cool stories from everyone!

 

i've had my 69 chevy pickup (my first running vehicle) for a year and a half, thats a new record at my house!

another year or so and i'll sell it.

 

Well Ive had my somewhat hamb friendly 65' since 86' forund the Hamb while looking for a hydro. lots of storries driven real hard stored 10 + years. and Im working on it now. someday it be going

 

My long-timer is not a HAMBer, but it's pretty close - I've owned my '66 Dodge Coronet 500 since April 1980 (28 -1/2 years), and am the second owner.

My HAMB-friendly car, I've owned for just four years - a '37 Terraplane Model 71 Brougham.

 

My M-5 has been in the family for 24 years now.It was "hot-rodded" poorly when I got it and luckily it blew up on the drive home.Nothing like a seller that misrepresents things....
This year is a modification year for it.New disc brakes for the Nova subframe and the new wheels and tires finally see the light of day!
It'd be nice if the economy picked up so I didn't have a guilty conscience over building on the truck!

 

This is a cool thread so I thought I would give a little bump.

The only thing I can add is non - HAMB, but my 71 Ltd Conv. I've had since June of 1990, (still in high school) about the 3rd or 4th car I owned at the time, and only one I've keep this long.

Humm....... patrick66's wagon sure looks familiar!

 

49 Dodge, goin' on 40 years. Will publish photos some day.

Chevy truck, 21 years.

Another fun car, 23 years.

When I get something I like, I keep it.

 

I bought my 1953 XK120 in 1974. It was an old racer that campaigned in SCCA C class out west mostly..until..1957 when it was converted to SBC power and raced in C/M class until late 60s or so. It was put aside..and given to THE ANUS OF THE UNIVERSE whose uncle bribed him to go to Univ OF AZ by giving him the old Jag.
Anusboy hated the Jag..hated this "hicktown" and wanted out badly..I helped him..

It was single aluminum bucket..alum floors..and metal dash with SW gauges..switches for fans..pump..on/off kill..big ugly roll bar..5 point belts..fuel cell in trunk..tired old GMC 6 and three speed..but NO RUST and very little body damage.
Lots of frame and brake mods for racing..extra thick SE torsion bars..dana LOCKED ass (rare)..all 4 brakes dual cyls manual adjust..proportining valves..weird frame adjustable crossbar..etc..

I was making good money buying fixing and selling old Jags..and doing some hot rods..so grabbed the old war horse.


In 1976..I built a 327 for it..cleaned up the body..put in a rough interior from another project..and it was my daily..and parts runner.
I travelled alot from then until 1981/2..on the road for years..
It sat with my other projects
(I WISH I HAD)

Yeah..sometimes (RARELY) we get snow even here in Tucson..
Deville..



Time to do the Jag..as I sold most of my cars and bikes to buy some land..as I was getting married.
I found a hotrod painter that had some nice rods in his shop..worked out a price for the body work and paint..and I was going to pull the motor and trailer it in.
"The Captain"
The dude that owned the shop was known as "The Catain" as he was retired AF pilot from Nam..the metal man was a Vietnamese guy who was quite amazing..lead or pound or make panels..not a bondo guy..

Captain said just bring it in..we'll pull the motor and crate it while we do the body. Also do brakes..suspension bushings..etc.

I did..
I traveled a lot still..
Work went very slow..seemed nothing getting done. Every time I'd get to the shop and bitch..something would get done..then when I left town..nothing again.
8 months on..still not in primer..other cars came and went..
THE DEAL..
Finally told "Captain" ..I was done. Lets clear up any money..I have a trailer I'll come and get the body and driveline..
He offered me a deal..
"I'll cut the price in half IF YOU PAY CASH..and I write you a reciept for the oroginal amount"..and work body..paint and interior would be done in 30 days..

UH..OK

2 months later..car in primer..pissed I tell him..I coming to get it.."One more week"

I go to the shop..walkin..it's fuckin painted..looks good..motor going back in..

It stays that way for a month..or two
Pissed off..again..I go to the shop..ready to kill..maim..eat his employees..

The"Cap" isn't there..
I tell the guys in the shop..at closing on a Friday..I'm taking the car..It supposedly runs..just needs "some little stuff"
Have him call me..I load up chrome..interior parts still not in..take it home.

When I get home..I see the motor looks different ..same MT covers..same manifold..Gas tank is varnish..car barely starts..carb now gummed..

so I get it bolied..rebuild the NEW FREAKIN carb..start car the next week.
Sounds smooth..too smooth...go for a ride..no power..overheating POS..
THIS AIN'T MY MOTOR..
1982 install (picture taken 2005)


He stole my built motor and put in a yard slob base 350 Camaro..as numbers show..
I HATE THEIVES..
I want to kill..
My buddy and I run down to the shop..assmunchingthief..

I got there I guess about a week after the DEA..
Yellow crime scene tape..DO NOT TRESSPASS ..US DEPT OF DRUG ENFORCEMENT..

Seems "The Captain" was a pilot in 'Nam and still one here..got busted with tonage here in AZ (we are 50 miles form Mexico).. Made headlines..later..his boys also ran the Tucson DragWay here which was allowed to run the Winter Nationals (nice touch)..and then closed and confiscated..

DEA confiscated everything..three nice hotrods..a cool 36 ford..a couple HD's..another Jag XK140..all drug impond..AND I CAN SEE MY MOTOR NEXT TO THE 36 WAITING TO BE INSTALLED..MOFO..! My fuel cell..still get pisssed..stupid..I GOT MY CAR..

I got lucky I guess..

I was still pissed about my motor..the radiator that was "recored" BS..brakes bone freakin dry..body mounts..motor mounts and other bolts low grade crap..all mismatched "floor finds"..

I got married in 1984..money went to my home built 1984...kids born 1988 and 1990..
The old Jag sat in my garage..covered..no money for the project. I could drive about 10 miles before that POS would heat/boil over..even with a recore..actually put 500 miles on in a few years..
I bought and sold a few cars to make some "side cash"..built a couple bikes..sold my 53 Deville..helped other guys with their builds..but something always took the money..

I bought some "investment" land in 1983.."in and out in 120 days" we'll make a ton..uh..yeah..joint venture days..Savings and Loan failures..
One of my partners eats a .45 for lunch..an attorney that set up our venture joins him..after taking up a new hobby..
Coke..whores..and mainlining Tar.. I think he used a 9mm..peckerhead..

So..life goes on..for some of us...

Uh..in 2005 we finally get a buyer for some of WE GONNA BE RICH BABY land..25 MFing years!
Down payment gave me (after house and kids stuff) about $5000 to work with. I found out that my old "original" Jag parts where GOLD to the restore guys (who obviously hate me )
So that brought another $2000. Still have more to pedal..
Total near $7000. And a shit load of hours after work..and baseball (I coached)..Saturdays..Sundays..lunch breaks..holidays..mornings before the office..lucky to have a shower at the office then..

WORKING WITH ACCESS TO A LIFT IS AWESOME..
Most of my builds years ago were crawlin..trans on chest..slidin..solo motor install rented hoist..hangin on chain like a monkey in 110+ heat..
You know the drill..
With two kids ready or soon for college..time to get to work..
Pulled the tired old SBC

Got a crate SB..found a circle track engine guy to make my camels...wanted an old style sound and feel..

I rebuilt my Super T-10..started on brakes..suspension..electical..

An ENGLISH 1953 CAR WITH NO RUST..!!!!!
Assembled the mill..had a friend with an awesome shop..we did the install..as I wanted to do some mods/welding in the frame..tough without a lift and better at 57 years old..
Remade my motor mounts..slid that new motor..alum rad..got the good stuff as much as possible. I still like to make my own mounts..brackets..and small stuff..

In 10/2006 I fired it up on open headers..
I AM IN LOVE..mean and nasty..uh..too much cam..too much compression..
Pulled the cam...went a little milder ( I always went nuts before..gasser for the street type stuff) this time I wanted it not to be fed raw Sirlion in order to start..and wasn't keen on driving to the airbase for fuel..
We calculate with thicker gaskets about 11:1 so timing is critical..but dialed in nice now..still a little much..

Holloween or so..2006
First REAL DRIVE IN about 30 years..


A lot of buffing..clay bars..remonting body..realigning panel fit..fine tuning...and a lot of shit eatin' grins..7000 miles now..


Hey..you asked..

The Captain did do paint good though..25 years and a good 5 footer..

 

I still have my first car, non-HAMB friendly but bought with my own money in 1982 at 11 years old(thank god for lawnmowers!) I also still have my 2nd, 3rd, 4th,& 5th cars, but again not HAMB friendly.

My dad has owned his 52 Chevy fleetline since 1981 and his 40 since 85... Prior to him getting the Nomad in 83, he owned the 55 Crown Vic since 1969 but sold it in late 80's. It has been cosmetically restored since then and we saw it at a cruise last year. You can recognize it by the cut and replaced drivers 1/4 panel from a drunk driver in the early 70's before my dad had a welder. Neat seeing it again, I loved that car and he had it in Eddie & the Cruisers too!

 

I have had my 62 chevy 2 drag car since 1985 and my 48 Chevy sedan delivery since 1997.

 

76!!------Pix of just finished in 1969, driving to Detroit nats in 1972, Tulsa in 1973, changed to a hiboy & drove to Memphis in 1975, changed back to full fendered & repaint, drove to Tulsa in 1976, drove to Louisville nats in 1994, upgraded & redo in 1995,----Thats it,---No more, getting too old!!------Don

 

I've had my 1930 Model A Coupe since 1970. I got it when I was a Junior in High School.

Jim

 

ive had my 64 pontiac parisienne convertible since 1987.

 

The car my wife owns was purchased by her grandmotor off the show room floor,,,

BTW,,, the photo shows my wife at a very young age with her mother,,,the wagon is her 1954 Ford,, HRP

 

I have had my '54 Ford Fordoor from Oct. of '91. Drove it everyday for the first 4 yrs. still have it. Wouldn't let her go she is part of me now.