I have 4 old cars. They're all drivers, and each has it's purpose. I like and enjoy each of them. However, each has its small issues that need addressed, as well as regular maintenance, not to mention insurance and registration fees. I've heard it said that you not only own your stuff, but it owns you also. I can't do anything significant with any of them, but I have to keep them going. Problem is I still like them. I have 2 I could let go of fairly easily, the other 2 have too much sentimental value. Is anybody else in this boat? Devin
pics and description of each said car please. you could sell 2 and put the money into the other 2 to fix the small issues you said they have.
Sold a low mile tri-power 427 convertible vette in order to finish my 55. Alternative was having two cars sitting there forever that both needed work. I miss the vette, but I like having a completed car better.
Yes my wife made me get rid of my '88 dodge garbage dump truck. She was on a mission that this thing should disappear, so she didn't renew the registraion in August. (without advising me) Fast forward to October. My son and I took it on a recovery mission to pick up a 9 inch rear end. On the way back , sure enough, got pulled over by the cops, who advised me that I had expired registraion. So a $230 buck ticket later were were on our way. Since the truck is a piece and we were dressed like the yokels from the Deliverance movie the cop gave me time to pay. While he was writing the ticket we discussed the fact that the cop might tow and impound the truck. If that happened we decided that he would call his friend to get our stuff and we let them tow and simply not claim the vehicle out of impound. The tow and fees would likely be more than the value of the truck. Since we didn't get towed, I finally sold it for $300. Covered off my ticket and made a profit.
I didn't name anything or discuss what I'd ask since this is not an ad. Cars I'd let go: 1963 Corvair Monza 900, clean, now has 94k documented original miles, 102hp, 4 speed, white with red interior, was my daily for 3 years, now needs valve job, rust bubbles on bottoms of door fronts. From dry area, kept dry until 5 years ago when I got it, now it lives outside. Good commuter, got 20 mpg with stock carbs, got 27-28 with carbs jetted down, but replaced with rebuilt and have not tweaked. Other to consider: 1959 Chevy 3100 pickup, with 1955 front wrap. Solid, NO RUST, bought out of dry area in primer, had painted factory colors, 2 tone green/white. 235/granny 4, 3.55 posi rear. Has been my daily for the past year, dead reliable, starts every time, pulls 20 mpg on highway, jetted down. L/F upper shock mount broken, have new part, not yet replaced. Seat needs new foam/cover. Keeper: 1964 El camino, I know, slightly O/t. Had it since I was 16. Pinner whites, no caps, 427, tremec 5 speed, 12 bolt. Was my driver in hs and college. Keeper: very O/T 72 240Z. Parents bought it new. Now has 280K miles. Paint shiny, reliable, good mileage. Unless somebody offers me stupid money for it. I've been unemployed for 2 months, but this isn't about money. I have all this plus the wife's DD to maintain. Gettin' kinda tired of it. I'd love to get back to driving the camino daily. Then everything else would sit. My truck gets used frequently for dump runs, every couple of weekends, and often borrowed by friends. Corvair has been my good-mileage commuter, but I was working 1.8 miles from home for the last year, and now it needs work I really don't want to open that can of worms. My camino needs to have a heater installed, I have it, but it's been in a box for probably 10 years. Devin
You're thinkin' right, Devin. Life is short. It's kind neat to have a "fleet" if you can, but we're not all capable of that. I have a handful, and am scaling down. Part of my deal is $ issues, but it'll help to redirect me to get my dream accomplished of finally building my '29 roadster. Too many cars have kinda bogged me down...then nothin' gets finished. Life is too short to not finish what we really want. Good luck to you.
Keep em all. Even the non runners give pleasure just by being there. And if you never get to them, they will be "barn finds" someday. For me the best part is the finding and bringing home.
Sounds to me like it's a time thing, like you said, not money and you've had parts for the projects for years. If you use the vehicle I'd keep it. If your happy with the car I'd keep it. If it's not in the way I'd keep it. Now if your constantly tripping over it, if you can't afford the registration/insurance, or your lusting after a different type of car, then it's probably time for one to go. Just think about it from pros and cons and ask yourself if your better off one way or the other. But what do I know, I've got 4 old cars, one kinda old car, and 2 daily's!!!
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