Ever wonder why you torture yourself?

Because it's all worth it in the end.

 

I honestly think that I'm too dumb to not torture myself automotivly speaking....

 

This so true; I'm 69, and all of my garage projects are planned around getting off the floor as few times as possible.

 

When I got my 15 year old mower out at the beginning of the season, I noticed that the deck was rusting out. I spent a day with my unishears and torch rebuilding it. Yeah, it's old, but it still runs fantastic. Sits all winter, throw a little gas in it, hit the primer bulb twice and it starts on the first pull! I gotta keep fixing it because I'll probably never have another one that runs this good

 

Tried that, approximately ten years ago I thought I was tired of beating myself up, now at age 67 I'm back into a new project - '41 Ford Tudor. At least this time I have some proper equipment.

 

I too am 69 and I agree with tubman,stay upright or seated as much as possible.

 

I'm so glad I'm here. ' makes me realize I'm not alone.

That whole generic dream of sitting on a beach somewhere would last for a couple of days at best before I went stir-crazy and started looking for something to work on. At 46, I notice I'm getting slower at getting off the floor and have stopped wondering why I do these things we do.

Yesterday, Mr. Know-It-All neighbor comes into my shop bacause he's screwed-up the wiring on his 6V positive ground tractor and needs help. I talk him through it and he goes away. Today a half-my-age friend needs help because his 4x4 won't 4x4 anymore and he's been struggling with it. After spending about half-an-hour underneath with some basic tools, explaining what's what and why as we fix it, he gives me the old "I love you, Man!" as he heads off all fixed-up.

To top it off, tonight as I come in the door my eleven year old son who generally p***es through the shop a couple of times each evening & jumps in between bike rides and friends tells me "You're awesome, Dad! You're the best Dad a kid could have."

Many people give advice to any unfortunate soul within ear-shot. You know people want your advice when they ask for it.

What else would I do?

 

Wow, Woob! Great post.
Days like that, it all seems worth it!!

 

feels good man

 

i realized it is all worth it today when i went outside and hosed off our 66 chevy and then wiped it down with a towel. even with all the scratches, dents, and oil, it gets more looks, thumbs up, and smiles than anything else i could ever build (not just car wise)

 

I though this too, The 53' was really getting my soul ground up a bit. Didn't seem like I was doing anything productive, just keeping up with breaks.

Then I'm out for a drive and I notice how good the exhaust sounds. How much I like sitting in that car, driving it. How glad I am that I have the skills, know how and patience to take part in bringing what probably would have ended up a 2 1/2 ton pancake if it wasn't for me, back to a road worthy, and one day hopefully, damn fine looking car.

It will take a pretty bad cut to take that pride from me, Even then i'll most likely just bleed on the car a bit, and keep on...

 

To answer your question NO. I've never been married so who else is gonna torture me. And like others the only torture now is trying to get back up off the floor, though the 4-post lift has helped that a bunch. It's still fun, it just hurts more now.

 

I posted this elsewhere on this board, but it just seemed so fitting as a response that I thought I'd share it here:

 

My torture is a general lack of automotive skills, which results in very slow progress, which frustrates me to no end. I'll get there one day, it just won't be quickly!

 

I never wonder why.. it's in our blood. Seriously.. there was a study done on why car guys ARE car guys and it's a genetic thing. I can't imagine not being able to work on all my rides.. and future rides.. Other people may not get it and you can't explain it.. it just is what it is.