Me again.I sold my Olds station wagon 12 years ago but got lucky when I found her just sitting in a guys garage for the last 10 years. YUP I snatched her back up and shes road worthy now and aint going anywhere with out me. lol. Bruce.
And that's the clincher, I'm a hot rodder, no, a traditional hot rodder, that's why I hang out here, among friends and like minded people. I suppose my heart lies elsewhere, to build a period 32 5 window, well that chance has come and as much as I love my old tub, it's not a hot rod, and for once I hope it will never become one.
And thanks to everyone posting, I feel this really gets to the centre of what we do, it's an emotional investment in a disposable world.
Hey Thom I will also mention that I purchased the Hotrod I currently own and do not plan on too many changes cosmetically or in fact mechanically. Anything I do change or improve will be well thought out to keep it right...I appreciate and commend the original owners visions without their encouragement. I believe I am the third in its current configuration. What I am saying is I like it pretty much the way it is. So perhaps and hopefully your 33 meets an individual who likes her just the way it is or updates it with respect to the period it represents. Good caretakers still exist.
I feel every word you have said, as my first hot rod was a steel '32 3 window that was built through the 50's, 60's, and 70's. I actually had the happenchance to meet the guy who built it while I had it for sale. My avatar is the last picture of it I took after I loaded it up to deliver it to it's next caretaker. I miss it often, but knowing that the person it went to got it to enjoy with his father because his dad always wanted one, but couldn't ever get one, helps me overcome the reasons it had to move on. I also currently have my '35 coupe survivor for sale and struggle with knowing the ad is up every day. Sometimes receiving the lowball offer texts, and getting a feel for whether or not the prospective buyer is going to chop, IFS, and small block it is exhausting. But again, at this point in life, it is time... Always remember; The reason the windshield is bigger than ther rearview mirror is because the road ahead is yet to be traveled, and can much more grand. Keep your eyes forward...
And your post strikes a chord with me. So well written. These cars / trucks "soak up" parts of us, as we serve as their caretakers, over the years. They become an extension of our own personalities, others can look at our cars and see us, as part of those cars. We speak of "bucket lists", but I'm finding as I grow older, older than many out there, I'm finding my bucket list is getting smaller, as time grows shorter. A Fathers truck, in your family for 52 years, needs to stay with you, for your enjoyment, for the memories. While the truck is there, so is your Father. You may have a will and an executor. Place the truck in your will, for it deserves another good caretaker. If no caretakers come to your mind, perhaps a museum would be the place. For now, my vote says to keep the truck, and your Father's memory, with you.
Thommoina33 the car is the memories you have created with it- hence a few of those pics have family and friends in it. The longer you have a car the more memories created and the more it would be called yours. But as you said of late you have been creating memories with other cars and have a desire for another also. Don't feel bad for the car feel like your being honest- but also do your darndest to choose the right person for her to go to. To do so you may almost have to settle for less $- as an opposite I'm sure you wouldn't take 100k on the grounds the new buyer could small block and billet it! My story isn't of a rod or early ford rather an early falcon- a car that at my age I could afford for my first car. I was brought up around Falcons so hence monkey see- monkey do. I bought it just before I was 17- I sold my bike sold anything I had and had no money left over. This early ford falcon i adored- it was unique- I created memories with family friends and a maybe a gf or two. It was when I wanted a factory v8 I sold her to what I thought was a good care taker- a friend who adored the car and who was an avid church goer at 19! It was a tough case to sell and watch those tail lights drive off never to return. I lost touch with the new owner until around 3 years later I saw a car drive the crossroad at night that jumped out at me- maybe it was my old falcon! I quickly turned and chased it down to see a cigarette smoking driver- it couldn't be the guy I sold it to- but it was! He had changed- the car was beaten and so was he, swearing cursing and being off the rails. I had to have the car safely back- it was battered and bruised and who knows where she would end up. The guy was in money trouble so I offered to buy her back, then the deal was done. Fast forward I spent time cleaning her up and at a young age (23) I found myself in a nice way- homeless- in that mum and dad were down sizing and travelling so I had to find somewhere to live- I did sleep in a car but really having two cars couldn't be done so in order to get ahead I moved the falcon on AGAIN! That was a financial decision. Around 7 years later and seeing the old car in the hands of a guy that lived across town I always listed after the car. The memories that I created in that car could never be recreated with another- it's history. So I made a call and the time was right and I got her back to never sell again! And every drive since the second by back the grin of mine is ear to ear no matter what time of the day. It's not a high dollar car so that helps as buying another car typically needs money and we can't have em all unless we are Leno! Thommo don't feel guilt- live is short- cross em off the list mate and prey the new guy is the right guy!
When I decided I was in the position to chase my dream of a 40 coupe I put our 37 sedan up for sale. It was almost like I didn't want the car to know it was for sale, only hung a sign on at a show or cruise nite. After dealing with the usual tire kickers I was approached by someone who was more than enthusiastic for the car encouraged me to tell the stories of the paint chips on the fenders from the almost 20 states we had traveled over the last 15 years. As Saturday was winding down in Kalamazoo, he came around with his wife and after a test drive we made a deal and the 37 would become his the following weekend. When we arrived home and it was time to clean the car up I had a rush of memories and appreciation for the 70K miles and the fact it had never left me on the side of the road. As he drove away I noticed he had the same grin on his face that I had 15 years earlier which made it easier to let the car go to it's new home in Michigan. I've seen it a few times since,he's still happy and I'm the cartaker of my coupe.What could be better?
I understand your thoughts re selling your tub ,about 5 years ago I was offered more money than my tub was worth the guy had cash at my door ,we needed money and the man had a heap of it, I asked my ex what do you think she said your car not mine so not up to her !. JUST REMEMBER YOU WONT GET ANOTHER ONE LIKE IT SO MAKE SURE YOU WILL NEVER REGRET IT IF YOU DO SELL .she yelled at me ,so my tub is still in the garage havnt had it out for over twelve months but I know its there if I want to get lost driving it again makes me feel young again ,take your 33 for a drive, fall under its spell again
Buy a coupe and cut the shit out of it. That'll make all your girly feelings go away. And if you can get the one in the picture you've got nothing to cry about
Our old vehicles are like photo albums. That chip was from that drive. That crease was a stupid move on my part. The fuel stains remind me that the carb needs rebuilding, but is still running. The wear on the seat was from getting in and out for years and remembering the donut runs....... But with a 'new' ride you have the opportunity to start the new album,,,,,,,,,,
Now I see why you are wanting the new ride....Don't blame you one bit, nice looking deuce. You best jump on it while you have a chance as they don't stick around long when they are that dam nice.
I've been herding this '40 Chevy convert for 37 years (over half my life) and about 180,000 miles as of March 30th. It's been flat black, Corvette blue, grey primer and will be shiney black before this season is done. It's a car that I still like the looks of and I still love driving it. I've been culling the collection of stuff over the last couple years and reckon I'll start looking for someone who might like to own it longer than I have. That someone will get a really good wind in his face car...but not quite yet....it needs to haul my butt to thr Rockies a few more times. Stay tuned. Charlie
Back in August, I had to sell my T. Something I thought I'd never do, but my moms health and bills forced my hand. As the guy loaded my T on his trailer, he asked, "Are you going to miss it?". I looked him square in the eye and said, "Nope. I'll just build a better one. Thanks for the motivation." And I'm building a better one, as you read this. See, for me to REALLY have the T that's in my head, I needed a new canvas to work with. "A sense of loss?" No, man. Rebirth.
I understand 'that' feeling all too well....I sold my 41' Ford pickup (given to me in 1972 at 12 years old) for a paltry sum in 1989 to buy a more robust car, which I thought I needed (found I didn't)....I was heartsick after the fact! My grandpa helped me get it running in the 70's, and I wasn't thinking long-term, or the 'after-shocks'....but; alas, time passes, and fast forward 22 years, ... I've found & bought another 41' Ford pickup!!! It's funny, but I find myself building it just like my first one!!...it's not the same of course, but I really need that 'presence' in my garage as I've gotten older. I think quite a few of us know that feeling you have......that's a journey that tugs at heart-strings later, if you're not absolutely sure! Good luck!
Damn, I need to drink a bag of cement and harden up, not crying, in fact it really amounts to a first world problem, what I'm really getting at with this thread is our attachment to "things". My family and friends make me happy, but, our hobby, well that takes us away from what can be at times a pretty mundane 9-5 existence. And yes, the one in the pic is heading for my garage and that's definitely not a reason to cry.
Tough call; beautiful car. The wisdom of Solomon needed on that one. Funny how much you can get to love ( or hate) a machine; I guess that's what makes us who we are- hard to explain to "normal" people. Good luck with it.
Man...i've owned a BUNCH of cool cars, many of which I wish back, but speaking with friends over the years there is always one or two that stir emotions in ones memories....for me its the first car I built from ground up, a 29 roadster that made me proud everywhere I went. Bad part is I sold it in 79 and still see it running around town from time to time. I also had a bunch of MOPAR muscle cars, but one of them, a 68 GTX convertible fully optioned with two full fender tags, 4sp, Dana one owner with 17g miles on it. This car ran like a brand new car and it makes me wanna puke when I think about it. Boy...if there is ever a way to keep your 34, do it. I now have my Tudor and you can bet this one stays till Im gone...and Tudors are a dime a dozen, but your 34 is something special.
Great thread, Many emotions from the guys everybody thinks of as "tough". Shows for sure that there are a lot of real people around this hobby. Add this to the mix: Try being the car for a while. That '33 tub has been kept very well for a long time, especially by thommonia. You are in that car no matter what. Hopefully the next guy respects that and understands it. Remember though that the really sad thing for the car is to be left and not driven. It is far better for the car to pass it on to someone else who can hopefully appreciate it as much as you did and can add his history to it. Nothing sadder than a car, any car left forgotten. Just my $.02
So just to close out the thread, this is the day she departs for Sweden, a lot of mixed feelings. I'm sure she'll be looked after and enjoyed, time now to look forward to the next adventure.
Eh. You could always go to Sweden to get it back. Haha. I built my cb750 bobber and traded it to get a 55buick... got my 54buick as a parts carfor the 55 but switched the cars... EVERYDAY I thought about MY bike and then I got the call from the guy that said he was going to sell it... I bought it back so FAST!!! It was a close one.
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