My 2011 Wrangler, my daily driver went to the shop for a rear axle leak a week before Christmas. Long story, but it needs a complete rear end due to a wreck 7 years ago when it was nearly new. It will probably be a couple of weeks before I get it back. I had to get my 1994 Ford Pickup towed home today. It could be anything from a bad starter to a locked-up engine. We'll see tomorrow. Just like that.... This is now my only running and driving car now. It's parked off the driveway so the wrecker could bring the truck to the garage. IMG_0225 by Travis Brown, on Flickr It's kind of cliqued but we have all heard the statement, "That old car will run when nothing else will". Well, my daily right now is my 1951 Ford Coupe. It's running when nothing else is. Have you ever had to rely on your old car as a daily?
Once upon a time I used my avatar as my daily driver. Long story short two accidents and a lot of repairs later I needed an actual daily driver so I got one back 2014. It’s off topic so I won’t share it here.
Yep, I can relate. When I was driving my 60 Thunderbird as a daily a year or so ago, my only backup was my 56. And, I was also driving my 50 Buick last week as a daily since my son took my wife’s van and forgot to leave the key to his locking gas cap so we could drive his car...
That is a great looking Ford and a beautiful place. There is nothing wrong with a daily like your Ford.
Hope I don't jinx you, but I sure hope the E-brake is holding good! You might just like it as your daily so well you'll keep using it. Lynn
Drove several old cars in the late 80's and 90's. At the time had no desire to drive a new car. 25 years ago met the wife, got a new car and now old cars are for fun. Ironically I'm going back to the old ones. Cheaper, easier to work on. I don't need a car smarter than I am . We won't discuss the man knowing where I am.
My newest daily is a 59 F100. Next in line is my 53 Plymouth. Both with inline sixes and three speeds. Besides that, I ride a 99 Ducati Monster and an 08 Ducati 1098. Can't wait to get my DeSoto hemi powered 49 Plymouth in the mix and then my plan after that is a Model A banger and a 72 Norton Commando. I hate new stuff, especially cars.
Never owned anything newer, I just don't personally feel anything for them. Yes they're faster, handle better, stop better and more fuel efficient.....but I don't care. There might come a time where I HAVE to buy a newer car because of age or health, but until then NO. Just because I work on them doesn't mean I have to like them. That aside I do have a newer motorcycle that I commute to work on as the freeways here worry me about my cars AND I get home in 1/2 the time (saves my sanity). But on rainy days it's the '56 Panel as that's my newest running vehicle.
View attachment 5612198 View attachment 5612197 This was my DD at the time. View attachment 5612197 The day before a job interview it was acting up, the wife has to work and I need to go through a tunnel and somewhat heavy traffic to make it. This is what I drove!
Your situation reminds me of an "opportunity" I had long, long ago. Newly married for maybe a year; I had three cars at my disposal; my 67 GTO with the 360 HP engine, turbo 400 automatic with the Hurst His&Hers bang shifter, and 3.90 positraction rearend; a stock 1935 Plymouth coupe my bought a couple years earlier from someone that happened by his service station: and an essentially stock 1930 Model A Ford tudor sedan that I bought 6 months or so after we were married. At the time I was working full time at a bank, running their computer in the afternoon and at night; usually until about 11 or 12. I was also going to college full time during the day and I'd joined the National Guard which required a minimum of one weekend a month. Other than that, I had nothing to do except try to keep the little woman happy. Anyway, back to the story. On a very cold morning, I went out to go to a local college and hopped in the GTO. Wouldn't start! Dang! Hopped in the 35 Plymouth and it wouldn't start either! I was beginning to think that I was going to have to call my Dad to come rescue me... his service station was only about 6 blocks away. First though, I decided to try the Model A. It started right up! The Model A smoothly took me across the bridge and through the tunnel to college. By the time I got home from college that afternoon, it had warmed up some and both of the other cars started right up. A quick sandwich and a glass of tea from the little woman; and I was off to work! You never know when you will be down to one so TRY to keep them all ready to go.
Sold my 67 a few months ago. That was my daily. The 63 bus was my daily for a while as was my sons 61 c40 Most of my rides have been old junk I rescued. I’m in between rides now except the bus. I refuse to buy anything newer for myself. Hope to be in a mid 60s c10 soon. Usually if I sold one, I’d just drag something from the back yard out of hibernation. I guess I got to re stock the back yard
I drive my 64 El Camino everyday rain snow mud whatever at least 50 to 60 miles. But if it shouldn't start I know one of the model A's would.
I have gotten to the point that I don’t plan to buy myself anything very new at all anymore. I am somewhat like Anthony in that when one car goes down, I pull something from out back and get it going for a while. I do have a fairly used up late model Impala and an F150 that were both sort of free but have major issues. If my old cars go down, maybe I will fix one of those to drive as a backup. Having three teenage drivers at home currently, never sure what might go down next, so we have to keep some spares in the waiting between junk later models and the old stuff.
So this is inspiration for me. My DD is a 22 year old F250 with 265k+ miles, ripped up front seats, jacked up paint, but runs great. I actually use it as a truck. My family has been on me hard to buy myself a new truck. I almost did, pre-woohan --> about $45k (with discounts). Now that truck is about $65k+ (no discounts). And I cannot justify it, cuz like I said --> I actually use my truck. It hauls and tows everything I need. I told my family --> Instead of buying an over-priced new truck, I'd rather put my money into fixing up the old truck to where it is decent and buy a "fun" car to drive around. I already have a super nice OT Impala SS that is too nice to bomb around in. Here is what I did: I bought a 1965 Malibu 4-door wagon with no engine or interior and beat up paint. Original California black-plate car. The PLAN: New upholstery and interior bits for the F250 to make it nice --> done! It feels like a new truck. I also did a full mechanical assessment to make sure I was not throwing good money after bad. Collect parts for the Malibu wagon. Fix rusted cargo area and driver's floor. Probably SBC/TH350. Install period-correct custom/speed parts and an aftermarket 8-Track player. Restore interior to back to factory stock. Make it NICE on the inside. Then DRIVE!!!
Yes, forgot. If he was thinking ahead, he'dve realized that his mom would have probably left him with a full tank...
Thank you all so much. It reminds me a lot of avatar photo.... i131342 by Travis Brown, on Flickr IMG_0228 by Travis Brown, on Flickr
Anthony, that explains it. I think that was your truck I saw at the last Oneonta (Oct 29) show. That explains why I saw the truck but not you. The 10-29 show is the only show I've been to in a while.
I'm driving the wheels of my 94 150. I look at and I think of all those dollar bills it saves me. More dollars for my old stuff and just life in general. I can't get over a truck payment being more than a mortgage.
There's a local fellow that drives his '59 F100 every morning to Birmingham. I saw him often back when I had to take my son south to school.
IMG_0047 by Travis Brown, on Flickr Good news.... The '51 Coupe is back in the garage and can rest easy. My truck is fixed. I'm kind of melancholy about it because I was really digging my 51 being the primary. I got a load of feed with the truck and some propane bottles. Loading the Coupe with feed...No problem. I have done it many times. I actually enjoy loading up the coupe trunk with feed bags. Big propane bottles....not so much, like never.
The Jalopy Journal
