I didn't feel old (45) and I didn't think that I needed to put my life in perspective till now. Thank's a whole hell of a lot. Oh yea, I've been married 26 years and still love my wife's boobies.... any chance I get!
I'm 60. Up until a few years ago, if I saw something that I thought was neat I tried to get it. Now I realize that I don't have time to build them everything I like. Kinda makes me a little more focused on what I REALLY want to finish. Also makes me focus on what's really important and as much as I like Hot Rods n Harleys, they aren't the top of the list. It's also kinda weird that everyone wanted my spare stuff when it wasn't for sale. Now that I've decided to turn some of it loose, no one wants it unless I'm giving it away. (G) Larry T
I'm 51 also in a second marriage also, to a Super Wonderful gal named Laurie who has has helped so much with this car dream. I always loved the 57 buick century cars and while at a car show we came across one. I told her if I ever was to street rod a car this would be the one. Laurie was 100% onboard with this and thought we need to do this. I've had Laurie in junk yards getting parts and she seems to really enjoy the time together in the search for parts needed. The times being what they are the money thing is tight as with everyone, but I'm really enjoying the journey with Laurie, wonderful children and family. The buick is coming along fine we got done what we planned for the summer of 09 with taking body down to metal,shaved the door handles,installed new rear floor pans and is now in first coat of primer surfacer. The winter should bring overhaul to nailhead and dynoflo, time will tell. So what I'm saying is enjoy the journey, health and happeness to all you wonderful car people. Rob
I'm 65, had 3 heart attacks, and living everyday like its going to be the last. I've given( yes given) 3 of my projects to my grand kids, focusing on one project that I thought was not as important as the rest. I figured the best way to keep the tradition going is to give a little as the one I kept is one of my dads favorite truck (he's 85). I want to get it up and running so I can give it to him so he can enjoy it again. The only catch I attached to the cars I give my grand kids is they have to help me fix this old truck up for there great grandpa. That's my way of keeping the whole family involved. We should be presenting the truck In a week or two, its been the best 6 months I could have ever had with the Grand kids and they have learned that in life giving is way better than taking.
I'm 30 and I routinely make things on my cars worse. Fortunately I am a good enough b.s.er to blame the parts and make people believe me. And I love boobies.
The older you get, the more "really important" things in life should come to the front of the line of things to do. You can't take anything with you so enjoy today, give what you can to the one's you love, and even help a family struggling in these hard times, especially during the holidays.......
Most are counting their blessengs here. Nobody is really bitchin', complaining, or worrying...except maybe you with your scornful cynicism, Scrooge. We're simply taking assessment and sharing. And because of the sharing there are those that do remember and care...even after some are long gone. Do you not care about some that have gone before you? Most here would disagree with your idea that there is nothing we can do about it. To live and love as fully as we can is what can be done about it...people giving of themselves to each other in a positive way. That's the one thing you can take with you. - Rick
I'm in my late 40s, still single and living beyond my fantasies as a kid or young man. Things are far from perfect but, I have been blessed with so much more than I deserve and am grateful for it. A few years back, I decided to quit my job of 26 years. I have a pension coming when I turn 62 ( if I make it that far ). Now I do the car thing exclusively. Racing, restoring, collecting, hosting car shows and drag races, traveling, selling parts and project cars, working on buidling on my own museum,etc. I've made some very smart decisions in life that have paid off and should carry me for the rest of my life and modest life style and a few dumb ones as well. Now, after working all the ovetime and collecting stuff for 30 years, I have time to really work on them. I am much at peace with my life and may still have a family. My Dad died at 60 and never saw a nickle of retirement. My older brother and mentor, to a degree, died at 54. I never, ever even dreamed of owning and running Top Fuel car, having a funny car project, owning 2 yard with over 450 cars, running events, etc, etc. Life is very good and I am very content and thankful to the Lord for all my blessings. I also know it has been given to me and i cannot take it with me. I do not want to either. I could go today or in 50 years. In the meantime, I take care of myself, watch my weight and health as best I can. Mostly though, remember the Golden rule and treat others as you wish to be treated. Words of wisdom. Steve Barcak Hosting- Pontiac/Buick/Olds FALL FEST Sat Nov 28, 2009 Phoenix www.pbofallfest.org 12th annual Pontiac Heaven April 8-11, 2010 Phoenix www.pontiacheaven.org 8th annual Nostalgic Show & Go! April 11, 2010 Phoenix www.nostalgicshowandgo.org
I'm 64, back in hotrods after several years doing other things. 95% finished with my 57 Olds (little body work and a windshield to go) now working hard on my 48 Olds. Decided to do everything myself on this one as it will be my last, then just enjoy owning and driving the two. Figured if not now when? The years keep coming faster. My kids are not interested neither is my wife so this is just for me. At some point you have just dive in and to hell with anything that gets in your way. Moving on..........
"I feel more like I do now, than I did when I got here!" it is true that life speeds up the longer you hang around this planet. I think I'm getting about 3 months a year now. Just read about C-9 and started reflecting then hit this post. it's going to be one of those quiet days. 30 was the only year that bothered me 40, 50, 60 weren't bad and 70 isn't looking scary either. I can say one thing for sure "you'll not regret the things you did, near as much as those you didn't do!" JIM
There seem to be several of us born in 58, cool .It has been interesting to here everyone spin on this. my .02 "He who dies with the most toys is still Dead" .Look at the mess you leave your lovedones to clean up. Do you own your things or do they own you.! Own what you enjoy and Enjoy what you own. It is all just stuff ! I hat the Phraze "At th end of the Day" FTS !!! All the Best to "ALL" who post here .
I am 42 and feel pretty blessed to be where I am. Decent job, home, wonderful wife who understands my "disease". Realized I wasn't getting any younger so sold the Jeep to start on my truck build, something I've always wanted to do. I have to be very careful with my budget, but I can be patient and I know I'll get there eventually.
I'll be celebrating the 23rd anniversary of my 39th birthday next May, If you read my signature you'll know my take on life. If you can do it, then do it. I can't wait to get started on my next project, A Denver Deuce bodied Hi-boy. But right now I'm finishing the stepping stone to that project, my 29 glass roadster, When that's done and sold I'll start the 32, but I'm not going to look to far ahead because I'm having to much fun here in the present, if the 32 happens tomorrow, great, but remember, it's promised to no one. That said, keep building, dreaming, planning, and most of all have fun doing what " you " can afford to do, both from a time and money perspective, I will gladly take time out to take my grandaughters to the park instead of working on the hot rod because the hot rod is fun, but my "girls" are what puts everything in perspective, at least for me. The really important things are irreplacable. Enjoy life every day, the rest will take care of itself.
46 This year and still can't believe those many years have passed by already. Married 26 of them and the only daughter moved out of the house this year which turned out to be bitter sweet and I wasn't expecting that feeling at all. Only on my first build and I know I should be savoring every step of it and I am but feel like a kid on christmas eve wanting to take off in it today. Never really thought I would be where I am in life so I guess I am saying I am really blessed. Good Wife, Good Kid, Good friends on the H.a.m.b. Healthy and will get the rod finished hopefully before to long. In the mean time trying to enjoy it all. It goes by to quick.
Lots of us are right there with you. I'm 51 on the outside, but feel like 31 on the inside. I still think I have some talents I haven't used yet. Thank goodness that my wife is me best friend. She keeps me inline when my mind wants to wander. Which it does alot.
I'm 57 and the older I get the easier it is to pass on that project cause it just needs too much work. I finally got down to one car to work on and can only spend a few hours at a time on it before the back and knees start to give out. The wife keeps telling me that I dont have to do it all at once. I finally figured out how smart she is. When I pass a project on the side of the road with a for sale sign on it I still think 'what I could do with that' then keep on driving.
I'm 54 & still love to build cars & bikes. Never will get it out of my blood & hope it never does! Have finally gained the patience to work a little slower..........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
I saw a great line on the HAMB and can't find the exact quote, but it went something like this: " The purpose of life is not to end up in your casket in pristine condition, rather to arrive full lock, tires spinning dirt flying, totally spent saying "Man what a ride!" Anyone have that quote, its a great thought to live by. thx
Well I'm 37 about to be 38 I spend as much time with my wife, kids, dad and mom as I can. My dads health is not the best so when he tells me he wants to do something we do it. I have built more cars in the last few years than I have in the past 20 years. I guess I live life to the fullest one day at a time. It has been said Today is here but tomarrow may never come. Words to live by my freind lifes to short....
42 and I'm still surprised my wife puts up with my love of rusty old crap. Hope to start the 32 truck for my dad early next year and finish it while he can still enjoy it (and use the open exhaust to harass the old neighborhood) "Time marches on, whether you are sitting on the sidelines or in the game"
Well, I guess I can throw mine in here too. I'm 54 and didn't get my 1st project until I was 50. I got my dream car in a cazillion pieces, a 55 chevy 2 door post. I lived and slept that car for almost 2 years before it was one color and had some interior in it. Still working on it a little at a time and just got a 36 Ford 5 window that's just as bad as the Chevy was. I guess I got into this hobby that I love to death alittle too late but hell, it's alot better than never. The only question is how long I'll be around to keep building and planning more hot rods
Every project that ever came on the property has been designed,built, and finished IN MY HEAD...... many left the same way they came...in pieces and parts....YOU GOTTA DREAM before ANYTHING can happen....like the Chinese saying goes,"A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step".....The GOOD BOOK says,"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might;there is no work,no device, no knowledge or wisdom in the grave.." GIT 'ER DONE no matter how long it takes !! Randy
Im 13. Still workin on my dads ride... Ready to get my own. Hopfully getting a job this summer and make a little bit of money. Im learning so much this year (about cars). I have got a lot more into cars then I thought I ever would. And last but not least I found out I didnt know near as much about cars as I thought I did
Good philosophy Denise. Do it when you can rather then wait until you haven't got anything else to do, or a lot of the good stuff will never get done. Always figured if we weren't supposed to have fun here, what the hell is the purpose? Life has inherent risks, we can enjoy the ride and chance the outcome or watch others and wish we were doing it. I'm all for enjoying the ride. There isn't any fun just watching the show. As the line goes in a Chris LeDoux song, "I'd rather spend eight seconds in the saddle than a lifetime watching from the stands".
Make a list of things in your life/car project you don't like. Make a list, in order of difficulty. Start with the worst/most difficult. Change that first, remembering of course, that we are all in charge of our own attitude.
The lesson to be learned here is that you had better do it today ... who knows what tomorrow will bring. The older you get, the easier it is to procrastinate or make excuses (and I speak from lots of experience) for not finishing the car, or taking the dream vacation, or making a career change to something that would make you want to go to work in the morning. Life is like a roll of toilet paper ... the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes.
The Jalopy Journal
