I'm 41 and have to be 120 to finish all cars, motobikes and mopeds i have now. Who cares, they are all paid for and stored inside (imported in Holland with rain 250 days a year)
That's the best advice anybody can give. My grandpa used to tell me that when I was young, wish I listened (or understood) better before he died. When it's all said and done health is king. I'm 55 now and have spent my life's savings to save my wife's life from cancer. Now we are basically starting over but still have each other and plenty of happiness ahead. Since we are starting over, I've decieded to get a job that makes me happy instead of doing the stressful jobs I've always had. Money isn't everything. THAT'S MY PLAN
I know what you are saying . I am 56 next month , married , great car wife , good daughter that is married and can't work ! I have bills up my ass and will never be able to pay for them or my house . My back gave out 5 years ago . Had a great job and made real good money . I was 49 when the Dr to me I can't work anymore ! That really sucked and I thought I war going to loose my house and be on the street . I was lucky and made it . Now I am on Social Security Disability and have no money . I have a 55 Ford that needs to be finished and a 37 Plymouth p/u to do . I wish I could turn back that clock but won't happen . I just wake up in the morning to see how bad the pain in my back is and if I am lucky I get to work on the car . one day at a time is the only way i live now . I have many dreams and if I would have , but I am still going . just pick up the pieces and put them back together . Don't sit there thinking of everything or you will never get it done before the end come . Yes I would have done many thing way different than I did but that's life . You take the good with the bad and move on . I think of all the things I want to do and have done and still had a OK life . Could have been a lot worst than what I have now . So go build something that everyone will remember you for and if nobody likes it then they can all go fuck themselves ! Do what you can before you can't ! RetroJim
I'm where I need to be and thankful. One thing I've tried to do is be humble. So far, I think I'm doing a good job. I have family and friends, a little change in the bank and a hot rod (something I thought I'd never have). I can't change yesturday, but I can build tomorrow.
I'm 50 and retired, been retired since 41. I have too much important stuff to do, no time for 'work'. I think life is like a Vegas buffet, I want to have a taste of everything, and go back for heaping platefulls of the stuff I really like. Got married for the first time 2 years ago, my wife's a circle track racer and had nicer tools than me, so that's working out well. We do lots of tropical holidays, and a couple times a year we go on a car hunting roadtrip to the drybelt, usually getting one way tickets, then driving back in whatever cool old ride we find. Plans for the next couple years include getting our 51 Henry J gasser finished by spring and hitting the nostalgia drag circuit, and running one of our cudas in the Panamericana mexican road race. When I'm not wrenching on our rides I play hockey, softball, ski, race my hillclimb bike, torture my electric guitar on jam nights, drink some beer, watch cartoons etc. I know, I'm a lucky boy....
I'm more obsessed with breasts and thighs than colonel Sanders. Where am I? lost on the time/space continueum!
A good freind explained it to me like this. With a tape measure at 7.5 inches = 75 years (average life) I'm at 5.6"=56 years. What have you accomplished in your 5.6" and just how much do you think you're gon'a get done if you make 2 more? Better get with it now. WHILE ALIVE LIVE
I'm 54 and I'll tell you right where I am. I used to LOVE 55 Chevrolets...not so much anymore. I really liked 69 Camaros later on..well thats gone to. I guess when something is out of your reach for long enough you just quit wanting it. oh and as the saying goes THE OLDER I GET , THE FASTER I WAS
For 20 some years I thought I may never have my dreamcar, because it was out of reach. But as I built cars and either turned them for a profit, or traded up, I kept getting closer and closer....... It might take me a few years to get it where I want it, but by God, I got it..... Don't give up on what you really want
55 here, goin on 29, I just have to avoid mirrors. I've worked hard (35 yrs in construction), played harder and been one lucky sumbitch. Empty nester, 4 kids makin' it on their own. Great home, finally got it right with wife #2 circa 1990, and just took a job with a municipality that I can handle until I'm way past 29, or is that 69? Built my '35 over 7 years time and did I mention I'm one lucky S.O.B? I still ride a 54 hp dirt bike with guys in their 30's and 40's and can even keep up with them (for short periods of time, ha ha). If you think you're old then you probably are. The body breaks down the mind can stay young. In my life I frequently make decisions based on the old " what's the worst that can happen and can I live with that?" Like my Daddy told me when I was a pup, ya gotta make hay while the sun shines. Oh yeah, he used to tell me stuff like use yer head fer sumpin besides a hatrack and something about pouring piss out of a boot. Plan for tomorrow but don't forget about today. You all know why. Did anyone mention titties? I don't think I ever met one I didn't like. Cheers
I am almost 60 but feel like 100 due to a shop accident. I learned somehow many years ago to quit wondering and start building. I still work on stuff all the time despite a severly damaged side and back. Just finishing a jeep altered right now. Time is racing by. Tomorrow isnt worth a plugged nickel. today is what counts. Get to whatever you want to do now. I have never heard any old man saying I wish I hadnt built this or that but I have heard lots say I wish I had done this or that. Since turning 50 I have built three cars , built and sent a road race engine to Europe, Learned to play the violin and made 7 of them by hand. Learned to speak my families original language. Wrote a book . Traveled overseas extensivley. Got back into a bit of drag racing. I regret none of it. It makes my life the richer and stretched me as a person. My wife I think finds it a bit exciting. So do I. If you have an idea go for it. I heard a story last year about the worlds oldest recorded emmigrant. He was a 103 year old man in England who wanted to emmigrate to New Zealand. He was asked why at 103 he would want to emmigrate. He answered "Because i dont want to be a 105 wishing I had!" To me there is a man who knows how to live. Don
63 here. Around 3/4 of the way through an expected (barring fate) early eighties lifespan (for my particular physiology). I live a simple philosophy; "Just get on with it". I try to avoid doing things I'll regret (successfully, for the most part), avoid blame (& focus on solutions), avoid being rash, and I try to learn. So to answer the thread's question; I'm where I am, by the roads I took, headed for tomorrow as best I might. I rather respect Mr. Hawking, he just got on with it. Oh yes, I'm a leg and "camel" man. But jugs are good too.
The Jalopy Journal
