I keep buying cars instead of fixing the ones I have...WTF?

I do it just because these things aren't getting any cheaper and I don't want to run out of projects.

I do enjoy working on them too though so I'm different from you in that respect.

 

Glad I'm not alone. I thought several times about starting this exact thread but was afraid to. Glad to know I've got company. Trying to pick up all sorts of projects before they are priced out of my reach.

 

i was told if i bring more shit home, well divorce court it will be........

 

We're all hoarders at heart, if we don't buy the whole car we rathole parts we might need someday. I couldn't have passed on the Lincoln either one of the coolest cars ever built, never found one I could afford.

 

Once I start making real money again, I hope to have the same problem

In my book, building a hotrod and running it is first, but a close second is dragging home a survivor and doing the car guy version of an archeological dig on the thing and getting it running again.

I have a fenced in acre behind my house just waiting to be filled with stuff like that

 

I have the same problem, and I think it's just that--whether we realize it or not--as you get older, you remember just how hard this shit is.

Subconciously, even if we don't realize it, I think we all know how hard it is to grind all the rivets out of a Model A frame, or how hard it is to tear down a '49 Ford that's been sitting in the sun for 40 years.

It's much easier to just slap cash.

Plus, it's always easier to buy someone else's project because, while it may have a million problems, it doesn't come with any mental baggage.

Lastly--and I have finally learned this one (I think!)--it's easier and cheaper to buy it than it is to build it.

Doesn't mean I want to just go out and buy a completed car. Inside, I still want to build them all--but in my heart, I know that if I really want a running car tomorrow, the way to get it is to open my wallet.

I'll get off my soapbox now.

 

Me got the same problem

 

It is fun to look at other cars and dream, but I know I cannot buy because I know I would never finish them.....but that does not stop me from looking

 

you are not alone ! im sure many a hamber is afflicted with the collectors disease , guilty of 4 motorcycles , and 2 rod heaps , and tools i havent opened yet , finally made myself stop buying and try and thin the herd and build something

 

It's the thrill of the hunt. Plain and simple. Or the lack of being able to say, "No!", when something good shows up. Bc we know what good looks, sounds, and smells like and we damn well gotta HAVE IT!

 

I am as or more guilty then the rest of y'all. I currently have three projects. A 57 T-bird that has been on the rack for the past 7 years. The motor, trans, frame, suspension are all done just waiting for me to get off my lazy ass and finish the body and reunite the two. My second project is a 39 Chev pickup. I'm building it for our local burn-out contest. Ford 428 CJ, C-6, 9 Inch 4.11 posi. I have all the parts except the frame. I was going to use an S-10 frame, but and rethinking that decision and am going to pick up a model A frame as a base. My latest project is a 28/29 Model A Roadster Pickup AV8. I have all sheet metal, frame, dropped axle, (thanks Joe), 40 brakes, Model A banjo rear, 32 K member, Merc 255 flathead, 39 Toploader, F1 steering box and shaft. I still need a 33/34 front wishbone and a few other parts.

 

x two

 

I have a customer who has this disease....He owns 16+ cars, 8 lifts and none of them run. They are just jammed in an airplane hangar. Some are close to drivers, but they all need just a weekend or two of solid work to get 'em goin'. He doesn't care either, he just sees another non-running "deal" and HAS to scoup it up. I drove a Van we built for him to a show once (unfinished) and his friends had to call him to give him shit. It was funny....

 

When I was younger I thought I would never find enough projects to keep me busy. When I got to my mid 30s I realized that I would never live long enough to finish them all. I have sold off a bunch of the rougher stuff and cars that I knew I would never have the drive to finish. Occasionally I trade up to a better project car if I can and sell off the rougher one. I am always still buying though if the price is right because you can always move it on down the road later if you buy the right stuff.

 

you know what?
it could be worse .you could be crushing them..eh?

storing them for the next generation is not such a bad thing

 

Hey someones gotta save store it. i go through phases. buying selling and working

 

Luckily I have two healthy, big sons that can help me push shit around and help me work on stuff. One of them likes cars more than the other but they are both good workers...they dont like pushing heavy 50's cars around too much though..and I agree that it is the thrill of the hunt..I guess its immediate gratification.

 

thats too bad...will you miss her

 

This sounds like my dad the last 10 years or so. He has 4 cars in progress. He goes out to the shop and doesn't know what to work on. Everywhere he looks there is something that needs done.

 

I am very lucky. I work on one car at a time. I finish it then move to another. My wife is crazy, she can't stand to see a rust bucket so she has trained me to fix a car in 11 months. This went on for 15 years. I have all finished cars now and no projects. All the cars I was lucky enough to get are highly sort after. The lincoln you have is a very rare car. 10 years ago I thought those cars would be customized by now. That car is hand made with leather interior. The motor was fired and broke in before it was put in the car. I guess you know that.

Buying a bunch of cars and not fixing them iss ok I guess however I like to drive old cars. This is my problem as my cars sit because I am not in the best of health. Fix that Lincoln I think you will really like driving it. That is a great part of Ford history...They lost money on everyone of those cars so you know they are Good!

 

That Lincoln is killer, beautiful and rare

 

My name is Smitty, and I'm an idiot. lol Your a normal car nut man just like the rest of us....I think someone in here said just do what makes you happy....screw the rest of em'!

 

One on the road is worth ten in the garage.....

 

I wouldnt go that far...I go to the Bob's Big Boy cruise/car show in Toluca Lake just about every Friday night...and to be honest there are few cars that really trip my trigger there...I dont get that excited about cars that if you decided you wanted one like it, can be bought easily...you know why? Because I have more than likely already had one of them..... I am happy with what I have...it is VERY hard to find original paint, low owner 50+ year old cars...(not talking about the desoto here)...more common cars that run are easy to find, all you need is money...I guess that is why I like the hamb, many unique cars on here with great history....