Hot Rods Long term ownership-time for a change?

btt

 

I have owned this coupe twice. The first time I owned it, I put a 289/C4 and 8 inch rear in it and had it that way for about 15 years. I didn't like the way I installed it and blew it apart, then sold it. When I bought it back, whoever owned it in the past put it back the same way as before so now I am wanting to take it back down and do it properly this time. I bought a DeSoto hemi I am thinking of putting in it this time and a more professionally designed suspension work.

 

An opportune and pertinent thread.
I've had my Roadster on the road since 1987......
My deteriorating hip and knee joints won't let me drive it for extended periods, so I have reluctantly decided to sell it and either build one of my 40's or buy one. A full makeover to make it more "trad" is not in the picture. Or trade: 40 coupe, Tudor or pickup.



https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/31-highboy-roadster-driven-since-87.1157118/

 

Don, did you ever put shocks on the rear, when I purchased the car there eas none and I drove it for several months before I realized they were missing. HRP

 

No, I keep saying to myself that I am going to redesign that when I redo it, but I have kept putting it off. It doesn't ride too bad if you are used to a horse and buggy . It will certainly make your kidneys hurt on these crappy roads around here. I gotta put seat belts in it. I was going over a bridge in it and when it hit a bad spot I thought my head was going to go through the top!

 

A few changes over the past 56 years.

 

It's still a good looking coupe. HRP

 

I am with FrankenRodz

As soon as I get one I am thinking about another one...as soon as they are up and running and I am ready for a change...I enjoy the rebuild and the gathering process way more than the ownership and driving of them...

My dad had a 1937 Hudson Terraplane Coupe that was his dads that we had at my dads' house from 1970 until his garage burned to the ground in early 1992...that would be the one car I would have wanted to keep if it had not have burned in the fire...that would be one I would keep forever...

MikeC

 

Since buying my 48 in 1973 as a 75.00 running beater.
Painted twice by me Gold in 1973, Red in 1982. 3 times by the guy who bought it from the guy who bought it from me in 1975 who I traded a 57 panel to for it in 1976, Every time some gals dad, husband or boyfriend started hunting for him he painted the truck again.
Started with a 194 Chevy II six, changed to a 283 out of My T bucket, Swapped in a 350 that I had rebuilt after wearing out the 283 and then after it sat for a few years after I tore it apart I put in the 250 that is in it now.
Trans stock 3 speed that jumped out of second, late 50's 3 speed, M21 Muncie, Turbo 400, Saginaw full syncro 3 speed that is in it now.
Several different rears including the stock one, one out of a 61 Chevy, Camaro 10 bolt (not my best idea) 66 Impala 12 bolt posi (fit great) 74 Nova that is in it today.
2 frames Stock 48, that I subframed and welded in the coil spring buckets to run the impala rear with coils. The guy who did the welding warped the frame behind the cab in the process.
The only original piece of sheet metal is the left front fender. Everything else has been changed at least once.
Part of that was too many not so bright ideas over the years and a lot of screwups. Plus a wreck that would have been a total in most cases.
Hopefully this redo is the last redo that the truck ever gets.

 

I am from the "buy 'em, fix 'em, then sell it, to fund the next project..." school!
I don't have the resources to store more than one. Getting older ( I turn 68 tomorrow) so will probably keep the T 'till I can't climb in and out of it anymore...

Did see a really clean Oldsmobile Toronado for sale locally today! It would make a really unique and comfortable cruiser...

 

I built this car originally in the 70's, painted it Firemist Red? lacquer then. In the early 80's a friend painted it (in my converted chicken house) and he and his wife trimmed it. I drove it a few years and then it was mothballed until after the millennium and I slowly changed a few things, by 2010 it had a MII front suspension and by 2015 it had a narrowed nine inch and I finally got it back on the road (after 30 years). two or three years ago. The paint looks terrible, there is some rust in the quarters that I had fixed(?) in the 70's, and a new tail pan would be nice, I am 75, if I have any energy (or money left after I finish the Studebaker (I am waiting for the "glass man" as I type) I may do some repair work, but if I don't it will be available to one of you shortly after I reach room temperature The patina is genuine