History THE DREADED PREVIOUS OWNER

How many threads or posts have we read, where the "P.O." screwed up something, making our work ***ignment a longer experience in the garage.
Darn those P.O.'s, don't they EVER do anything right ?
WE continue to buy from those P.O.'s , but then we're continually punished by the actions of those darn P.O.'s.
But then, after regaining my composure, I realized I was a P.O., as well !
Certainly, no one could ever complain about my work.

 

Some POs screw things up so bad that they paint themselves into a corner and have to sell.

 

I hope that I'm going to leave my 32 sedan in better shape than I found it. It's been abused with more than its share of PO caveman engineering. Just look at my build thread.

 

If everything was built by a pro, it would be too expensive

 

When I bought my 34 International pickup, it was always "Oh, you've got Jackie's old truck." I changed everything front to back/top to bottom and it was still Jackie's Old Truck right up to the day I sold it when it magically became Larry's Old Truck.

 

You got that right. I am a pro, and I cannot even afford to build myself a car.

 

How many times have you heard the P.O. wants to buy his old car back. But the current owner has had it for 30 years. And the P. O. only had it for 4 years.

 

A job can be performed correctly, whether a pro or a hobbyist.
The problem arises when repairs are done with "caveman engineering", as noted by hotrodA.
That phrase really sums up some of the messes that we see.
Like hotrodA suggested, leave it better than when you found it, a good motto.

 

Ha, mine was 100% built by the PO (Present Owner)....got no one to blame but me.

 

Plenty of shade tree mechanics are PO and think they are the bees knees when it comes to engineering and other technical skills. No warranty claims whatsoever with anything I've built and sold. Maybe I'm too pedantic and won't lower my standards or cut corners unlike some! Do it once, do it right.

 

Just check my signature link, that's one hell of a PO horror story.

 

In the blowing your own horn department... when I sold my 37 Fordor (first build) several large, 3-ring binders full of info went with the car - instruction sheets from every aftermarket component, part numbers, saved box ends, lots of build pix etc., etc.. I didn't put the books together so much with resale in mind, but for myself. Who wants to guess at the part number with the counter guy if you already have a record of it or the actual box end with the part number? While this doesn't mean I built a perfect car, I felt pretty proud of myself when I turned over the books with the car, thinking that would be a big help for later for others. Unfortunately, that new owner wasn't much of a car guy. He called me several times about this or that, but when I suggested he look in his books, he said he'd have to haul them down from the attic to do that... Gads. The car has a 3rd owner now and I hope he got the books with the car. Gary

 

The Previous owner did it, sounds alot like the guy who says "my buddy did that" at the swap meet.

 

just keep telling yourself.........at least he didn't junk it.............although in @31Vicky with a hemi case it may have been better off..........

 

How many WFO (wanna be future owners) tell you how THEY would have built your car at car shows??!!!

 

P.O.



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-Abone.

 

Sort of like "PM" (Previous Mechanic), as in "Who worked on this car last?"

 

I hope I get it finished before I need diapers

 

Perhaps we're inclined to accept P.O. bodges in areas we're looking to redo anyway. The mild steel plates bolted under the rusted-through floor of my Morris is a case in point. Problem is, I wasn't able to do my modifications as quickly as I'd hoped, and I ended up driving the car that way for a few years. The car is laid up now but the work has still not been done.

 

A good piece of advice given to me many many years ago, when buying a used car/rod/anything, exspect to have fix something's and spend some money on it. The car Hobby is full of hobbyist, not pro mechanics and pro builders, granted there are Pro's involved but the majority of buyers, sellers are not on that $$$ level IMO. In my own experiences, I just appreciate some honesty from seller, not thats always been the case, I have been fortunate and never been burned badly, when I buy cars/things, try to be smart, educate myself about subject and not let my emotions take over. On the other hand, when you see a car that just trips your trigger, buy it, because IMO no matter what, you will still be happy with it. IMO, this hobby is about P***ion, have had several cars/rods and they always make me smile/happy and when that wears off, it's down the road to its next owner/care taker, always better than when I received it, never perfect as any of my cars are not at that level of perfection and $$$ value.

 

You did a good job. Looks a lot like a '57 Ford.

 

Remember that we are talking about OLD cars here and that's just what they were to someone (P.O.) at one time. The P.O.'s that worked on them originally probably were just trying to get by and worked with what they had just so they had transportation. Examples are screen wire, steel wool and gallons of bondo vs. tig and mig welders and fancy shop tools. Be thankful for P.O.s because we have em now.

 

??? HaHa. thanks, I think.
Only looks like a '57 Ford on the outside.

 

It`s funny when someone starts with a pile of ****. Restores the car. Then the P.O. tells everybody it used to be his.

 

One thing I've figured out...if I ever buy a driver from someone, it won't be somebody who's afraid to take it out of town. My avatar pic was taken about 350 miles from home at Lake Texoma..just out on a weekend cruise before winter set in. I put about 8K miles on it in it's first year after driveable (still not finished. 11 year build, my first). Makes me wonder about cars you see for sale with 300 miles driven since finish. wtf?
and even full size, it still looks like a '57 Ford, lol.
I've posted this before...yes, I did ignore the "NO PEEING" sign.

 

I'd rather start from scratch on a project rather then try and repair someone else's screw up's. Its much easier in the long run. Some of these PO screw ups I've seen posted on the HAMB are down right dangerous.

Gary

 

This is how my Ford was, virtually untouched and missing parts. Can't screw up what is not there. I can take the blame for everything I've done on it.

 

If you start wearing them now, you will have more time to get the car done.

 

This car has no PO... That being said, I'm sure there are some things that I could have done better, but this is my first attempt with hot rods. I'm very pleased with how it came out, and the next owner will be my kids or grandkids. They will have to figure it out then.

 

Where would WE be without THEM to blame it on...