What's the worst thing you bought and found out you didn't need?

Being a noob and this being my first build, I'm doing my best to research as much as I can before I get into any aspect of fixing *anything*. I buy books, search the interwebs, and read a lot right here. The guys on this board have been a great ***et, and I thank you for it.

HOWEVER, I don't always get my research right...or ask the right question...and end up buying things I don't need. Sometimes those are things that I figure I can flip and resell on EvilBay, but sometimes I have to sit there and say "Well, that was a waste" and hope the wife doesn't find out; which proves to be difficult because she's a CPA/auditor who investigates FRAUD.

What's the worst (or most expensive) thing you've bought thinking it was right, or that you could use it, only to find out that it was a complete wash?

 

Well, not really expensive, but bought a Pontiac parts book of the E-way, when it showed up in the mail turned out to be for Candian Pontiacs. Oh well.

 

Regardless of buying errors, most of us would be really screwed. You have my sympathy. Can she get your credit records too?

 

She takes care of all of our finances (thank God in one aspect, as we do well), so yes...she sees *all* of my purchases. I have to take credit for my own undoing, as she was a free spender before she met me. I got her to apply her skills to helping us build our financial plan...then the monster just grew! Just kidding....mostly

Bit of advice, living on a credit card to get free air miles and then paying it off every month so you don't get charged interest is a great thing....unless you realize that you bought something you don't want someone else to see!

 

My ex wife....

 

X2 on that one!!

Not that I "bought" my Ex-Wife, but It did cost me in the long run!

 

I bought an automatic floor shifter for my 4 wheel drive only to find out that the brackets wouldn't clear the front drive shaft.

 

I'm with ya on that!

My biggest mistake was during my last build. I changed my mind 4x's on the way I wanted to build it. First started off doing a stock resto. Changed my mind, wanted to go with a bigblock, 700R4, etc.... Then decided to bag the truck and shave it bald, then from there to a streetrod version w/4 wheel discs, Lt-1, etc...

Plan your build FIRST(and make sure thats what you want), then buy parts... Can't go wrong that way

 

The list is too long!

 

Mine didn't cost me a whole lot, except time. I found an F-1 ch***is in a field. At least I thought it was an F-1. Must have been an F-2 or F-3. Anyways, I asked the land owner what he wanted for the center crossmember (popular V8 conversion piece for a Model A frame, though I wasn't 100% sure what they looked like back then). He said 20.00, but I could not cut it out in fear of a fire. So I hand chisseled every rivet. Took all day, my hands ached, paid him his 20.00 only to get it home and discover it was basicly worthless

 

WOW, thats rough Chris.

I bought some buick drums not too long ago that I've decided not to run.

Everyone says they're gay to run with 16"wire wheels. Ah well, they'll look good as wall hangers.

 

I can't count the times...

 

beat me to it...

 

i bought a engine and trans i thought would fit into my 63 nova just to find out it wouldnt due to trans linkage and oil pan shape/oil pump location,only 150 plus time i lost on that,ended up using the trans for parts and sold the engine for 75,,,also bought a complete door of a 50 chevy 4dr sedan for 50 bucks,i needed a vent window for my fifty wagon but it is not the same,still got the gl*** but s****ped the door when i had to move and didnt have space,other than that i guess i have been lucky.

 

Back when I was about 21 I took a job as a salesman at a Ford dealer. "No experience necessary, will train" was the hook. In addition to their short training program they pushed a series of "subliminal suggestion" tapes that I was to play while I was sleeping or something. I bought these. For $400.

**** me.

 

I lived it Dottie...

 

Wish i would have did research on getting married...

 

my 2nd wife ? what wast of a six pack

 

An '86 Cherokee 4X4 with a 350/350 combo. Very nice condition, but impractical. I lost big when I had to sell it fast. I wish I had it back.

 

A'64 Merc mordoor payed $500 for it, still have it don't know what I'll do with, it had it about 4 years now.

 

A hard to find primo condition 1934 Plymouth Hood with all the right pieces and stratight as an arrow for a long wheelbase 34 Plymouth coupe. I paid big but it was a nice piece!

Did I mention I own a short wheelbase 34 Plymouth coupe

 

6volt

 

a NEW car

 

How about a 33 Alloway Speedstar.


Got a couple Dan Fink grilles I never used too.

 

Uhhh, you still go that?

 

All my old cars.

 

I have a list of wall hangers that's to long too and to embar***ing to began typing

 

My first wife !!!!
Fuzzy

 

Oh **** forgot to answer the question.

That's easy, NSRA membership.

 

I think I have two shed full of pieces that I have drug home and didn't use. The biggest waste but not too spendy was the whole roof off a late 70's Buick Regal complete with electric sunroof that I thought I would make work in the 48 at one time.
I've also got a 455 Olds that I bought to go in my 51 Merc before I sold it. Along with the pieces for about ten other engines that I have ac***ulated.

My latest automotive fopaux was a set of the "fabricated" valve covers for my daily driver 71 GMC. They don't fit or work with the stock ramhorn manifolds and I'll have to run hedders if I want to use them.