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Just an observation, we certainly get cautious in our old age. Back in the day, to replace a blown head gasket, fix a torn up transmission, overhaul a carb, etc. I didn’t think a thing about it. Had to be done so just did it in order to make it to work Monday.
Now, it’s a major undertaking! Have to think about it for a few days, review the manuals, watch YouTube videos, get advice, etc.
Maybe before, it was the sense of urgency which is not there today being retired. And, we now have experience in the many things that can go wrong in our projects which makes us cautious.
I'm 78, and after countless builds and seven body-off restorations, my health took a big left turn two years ago, and I can't do any heavy car work any more - sold my '67 Corvette and '69 Camaro Z/28 (and my lift), and have picked up my long-time secondary hobby (guns) which is much better suited to my medical situation and physical capabilities. I'm training to be a "practical gunsmith". I can still shoot and drive, and the indoor range is only 25 minutes away.
I've noticed the same thing. I think a lot of it has to do with, now that we're retired, we have time to savor and enjoy work in the garage. That activity has become a hobby. In the past, it had to be done quickly, not only to get the car back on the road so we can get to work, but there were countless other tasks around the the house and with family that were competing for the limited time we had available.
It's a wonder we can even enjoy the work at all sometimes, given the conditions under which we had to do some of these kinds of emergent repairs back in the day.
Sometimes it seems worse than that. These days, even small rubs on the skin leave blood blisters or worse that take weeks to heal. Its not practical to just work through a job; it has to he done slowly and carefully to keep from injury, never mind chipping paint! Jobs that would get done without a second thought are now, " Do I really want to?"
Long sleeved shirts help a lot with cuts and abrasions to old paper-thin skin, both during the work to help protect and after to hide the wounds from public view. I won’t change spark plugs without wearing one.
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
I agree w/those above comments too, but, for me, its also starting to become, do I really want to do that anymore, and maybe I should just go ahead a pay someone, so I don't have to get into it. Some of it just seems like too much "work" anymore; stuff I'd do w/o even thinking about it before, just get 'er done, now, I'm too "tired" to even begin whatever it is.
Changed the oil in my 06 Z 2 nights ago (I think....I can't remember).........Normally takes 30 mins with clean up.....After spilling 2-3 Qts under the car and hoist.........2 hrs later!!!!!!! I was done.......What is up with that!!!!
Point being.................Thanks for the thread, OP!
Agreed! I took on a whole C1 restoration at 17 on the driveway and garage floor! Thought nothing of taking anything on ... Now?? I'd need a dream garage to even think about that !
Well, there’s all of that plus; now when you take something apart or remove it, all the fasteners are frozen, all the gaskets like glass and most noticeably, parts are no longer readily available from several local sources. Order and wait, reorder what you forgot and wait some more. Then you can’t find everything you took off after waiting so long or can’t recall how it goes together!
ADVICE FOR YOUNGER GUYS:
If you've gotten this far and you're not yet one of us older guys, let me offer some advice I heard quite a while ago. When you start thinking about retirement, don't think of it as a single period of time. Rather think of it as a period made up of three phases. The timing for these phases varies from person to person, but these numbers are typical and they've been right on the money for me.
Phase 1 (age 50-70). The time when you finally do those things you wanted to do before but didn't have the time or money to do. For example, hike the Appalachian Trail, spend winter on a sailboat in the Virgin Islands, rebuild that old car that's been in your garage for years, etc.
Phase 2 (70-80). The time when your body will no longer allow you to work ten hours straight without being immobile for days afterward. Your brain can't remember things as well and calculations that used to be easy get harder, so more mistakes than before. Less energy and more medical problems. So projects get smaller and closer to home.
Phase 3 (80+). Time to wind down. Take comfort in things that don't require much strength, flexibility or energy.
I share this so those in their 50s don't make the mistake of putting off things they really want to do until too late. And to let others deep into this time know that they are not alone. Now is the time to be doing those things you enjoy because it won't be any easier a year from now.
Procrastination has overcome anticipation or age and experience makes us think about what we're about to do with regret. Then we contemplate the alternative.
Just an observation, we certainly get cautious in our old age. Back in the day, to replace a blown head gasket, fix a torn up transmission, overhaul a carb, etc. I didn’t think a thing about it. Had to be done so just did it in order to make it to work Monday.
Now, it’s a major undertaking! Have to think about it for a few days, review the manuals, watch YouTube videos, get advice, etc.
Maybe before, it was the sense of urgency which is not there today being retired. And, we now have experience in the many things that can go wrong in our projects which makes us cautious.
With me it is mainly because I don't like do overs. Also, now I have the time. But, on some of the items I just plain don't want to do it if at all possible. So, I pay someone. Now that we have the money to do that.
Well, there’s all of that plus; now when you take something apart or remove it, all the fasteners are frozen, all the gaskets like glass and most noticeably, parts are no longer readily available from several local sources. Order and wait, reorder what you forgot and wait some more. Then you can’t find everything you took off after waiting so long or can’t recall how it goes together!
Exactly! At least now, with the strides taken in electronics since we were younger, we can take as many pictures as we want!
Just turned sixty and had my first case of age related battle scars. Was working on the installation of my vintage air evaporator a few weeks ago and spent a lot of time draped over the passenger side sill. A few days later noticed a very large bruised area around my side and abdomen. My doctor noticed it at my annual exam and asked if I was being abused by my spouse. LOL. She was required by law to ask that question...
Procrastination has overcome anticipation or age and experience makes us think about what we're about to do with regret. Then we contemplate the alternative.
Oh yea, Procrastination --- sometime spend half a day -- then go do the task and it only take 15 minutes Nothing broke or fell off like I anticipated...
Last edited by Black_Magic; 04-28-2019 at 10:15 AM.
All the above posts are, sadly, absolutely correct!
However, the fact that we are talking about this in relation to owning old Corvettes is proof of the cliche:
” I may have to grow old but I refuse to ‘grow up’ “!
04-28-2019, 06:48 AM
Old Age Caution
