Why do you do it?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 541
Likes: 5
From: Epping NH
Why do you do it?
I have owned my car for three years now and have gone from one project to the next. Each time, I try to convince myself that, "after I fix this, I won't need to do anything else."
My most recent project was a complete rear end restoration, which was actually a "while I'm at it" associated with some front end body work (don't ask how I got there). The only item left out of the rear end resto was the spring. You guessed it. As soon as I took the car out, spring fatigue (not fever) set in and now I need to replace the spring. It never ends.
Having just put the old spring back in, I know what needs to be done to install the new one. At this point, my wife just rolls her eyes and asks, "how much is this going to cost?"
What is it about these cars that makes us keep going? I think that in my case, it is the optomistic feeling that at some point there will be nothing left to fix. Having done my share of home improvement work, I am finding that I am now going back to projects I did ten years ago and doing them again (new paint, sheet rock, replace a sink). Although I put less than 2000 miles on my car per year, I can't help but think I will be revisiting some of my recent projects in the years to come.
I guess that I just keep hoping I'll run out of things to fix. What do you guys do it?
Mark
My most recent project was a complete rear end restoration, which was actually a "while I'm at it" associated with some front end body work (don't ask how I got there). The only item left out of the rear end resto was the spring. You guessed it. As soon as I took the car out, spring fatigue (not fever) set in and now I need to replace the spring. It never ends.
Having just put the old spring back in, I know what needs to be done to install the new one. At this point, my wife just rolls her eyes and asks, "how much is this going to cost?"
What is it about these cars that makes us keep going? I think that in my case, it is the optomistic feeling that at some point there will be nothing left to fix. Having done my share of home improvement work, I am finding that I am now going back to projects I did ten years ago and doing them again (new paint, sheet rock, replace a sink). Although I put less than 2000 miles on my car per year, I can't help but think I will be revisiting some of my recent projects in the years to come.
I guess that I just keep hoping I'll run out of things to fix. What do you guys do it?
Mark
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 3
From: I KNOW JESUS... HE'S MY GARDENER
Originally Posted by Burgundy 69
I guess that I just keep hoping I'll run out of things to fix. What do you guys do it?
Just like any other hobby: Fun, educational, rewarding, theraputic, sense of self-accomplishment...
And, unlike some of you poor saps, I don't have a wife nagging me about the time/money I'm spending.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by SkunkApe
And, unlike some of you poor saps, I don't have a wife nagging me about the time/money I'm spending.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 4
From: Northern NJ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
That's a pretty car, BTW. Perhaps that's what keeps you going?
In my case, we all need a hobby. I'm kinda of the opinion that I hope all of the repairs and "while I'm at it's" won't end. When/if that happens I will likely start looking for the next project as I did in my 67 Camaro. Spent several years attending to all it's needs and getting it finished. Then I used it for a couple months but shortly thereafter I ended up selling it as half the fun was the restoration itself. I even knew this point was coming as I purchased the 75 vette the previous year in anticipation of this.
IMO the thing to remember about the pursuit of happiness is that getting there is half the fun.
In my case, we all need a hobby. I'm kinda of the opinion that I hope all of the repairs and "while I'm at it's" won't end. When/if that happens I will likely start looking for the next project as I did in my 67 Camaro. Spent several years attending to all it's needs and getting it finished. Then I used it for a couple months but shortly thereafter I ended up selling it as half the fun was the restoration itself. I even knew this point was coming as I purchased the 75 vette the previous year in anticipation of this.
IMO the thing to remember about the pursuit of happiness is that getting there is half the fun.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 958
Likes: 1
From: In the Beautiful Shenandoah Valley of VA
Originally Posted by bobs77vet
....everything works and i'm just going to enjoy driving it for the next 4 months
Steve
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 2
From: Round Rock, Texas, USA Texas
Burgundy 69 -- maybe you should drive that beauty more -- I think your car might be protesting those long stays in garage in between those modest 2000 miles a year.......
In anwser to your question for me its theraputic -- between my '77 Vette, 72 Blazer, the 67 El Camino I'm redoing for the second time, and the little bit of land and home I try to maintain --- I can always find a way to keep myself busy --
--------when I'm not doing what I do for a living.
In anwser to your question for me its theraputic -- between my '77 Vette, 72 Blazer, the 67 El Camino I'm redoing for the second time, and the little bit of land and home I try to maintain --- I can always find a way to keep myself busy --
--------when I'm not doing what I do for a living.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Why do I keep working on my Vette?
1. It keeps me off the streets.
2. It keeps me out of trouble.
3. It is less expensive than a wife or girlfriend.
4. I get to use tools.
5. I get to use bandaids.
kdf
1. It keeps me off the streets.
2. It keeps me out of trouble.
3. It is less expensive than a wife or girlfriend.
4. I get to use tools.
5. I get to use bandaids.
kdf
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,295
Likes: 30
From: one night in Bangkok you are never lonely
Originally Posted by kdf1986
Why do I keep working on my Vette?
1. It keeps me off the streets.
2. It keeps me out of trouble.
3. It is less expensive than a wife or girlfriend.
4. I get to use tools.
5. I get to use bandaids.
kdf
1. It keeps me off the streets.
2. It keeps me out of trouble.
3. It is less expensive than a wife or girlfriend.
4. I get to use tools.
5. I get to use bandaids.
kdf
7. keeps my check book empty.
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: Eagle WI
Why I do it:
I'm sure I got the "sickness" at a very young age from my father who always had at least one project in the garage. For me, it's a hobby, and half the fun is the repairs / improvements I make. But the best part is days like yesterday - it was sunny / low 70's here so I drove the Vette to work & took the long way home. Nothing like rowing through the gears on a winding road while listening to the exhaust note!
BTW: That's a very nice Vette you've got there - now go fix the spring and drive it!
BTW: That's a very nice Vette you've got there - now go fix the spring and drive it!
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Just today my mechanic asked me if i have the same luck with women as i do with cars . . .
"cause if you do," he told me, "i believe i might leave 'em alone for a while."
the 'vette's still cheaper and safer than they are . . .
"cause if you do," he told me, "i believe i might leave 'em alone for a while."
the 'vette's still cheaper and safer than they are . . .
