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

 

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.

 

i am that poor sap you speak of......i have instituted a no wrench policy in my garage until summer is over....everything works and i'm just going to enjoy driving it for the next 4 months

 

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.

 

I do it because I always wanted a Corvette and besides it keeps me out of trouble.

 

Must be nice! Mines been up on jackstands for 15 months and likely will be for quite a few more......

Steve

 

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.

 

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

 

6. I get to use many four letter words.
7. keeps my check book empty.

 

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!

 

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 . . .

 

i do it cuz i want to, because i have to, because i'm compelled to and i want to make something even more beautiful. i'm addicted and i'm driven