Ok so last week I was asked by my other half of 40 some years if I was about done spending money on our 48-49 year old 3c......after contemplating an answer on a project that has 3 years in the making and countless hours in the garage so far I came to the conclusion that I like being in the garage. To be continued....

 

Calling Dr. Phil…..

 

3 years? That's nothing! Keep spending man!

 

I am going on 74 next month. My 78 PROJECT has taken lots of twists and turns and probably a good amount of money but I refuse to look at the receipts. And no, I am not finished yet. But I do pride myself in getting the best bang for my buck. I bartered some boat canvas and upholstery ( our business for almost 25 yrs) for the car itself. My wife of 48+years actually likes knowing where I am most of the time. If he's not in the garage he must be in the bathroom. But she refuses to let me put a urinal in the garage. She never questions what I am spending and has actually become quite involved in the CORVETTE LIFE. Of course that started in 1975 when she would drive my 67 vert to work and she and her friends would cruise around at lunch time. I keep the whole family fleet on the road and this past week II spent looking for a loud rattle i her 2013 Mini Cooper. Found it so I got extra points for this month. We retired 3 years ago and one day she came out to see what I was up to and said that although she understood my fascination with fixing things, especially corvette things, life might be a little bit better if we had a corvette we could actually...DRIVE. It took me all of 2 days to find a 2012 C6 in Florida, work out the deal and in a week we flew down and drove it home. Last week we actually went and drove the Tail of the Dragon and she had as much fun as I did. As a concession to doing something she wanted to do, we went ZipLining 80 feet in the air. It was a great time. I actually have the best of both worlds, a toy I can play with and a Newer car that I can go on road trips with. But if she sees me walking towards the C6 with a screwdriver in my hand, I am in trouble. I am a lucky guy in every way, especially because my better half understands...

 

Are you about done spending money on that old car???
That question is a real trap.
Deserves a sideways answer.
Get creative is all I can say here.
Remember, I still have my C3 after all these years. 4 ex wife's, but I still have the car.

 

I told everyone that I would get rid of the first wife before I would ever get rid of my 68 Corvette. Second wife of 38 years and have had the "Rain Magnet" for 53 years now! Lou.

 

When I fix my wife’s or son’s car, I show her the online estimate’s. I get about half of that as bonus ‘Vette money. When I do a home repair, same. Like wise, she has seen me take rusty parts, blast, prime, paint, polish, etc and make look like new. She’ll ask how much the new part would have been and gives me more to spend. It’s kinda like a side gig to earn parts money. I know some of us are blessed to have wives that are not self centered and “get it”. Better than out drinking or doing whatever. They know where we are. Plus, I have my wife convinced that one day I’ll be too old and we’ll sell it for a profit. What she doesn’t know is that I’ll live to be 100 and will have no issues burning rubber if half blind!

 

Married over 40 years and not happy with you spending money on your hobby, being in the garage, and knowing where you're at? Ask her if she'd rather see you at the strip club doling out dollar bills.

 

You could splurge for c8

 

Jay Leno used to say that our hobby is cheaper than strippers and coke. Maybe when I was young, not so much now. Jerry

 

PROPER response would have been......
"I still spend money on you and you are older then the car"
If it is applicable you cab also add in.....
"And you have more issues then the car"

 

I bought my 73 in October of 93. Spent lots of money and time fixing it up. In December of 2001 my granddaughter was born and anytime my wife asked me about spending money on the car I just said I had to keep Zoe’s car running for her. Now she is 23 years old but I am still keeping her car for her.

 

My wife of 45 years has been very cool over the years in regards to my hot rod builds. I was care full to not spend too much that I couldn't make a few bucks to finance the new project.
At least once a week during the warm weather we go for breakfast or late lunch in one of the hot rods.

 

And we could all go visit him in the hospital.

 

Slow learner. I only have three.

 

3 Xs for me have wife 4 for the past 10 years and she says nothing about me and the cars. She is the keeper

 

Sounds like she reached a point where suddenly she feels the car is winning on the time you spend. So you might have to swing the other way for a while. Take a vacation together maybe??

I'm assuming you MUST have had other conversations or she mentioned things about it prior to just recently??

 

You may be right. If we care about them (I know, some are in relationships that they would rather not be in, so not speaking to them) then reading between the lines like you’ve suggested, and responding accordingly can go a long ways. She might even become more supportive after showing her that/giving her attention. Mark G, sure you aint Dr Phil?

 

The secret of a happy marriage remains a secret.. I ve been married for 46 years and Im still in training. When the subject of my car money comes up I point out how much they have appreciated since I bought them. I try to work on my cars when she's out shopping
(seems like always) or sleeping (she's a late sleeper). I may sure my honey-do list is up is up to date and she is always a driving a car she is happy with. It takes a lot of effort just to wind up with not a win, but a draw. Im totally convinced the female brain is wired different than the male brain.

I like being in the garage like the OP.

 

You can always tell explain to her theVette/ project car is your mistress, IF she likes you can trade in the 50 plus year old car for a 24 year old coffee barista yoga instructor. It would be alot more headaches for you as one woman is more headaches than any car, never mind 2 females