The Psychology of People Who Restore Classic Cars

[DeltaV]

I thought I was just being a glutton for punishment.






The Psychology of People Who Restore Classic Cars explores the fascinating mental and emotional drivers behind automotive restoration enthusiasts. This video delves deep into why certain individuals dedicate countless hours, significant financial resources, and immense passion to bringing vintage vehicles back to life. We examine the psychological profiles of classic car restorers and uncover the unique personality traits that make this hobby so compelling.

Classic car restoration represents far more than mechanical work—it's a profound psychological journey that combines nostalgia, craftsmanship, and personal identity. Research suggests that people who restore vintage automobiles often seek meaningful connections to the past, finding therapeutic value in hands-on creation and problem-solving. The restoration process provides a tangible escape from our increasingly digital world, offering restorers a sense of control and accomplishment that modern life rarely delivers.

This psychological analysis examines how restoration projects fulfill deep human needs for mastery, creativity, and legacy-building. We explore the cognitive benefits of complex mechanical work, including improved focus, patience development, and enhanced spatial reasoning. The video also investigates the social psychology behind classic car communities, where shared passion creates powerful bonds and collective identity.

Whether you're a restoration enthusiast yourself, curious about automotive psychology, or simply fascinated by human motivation, this video offers valuable insights into what drives people to preserve automotive history. Understanding the psychology behind classic car restoration reveals broader truths about human nature, our relationship with material objects, and how we construct meaning through dedicated pursuits. Join us as we examine the minds of those who refuse to let automotive legends fade into obscurity.

 

[davek]

I found it interesting , thanks Wayne.

 

[ckessel]

Way more fulfilling than occupying a leather couch at $300 per hour.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

Thanks Wayne. That was interesting. Says a lot why car people seem to bond together.

 

[eldubb440]

some people blow their time and money at the casino......or the gogo bar

 

[Dave6T4]

some people blow their time and money at the casino......or the gogo bar

That was the rationelle I tried to use on my wife, while restoring our 1964 Polara 4- door hardtop. She didn't buy it; thought the casinos would have been cheaper!

 

[Unkle Krusty]

I got sick of working on cars. Just the upholstery part. The British stuff was too complex. So I work on my own bikes now, but I am getting sick of working on bikes. I got a 14 foot tin boat for a change. Oh darn, the 318 is apart in my camper van. No worries, it will be back together soon.

 

[Budnicks]

I think that goes for almost anyone that made a career
out of working with your hands, doing projects, satisfactions of building something
(in the trades) looking back & thinking I built that or did that,
using your time & sourcing problems & parts/materials etc.,
sometime for me 'the hunt', finding & build details, planning it out
is better than the actual build...

Now, when I was young it was almost the exact opposite,
it was the build, when I got a part "I couldn't wait to install it"
no matter how long it took or what hrs into the early morning to do it...

(Especially when building my racecars, it had to be done)

Now as I'm getting older (I'm 66), I am a lot more patient...
I'm a lot pickier of what I do or won't do now...
I can wait, I'm also not in such a hurry 'to jump in'
I care more about the outcome, even 'if not perfect'
or it takes me longer...

Some people are completely obsessed, gotta' spend every waking moment,
just like I did when I was younger, or gotta' spend a crapload of $$$,
on something I really don't need or have to have, RIGHT NOW...

(I could've spent more time with the family, even though many of them were
more than often with me, traveling or doing something along side of me or helping me)

IMO It's just another car now...
Cars come & go, I'm on like #114, in total...
26 of which were Racecars, maybe 40 or so MoPar muscle,
a crapload 20+ of 4wd Trucks/Jeeps too
(I had 6 drivers in my house at one time too, always something to do)
Cars/Racecars some I built for a buddy, or sometimes at the same time I built mine...
Many of the cars, were to fund my racecars or project cars,
or just to help pay bills, taxes/payroll etc., in crunch time...

What a waste...

Don't get me wrong,
I probably wouldn't have done it any different now, if I had to do it all over again
it was a good time, but maybe just more equitable use of my time...
But;
I'm also not that guy anymore, I do more planning now...
Not multiple project & multiple cars, hectic pace etc.
I enjoy the hunt 'even more now'...
Almost more than the actual build...
Albeit, I don't have all the car buddies over & bench-racing
or beer drinking, comradery, like I did when younger either...
I think that now,
everyone moved or went different ways, & almost nobody helps or comes over now,
just a few once in a blue moon, or even hear from people...
That was a lot of that was what I actually enjoyed,
more than the actual build...
Almost all of them guys, are multiple times divorced now too...

I still love muscle cars & 4wd trucks...
Had my share of both already...

I'm always planning the next build, in my head...
I may never do it, but have a solid plan if I ever do...

Maybe it is the Mechanical Engineering or the Architecture classes
drummed into me, schooling...

Try Horses, or prize Bulls & sports around them, is worse 'yet"
Glad I'm not doing all that too, still...

 

[chargervert]

Back in the eighties they used to give people who restored classic cars a new jacket that fit real tight,had no sleeves and zipped in the back!

 

[Budnicks]

Back in the eighties they used to give people who restored classic cars a new jacket that fit real tight,had no sleeves and zipped in the back!

Some of them, need one too...

 

[Richard Cranium]

I have come to realize that for me, the challenge and satisfaction of building a car has been more enjoyable than finally enjoying the finished product, which is something the video pointed out.

 

[eldubb440]

I have come to realize that for me, the challenge and satisfaction of building a car has been more enjoyable than finally enjoying the finished product,

so it's time to build another one?

 

[Richard Cranium]

so it's time to build another one?

As mentioned before, I don’t have the desire to do a full restoration again, especially knowing how expensive it is today. Any future project car would have to be very special to me and bought at a low cost to ever think of getting into something heavy duty again.

For me, I’m better off forking out the dough and buying a nice car that just needs some finessing.

 

[Jerry Hall]

Now there's some reasoning in why I do this. My wife says I'm sick. She's a nurse that focused her education in psychology. I'll give her this video to prove my point, she'll now understand??? Maybe!!

 

[dadsbee]

4 years spent on the Bee, to the last bolt, kept me somewhat sane after Jen passed away. I guess that I can say it's still the same 10+ years later, but like Mark (RC) I certainly wouldn't want to go to that depth again. Doing the Bird paint and re and re unexpectedly the past few years was bad enough. I like the tinkering on someone else's work now.... but getting low on those needs here in the shop. Thankfully the bank account is too low at the present time to source "more work". LOL

 

[Richard Cranium]

She's a nurse that focused her education in psychology.

I once knew a girl who was psychology major & to earn money for college, she was occasionally a hooker on the weekends. For a fifty bucks, she'd blow your mind.

 

[69conv]

Now lets delve into the psychology of the car show snob. Cause after I go thru all the financial and emotional investment raising a car from the dead, I hope to hear looks good, well done. Instead I hear what all is wrong, and I don't believe that snob realizes how close to a punch in the nose they are.

 

[Armyvet25]

Now lets delve into the psychology of the car show snob. Cause after I go thru all the financial and emotional investment raising a car from the dead, I hope to hear looks good, well done. Instead I hear what all is wrong, and I don't believe that snob realizes how close to a punch in the nose they are.

don't be the opposite of the car snob...the car narcissist lol, enjoy your ride, enjoy the good comments with humility, but remember they will never know what you put into it not just $$ but love and labor, and for those who are subhuman, after their negative comments, say: "thanks...but go F your mama" actually just think that last part

 

[Dave6T4]

A few years ago, I re-restored my 1964 Polara. The car is a Canadian 4-door hardtop that has been in this family for 45 years. We are 2nd. owners. This car had a good running powertrain, very nice chrome, glass, interior, and rolling stock, so none of this has to be refreshed. My Polara received a very detailed body and paint restoration, correcting some previous sketchy work and rust repair. During the mostly stock restoration, I added Vintage Air A/C. I spent more on this 4-door than sanity would warrant, but it was a long time member of our family, with many great memories associated with it. One of my friends bought a very nicely built '62 Dart Max Wedge clone for less than what I paid to rejuvenate my Polara. Another friend bought a '65 AWB Dick Landy Coronet clone, also for less. $$$ well spent? NO! Would I do it again? YES!

 

[WileE]

Back in the eighties they used to give people who restored classic cars a new jacket that fit real tight,had no sleeves and zipped in the back!

What about guys like me that started in the 70's ? At that time, it was "fixin' up" a cheap used car.