why do we own these cars ?

[cosgig]

When I was a kid, my Dad had this 70 Roadrunner. 440 6 barrel 4 speed convertible. He only had it one year before it was traded in when he and my mom got laid off in January of ‘71. In that short time, it left an indelible mark on our entire family, and we have been looking for it ever since. About 2 years ago I decided that if I was going to get a 70 Roadrunner of my own, I would have to get serious. It took almost 2 years to find a suitable trade deal for my 67 GTX. Now that I have one, I have all those memories of Dad’s car, the passion that the car had instilled in us all has been refueled, and I can’t wait to take my first drive in my own Roadrunner. The best part to me is that my car came from the same dealership as my Dad’s car.it truly has come full circle for me.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Guys and gals thats my question. Im 54 and always had a mopar. My latest is the 70 Bee. I enjoy getting it back to as close as original as I can or afford to. It seems I barely drive my car now a days and I ask why I keep it. If I sell it I probably look for another one to build. Is this the sickness we have? Why not just let it go and buy something modern and just enjoy life.

We're all gluttons for punishment.

 

[Darter6]

Sick, you bet ya !

 

[yella71]

some women have many pairs of shoes.....they cant wear them all at the same time. but it makes them feel good knowing they're in the closet waiting to be taken out whenever that may be

 

[HawkRod]

I am finding that I am driving my cars more and more. They put a smile on my face and make me happy, so why not drive them? They don't make me happy just sitting in the garage!

Drive them and enjoy them - that's what they were made for!

 

[Big Bad Dad]

This is an issue I have been struggling with lately. I have owned my 67 R/T since 1977. I fell in love with my neighbor's 64 Fury in about 1972 when I was a young teenager. I was finally able to purchase it from his family in 1987. Both cars are very nice, and it's unique in that I personally knew the original owners of them both. Been a Mopar lover since I was a kid. My problem now is that my health has declined, and I just don't always feel like taking them out. Our last local cruise night was yesterday. I just didn't feel like washing the R/T and going. Both my cars sit a lot, so I get concerned about brakes and things failing. I look back in my records and see I did a brake job 1500 or so miles ago. And twenty tears ago! Now, I worry about what would happen if I had an accident, and if I would ever be able to repair them. I told my GF yesterday, that I just don't enjoy the old cars any more. But yet, I don't know that I could sell them. It is a struggle. Also, I would not be sure how to put a price on them. The values seem to be all over the place. I see what I used to consider parts cars going for 3 to 5K, and yet nice looking finished cars only seem to be 15 to 20K. (I did recently sell my old 78 Dodge pickup that I had owned for 32 years. But I guess that wasn't the same as the B bodies....)

 

[moparedtn]

Let me tell you from experience. It’s not easy to let go. I let go of my faithful GTX after 48 years about 4 months ago. It was hard and I was really down. Since there’s a big hole in my life. I felt like it was time and while I don’t necessarily have regrets per se I do miss the car. I sold it to one of my closest friends that’s wanted it for many, many years. He calls me every couple of weeks with some basic questions about stuff only I would know. When I take a trip up to MN he insists I drive the car. I sold it to him as the best legacy play I could manage. I tell you tho it’s tough to let go - even when you think it’s time.

I remember that and I think I even tried to talk you out of it at the time.
I was wrong in doing so, of course. I shoulda butted out.
Man, that had to hurt like hell for you...

I can see now you were just completing your responsible stewardship of the car the best way you knew how,
and for that I applaud and respect you.
Glad you're still hanging around here, though. You're one who offers help to folks without "baggage" and it IS
appreciated.

 

[HawkRod]

...I just didn't feel like washing the R/T and going...

Sorry to hear about your declining health. Most importantly, take care of yourself!

Regarding your statement above: I think many of us put a requirement on ourselves to drive near perfect cars, perfectly clean, etc.

May I humbly suggest next time that you just hop in and drive it to whatever event you feel like, be it a show, cruise, or even to run out and get some ice cream. The hell with having a perfectly clean car! Freeing ourselves from having "show winners" actually helps to better enjoy them sometimes.

Hawk

 

[Darter6]

I've known my neighbor for the last 25 years. He has a 67 GTX. Every time I see him he would say he is selling it. A few months ago He said he was going to take it to Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas. Yesterday I saw he had it out for a drive.
I guess we are all in the same boat. We want 'um,we want to sell 'um, and we just can't let 'um go.
I have 3 right now.2 done and 1 project. Almost daily I look at the clutter of parts,and space in the shop thinking "I gotta get this stuff gone." The torment of un-bare-able.You know, like the angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other.One saying you can do it,the other saying no you can't !!!

 

[dla4567]

Can’t imagine life without it.
— And what would I do with all that time and money??

 

[Darter6]

Keeps me out of bars and chasing wild women.

 

[coronet68mx]

Even in the current conditions that my car is right now,( prision paint) I've got more offer to buy it that I can count for, and for a lot more than I pay, but I don't want to, is something vibrant to own a b body since I was a kid I want one ( I want a general Lee but I love own a coronet) , and is my hobby, my pride to own it, at least for me is to hold to my childhood, don't let go that kid that still inside me the kid that like to play with his toys and feel happy without any concerns of any kind, man I need to free my car from that awful prision...

 

[44070dart]

It's like a time machine that can take me back to my youth. Not that everything was great in the 60's, but the good was great. Less on my mind and less aches and pains of advanced old friggin man stuff. ... I just bought the car of my youth that will be with me till the good Lord calls, and I swear the night before we went to pick it up I couldn't sleep. I hope I never lose that feeling for these big guy toys.

 

[steve from staten island]

These cars are whatever you want them to be. I dont care what make what model, its the hobby. Whatever it develops into is your choice.
Its a diversion and a friendship built with others who enjoy the hobby.
I enjoy working on my car, driving what I assembled and making continuing small modifications like the tubular upper control arms im installing now.
When my grandkids come over the tools go away, I shut the garage. Family is what's most important, not some hobby car

 

[Darter6]

OLD MAN STUFF ! I hear that !

 

[biomedtechguy]

When my grandkids come over the tools go away, I shut the garage. Family is what's most important, not some hobby car

Some people combine their hobbies with a visit with younger generations.
I think that a classic muscle car being shared and even worked on, especially at a race track-where healthy competition can be shared and experienced, is one of the most classic examples of "Americana" that there could possibly be.

 

[Ranger16]

It's like a time machine that can take me back to my youth. Not that everything was great in the 60's, but the good was great. Less on my mind and less aches and pains of advanced old friggin man stuff. ... I just bought the car of my youth that will be with me till the good Lord calls, and I swear the night before we went to pick it up I couldn't sleep. I hope I never lose that feeling for these big guy toys.

I could not have said it better. I too did not sleep a wink the night before I went to pick it up.

 

[steve from staten island]

Some people combine their hobbies with a visit with younger generations.
I think that a classic muscle car being shared and even worked on, especially at a race track-where healthy competition can be shared and experienced, is one of the most classic examples of "Americana" that there could possibly be.

Thats your opinion. A hobby can most certainly be enjoyed by family but it should never define family.

 

[biomedtechguy]

It's like a time machine that can take me back to my youth.

This!!

 

[moparedtn]

Thats your opinion. A hobby can most certainly be enjoyed by family but it should never define family.

I didn't see where he suggested it does?
Instead, I read possible ways the hobby can be used to help with building relationships with the younger ones.
I know my dad and I were closest when either a)baseball or b)old cars were involved, so I hear what he's saying.