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Restoring vs. driving
- Thread starter pdplot
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I did that with a Vespa. Living in Charlotte NC at the time, riding an underpowered two wheeler scared the riding out of me. Kept it for a while, used it a bit more when living in Pittsburgh (more friendly to slow moving vehicles - simply the layout of the streets, nothing to do with the drivers). But eventually sold it and continued working on my TR.
I got a great deal of pleasure rebuilding my TR3A kit. A failed restoration project that had languished in the PO's basement for 25+ years. I felt that I was bringing it back to life.
Driving it is a very different experience to modern cars so I was a bit apprehensive on my first few trips but now I feel more at home in the TR3 and really enjoy driving it. I did drive a TR2 back in the late 1960s but at that time had not been spoiled by all the modern conveniences on cars now.
I sometimes entertain the thoughts of another project and have been collecting parts Just in Case a lost puppy TR3 comes along.
Will have to work on getting shop space first as we only have a 2 car garage and My TR3 is not going to live outside and I am sure the Wife would not be happy if her car ended up out in the rain.
David
Driving it is a very different experience to modern cars so I was a bit apprehensive on my first few trips but now I feel more at home in the TR3 and really enjoy driving it. I did drive a TR2 back in the late 1960s but at that time had not been spoiled by all the modern conveniences on cars now.
I sometimes entertain the thoughts of another project and have been collecting parts Just in Case a lost puppy TR3 comes along.
Will have to work on getting shop space first as we only have a 2 car garage and My TR3 is not going to live outside and I am sure the Wife would not be happy if her car ended up out in the rain.
David
Back in 1973 when I restored an MG TD, although it was a lot of work and took 600 hours, much of it spent on a cold garage floor skinning my knuckles on rusty nuts and bolts using only crude hand tools - no Sawzalls or battery-operated anythings - and hours of "fettling" wood body parts that didn't fit, I got a lot of satisfaction out of doing it myself and seeing the job through to completion and ending up with a like-new car. Alas though. After the first year, the TD just languished in the garage, seldom driven. It just wasn't that much fun to drive plus I had other interests. Years later, I put it up for sale and got almost $10 thousand for it and didn't miss it at all. Two months after the sale, the new owner called. He had blown the engine.
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Haven't sold anything (probably should) but do enjoy the wrenching quite a lot, especially living in Toronto where you have to drive at least 45 minutes to get to a place where you can enjoy a drive.
This thread also put me to mind of a fellow in my Orlando club (now deceased) who offered to wrench others cars for free just to keep his hand in it.
This thread also put me to mind of a fellow in my Orlando club (now deceased) who offered to wrench others cars for free just to keep his hand in it.
Currently working on my 8th project car. Only have sold two. Need to sell two more. I enjoy the restoration and have learned a lot of skills. I think you need to pick the correct car so the value is work your work. IE: parts cost is too high on some models to get the money out. You will never get the labor out but it is a hobby.
I have learned to weld, beat panels, paint, build engines and transmissions, pretty much everything on a car. It is better than sitting in a chair and doing nothing!
I have learned to weld, beat panels, paint, build engines and transmissions, pretty much everything on a car. It is better than sitting in a chair and doing nothing!
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For me the wrenching was always a means to an end. I don't mind the mechanical and electrical work, but body work bores me. At various times in my life the wrenching skills have kept food on the table. The only ground-up restorations of personal cars were the first MGB, the Elan and an Alfa GTV. The list of the ones done as clients' cars I'd have to sit down and try to recall. The memorable ones were the "enjoyable" among them. A DB 2/4 drophead, A V-12 Ferrari 365 GT4 and oddly, a Mercedes 300SL. Setup on the mechanical fuel injection in that Gullwing was diabolical. Kugelfischer must be German for "Good luck, Bubba!"
For me it's all about getting to sit behind the wheel of something that requires you to DRIVE it, as opposed to a point-to-point conveyance.
For me it's all about getting to sit behind the wheel of something that requires you to DRIVE it, as opposed to a point-to-point conveyance.
sail
Darth Vader
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I love driving the car and do it daily when it's running. It has been going for 10 years every season except now...
Restoring (maintenance for me.) It's gotta be done so currently the block is on my workbench ready for all the bits plus everything is clean so fun winter project but it would really be good if I got it back together by spring driving.
Restoring (maintenance for me.) It's gotta be done so currently the block is on my workbench ready for all the bits plus everything is clean so fun winter project but it would really be good if I got it back together by spring driving.