Once
on the road, I posed the first question.
Q: What would you consider as the four main benefits of
restoring
and the driving of a classic car?
A: Well there're way more than four benefits. But since you
only want four you'll have to give me a few seconds
to
think about it.
Dan:
OK. Don't think too hard and have a aneurysm.
(The hum of the road filled the truck of silence.
With
a crack of the window and a good'ole chew
spit,
which you know is probably smeared on the
side
of my jeep. You can't spit faster then the
wind.
I don't care what anyone says.)
A: I have two for the restoration and two for the driving.
Dan:
Let'em rip.
A: First would be the costs, second would be enjoyment of
working
with your hands and feeling a sense of
pride.
The two benfits for driving: costs again
and
joy.
Dan:
I agree. The costs of purchasing a restorable car can
run
from $1000-$5000, depending on the condition.
The
costs of a restoration can run from
$5000-$10,000.
This is if you do all the work
yourself.
Of course you will have to have the
machine
work and plating done by pro's. Compare
this
to the price of a new car and your saving a
few
grand.
Ryan:
Let's talk about parts prices and labor rates. If you
compare
the prices of older model parts to newer
models,
there sometimes is a three-fold increase in
newer
parts prices. Add that to a $70.00 an hour
labor
rate from a shop and that equals murder in
my
book. The way cars are built today with all the
latest electronics you can't work on them
yourselves.
Dan:
Explain the pride part to me.
Ryan:
Anyone that's ever fixed something that was broken
knows
what I'm talking about. I shouldn't
have to
explain
that, especially to you. You know the feel
every
time you fixed an aircraft and watch it
takeoff,
that sense of pride.
Dan:
Well I think you mean when it landed safely at its
destination. The takeoff had some anxiety built into
it. LOL!
Q: What about the two for driving?
A: Costs again are number one here. Insurance,
registration,
and taxes for a new cars are murder.
You'll
have to have full coverage insurance or you
won't
be able to get a loan. Registration fees and
taxes
on a new vehicle will have to be paid.
At least
when
you buy a used car you can have the seller
write
you a bill of sale for less money. So that will
save you on taxes. (Of course the G-men frowns
upon
this.)
Dan:
I agree 100% with you there. I feel the taxes were
paid
for, once when the car was first purchased.
Every
time a resale occurs, it's getting taxed again.
(Can you say double taxation, boys and girls?)
Q: How is joy derived form this ownership?
A: That's simple! First, all the money you saved by driving
a
classic car should be enough. But money isn't
everything.
If you leave the original AM radio
installed,
the radio stations play sing along music.
Not the crap on regular FM now a days. There's
nothing
like cruising with your honey, singing along
to oldies but goodies. Not to forget the spacious
interior.
If you know what I mean. Now if that
doesn't
bring any joy to ya, I'll have to smack ya!
Dan:
Yes. I know what you mean. Your date will be more
apt
to help you see paradise by the dash board
lights if you're not going to get all sorts of muscle
cramps as if you were in a Mini Cooper.
Ryan:
Stop! I see something moving up that ridge.
Dan:
(Ryan just jump out of the jeep with rifle in hand).
Guess the interview is over now. Because if he does
get
a shot at a buck, the conversation all the way
home
will be about his rifleman skills. If he misses
I'll berate him all the way home.
We
covered four main points about the benefits of
restoring
and driving a classic car. Although there are some
drawbacks
to restoring and driving classic cars, the joys
truly
overcome them.
11/03/03 |