What’s that noise? Why doesn’t the heater work? Ugh, I need to fix that missing trim piece! I bet these kinds of thoughts have raced through your mind, too, when you have driven your classic car.
You’re not alone, so take comfort in that. But I got advice for you: Just shut up and drive.
Yes, I’m talking to you …
You are right on the money! Most people who have even a passing interest in cars will think it's great that you're driving the old Caddy and will neither notice or care about the million little issues. I too want to get to the finish line with a project, but need to remember that there is so much more to old cars than getting from A to B. The memories you make for yourself and others are the real payout in my opinion. I frequently tell other British car owners a little story of mine that helps me stay focused on why I do this.
Remeber the three hour drive in the Lexus last month? I don't either, but remeber when the wheel came off the Spitfire on the way to a car show six years ago? Heck yes! And the homeless guy that helped us find the lug nuts, and the fact that we still made the show and even won our class, despite the mishap? Yep! So don't worry about what isn't done, or quite right, or what someone else may think. Enjoy the car today!
I really like this article and philospohy. Thanks for the boost.
But can I please add: No one, absolutely no one, is going to look at that car and think "junker". It's gorgeous .
There is no "finished". Only "finished for now."
A major problem having a restored car is that you are afraid to park it in a parking lot. My Dad had his just painted '64 Riviera in a local mall parking lot away from any other vehicles. Someone hit it anyway, and tried to look as if he was writing a note to put on the windshield. He wasn't but fortunately a witness saw what happened and provided my Dad with the description of the offending vehicle and driver.
I feel the same with my classics. There is no way I would park my restored '65 Austin-Healey or my Jaguar E-Type Coupe in a parking lot. I already had my daily driver "Dentz Out"ed and even though I don't drive much, it already has new dents caused by others just throwing open their doors, not caring if they do damage on someone else's car.
This is my approach to vintage racing.
Yep.
I have a two page list of things to attend to on my new to my Mitata.
Just drive
After a two year thorough refurbishment of our '71 MGB we got it on the road in 2008 and started driving it. Our first long trip, over 1,000 miles, was to Colorado and a couple of years later we drove it to Reno. On the way home from that trip we were headed to Burns, OR at dusk and the jackrabbits were out, mostly flattened on the highway.
I saw him sitting on the shoulder and I could sense he was a rabbit that liked living life on the edge and as athletic as he was his math was a little off and he was short of clearing the drivers side of the front valance by about two feet. I keep thinking about getting it fixed but after 14 years the dent is still there and probably will be when I age out of driving the car. Still love driving the car.
I came to that conclusion years ago. You have to let go of the issues so you can actually enjoy the car. I still know the issues and if they are just cosmetic, I'm good. If they are mechanical issues, I'm cautious about taking it out. I know at some point you were glad it was a freeze plug instead of the heater core.
I bought an '89 Corvette a couple of years ago and flew out to get it and drive it almost 900 miles home. I was a little nervous about doing that, but after about 100 miles, all that went away. I had a wonderful trip, with no issues. I even hit 25 mpg on one of the four tanks of gas. I was even surprised that it didn't wear me out. This is my first Corvette and I was not expecting it to be that comfortable.
Take you time with the restoration. Priortize the flaws into projects, so you can continue to enjoy driving it regularly. I have projects lined up with my collection that will last me another forty years. I still enjoy all of them and they always make me smile.
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