When I was younger--much
younger--I bought numerous cars in various states of poor repair and
worked to make them better. Sometimes I was successful; other times I
hauled a carcass to the junkyard. These endeavors were driven by two
things: One, my limited cash flow as a young person and Two, my
desire to return something to function and beauty.
I love machinery of all
types, particularly those that were built before or around the same
time as my own birth. I find equal appeal in the simplicity of a
Model T as I do in the exotic machine work that created a Ferrari
Berlinetta. My deep interest in things mechanical and cars in
particular led me to educate myself in the skills and knowledge to
repair them. In effect, I learned by doing. There have been countless
snapped off bolts and botched welds as I gained my education. I have
achieved a level of competency as a mechanic but am far from a
competent restorer.
Through my automotive
history I can claim only one actual restoration of a car. It was a
haphazard, amateur accomplishment at best and admittedly never fully
sorted. A good five-footer (looked great from five feet away) it
brought me satisfaction. Subsequent attempts, however, generally
failed. The demands of time, money and skills I still did not possess
kept most of these other unique vehicles from becoming anything more
than good drivers.
My appreciation and desire
for older cars such as vintage Mustangs, old pickups and quirky
pre-war cars remains but I have had to accept the reality that
restoring them is fairly impossible. If I wish to have a vintage car
I should really buy one already finished. With old cars there is
always something that needs tinkering with and that aspect will
satisfy my desire to use the vast number of tools I have accumulated.
Gone however is the urge to fully disassemble and scatter a vehicle
throughout my garage over a period of years with the rosy vision of
someday making it whole again.
Collectible vehicles come in
all sorts of ages, shapes and prices. Most of the ones I am drawn to
cost more than I can reasonably afford for something that will see
only occasional use. If I lived in a climate less detrimental to old
steel perhaps I could justify driving a classic every day.
Unfortunately, I live in a region known for ruining cars with road
salt and humidity. Thus the appeal of modern cars that look like
classics.
The retro styling trend at
present seems to have run its course but not before I was able to
snag my own example. Much of the automotive world criticized retro
styled cars as being un-original when they came out. I welcomed them
as modern takes on attractive cars in a world otherwise full of
nearly identical jellybeans. Though I may not want a Dodge Challenger
or VW Beetle I welcome their unique visual impact on an otherwise
repetitive landscape.
Progress being what it is,
the modern cars all have things we have become accustomed to: disc
brakes, power steering, air conditioning and reliable electronics. No
longer do we have to tolerate brakes that barely work when wet,
enormous steering wheels or setting points inside a hard to reach
distributor. Life with cars has become much easier if a bit less
interesting.
Vintage vehicles still
possess charms and character that no modern vehicle can match. I
still desire to experience life with any number of old cars and
motorcycles but as I become a 'man of a certain age' I find the
commitment required to take care of them more daunting. A restoration
may be something I take up again when retired with plenty of
available time (and hopefully money) but for now the limits real life
places upon me leads me to enjoy the modern equivalent of a favorite
classic.
There is almost a sense of
guilt for not care-taking of a true classic when I am mostly capable.
I really do enjoy preserving old stuff and sharing it with others who
have a similar affliction. I worry that younger generations are
losing touch with these rolling pieces of history and that every
retro car purchased negates a vintage model being preserved. The
other thought is that perhaps the popularity of such designs will
generate some interest in the old versions of the same. The only
thing I can say with certainty is choosing to drive either is a step
in the right direction. Life is too short to fettle it away piloting
something forgettable.
