Losing Interest

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Valiant63

Early A-body Valiants
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eastern, PA and central Florida
Is anybody else like me in that they are losing interest in working on their cars? I don’t know if it’s just cars are losing interest in everything as I get older. I’m not as old as a lot of you, but I’ve had some setbacks in my life and lately I haven’t even go next to car shows just to look.
I have a 65 barracuda in my garage that I’ve had for about 10 years and when I decided to get things going on this year it’s been one thing after another that’s going wrong and still haven’t got it out of the garage, but at least had it running for a bit. Had the carburetor rebuilt and put back on and it’s still doesn’t seem to be getting fuel into the heads although it’s coming to the carb.
Also I had a car, 66 station wagon that one of our members here in Florida known for his wagons, has had in his possession to work on for me and so far he hasn’t done anything to it, but he used a bunch of my parts for his other projects. He’s had the car three years now middle of January. I’m not sure if I want to try to keep going with him, cut my losses and pick the car up and work on it myself, try to find someone else to work on for me, or sell it.
 
With the info provided .
We all have setbacks and perhaps yours are debilitating.
But for a start get rid of the wagon
Try and get one car on the road.
Either the 65 Barrcuda or something else.
Would need to know why you have a 65 Barracuda to go further with that advice.
Personal preference, cost verses ability for something else?
At any rate driving is arguably more fun than working on them.
Bottom line there is get something you can drive sooner than later.
While few people can do everything, Abby does not think you need more than one car and not a project car unless you can do most everything yourself
Like rebuild a basic carburetor.
 
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I'm 75 years old and I can't get enough . Physically I can't do as much and I'm on a fixed income but the interest is still as strong as ever . My garage (pole barn) has no heat or water so I'm sol for the winter . I have 2 projects in mind right now and I love planning them . If I should pass away , so what , I'm no sitting around waiting for the "grim reaper".
 
That’s a bum deal on the ‘66 Wagon. I’d be livid but, don’t know the relationship/arrangement you made with that person. I’d be picking it up or getting fair value for your parts, vehicle & etc.

I, too, had a rough weekend and kept getting stuck on smaller Mopar repair issues but, the end result is always worth it. I also feel like I am learning patience skills and to have realistic expectations with each car’s issues.

Not being able to enjoy your cars is a deal breaker. Hopefully, you’ll be cruising in that ‘65 Cuda soon enough.
 
I can't believe that you need advice about the guy that's had your car for 3 years. Go get your car. Then pick one to sell. You don't seem to have the knowledge, or finances to deal with 2 classic cars. I don't think you will get your money or parts from him. The thing about classic cars, is it's way more work than fixing a newer vehicle. Brake caliper leaks? you have to figure out why. Engine knocks? You have to figure it out.
I'm wondering if the person working on your car is someone who used to be on this forum alot. If so, run away (after you get your car.
 
I seem to find smaller projects instead of working on the 65. I know I can make the 65 a bunch of small projects... Probably a great new years resolution....finish something! Having a 6 year old takes alot of my time. "Daddy...I want to swing....Ahhh, OK. "
 
has had in his possession to work on for me and so far he hasn’t done anything to it, but he used a bunch of my parts for his other projects. He’s had the car three years now middle of January.

i'd have taken if back by now. screw that ****..

as far as not wanting to work on the cars ya have goes.. totally understand.. sold my express truck project and my cutlass because i just didn't have the desire to work on them any more.. too much other stuff i want to be doing then working on them.. still have the dart thats pretty much finished and will continue to mess with it here and there. with the money from the express truck and cutlass i bought a 2008 mustang. its something i can tinker (not work on) with and put the family in and enjoy cruising in it. maybe one day when rylee is grown i'll get another project.. doubt it though the pricing of mopar stuff has taken the fun out of it for the most part for me..
 
I seem to find smaller projects instead of working on the 65. I know I can make the 65 a bunch of small projects... Probably a great new years resolution....finish something! Having a 6 year old takes alot of my time. "Daddy...I want to swing....Ahhh, OK. "
That is normal to have family take more priority than car hobby. I went thru that when my daughter was young. When she was in high school she did not have much interest in the hobby, so we did things that she liked. The kids are more important than the hobby. Put it on back burner and spend time w kids. I didn't spend much time on car hobby until I retired. My job took too much time, now I am getting things done with them and enjoying it.
 
I have a lineup of projects. But the last one aquired is first to get finished. But during code red i managed to get a lot done on it.
I fix cars for a living in my small shop at home. Im running out of patience when it comes to fixing vehicles that arent worth fixing or newer ones that just need oil changes.

just hanging out here on fabo, and chatting, and watching some down to earth guys fixing cars has motivated me to keep going.
My 65 Barracuda hasnt seen a wrench in a couple years, but that will change this spring. I want it to move under its own power.
 
IDK if I’m losing interest, probably just re-prioritizing what’s important in my life.

I spent a lot of the past few years making my ‘69 GTS what I wanted it to be between the rest of the things life threw at me. I even parked it for two full years with zero attention as I dealt with my Father’s final fight with dementia until his death along with supporting my Brother-in-law in his fight with liver cancer until his eventual death too.

There are many things I still want to do on the GTS, and I will get to them as time goes...but the priority is different for me now.

Cars have become a smaller part of my life now as other things have become larger. It doesn’t mean I still don’t want and enjoy them, it’s just their place on my life’s priority list has changed.

What we enjoy and prioritize in life is an evolution that we all find ourselves faced with. Changing priorities doesn't mean rejecting our passions, it just means placing them in a different level of importance in our lives.
 
I've not got tired of classic cars at all. For me it was rough idle cams, steep gears and loose converters. I got so sick of them on my street cars after all the years that I got rid of all that and bought a 4 door '65 Belvedere. I put a 100% bone stock 318 2bbl in it, no headers, factory converter and highway gears. Such a fun driver. Now that I have multiple classic cars again, I may not mind a "little dose" of what I used to love.
 
Step back and take a breath. Deal with whatever else is a more important issue and then reevaluate your hobby, but if not a financial thing, let the cars sit. The whole world is off axis so know your not alone. I know I'm feeling down missing normal life, puts a fog over everything else.
 
IDK if I’m losing interest, probably just re-prioritizing what’s important in my life.

I spent a lot of the past few years making my ‘69 GTS what I wanted it to be between the rest of the things life threw at me. I even parked it for two full years with zero attention as I dealt with my Father’s final fight with dementia until his death along with supporting my Brother-in-law in his fight with liver cancer until his eventual death too.

There are many things I still want to do on the GTS, and I will get to them as time goes...but the priority is different for me now.

Cars have become a smaller part of my life now as other things have become larger. It doesn’t mean I still don’t want and enjoy them, it’s just their place on my life’s priority list has changed.

What we enjoy and prioritize in life is an evolution that we all find ourselves faced with. Changing priorities doesn't mean rejecting our passions, it just means placing them in a different level of importance in our lives.
Very, very well said. Pretty much sums it up for me too
 
As i get older, the passion for the old car is growing stronger exponentially.

I was never supposed to be an intentional mechanic or car person, in fact I'm probably the last person on the planet who would be a likely car person.

Now I look back at when I was younger at the cars and car related things I saw as a teen and didn't have a clue what I was looking at. I now see those same cars and car related things through adoring and understanding eyes.

I'm no longer limited to mopars, as I grow older, I'm really starting appreciate cars I never gave a second thought before.

Cars are like emotions, you can try to forget but any number of triggers can bring it back in a flash, you can sell your car but there will always be something to remind you of days gone.

I laugh at people who try to bean count every dollar put into a car. Yet most of these people will blow money on things that won't mean anything tomorrow like booze, cigarettes, trendy things, even fashion items, even the money itself won't mean anything tomorrow, it's just paper. A car can create more live memories than any other tangible item you own.

Hope you can re-ignite the spark into a roaring flame of enthusiasm and good memories with long road trips.
 
Like 318WR said, I picked up a driver 72 duster to have fun with while finishing the barracuda. It needs small things but easy to keep running with a slant six with points. I still had to do things, but it was like a couple hours vs endless stuff. Also taking the little S10 mini truck for a spirited drive keeps me interested in keeping the barracuda project going because I think "I wonder how this thing will handle?" Get the wagon back and sell one, get the other going. Find a guy that will take some money to give you some hands on training if you are lacking that. Sounds like the 65 is close?

Or sell them both and get a modern hot rod, or just something that is a runner. Then dont take it apart.

0.02 Stay positive
 
Also I had a car, 66 station wagon that one of our members here in Florida known for his wagons, has had in his possession to work on for me and so far he hasn’t done anything to it, but he used a bunch of my parts for his other projects. He’s had the car three years now middle of January. I’m not sure if I want to try to keep going with him, cut my losses and pick the car up and work on it myself, try to find someone else to work on for me, or sell it.

What the hell is up with this??!!! He used your parts for his cars???? What was the original arrangement??
 
I know the losing interest feeling, I’ve had a 67 Belvedere in my garage nearly 5 years. Haven’t hardly touched it, collects laundry on it. My 65 Dart I put sub-frame connectors on in May. Then I did the heater core box rebuild. Still haven’t it finished that job yet. I do spend most of my free time with my nearly 4 yr old daughter, she has me wrapped around her finger.
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I can't believe that you need advice about the guy that's had your car for 3 years. Go get your car. Then pick one to sell. You don't seem to have the knowledge, or finances to deal with 2 classic cars. I don't think you will get your money or parts from him. The thing about classic cars, is it's way more work than fixing a newer vehicle. Brake caliper leaks? you have to figure out why. Engine knocks? You have to figure it out.
I'm wondering if the person working on your car is someone who used to be on this forum alot. If so, run away (after you get your car.

Yes, you know whom I am referring to. He talks a good talk, but he doesn’t come through with anything. Lately he doesn’t answer my texts.
 
What the hell is up with this??!!! He used your parts for his cars???? What was the original arrangement??
I had some black recovered 65 barracuda Bucket Seats that I wanted $600 for, but he had a project that he needed them for and he was going to use that money towards work being done on my car. Well, it hasn’t happened. Somebody asked did some brake work on my car and took the front clip off of one of my parts cars he has without my permission.
 
I'm 75 years old and I can't get enough . Physically I can't do as much and I'm on a fixed income but the interest is still as strong as ever . My garage (pole barn) has no heat or water so I'm sol for the winter . I have 2 projects in mind right now and I love planning them . If I should pass away , so what , I'm no sitting around waiting for the "grim reaper".
You're an inspiration no doubt.
 
First off, this is a hobby and thus it should be enjoyable. When you put a lot of pressure on yourself it becomes work which then becomes less than fun. I have taken breaks ranging from days to months but I have to be "in the mood" to do the work right. But, as others have said, it seems like the older i get the more I like it.

One of the things that I have done which does seem to help is spend some time online looking at pictures and/or videos of GenI Barracudas and see if that excites you.

Another thing is that when my interest starts to wane, I look for fun or more interesting things to do on the car, after all everything has to get done. This helps keep the interest up.
 
Get the wagon back... Sounds like the 65 is close?

Or sell them both and get a modern hot rod, or just something that is a runner. Then dont take it apart.

0.02 Stay positive

I don’t have the physical ability to do a lot of the things that I want to. I have been paralyzed from the midsection down for over 30 years and my hands are numb half the time and my shoulders won’t allow me to do much of anything over my head or in front of me when I’m laying on my back. This gets worse the older that I get so I have to rely on other people to work on the car for me. I can’t pull myself up over the fender anymore to do simple things.
The barracuda is very close to running and I’m thinking of just taking it to a local mechanic that can get it running for me. The wagon is also running now, but it needs so much work done to it. I hate going to pick up my wagon and cutting my losses and leaving so much money behind there, but it must be done I suppose. I like the old station wagon especially because it has a roof rack on it. I was looking at buying another wagon, but I feel like I’m depressed with the car situation and don’t want to get myself in any deeper. Besides, I have since moved to an HOA, homeowners association, near Orlando where I can’t have all my car projects here at the house anymore like I used to like where I used to live.
I’m not happy where I am living, I’m not happy with relationship stuff, and I’m not happy with the car situation. I’m certainly not happy with my body and healthcare here. If I think about it too much, it really gets to me and I would rather not be here. Know what I mean?
 
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