is it a good idea to fix your kids' cars for them?

My dad is a bodyman/painter by trade and can do anything mechanical on a car as well. (Doing it for over 35yrs) He owned his own buiseness for 20yrs doing restos and working for the insurance company and while I was growing up I was with him all the time working on cars and he tought me so much from rebuilding transmissions, assembling motors and bodywork. I've build 5 cars myself since 16 (three being full restos) and he's helped me when I needed answers and guidance (still does) so I can say that having help does not exactly make you think "your dad will just fix it" I'm 26yrs old now and the things my dad has showed me are things you can't learn in school or books. When I have kids I hope they are into cars as well and are willing to learn to work on cars like I did!

I wouldn't say that doing all the work is a good idea, but if they are there watching and learning they'll be soaking it in. Kinda like I did a lot of the time while my dad was doing customers cars or his own. I helped when I could.

I'm in the process of restoring my 1970 Swinger and this will be the biggest project I've ever done (a lot of sheetmetal work!!) but I know my dad will be there to help me when I need it.

This is the last car I completely restored. stripped it and did all the bodywork on it myself as we'll as drivetrain and interior, my dad sprayed it and I helped wetsand and polish it.


















This is an answer from the kids perspective

MoparDaddy said:

I'll help my kid work on her vehicle.

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Your kid will probably beat you outside with the tools.

I did not have a father..... I had uncles and farmers getting me involved when I was
very young about 8, Tractor and car maintenance and my 2 sons got there own set of tools
by the time they was 10 I believe, they helped me strip my race cars down and we worked and raced together, now I need there strong backs and they enjoy helping me :glasses7:
Get them involved in everything from laundry to repairing lawn mowers as soon as you can... They will use these skills the rest of there life.
I see to many parents!! well may be not that many, but allot just give there children a free ride in life, I remember hearing my wife or I telling the boys they better get there laundry dun on Sunday by the time they was about 8 or 9 years young and they knew all about the cost to keep a light bulb on :coffee2: they thought I was bad :evil4: you should hear them know in there own home :toothy10:

I was outside in the garage with dad when I was a kid, learned at an early age how to do brakes, carb rebuilds etc at an early age.
I remember when I was 16 and tore the clutch out of my first car 65 coronet.
Dad said, I am only going to show you how to do this once....

My youngest son is 13 and him and I are rebuilding a duster for his first car, he is really good at brakes and aligning sheet metal.

My Dad could fix anything, except my car. Oh he could fix his, wouldn't work on mine. He pointed me in the right directions, and gave suggestions. I learned to listen real quick. As his tips came out in order they should be done.

My 19 yo daughter will assist on her car. I don't mind helping. She is going to be picking my retirement home.