Ever just want to walk away from the old car thing?

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I have thought about walking away, but come on, in the end it is just too fun, even through all the heartache.

I took a break, to get more secure financially and start a family and what not but I am ready to get back at it!(Currently building my engine)
 
Just can't get into it lately, for years I've spent every available penny and huge amounts of time on my car. And still when I drive it, it's like, it's OK, but still not what I want it to be. Needs more power, or its too loud, or this still rattles,etc.
I'd like to do some big money things to it, like build a better engine, ad a gearvendors, or fuel injection. But don't really have money for that, and just don't ever feel like working on the car.
Just frustrating not being able to do the things that will make it more fun to drive.
Maybe I'm just getting to old and used to the comforts on newer cars.

If I could only have one car, it would be the 1966 Formula S, 273 Commando, 4 speed. I have to agree with Rani. I've had one since I was 19 and have always loved them. I have also noticed, I go in phases. I'm back into the Barracudas now. Before Barracudas it was steel lugged racing bicycles. Before that Cowboy stuff. Before that Vintage high end Stereo. Before that Barracudas. You will probably regret it very much, if you sell your Dart. Figure out what you want and get it. Then you will be done.
 
When the scamp gives me **** starting. Or stumbles on acceleration. Or any other thing these old cars can do. Or when I have to plan my weekend around pulling something off it that I didn't wanna work on. I curse at it. Slap the steering wheel. Then I burn the tires around the next corner. Throw that rear end out. And remember all over again why I do it.
 
Take a break, don't sell it all and walk away. Did that, lost money and now it's uphill battle to get back to that point.

If you do sell, you'll eventually regret it and want them back. Might be months or years, but you will regret it.
 
I just put in a 40 year shift with no old car in my life and just got one. I will die with this car in my life its not going anywhere, sometimes you don`t know what cha got till its gone.
 
as living in ND and rebuilding the 340 to a 416 and rebuilding the 833 during winter... iam ready for spring.. iam alittle burnt out, ready to go catch fish but thinking of my 69 dart while iam fishing and by fall ready to get back into the DART
 
I have done total restorations on 3 cars in my life (1973 Camaro RS, 1973 Mach 1 and 1967 Fairlane) and I am currently doing a 1976 Dart Sport. People tell me that the new cars are faster, safer, handle better, get better gas mileage and are way more dependable...they are right on all counts. This Dart is a reflection of me, it's older and and some of the parts don't work they way they should but it is always there for me, calling me to forget my daily worries by inserting the key and bringing her to life and going for a drive to nowhere. I am rebuilding this car, it will reflect my tastes, my dedication and perseverance. My wife loves to cruise in my old Dart with me because it makes me happy and she loves me.
I am going to wind up with more money in this car than it is worth but she never complains about how much I spend because every time we will take it to a show it will provide lasting memories that we will cherish in our old age. This is more than a hobby, it is a lifestyle, it is an extension of who you are. People who restore old cars are people are problem solvers, they run at a challenge instead of away from it. My dad always said "never stop challenging yourself". So my advice to Milehighdart is take some time before you make the decision to walk away.
 
last time I did I went drinking that was 12 years ago now if I start getting burnt out igo do donuts and remember why its sooooo kkeewl
 
I've always been more prone to enjoy something when I've been around people with like interests. It's not just cars but everything else too. The ability to share your enthusiasm with others makes your own enthusiasm grow. If I was the only person around that had an interest in the car hobby, I'd probably lose interest in it. I'd advise you to find a few fellow car nuts in close proximity.

Giving up the hobby isn't necessarily the end of the world but sometimes it's indicative that a person isn't getting as much enjoyment out of it as they used to. If you're going to reclaim the excitement you used to feel you're going to have to find something that makes it fun for you again. - And that will most likely involve someone else that's still a kid at heart when it comes to 'car adventures'.


 
No,I hate new cars and will never own one. My 70 Dart is the newest I've ever owned. I never get tired of "old cars" either. Everytime I see them I admire their beauty and enjoy driving them despite their quirks. I know I am probably unusual though.
If you ever get rid of your car,you'll likely regret it later and wish you had it back. I hear that from guys who talk to me all the time. They all have had some cool old car they wish they never sold.
 
If cheap is your goal I'm with everybody else who says find a 360. Otherwise your 318 with a 3.79 crank gets you 364....which is real close to the upper end of %1 over. As mentioned , I can only hope a teener lives with what trying to do, I wouldn't race on "hope" alone tho. It will also be ALOT less difficult to break the 700hp mark it looking at. And I would assume no shrouding issue(which is where this all started). I dunno fells like a right tool for the job situation, but hey, it also sounds like your trying to make something out of nothing so I guess getting on the track beats sitting in the bleachers. Go for it! Good luck buddy.
 
No! My 273 Barracuda is one of one and built the way I want it to be. When I hit the wall I take a weekend off and chase the wife. "Never have so many chased so few so far for so little" Winston Churchill-WW2
DR--------------
 
Ive sold a car that I said Id NEVER sell and a turck I still dream about... Both cost too much and were junk to most folks..Both made me sick at one point...

Id dam near let you punch me in the face before I make that mistake again..

Its the smell of that car I miss most... I know it wasnt the car for me but.....Dam, dont do it.....
 
If cheap is your goal I'm with everybody else who says find a 360. Otherwise your 318 with a 3.79 crank gets you 364....which is real close to the upper end of %1 over. As mentioned , I can only hope a teener lives with what trying to do, I wouldn't race on "hope" alone tho. It will also be ALOT less difficult to break the 700hp mark it looking at. And I would assume no shrouding issue(which is where this all started). I dunno fells like a right tool for the job situation, but hey, it also sounds like your trying to make something out of nothing so I guess getting on the track beats sitting in the bleachers. Go for it! Good luck buddy.

Huh ? O:)O:)O:)
 
The car hobby is like an addiction to me. I'm car less for now, which will soon change. I don't feel whole unless I've got a "weekend" car setting in the garage.
 
I had to walk away from my 64 Valiant..............


Ran out of gas (gas gauge doesn't work)

Went home and got the lawn mower can of gas.


:twisted:
 
No matter how much time, and/or money we put in our old cars, they are never finished. I started my Mopar journey in 1967 with a 63 Dart "more door car", /6, push button tranny. Bought a 64 Dart 273 car that was a roll over, moved the drive train to the 63. Bought a 67 notch 'cuda, /6, 3 on the tree. Killed the 7 1/4 rear in it, found an 8 3/4 in a wrecking yard for cheap (my labor stripping cars for shelf parts). My buddy started a family & sold me his 67 Dart (found out later it was a 235/273) & his 68 Formula S 340 4 spd FB cuda. From there I migrated to the mid 60's Satellites, Furys, Belvederes & such. Bought a 64 stock eliminator Satellite, raced it for 3 years & traded it for a 64 Sport Fury 426 wedge motor a spd car that was a super stocker. I dabbled with a couple of RR & GTXs while racing super stock locally. Sold it all when I fell into a booze bottle because of 20 years of being frustrated with cars. VERY BIG MISTAKE!!! Fast forward to the early 80's, found a guy racing a Super Gas 69 cuda & asked if I could wrench on the car with him. He agreed, as long as I stayed sober, which I did for many years. In 1998, we cut the cuda chassis up because of all the rule changes with NHRA & the Super Gas class, plus it was totally unsafe. We bought a Dakota & went stock eliminator racing. In 2000 when the offered the 5.9 Magnum, we built one and went faster than with the 5.2 Magnum. In 2013, I bought My 71 Demon, it was already cut up & had been a race car most of it's life. It now weighs just shy of 2500 lbs, has a 416 stroker, 727 RMV tranny, narrowed Dana w 5.13 gears, spool, triple adjustable ladder bars, double adjustable coil overs, 10 point cage, disc brakes on all 4 corners, & runs low 10's. Will I ever sell it, I kind of doubt it. It's just too much fun loading it on the trailer. packing up the wife & grandkids, & taking it to the strip to play with on a good weekend here in south Texas.
 
After reading all this I went out to the garage and pulled the nighty off the girl {car cover} and just stood there at one end of the garage gazing looking at the bright work ,panels ,opening the door and that unique old skool smell running the back side of my hand over the smooth wax work I did last week end yeah I've busted my arse with it spent a lot and enjoy working on it driving her ,I've had thoughts of moving her on for a B body 65 Belvedere but all those thoughts changed after that. Motto of the story is take a break ! if you sell you will regret it because you will buy again and do all the hard yards just to have what you already have!! the love will come back...
 
I walked away once about 25 yrs ago and have thought about getting new muscle but , they have no character. So 1st we built a shop and then we got the car and driving it around makes you feel young again. You have to think that this might be the last generation that can poke a pissed off 600 hp race fueled old school death trap around town. Kinda makes you feel lucky.
 
Understandable I know where your coming from I'm somewhat going to walk away from the hobby also I think that as we get better at what we do to our cars we also expect more and better results or been there done that which of course cost more $$$ and at some point you say that's enough I have two cars one just fell in place and I love it but still tweaking more for my likes the other has fought me every step of the build and I can't seam to wrap my brain around it and it's put away till the time is right to either get back into it or let it go to a new home which at this point appears to be the direction it will go
 
Why would I walk? I've got a Dodge.
In fact I've got several.

New cars got no soul.
Wait. They ARE talking to us, like Rani says.
And they doing things with out being told to do it.
So maybe new cars are possessed.
 
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