All this talk engages my old brain, back to when I first started in the hobby, early eighties, but I am 77 and that was like 45 years ago, I am sure I am one of the "more senior" members here, and many members are maybe not even 45 yet! Since this is a discussion site, we all discuss! Fast forward if you like.
Early 80s. My first old classic was a 68 Olds 442, I bought it from a college kid from Ca. going to school in Ks. back when I lived in Mo. $1000 needed nothing. The wife was pissed! Bless her heart!
Next I got interested in Mopars, the 442 found a new home. I found an ad in the paper (yea that was how it worked back then), 64 1/2 Barracuda. I looked it over, for all that I knew, (not that much), tapping on the rear lower qtr,, it sound "funny"/ Would run, maybe drive, I forget. $500. The owner proudly explained how he formed them from fiberglass. He really did a fine job, buy I asked why? Why? Because he could.
I knew I had a VERY limited knowledge of the hobby, but I did know the first gen Barracuda was not high on the radar of the guys. I was wishing it was a solid 65 Stang with a hi po 289!. But... the Barracuda. Cool little car, 273, buckets, had a vacuum gauge! Cool. New paint, nice interior, but really?? First time I had seen such work and I admit the only time since, in 45 years. But that is OK with me........ but at that toime.... the fiberglass did not get my interest up, and a few days later, I found a 70- Challenger, with a transplanted 440, (orig, 318 car) run/drove with a few pinholes in a floor, for $1000. OK maybe at that point in time I paid a little too much. Just needed a new muffler. I loved that Chally until all the Mopar guys explained I NEEDED a REAL car!!! So I sold it and moved on to a long list of old Mopars! Mistake!?????????
I some days wonder just how much joy I would have missed, and how many more $$$ I would have today,..... IF I had kept that 70 440 inserted Challenger, .......and maybe also kept the 71 318 ( inserted 383 ) Cuda I had bought a few years later, (after the guy sold off the non oem Shaker hood for $300). yea it had new paint ( the seller had a body shop) and it cost me all of $2500 and needed nothing!
But in the late 80s, I found my knack for finding the "good" cars! Back when the hobby was really fun. :BangHead: :rofl: :thumbsup: :steering: :confederateflag::drama: