Any classic car fans around here?

[homebrewer]

Dear Gents,

It seems like many of use around here remember "the good ole days", despite the fact that I wasn't around the first time. My point is that many of us tend to think that "they don't make them like they used to"...

I personally am in the process of restoring a 1940 Packard 120, with a straight 8 engine. I've managed to rebuild the engine, carb, brakes, wiring, and suspension. Right not my concentration is on the body and interior, with now rush to finish. When I think about my and my friends modern cars, and then consider the Packard, I'm amazed. Most of my friend's cars break down often, and I'm the one there to help them... Then I think about the Packard, that has over 300k on the clutch from the factory, not to mention tires from 1976 that still hold air pressure.

My one and only regret in life is not buying that 1969 Chevelle SS a few years ago... Supposedly around 650 hp to the wheels, beautiful condition, and I could have sold it for easily triple the asking price. At the time, I could have bought it, and then (considering 2.1 mpg estimated on the car) drive it home and be broke. Regardless, not buying that car is the only thing that I've ever regretted in my life....

So how many of you own a classic car, and how much do you drive it? As many of us do, I feel that the best of times have past us, so how man of you are holding onto it like me (even though I'm reaching back before my time)?

[Shane]

My personal favorite car ever is a 1969 Plymouth GTX with a HEMI.

Let's see that Packard.

[Austin]

The first car I owned was a 66 Pontiac GTO. I bought for $300 when I was 15. It truly lived up to it's acronym Gas Tires & Oil. It spent a good time in the garage but it was fun to drive.

[homebrewer]

I'll post pictures when I can, once I get back on another computer... but I'll warn you, it isn't pretty.

When I bought the car, I thought that the previous owner was insane... It was parked in a barn in 1976, and he painted the WHOLE car with house paint on a roller. At the time, I thought it was a disaster, but after years of work, I realized that it was a blessing in disguise. While I spent more than 8 hours removing the paint from the grill chrome, I began to curse the previous owner, until I realized that the paint was actually protecting the metal. Once I found a good way to remove the house paint, I began to love it...

Like I said, I'll post pics when I can. I've spent many years on the car, and it still has a long way to go. Granted, I'm not looking for a 100 point show car, just a nice driver, but with a car that size and that age, it is tough to complete..

Now come on, I'm sure there are other classic car fans out there that also have Carb AD, Distributor AD, interior AD, etc.

[homebrewer]

The first car I owned was a 66 Pontiac GTO. I bought for $300 when I was 15. It truly lived up to it's acronym Gas Tires & Oil. It spent a good time in the garage but it was fun to drive.

Ahh, while it may sound like an issue to you, being a younger fellow, I wish that I had the option to own one of those. I still kick my father for the cars he sold when he was younger

My father had a 1970 Plymouth Cuda, and a 1971 Chevelle, in addition to the first release of the MazdaRX-7. I can only imagine what 2/3 of those cars would be worth today....Granted, at the time they were just cars, but today that Cuda would be worth 1/4 of a million dollars with the options that he had...

As far as the GTO is concerned, it has always been one of my favorites, especially the 67 (very similar to your 66). I've always been a GM fan in general, and as soon as the new Camaro comes out, I'm planning on trading in my mustang for one... (the only reason I bought the mustang is because the Camaro was no longer offered).

[Jimbo]

I prefer my 1979 Mercedes 300SD. I really like the '85 500 SL convertible, the pontoon and the Fintail. I like most of the Mercedes styles before say...1987.

[andrews]

I have had many classic cars in the last 20 years I have been driving. And I usualy have 2 at most times now I have a wonderfull 68 plymouth valaint 100 looks like a dodge dart all orignal with 62 tho miles on it. it is a looker and a runner with a v8.

[PCFiend138]

its not a classic but im acquiring a rebuild kit to start work on my 1992 camaro z/28. i finally decided to just build it because i cant sell it for enough to buy the 1975 trans-am with the 455 i want anymore :-(. im planning on racing it to build a reputation for building race cars and hot rods to hopefully open my own speed shop one day.

[Jamestellban]

Well, does an old pickup count? I have a 31 modal-A ford. basicly original, just a new battery. Thinking about getting the tank coated though, I'm sick of blowing the rust out of the gas line. Gas smells good, but tastes awful!

My uncle owns a 69 challenger that I want to kill him for. He just lets it sit an rust. Its in pretty bad condition, but with a couple thousand in it I could get it running good enough for me. I just can't get him to sell it :(

[royalcrown]

I got a 56 Buick Century in storage while I am out here. She aint anywhere near pristine but I will be damned if I didnt have the coolest coffin on my block when I was back in San Diego.

[Prince]

I'd love to get my hands on a '67 Charger or '66 Mustang Fastback.

[mdunn]

ive a mercedes 1978 280ce. considering i was born in 87, its a classic to me :biggrin:

[shaveme]

I have a 68' VW Beetle Convertible. It sits most of the time. If I have put 5 miles on it the past 2 years that would be a lot.

[the beav]

I have a 1961 black/red Impala like this one. I bought it in 1992 and was my daily driver for a few years.

32496

[RussB]

I love classic cars, well just cars in general. I got the short end of the stick growing up. Parents were great an got cars for all 3 kids when we turned 16. Brother was first and got a 66 Mustand, sister was next and got a 64 Buick special, then I come along an get a crappy 81 Malibu. I have alway wanted a classic. My dad still has a 66 Mercury Cyclone Comet the he bought new. Its been sitting for the last 23 years. He was going to restore it but last year bought a 65 Mustang convertable that is near mint. Good think is he said that I can have the Comet if I want it, and can leave it in his garage until we get it running.

[Not A Nice Person]

I had a '67 GTO in high school. 13 second bracket racer I bought for $600 and sold for $500 (two clutches later, lol). Wonderful car. Steered like a tank in town, and with two fingers on the bottom of the wheel at 120+ mph.

Had a '68 Cougar (the last Mustang chassis/powertrain year) when I was in the Seabees. Lotta fun too, that one.

I love old cars, but can't afford them anymore. Damn Barrett-Jackson! :lol:

If I could, and could pick, I think I'd take a late '60's Mercedes SL (the pagoda roof removable hardtop) or a late 50's/early '60's "bathtub" Porsche Speedster.

Or a bugeye Sprite, if I was about a foot shorter and half my current weight!

NANP™

[wolffie]

There's something about old cars that brings a smile to my face.

I'm personally facing a dilemma with an 72 Toyota FJ40 LandCruiser. I bought it years ago in California and blew the engine on it. Now I'm struggling with what to do with it. Sell it without a drivetrain? Put a Chevy 350 in it (very common conversion)? With the economy being what it is, I'm not sure what's the smart thing to do with the old girl.

[slcsteve]

Here's an earlier thread that should interest you guys.........

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=33617&highlight=aston+martin

[tblech]

I live in the town that you need to visit. Auburn, Indiana is the home of the Classics. Home to several early 20th Century automobile manufacturers, Auburn Automobile Company is the most famous of them. They made the Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg motor cars. Having grown up around all of these massive beautiful machines I have been given an opportunity to be up close and in person with many cars; some worth millions. My personal favorite is the 1929 Model J Duesenberg Dual Cowl Phaeton in a two tone turquoise color scheme.

Anyone interested in classic autos should consider a visit to our museum. The ACD Museum is housed in the original headquarters of the Auburn Automobile Company and is absolutely amazing to see in person. Seriously interested, try a visit during the classic car auction held during the Labor Day weekend. I've personally seen cars at auction that exceed $3,000,000.00 in value. Not only are there the Antiques for auction but all sorts of cars go across the block for auction. Cars owned by heads of state. The Beatles have had cars go across. There is a auto parts swap meet and a parade of classic cars on Saturday.

We are having our wedding reception at the Museum. My best friend had his wedding and reception there, it is just an amazing place to visit. Here is the web site should anyone be interested: http://www.acdmuseum.org/

[-Devil-]

http://www.silenzzzz.net/cars/oldcars/garage.jpg

that was my garage at one time ... not shown in that photo was a 70 vw bug, and a 92 mustang gt ...

http://www.silenzzzz.net/cars/oldcars/fairlane2.jpg

theres a better pic of the fairlane ... was a 63 sport coupe IIRC ... didn't have the posts on the windows .. and had a 302 in it .. was a fun project .. regret getting rid of i t...

right now .. all i have is a 2001 dodge neon, a 2008 scion xB .. and my 1970 vw bug (on blocks, waiting for me to tear it apart and rebuild it) ...

would love to get ahold of a 30's to 40's model chevy ... or a 20's model ford ... or a ... 57 to 71 model caddy hearse ...

[rodd]

Huge fan of vintage cars in general. Muscle cars are a weakness of mine, but my dream car is a 34 Ford, 3 window Coupe, all rodded out. I am a hotrod guy at heart, unfortunately, I doubt I will be able to build mine until I retire.

[homebrewer]

I live in the town that you need to visit. Auburn, Indiana is the home of the Classics. Home to several early 20th Century automobile manufacturers, Auburn Automobile Company is the most famous of them. They made the Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg motor cars.

Great mueseum, and even better cars. One of our friends in the PAckard club owns both a 1929 Duesie, along with a 1932 Cadillac V16. Supposedly, he spent $200k on JUST the chrome on the Duesenburg. And no, that is not a typo. Two hundred thousand on chrome alone.

I'd just about kill for a duesie, but for now the Packard will have to do.