It's a long story, so bear with me ...
Yeah, I want to save them all !!! I "blame" craigslist and a new-found passion for old stuff after 14 years of playing with Miatas (and making money at it!). I had 29 of them in those 14 years and then burned out - too small, hard to get out of, hard to work on because everything is so jammed together, and seems to be a lot of sharp corners and clips that bite(!), lack of power, but great in the twisty bits! Like the old blues song says, "I have had my fun." At least with those...
I'm 61 years old and I think turning 60 had something to do with getting out of the sports car thing. Going down the freeway at eye level with a semi truck's lug nuts was an epiphany! Also, they put a Costco in on my route to the freeway. The idiots pulling in and out in their SUVS talking on the cellphone don't really see a little "girly" car, or care, so it was a daily risk of life and limb, and still is! Don't seem to have that same problem in the crusty old Suburban, though.
Never married and no kids (and not gay!), so no one to tell me what to do. I had enough of that growing up, so maybe this is a second adolescent rebellion? I think it's my 5th childhood, or thereabouts. I'd been taking care of my folks the last few years, but Mom just went into a group home, and "the Boss" (Dad) and I have had it out a few times, so I'll still help out but I feel like I have my own life back again at last! Also semi-retired, so lots of time and energy. It's the money thing that slows me down, but that too shall pass. SSI kicks in in 5 months, and it ain't gonna be much, but will pay the rent and part of the bills. I live cheap, so I can get by with a meager income, and that's just fine with me.
I have a little seed money to get this hot rod/rat rod thing going. Sold my autocross car and might just sell the M3 which has been my dream car for 20 years. I've had it for 2 years and enjoy it, but if it needs to be sold, then so be it. Right now it is looking like a nice chunk of money I could use for parts and such, but I'd only sell it if I need to. It would sure be nice to have a full money jar! Then again, it might be dangerous! By now you all know how I am. LOL
Like many of you, I buy and sell stuff to get other stuff, and sometimes make a bit of a profit on it, more often not, but rarely lose money. I guess that is my "investment portfolio" = money in metal! Wish I had a big shop with a lift, but am glad that I have tools and the space to do things! Hopefully it works out somehow, because like the Miata thing, once the ball gets rollin', it keeps on keepin' on! "Train kep' a-rollin' all night long." BTW, I played music for 30 years, thus the frequent song quotes.
"Oh to be young and foolish." Well how about older and still foolish?! I don't really think that way (but then again, sometimes I just don't think at all!). I guess I have OCD when it comes to cars, but like Popeye says, "I am what I am and that's all what I am."
Right now I have 3 running and driving cars and 3 project trucks. This chassis is on its way, then the IH Scouts and that's going to be it for a while (maybe). Like most of you, I am in this for the joy of it, not the money. When something becomes a job, I am out of there. I did my 40 years already. And like the Miata thing, a hobby and passion can actually pay off once in a while, or at least provide funds for "the next one." And as long as the bills get paid, then I am happy! The rest is for play!
Don't drink or go out or go to movies and such, so any money I have goes into
this sort of fun. Someone yesterday asked me what I do for a living, and I tell them I play with cars! No mortgage, no car payments, no alimony, no bank account; I'm off the grid in the big city. My "job," if you want to call it that, is now my joy - not a dreaded 9 to 5 M-F indentured servant to some jerk who plays golf. Been there, done that, wore out the t-shirt and used it for a shop rag!
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions and even the warning! I appreciate you all and the talents and passion found in the Builds and Foto collections. Hope this hasn't been too much information, but thought I should try and explain a bit. Not to get too sentimental about it, but ... I love you guys !!! [cl