According to You: New Year’s resolutions for car enthusiasts?
Eat better. Exercise more. Improve on a flaw that people insist needs improvement. You know what? The same attitude of resolve applies to your car or truck.
Maybe your vehicle isn’t getting the best stuff bolted up to its body. Or perhaps it suffers from neglect, always a concern with older vehicles that need exercise to keep their fluids flowing and their tires nice and round. Maybe it is finally time to get those seats reupholstered, because you are just sick of hearing people complain about them? (That happened to me a while back, and I am sure I’m not the only one.)
So yes, you likely have a lot of projects you could select as a New Year’s resolution for 2023. Question is, which are you gonna do?
If you haven’t decided on something yet, let’s consider these topics, as one will speak to you:
- An interior restoration project? (Reupholstered seats, new carpet, power-window install, etc.)
- Attend an annual gathering for an owner’s club dedicated to your vehicle?
- Upgraded engine component, or maybe a whole new engine?
- New tires? (Keep in mind tires will dry-rot over time, no matter where they are stored)
- Improved audio system, factory, aftermarket, or period-correct aftermarket?
- An exterior restoration project? (Fresh chrome, new paint, reproduction weatherstripping, etc.)
Aside from those of us who own concours-quality cars that already present every feature in perfect working order, the rest of us could indeed make a 2023 New Year’s Resolution for our automobile(s).
Here’s the kicker: Doing something good for your vehicle will make you feel good too.
And who wouldn’t resolve to make that happen?
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You hit it with the weatherstripping. I’m tired of the squeaks and whooshes in my doors, and that one tiny wet spot in the trunk whenever the car gets wet.
Heck I was going to upgrade my intake about 10 years ago and replace my scratched side glass 5 years ago and I just did both this year.
You can say I’m on a roll lol!
I am down to fixing little detail ps that bug me and few others see.
That’s a good place to be. Hope you keep it up in ’23.
Get my 65 to a level of assembly this year where it can get some road time. Notice I stopped short of saying ‘finish’
“Finish”? HA!!! Wise omission, TG. That word does not even belong in the story when it comes to vintage automotive projects…
I happily drove a ’66 Volvo 122S for 36 years. Sometime in the 90’s, one of my then-young children gave me a plastic spider ring. I hung it on the Volvo’s rear-view mirror. When I sold the car in 2012, the buyer asked about the ring. I told him it was there to remind me that I still didn’t have all the bugs out of it! He smiled and nodded knowingly.
Honestly. Get rid of the “projects” I have that I’ve found myself dreading and get one good, interesting car I don’t hate looking at because it haunts me like a hundred bad decisions.
Wow, that is a lofty goal indeed, TingeofGinge. I wish you luck with it. Be sure to report back here next December to tell us how well you’ve done, willya? 😋
To be honest the end of a project just means the time and resources for a new project.
There’s usually the lull of boredom in between that drives me to seek out the next ‘adventure’
Learn to say no. My garage time was my therapy and since I retired I no longer seem to have an excuse to say no. Sounds selfish I know, but my own stuff is suffering, along with my well being. Had no idea how important my garage time is.
The end of a project should mean it is time to drive it, show it and share your experiences with others by getting active in a club. That is what will ultimately save our hobby from extinction.
Get my Boss out of landlocked time out, where its resided for 6 years now.
Get my new hip to work so I can get out out of my Elva Courier. I can “fall” in, but getting out is another story.
Keep my cars detailed and maintained, and hit some cars shows this year, at 67, the clock is ticking
“Clock is ticking” is right! I turned 63 this month and have had a car that does not even really belong to me (yet) torn apart for over 28 years (since I was 35!). My mother’s 1959 Cadillac convertible must get back on the road soon… won’t be “finished” but drivable is fine. I owe it to her – she’s 83 now and bought the car when she was 29 (1968).
Hey Rob, don’t feel too bad. You are not alone. I bought a Model A “rusty hulk” body in 1994 to be my Retirement Project Car. The kids bought me a t-shirt with a picture of it on the front and the year it was to start. I’ve been retired for eleven years next month. The shirt is getting kind of frayed around the edges.
Want to guess what percentage of work has been done on it? (Hint: Guess a REALLY low number). 😉