6 of the most rewarding moments in vintage car ownership
Owning and maintaining a hobby car is full of ups and downs. With any luck the highs appear more often than the lows, but there is no way to guarantee their appearance. What we can do is focus on the moments that make the thin wallets and late nights and headaches worth it.
To bring some light into what may be a dark tunnel, we pulled out six of the moments in car ownership that we’ve found most rewarding. Whether you own a classic now or are thinking about jumping in with both feet, here is what you have to look forward to.
First show/event
Getting your new purchase home is a big moment; taking it out for its first show or event is even bigger. A car can be an extension of your personality and going out to your first car show with this new form of expression is a powerful moment.
Sharing your car and its story can be as easy as joining a gathering of likeminded individuals in a parking lot—or, if you thrive on more challenging goals, as complicated as earning a spot on a concours lawn. You don’t have to walk away with an award, but we’ll bet you’ll carry a memory when you go.
First startup
We aren’t going to equate hearing the engine you built run for the first time to hearing your child cry for the first time, but we have to admit it can be powerful.
The mental and physical investment in doing a major repair to the heart of your car culminates in turning the key and hearing the noise through the tailpipes as it stumbles to life. The mechanical symphony of lifters pumping while the cooling fan whirrs and the fuel pump comes up to pressure is a delight in itself, but when the sound is the long-awaited result of your own labor? It’s truly worth savoring.
Catching a problem before it’s a problem
Classic vehicles require a certain understanding. Once you learn your car’s language, you will know when something is not right.
Whether you do your own diagnosis or call in the professionals, having your hunch justified is an awesome feeling. It’s more than just keeping up on maintenance. This is knowing your car well enough that, when you detect a disturbance in the force, you act on it with confidence.
First difficult DIY repair
Not everyone is cut out for DIY repair. We recognize that. However, there is something about breaking out the tools and successfully tackling a job yourself that is just so rewarding—and the first time is just that much more special.
The task could be anything from swapping out a headlight and properly adjusting it to overhauling an automatic transmission—or anything in between. Never feel bad about taking pride in knocking out even the smallest jobs yourself.
First time you chauffeur an (appreciative) friend
While a solo drive can be restorative, there is really nothing quite like sharing the experience of your beloved car with an appreciative friend.
Putting someone in the passenger seat—or, better yet, behind the wheel—can be a wonderful experience that will give them an inside look at your passion. Explaining the joys of driving a classic is tough; seeing the look on someone’s face as they experience it for the first time is will recharge the enthusiast batteries inside you rapidly. Who doesn’t want to be a disciple of the old-car hobby?
Road trip or cruise
A long trip with your vintage car can be just short of a spiritual. The sounds, smells, and feeling of taking your beloved car on an adventure is intoxicating—if all goes according to plan, that is.
It can be stressful, but with proper preparation, you’ll be out enjoying the open road in the closest thing to a time machine most of us can afford. One day on the blue highways in a vintage car can change your outlook on cars—and life. Don’t deny yourself.
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Driving my 68 Cougar, I saw a guy hanging out the driver’s rear window. I thought he was going to throw up and thought oh great-gotta swerve to miss the puke. Then I saw him give me the “thumbs up”. He was just making sure I saw him. Whew! When I looked in the rear view he was still giving me the thumbs up. That was a cool feeling. Felt like Steve McQueen for a hot second. Drive safely people
Mike,
I’m eating my sandwich here at work reading the comments. Still wiping bits of sandwich off the monitor after reading yours. Thank you for the laugh…I needed that!
Mike, I had a similar experience driving my ’67 Cougar XR-7, my first car which I’ve owned since 1973. A car followed close behind me for a while then pulled slowly around me in the next lane. As they passed the passenger leaned out the window with a camera, took a picture, and gave a big thumbs up. I smiled all the way home!
Having had British sportscars since I was 19, finally having one that is Concours condition is a joy. She’s already won a national trophy for herself, but the true joy and reward is in the driving. She’ll never sit for trailering only, while in my hands. The fact that EVERYbody stops to look at a bright red something they’ve probably never seen before, and have no idea what a TR GT6 is, is just lagniappe.
Don’t ever forget breaking down, thinking things through and making it home.
One time I flamed out at Home Depot, put the hood up, stumbled through, gave up and called a tow. I must have met 10 people who commiserated, then the truck said it was going to be another hour, I tried once more after cleaning the wires a bit and she ran fine. By the time I got home I realized I had fun, which was the point in the first place!!
My father bought a new 1985 El Camino and drove it for 15 years. His vision was failing and he decided to give up his drivers license and sell the El Camino. When he told me what he was going to do I told him that I wanted to buy it, he lived in Oklahoma, City and I live in Central California that meant I had to fly to OKC and drive it home. From the time that I left OKC until I got home I would get compliments on it’s appearance when I would stop for gas, etc. I still get compliments and stories of when they had an EC or dated somebody that had one, It is a lot of fun to drive and talk about. It is not a show car but a driver.
Having covertly overhear a spectator at a show n shine say “this is very, very well done and not overdone.”
That reminded me of a time when I was standing with a crowd at a car show, applauding as the trophy winners were announced. As a particularly clean and proper Nova was announced, I turned to the guy next to me and said, “That’s a really great build – not overdone, and really clean”. Then they announced the names of the owner and builder, and yup, it turned out the guy I said that to was the builder! He smiled at me and went up to collect his award. I like to think I helped make his day.
I’ve had my share many times over of great “Rides”. At 84, I still have a 52 F-1, Screening Yellow, as Ford called it, but sadly at my age, I don’t get to drive it too much. A wonderful 48 Harley, first OHV, a 1930 Model A Ford I drove to high school (where boys would stand in line to “Get to Crank It”), 46 Ford coup/8-BA & 38 floor shift, 57 Ford stick, and several “shoe box” Fords. Worked at Ford assembly plant in Maw Wah, N.Y. (56 to 57 model change over), Just too many memories of the “Old Days”.
I have 2 Buicks. The The first one I bought in 2016, the year I retired. I grew up with old Buicks (my grandfather’s ’40; then the ’46 he bought later; then giving my parents the ’46 when he bought a new ’48). I didn’t have a particular car or era in mind when I started looking for a car, but the late ’40s; mid ;50s and early ’60s always interested me. I took a friend with me to look at a ’60 T-Bird that was for sale and it turned out to be something that needed way too much work from the ground up ! As we were leaving, my friend looked on craigslist and suggested we look at this ’56 Buick that was nearby, so we did. Of course being a Buick and being the same color blue as my grandfather’s ’48, it sure had me interested ! The owner was the nephew of the original owners and he inherited the the car, but didn’t want to keep it. He tossed me the keys and I drove it for a while. It drove great, so I had my mechanic check it out and a deal was made. I asked him if he could hold the car for a couple of days so I could secure a ride to come pick it up. He said he would do better than that and had a buddy with a flatbed deliver it to my house, no charge ! That rewarding moment came that following Saturday morning at 7 am when the flatbed pulled up in front of my house with that Buick !! I took a picture of it as soon as it came off the truck and to my surprise a month later, came to find out that the car had come off the assembly line of the factory exactly sixty years to the DAY that it wound up in my garage !!…So, here’s another Buick in the family…..Guess I should try and convince one of my sons to get a Buick, too !
I have to agree that the thumbs up I get from other motorists rank pretty high.. particularly when it’s an older gentleman & you can just see the gears working in his head, “man… wish I still had mine!”
I must agree about the thumbs up, I get a lot of that when I drive my 1954 Ford Customline Coupe. At a show it’s amazing how many people say ” I used to own one of those “. Gotta love that as it makes all the effort worth while.
How about turning down offers to buy?
But none of the above rewards apply if you replaced the heart, soul of a pre-1950 car with a SBC, Turbo Hydramatic, tilt wheel, velour upholstery.
Well I was lucky enough to do all six on one car. Although it took me about 20 years to accomplish it all. I built a frame off 37 Chevy 2 door sedan street rod. Did it all except glass, body/paint and upholstery. A man has to manage his expectations. best part was getting to the first car show without any of my car buddies knowing…. The look on their faces when they did the normal “ drive your car?” And I pointed to it was priceless. However everyone congratulated me and we had adult beverages that I brought in the car. Everyone one of them had been instrumental and supportive during the whole time. Gearheads forever!!!!
Sorry to inline80d but that’s what I did…. Well
Except for the velour. But at least it’s SBC in a Chevy!!!
A Pebble Beach invite? You might not think so when you see the entry fee that comes with it!!!!!!
I put a car in a “Concours” show once, and I was not impressed. If you are so proud of that vintage car – particularly those pre-WWII cars and trucks – where are they? What is the joy in watching them gather dust in the garage?
I agree. I have a sign I put up when I do the few car shows. ” High mileage, driven, not hidden”
People read that and give me an added compliment.
As I’m driving my 1929 Model AA Truck down the side of the road at a top speed of 30 miles an hour and the local county sheriff deputy drives alongside of me with a smile and a thumbs up…….PRICELESS
I was in the market for a Porsche 356 Roadster. Back in the day, I perused the Sunday classifieds. Yup, one came up. I started calling at 6:00 AM. and finally got a very angry owner. Long story short, I hooked up my trailer to my truck and drove from Up State NY. to Connecticut. My brother in law was with me. The trip odometer read 356 on arrival, no kidding. I bought the car, and that was just the beginning of a long love affair. ………Jim.