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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So many great firsts, like my oldest son’s senior prom when he and two of his friends left with 3 of my cars to have fun and impress their prom dates. Heck. there wasn’t anything they could do to them that couldn’t be repaired. They were all returned the next day in pristine condition by youngsters with big smiles.
Bravo to you for your trust in them, and bravo to them for earning it. Definitely a good reward for all concerned!
I had a Blues Brothers Bluesmobile replica and my absolute favorite memories are when the car makes a connection with someone and makes their day better. We had done a parade and walked around afterwards but when I returned to the car there was a young couple taking pictures of their son standing in front of my car. They asked our permission and of course we said yes and asked if they wanted to get photos with their kid in the car with my hat and glasses on. They said yes and I forgot that I had wrapped the rope around the doors so that I could hang the microphone from the rope just like in the movie. I asked their permission if I could lift him up and let hin the car through the driver’s window and they said yes. They got kind of nervous and apologized when he sort of walked up the driver’s door to put his feet in the window but I told them not to worry about it.
When he sat in the car he lit up like the sun and when I turned around they were crying. They said that he was autistic and that the Blues Brothers movie was one of the few things that made him sing and dance and come to life.
Yeah, we cried too!
I don’t know why the screen got all blurry when I read those last few lines. It’s amazing how something like that can make a connection. Good on ya!
At car shows my Blue and white 56 Merc seems to attract women and children. Seeing the smiles when I tell them to get in and pretend they are driving.
In October 1963 I took delivery of a new E-Type roadster. At that moment I had no idea that I would still have it in 2022, but it was a moment I’ll never forget.
Giving my grandson and granddaughter rides in my 69 GTO convertible. The grandsons 15 he’s going to be driving it soon!
I have a very rare, ‘66 Toyota FJ45LV. My wife gets embarrassed when we’re out in it. At stop lights, people jump out of their cars and take pictures. All very fun!
I didn’t get to feel the pleasure of the hunt or of bringing it back to life, because I found mine completely by accident and it was already partly restored enough to be an almost daily driver. I had no intentions of getting into classics, I was just looking for something small and cheap to operate to take some of the load off my old V-6 pickup which was getting over 200,000 miles. But it had to be fun to drive, and preferably with a top that went down. As I was browsing Miatas, Del Sols, etc., I ran across a VW Karmann Ghia convertible, and thought would be neat, since my Dad had had a Karmann Ghia convertible when I was in Jr. High, (and it was supposedly going to be my first car when I got my license, if he had ever gotten around to putting the new clutch in it.)
After I drove it home and started going through it, I found the build tag under the trunk mat, and found that the car had been built the same month I graduated from High School, (May 1970.) I have had the pleasure of driving it to 2 class reunions (so far) and it does attract attention there. At out reunions we always have an informal gathering at a local watering hole the evening before, and both times I have taken it classmates have left the gatherings and come back in to talk after seeing the car with my name on the license plates.
I just purchased a 1957 Ford F 100 short wide. The truck is a Custom cab, with a 272 Y Block and factory automatic transmission. a rare option! I saw on FB marketplace and it was located in Sweet Home Or, about 120 miles away. I purchased and drove that ol’ boy 120 miles home with no problems! The feel of the road, the smells of spent hydrocarbons wafting into the cab and just knowing that I had made a lifetime purchase was so gratifying. Now, do I leave that amazing patina on it or paint it to look like an Edsel Shop truck?
Oooh – tough choice. But do what makes you happiest!
Amen!
Sharing photos and memories of the cars I have driven, owned, cared for, researched, and written about for 61 years.
Wow, I’m impressed. Sixty-one years ago, I barely thought of taking pictures of my cars. Not even sure when I got my first camera! Wish I’d had your forethought, Roberto!
Three months ago spotted a car on Craigslist exactly like my first car at 17, I’m 71 now.. A red 63 Mercury comet s22 convertible with a 170 ci 6 cylinder and two sp merc-o-matic tranny… 75 miles south of me in a mid Manhattan parking deck. Sat for 10 years. Needless to say I ended up with it. A friend and I recovered it with his pu and trailer. Been working on it but driving it since it came home. Yes nothing but love wherever she goes…
Great piece. I would agree that sharing your passion, is what really make this hobby special. Everyone has different stories, and they’re all unique and special. We’ve had many from cruising through small towns with over thirty Mustangs of varying years, with the towns people lining up on the sidewalks to wave, to our first national show in Buffalo, NY in which prior notifications were sent out prior to our 200 + Mustangs cruising to the Lake Erie locks from our showfield in a ten miles long police escorted line with hundereds waving and cheering with supportive signs.
But I’d have to say that the most special interaction for me was when a mother and daughter came up to see our 1985 Mustang GT at a cruise, and seemed particularly drawn to it. I engaged them in conversation, and the mother started with, “I used to have one of these but had to sell it, due to lifes…” I asked her if she’d like to sit in it, and she said, “could I?” I said sure. She sat in the driver’s seat recounting all the control locations and such, and then started to tear up. Her daughter then explained further how much the car meant to her. I started to tear up a bit myself.
This was the first time I truly experienced how something like a car can be a time capsule, and can transport someone back in time. It doesn’t get this more meaningful than this…
Right on.
Having been born prior to WWII, I am argueably older than most of your readers. Immegrating to Alberta Canada in 1950 the first vehicle I bought was a 1950 corner window chevy pickup. Since then I have had many, both sedans and pickups. I have always wanted a 1956 Thunderbird but could never afford one. My first major project was a ground up restoration of a 1968 J code Mustang fast back similar to the Bullet car. Currently I have a 1955 Ford Crown Victoria. This spring (23) I am picking up a 1955 THUNDERBIRD and am looking forward to the restoration and enjoyment in THE DRIVE. Unfortunately my oldest son was killed in a car accident, Oct 2020, and will not physically enjoy the 55 Bird but the times we enjoyed in the others bring back great memories. I always enjoy and appreciate reading the comments of your readers.
I am truly saddened by your loss, sir, but I applaud your passion after all this time. And you’ve got a helluva attitude. I kind of like to think that your son will be along for the ride in that ‘Bird, in spirit.
You forgot the very first most rewarding moment in ownership: when you get the keys / when it arrives at your home. For some of us, just getting the car is a VERY rewarding moment that will be forever etched in our memories.
Driving. I was cruising at posted speed in my 87 Grand National in the middle lane going east on a 3 lane blvd. toward the US-1 intersection. A new red C8 vette blasted around me on the left, then cut across to the right lane. At the light, I was stopped in the left turn lane, C8 in the right. A service truck pulled up between us and 3 guys stuck their heads out the left window, yelling “Nice car”, “Awesome”, etc. The service truck pulled up and a sedan took it’s place. The sedan driver yelled out his left window: “That car is BAD”, “really GREAT”, etc. NObody looked at the new red C8 Corvette in the right lane. Lol.
We’ve owned our Amphicar for 30 years and always enjoy splashing into the lake for the first cruise of the season. Even better is successfully crossing the lake and pulling out on the boat ramp. It’s such a fun car and people enjoy seeing us out in it.
Intentionally driving a car into water seemed so strange the first time. Your mind says it’s okay, but it seems so wrong!