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skills@eurocarsplus
Samba Peckerhead
Joined: January 01, 2007
Posts: 16886
Location: sticksville, ct.
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 Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 2:39 pm Post subject: Re: At what point does less become more? |
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| Dwayne1m wrote: |
| at what point do you surrender to your "desires" and face reality? |
when things become an obligation, it isn't fun anymore. right now, my wife and I have 8 cars registered and insured. we are far from "rich" but do ok. we can't drive all 8....plus keeping them all maintained is a chore as well.
I can fart and hit 40, so I get where you're coming from. I am in the process of simplifying things as well. 10 years ago, I wanted to be the "hero" and have all this crap tip-top...but now....meh...I'd rather do other things.
all of the parts I have are getting gone thru and if it isn't pertinent to what I own...it's gone. no needs to have 13 slinging doors for a bay, 21 steering columns etc....time to move this stuff down the line and invest in something that will make $$...or just have some fun with the family
I would pick the 2 you like, then dump the rest. life gets better when you don't have a 10 year back log of "I'm gonna get to it" type projects. plus, if you have too much stuff and your family would be overwhelmed when you pass they will either sell it for pennies on the dollar...or scrap it. no one will care about this stuff like you do...so blow it out, take the loot and make new memories with the family...don't stress about the "woulda-coulda-shoulda" stuff.
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| gprudenciop wrote: |
my reason for switching to subaru is my german car was turning chinese so i said fuck it and went japanese....... |
| Jake Raby wrote: |
| Thanks for the correction. I used to be a nice guy, then I ruined it by exposing myself to the public. |
| Brian wrote: |
| Also the fact that people are agreeing with Skills, it's a turn of events for samba history |
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oprn
Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2016
Posts: 12744
Location: Western Canada
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| Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 6:28 pm Post subject: Re: At what point does less become more? |
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And... if you are not careful you end up with everybody else's dream projects in your yard and shop too!
Ask me how I know. |
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vwracerdave
Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2004
Posts: 15309
Location: Deep in the 405
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| Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 8:44 pm Post subject: Re: At what point does less become more? |
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The older I get the easier it is to throw shit away.
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2017 Street Comp Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble, OK
2010 Sportsman ET Champion - Mid-America Dragway - Arkansas City, KS
1997 Sportsman ET Champion - Thunder Valley Raceway Park - Noble ,OK |
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OB Bus
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2003
Posts: 2541
Location: Ocean Beach in Beautiful BLUE California
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| Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 10:11 pm Post subject: Re: At what point does less become more? |
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Same here. I am 65 and getting tired of dealing with old cars. The 69 Westfalia is the sort-of daily driver. Runs fine but the rust is starting to accelerate. The 67 single cab runs but sits in the back yard really needing body work. We'd like to get a more modern traveling vehicle and are looking at Eurovans. Both air cooled buses may go soon.
I also have another project. My brother's 64 Suzuki 80 with 1200 miles. I learned to ride on it in 1968. Brother was moving and offfered it to me in 2008. It has sat on the side of our house since then. I got all the needed parts off eBay but no action.
I really need to clear the crap out.
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Larry in OB
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!
69 Westfalia and 2002 Eurovan Camper. |
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oprn
Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2016
Posts: 12744
Location: Western Canada
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| Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2018 8:50 pm Post subject: Re: At what point does less become more? |
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I admit to being a bit long in the tooth too and have these cars all vying for my attention. '74 Westy, '69 7 passenger Bus, '70 411 square back, '71 type 3 square back, '76 Rabbit, '92 Jetta 2 door, '83 944, '85 944, Manx copy, sand rail and 3 old tractors.
There is a guy coming Saturday for the Westy… I wonder if he would take the Bus too... |
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iowegian 
Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005
Posts: 9829
Location: Somewhere between Dubuque and Keokuk
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| Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 5:25 am Post subject: Re: At what point does less become more? |
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| There sure are a lot of old people here. |
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my59
Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2003
Posts: 3793
Location: connecting the dots
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| Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 4:17 pm Post subject: Re: At what point does less become more? |
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| iowegian wrote: |
| There sure are a lot of old people here. |
Yeah, as my grandfather used to say, the alternative is unacceptable.
I have 2 mg midgets that need to be moved along, cause I have finally admitted to myself I am never going to get to them, and I'd rather focus on the '59.
Meanwhile, the barn needs a roof and sill work, the house paint, and a bathroom to redo so time management is a challenge.
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my59: Well son, my grandfather died before I got to drive it, so does that answer your question?
our79: sunroof bus w/camper interior and 2.0 FI
Other:'12 Jetta, '77 Benz 300D, and a 74 MG Midget. |
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oprn
Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2016
Posts: 12744
Location: Western Canada
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| Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 5:59 pm Post subject: Re: At what point does less become more? |
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| iowegian wrote: |
| There sure are a lot of old people here. |
You need to get to this stage of life to realize that time is a finite thing and one needs to develop a time "budget" just like a financial budget. Prioritize and clean out the stuff on the lower shelf. |
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ach60
Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2001
Posts: 4139
Location: Santa Maria
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| Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 6:28 pm Post subject: Re: At what point does less become more? |
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Project Cars are like a wife or a girlfriend, more than one at a time will get you into trouble.
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Good Luck
Al |
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HippyTom
Samba Member
Joined: December 18, 2013
Posts: 676
Location: Florida, West Pasco
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| Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 6:50 pm Post subject: Re: At what point does less become more? |
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I recently turned 50 and picked up another Bug. Makes 3 currently. My 63 has been completed for 17 years (3 year MAJOR project). Of course, I’ve changed things on it and freshened up some things over the years.
Been working on my 62 for 12 years. Constantly doing things to it and not sure it will ever be done, but I’ve been driving it since I got it with periods of down time for major metal work.
As I’ve gotten older, my projects need less and less. And I don’t feel the need to keep them. I’ll never sell my 63 (lifetime sentimental value) and most likely never my 62 either (too much of myself in it).
I got a 64 Ghia for free once. It was a total rust bucket barn find. I started gathering parts and decided I didn’t want to go through that extensive of a project again. So I sold it for exactly what I had in it and parts ($400). Passed it along to another VW enthusiast.
I see the merit of simplifying and down sizing. I like having a project, but just one at a time. And no more total disaster restorations. I like ones I can drive and enjoy as I do things over time.
As my time is limited with work and family, I’ve pretty much given up Golf this year. Too many other things I’d rather do. I can see me getting to a point I’m no longer interested in projects. Just enjoying the 2 I’ll keep forever and give to my kids.
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51 Standard Split Window Bug
57 Oval Bug, 80s Custom Car
62 Sunroof Bug, Psychedelic Hippy Car
63 Sunroof Bug, Former Herbie, Dad bought in 66
79 Super Beetle Convertible, OG paint and interior
69 Weekender Bus
77 Bay Window Bus, OG paint
69 Bug Convertible - SOLD
71 Super Beetle Vert - SOLD
64 Karmann-Ghia, barn find - SOLD |
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Helfen
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2009
Posts: 3450
Location: Vulcania
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| Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 7:11 pm Post subject: Re: At what point does less become more? |
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| Dwayne1m wrote: |
| How many of us have taken on projects but put them on the back burner having every intention to "get to it one day", but as time rolls on that project sits there and reality slowly starts to creep in that maybe that project won't get done? Like many of us on this forum I have multiple Bugs with the desire to get them all up and running at some point. I have 3, 78 vert, 74 SB & a 61 ragtop. The 74 has been a 5 year body off restoration with the engine rebuild from Hell. That topic is in another forum. I had planned to repaint the 78 this past summer but the 74 took up all my time so now I don't know when that will get done. The 61 sits there waiting for me but so many other things just keep coming along that the 61 keeps getting pushed back and I'm starting to seriously question myself if I will ever find the time to do it. I love the look of the early 60's Bugs which is why I have such a hard time giving up on the 61. Quite a few guys would buy it from me in a heartbeat but I hate admitting defeat. I guess my question is, especially to guys like me who are on the backside of 50, at what point do you surrender to your "desires" and face reality? |
I think your health determines that. I know guys in poor health at 65 that are done, and other guys at 75-80 still taking on and doing projects that are still in pretty good shape. The older ones say the projects keep them going-something for them to shoot for. |
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oprn
Samba Member
Joined: November 13, 2016
Posts: 12744
Location: Western Canada
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| Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 9:10 pm Post subject: Re: At what point does less become more? |
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| Finances play a big roll too! |
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Volktales
Samba Member
Joined: June 21, 2013
Posts: 545
Location: Nanaimo, B.C. CANADA
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| Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 11:01 pm Post subject: Re: At what point does less become more? |
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I actually managed to get rid of one project Westfalia that I really wanted to do, but the time and $$$ just are not going to happen. My Dad has done all my body and paint work in the past; now his advancing age has made that no longer possible. I know at this stage in life, I will never have the cash to pay for good body and paint work, and I don't have the patience or skill to learn it. A bummer as I had several more future projects lined up, but reality is they might be let go as well... At least I acquired most of this stuff so long ago that it was dirt cheap. As others have mentioned, a good clean out of extra stuff can sometimes do wonders to help focus on better, simpler projects...
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1974 "Restfalia" Camper 2000 cc EFI 2001-
1970 Beetle first car, rotten, yard art 1985-
1966 Sunroof Beetle, restored 1998-
1964 Ghia, ongoing project 2007-
1962 Beetle Beryl,original paint survivor 2012-
1970 Savannah Beige Beetle 2012-
1992 16v GTI, 100% stock 2006-
1991 "Terseo", wife's old daily 1995-
1969 Chevrolet CST/10 (family owned since new)
1965 Gold Corvair Monza 2021-
1966 and 1965 Monza 2022- |
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Dwayne1m
Samba Member
Joined: December 31, 2011
Posts: 3538
Location: Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2018 5:35 am Post subject: Re: At what point does less become more? |
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| oprn wrote: |
| iowegian wrote: |
| There sure are a lot of old people here. |
You need to get to this stage of life to realize that time is a finite thing and one needs to develop a time "budget" just like a financial budget. Prioritize and clean out the stuff on the lower shelf. |
Exactly. That happened to me when I turned 50, which was 6 years ago. It then dawned on me that there was more in my rear view mirror then out my windshield, and as you said, you realize that time is a finite thing and you want to make the best of what you have left. You can recoup money but not time.
Lots of great responses on this topic. I've learned that I'm not alone in taking on more then what I should. |
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Sharp64
Samba Member
Joined: August 27, 2015
Posts: 5304
Location: Central Florida
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| Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2018 6:00 am Post subject: Re: At what point does less become more? |
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I'm in a somewhat similar situation, but also different. I currently have 3 hobby vehicles. A 64 that got me back into the hobby after nearly 30 years out of it. A dunebuggy that I have always wanted, but will need a significant amount of work to make it the way I want it. And a 60 that I picked up this spring and have been dumping crap tons of $$ into. My issue arises that I am sentimental about them and want to keep all three, but I only have a 2 car garage and an HOA that has already sent me a letter complaining about "engine revving" coming from my property.  I have to have a storage unit that I rotate the 64 and dune buggy in and out of, but it becomes cumbersome. While the 64 isn't my dream car anymore, I still have dreams for it and its hard to let go. I'm finally nearing completion of the engine that I've been building to stuff into it the last 2 years, but my smarter half realizes that this is probably a dumb idea dumping more money into a car that most likely will end up back in the storage unit sitting for a good part of the year. So should I sell it or the DB? I really love the DB, but its soooooo impractical and without some fairly significant mods that would take it off the road for at least a year, its only a 2 seater car. And then there's the money... While the last couple of years has been good for me, with my job/industry that can and has changed on a dime over the years. Last thing I need to do is get in the middle of a serious project and the money dries up. Then you add in that the wife and daughter love the DB, yet only one at a time can be in it. I also REALLY want to repaint the 60 and get a new headliner installed. So there's that. To further add complexity, I am only recently (3 years) been able to get back into the hobby after I divested myself of 140lbs of useless money siphoning weight 5 years ago. So I feel like I'm having to make up for lost time. Yet at 50 I see that time is running out so to speak. I already make lots of fun noises getting up from under the car and can imagine its only going to get worse.
And I still find myself cruising the classifieds, FB, and CL for that next one...
In a nutshell, you're not alone.
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1960 Indigo Blue Ragtop (Blue Barry)
1967 Ghia
1985 Westy Money Pit
“...some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” - Michael Caine |
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