The actual freedom of an old car

[LAB3]

At 33 I had my off grid home sitting on 20 ac bought and paid for, this allowed me to "F" around the rest of my life work wise. Both my kids attended a rather prestigious private arts academy where the yearly tuition far exceeded what tuition at a public university costs.

Finally decided to take the extra strength Fukitol at 53 and have done part time work as needed since to support my lifestyle. Yes, there's plenty enough in the bank to buy a home and pay for it with the income from only a social security check.

If how much you have in the bank is a measure of your self worth then that worth isn't much in my eyes, you either have lived the life of a slave or have been the one driving the slaves. Either way, money can't buy you time in life and I've got plenty to spare.

[tlg1100]

Wife and I have decent jobs nothing grand, moved to a small near by little town. Bought a house for 55,000 that in our previous city would've cost four times that much, bought camper, boat, bunch of other toys, was just working to have all this stuff

After seven years of this B.S , We sold everything, started saving , don't owe anything just paying for utilities, taxes and insurance.

I would've retired six years ago ,not wanting to risk not having health insurance, I don't want to pay for that, job provides for it it now.

Can't wait until I can retire and be the bum I was always meant to be.

[trevor]

Wife and I have decent jobs nothing grand, moved to a small near by little town. Bought a house for 55,000 that in our previous city would've cost four times that much, bought camper, boat, bunch of other toys, was just working to have all this stuff

After seven years of this B.S , We sold everything, started saving , don't owe anything just paying for utilities, taxes and insurance.

I would've retired six years ago ,not wanting to risk not having health insurance, I don't want to pay for that, job provides for it it now.

Can't wait until I can retire and be the bum I was always meant to be.

I’m glad health insurance is not something I need to worry about budgeting for.

[Big Block]

Cars are like bikes, it's good to have 3 or 4 around at all times. This is just one I restored (1970 Hemi Cuda 4 speed.. For my everyday driver I buy them new and keep them 10 or so years, but I used to drive all over my province for work so it's an old habit. I like wheeled things with engines and I have no problem working hard so I can sink lots of cash into them. Gas mileage? Don't care.. HCuda.jpg

[Vmass]

IMG_2860.jpg

Agreed, I play with cars..... I went on a Galaxie kick a few years ago. On the right is my '65 base model, a kind member here actually went and took it for a spin for me in Ohio and then I had it shipped to me. The one on the left is a 66 XL convertible that I bought from an elderly couple in TN and my favorite ( in next post ) is my 66 XL hardtop in emberglo. All three are 352's. I had another 66 convertible base model with a 289. And I am looking for a 66 7 Litre......remember......" Buy Right "!

[Vmass]

I bought this one in Washington.

Edit: Not sure what happened here, first post loaded correctly and this one after many attempts did this....it's been a while.

[Nessism]

You guys are AWESOME! A classic muscle car is a great way to add "freedom" to your lifestyle!

[storm 64]

Ha, I remember that, that was fun. The guy was a pretty straight up guy. Every time I drive by the fellows house I think about that car.

[Rob S.]

This is just one I restored (1970 Hemi Cuda 4 speed).

Very nice. Even though I prefer Chevys, a 426 4 speed Challenger pretty much checks all the boxes. Friend in high school had a '71 convertible, green with white top and interior. I hate automatics in muscle cars.

[Nessism]

Some years back, I bought a 1968 El Camino from the original owner. He bought the car after coming back from Vietnam. It was the top SS trim; L78 engine, Muncie 4 speed close ratio trans, 4:11 posi rear end, disc brakes, and bench seat. This was the "package" they offered with the L78 engine.

When I took possession of the car, it had a Turbo 400 automatic, so first project, was to restore the manual.

Found the proper trans, and even got an original Muncie shifter. First drive, I learned why everyone threw the Muncie shifter in the trash, and bought a Hurst. There was almost no lockout on reverse, and it was super easy to mistakenly shift into reverse. It took real skill to avoid this mishap, and switching to a Hurst was high on the list of mods planned there after. Sadly, that car project was never finished. It was sold to buy my exwife an engagement ring! What a WASTE! Oh well...

[marvinsc]

This thread has taken the direction I thought it would. My first, 1970 Challenger SE 383 Magnum.

IMG_5694 by Scott Marvin, on Flickr

[LAB3]

IMG_2860.jpg

Agreed, I play with cars..... I went on a Galaxie kick a few years ago. On the right is my '65 base model, a kind member here actually went and took it for a spin for me in Ohio and then I had it shipped to me. The one on the left is a 66 XL convertible that I bought from an elderly couple in TN and my favorite ( in next post ) is my 66 XL hardtop in emberglo. All three are 352's. I had another 66 convertible base model with a 289. And I am looking for a 66 7 Litre......remember......" Buy Right "!

My parents had a 65 Galaxy when I was growing up, it's the first car I remember us having. Can't say I know anything about the specs on it but do know that my dad was very much anti-Ford from there out.

[Vmass]

My parents had a 65 Galaxy when I was growing up, it's the first car I remember us having. Can't say I know anything about the specs on it but do know that my dad was very much anti-Ford from there out.

I am not sure how they compared to the competitor back in the day. Their frames are prone to turning into swiss cheese. I went down the Cape a couple of years ago to check out a 66 XL. He was asking 20k for the car. Paint was tired but over all it looked like a solid car. Got underneath and I could crumble parts of the fame with my hands. I explained to the seller the condition and they didn't want to hear it. I later saw the car was purchased by a restorer shop across country, sight unseen...they f'd up and were then trying to unload it, advertising it without disclosing what they found.....they did not want to hear from me either.

It's very important to have vehicles inspected by an independent source if you cannot put your own eyes on it or if Norm isn't avaialble. I use " Classic Car Guy ", he has inspectors around the country that he subs out to. The level of proffesionalism of the inspections can vary, but it is still worth the money. I I had one in Washington inspected, guy did a fantastic job and based on his inspection, I decided to pass. A fellow Galaxie owner knew I had it inspected and paid me 50% of the inspection for the report, he then bought the car.

[Vmass]

Some years back, I bought a 1968 El Camino from the original owner. He bought the car after coming back from Vietnam. It was the top SS trim; L78 engine, Muncie 4 speed close ratio trans, 4:11 posi rear end, disc brakes, and bench seat. This was the "package" they offered with the L78 engine.

When I took possession of the car, it had a Turbo 400 automatic, so first project, was to restore the manual.

Found the proper trans, and even got an original Muncie shifter. First drive, I learned why everyone threw the Muncie shifter in the trash, and bought a Hurst. There was almost no lockout on reverse, and it was super easy to mistakenly shift into reverse. It took real skill to avoid this mishap, and switching to a Hurst was high on the list of mods planned there after. Sadly, that car project was never finished. It was sold to buy my exwife an engagement ring! What a WASTE! Oh well...

Always loved the El Camino, far better looking than the ugly Ranchero!

[tlg1100]

Last car I fixed up was 71 chevy nova and that in 1984.

I seen a add in paper guy had all kinds of motors, drove thirty miles and bought a 73 454 big block out of a station wagon he said.

So then I started looking for something to put it in, friend told about 71 nova behind his neighbors garage.
no motor or trans and in good shape $100 bucks.

Found a 4 speed for $75 bucks.

Went to junk yard and got everything to change it from drum brakes up front to disk, clutch pedals and z-bar power steering gear box ,pump all for around forty bucks,

Those were the days