Classic Car owners

[ryca1dreams]

Does anyone own a "classic" car? I suddenly had an itch and started looking at classic autos - mostly sport/sporty or muscle cars from the late 60s/early 70s. I'm particularly interested in the Mustangs and the somewhat obscure AMC AMX/Javelin. I've found some restored ones that are within my price range. I do not want to restore one on my own. That's what I'm doing to my house.

I'm just looking to see the positives and negatives to owning a car like this. Thanks for any replies.

[Renfairwedding]

I had a Fire Engine... 1929 and loved it. I ran out of room and time. I donated to its original department.

Its was always fun finding parts but it was all worth it when I pulled it out of the harage and seen it shine in the sun.

[disney obsessed]

When I was in high school(79-80) I had a 70 'Cuda 440 Hemi. Great car but high maintenence. If what you want is the look and feel of it, get one that has been restored with new, modern, easily attainable parts. Finding one that is in good shape and in a reasonable price range is a challange. I watch them go from anywhere between 15,000 and 2,500,000. Good luck!

[Tink1]

We have 2. Both are 1977 Corvettes. My husband and son are always doing something on them. Old cars are old cars, even after they are restored, they are still old cars. Something breaks, something goes, something always needs to be done.

If you can do the work yourself, you will save a ton in mechanic fees. My husband cannot work on newer cars, but these old ones he can. He was a driveway mechanic as a teen.

Car shows are a great family place to meet people too!

Nanc

[John]

I have a 91 Dodge Stealth - not a 60-70 but still looks good and turns heads

[wickedgin]

We have:
'72 Blazer
'75 Impala
'78 Impala
'79 Blazer
'85 Fleetwood Brougham (not classic in the way I think of classic, but it's my favorite of our collection)
My list of pros include:
- having a car that looks unlike anyone else's
- roomy (at least ours are)
- less electronic gizmos, easier to fix -- I can sit IN the engine compartment to do a tune-up
Cons:
- more upkeep, though most of ours were in need of some restoration to begin with and we're at a point of having more cars than we have time for
- availability of parts can be limited
- lacking modern features
- can be impractical to have season- or event-specific vehicles

I think if you have a passion for old-school muscle cars, go for it. I sometimes grump about having WAY too many cars but when I bring my Cadillac out for the summer, I feel so happy. I love my newer, rest-of the year vehicle, too, but it's a joy to drive my car.

[Tink1]

I have a 91 Dodge Stealth - not a 60-70 but still looks good and turns heads

Is 20 years old! It is most certainly a classic.

Nanc

[Tink1]

- less electronic gizmos, easier to fix -- I can sit IN the engine compartment to do a tune-up

That is exactly what my husband says!

They put new engines in both our cars, and said it was nice that they just set in, no manuevering really.

Nanc

[DizneyRox]

The Mustangs are nice cars, I've got a '65

The good is, they still look good! There's a TON of aftermarket parts available (I've got two companies located within about 20 minutes drive), but they aren't anything like new cars.

The bad is, they take a lot of time, love and money. Mustangs have one achillies heel and that's their unibody construction. Rust and age takes it's toll, I'm about to put mine through a customiztion and that's going to mean full floor replacement and probably the torque boxes, etc. CHA-CHING!

But to me, it's worth every penny. I do everything myself, except the body work. The last time I did all the engine work, suspension, electrical, upholstery, etc. It was my daily driver for some 8 years before I retired her.

Can't help much with the AMC Javelin, I've sen them, I don't much care for them, but anytime someone puts that amount of care into an old car they get my respect.

If you can, I would try to do what you can, you'll save some cash and get a great understanding on how everything works. It will help when things go south, and they will.

[ryca1dreams]

Thanks for the responses. Not saying I wouldn't want to do work - I like doing that. I just don't think I have the time to do a ground to roof restoration.

Still pondering the idea...

[DizneyRox]

Another good thing is, there really aren't all that many parts! It's a pretty simple design (at least on the early Mustangs).

Make sure she runs, and my advice would be to make sure you keep her running. If you're thinking about a full restoration, that might not be possible, but if you get one in decent shape you might not need to go all the way.

[micky95]

im restoring a 54 ford f350.im going to upgrade the drivetrain because it wasnt built to do 70 mph down the interstate.i like the looks of older cars and a mustang would be a good choice.there are a lot of replacement parts for these.older cars do require some extra work but upgrading one or two components would make it easier.one thing would be the distributor.put in one that is electronic and not points.second would be an electric fuel pump.the old ones have diaphragm that can go bad.also look at putting disc brakes on it .its alot easier to change disc as to changing shoes.i dont know everything about cars but my father was a mechanic so i learned early how to do a lot of repairs myself. finally find a car club in your area.these are some of the nicest people youll find theyll help with your project if you choose to do your own or theyll help with maintaining one thats already going.good luck

[Pagan]

When I was in high school(79-80) I had a 70 'Cuda 440 Hemi.

???

The Hemi was a 426. The 440 was a completely different engine.

To answer the original poster, I've owned classic musclecars and I now own a new musclecar. If you want an honest opinion, and if you like Mustangs, go with the new ones. Simple put, they're faster, built better, last longer, handle better, and get better gas mileage.

I have an '06 Mustang that I supercharged to 625 horsepower, and I get 22 mpg cruising on the highway. By way of comparison, my '73 440 'Cuda got about 11 mpg with not nearly that kind of power.

2011 Mustangs are amazing. 412 horsepower right off the showroom floor, 27 mpg highway, and handle like they're on rails. Plus you get all the creature comforts by checking the right boxes...nav, synch, cruise control, ABS, etc. etc.

Simple bolt-on parts can turn it into a monster for not that much more money also.

Like I said, from one who's owned both, the newer ones are FAR less of a headache, and bottom line, better.

[Scott C]

I have a '72 Olds that I have not really driven in the last two years -- it just isn't any fun anymore -- maintenance issues $4/gal gas and just wondering if you are going to get to your destination(though it has never let me down) add to the joys of ownership. I personally love the AMC products that you mentioned -- be warned though parts are going to be quite difficult compared to mustangs and cameros of a similar vintage. Currently I am spending most of my efforts on my '97 Miata -- I find it much more rewarding and easier to work on. The problem with older cars from my standpoint is the art of properly adjusting and tuning cars is now lost. I have never found anyone locally who is capable of recurving a distributor or even properly setting up a carb.

Thanks
Scott C

[joonyer]

I have a '67 Chevelle SS396 hardtop that is pretty much identical to the one I had in high school in 1973-74. I bought that one cheap, used, had already rode hard and put up wet, and sold it fro even less after I had pretty much used up what was left of it. The one I have now I bought fully restored, sans engine, and I have since put a rebuilt L34 (350 hp) same specs as original. It's red with Cragar mags. Don't drive it much, the 4bbl drinks gas like a shower drain. And I don't want to risk getting it wrecked. My 18 year old thinks he's going to inherit it someday. More likely it will get sold for his college tuition!

I'm looking for a '56 Chevy 2-door, that's not a complete rust bucket, that I can restore. (future retirement project)

[disney obsessed]

ooopppsss!
Your right!

[luvDaMouse]

My Dh has a 67 chevelle it is a ss clone with a 454 in it. It was a ground up restoration it is his 5th chevelle he has owned. It took 2 years to do. We both work for a ford dealer and they did the body work and he did everything else. About 30k invested if I had to guess. It's beautiful, but if you asked him if he would do it again he probably would say no. It's a lot of work, and $$$$$$. He has a 5 speed on order from Kessler so we can drive it on the highway. He has updated the suspension and brakes, power steering etc. Originally he wanted to keep it as factory correct as possible but he has started to customize it some. My opinion would be to buy one already done, but be careful there are people out there that know how to cover up and hide major things. We drove all over looking for our project car. If you don't know what to look for, take someone with you. And be prepared to want to change things once you get it, which is the reason we started from scratch! He didn't like what was out there at the time. We have a friend that bought a 70ss and spent 15k on it and has since put a ton of $$$ in it to "change" things good luck, we love our car and it's so nice to have people pull next to you on the road and give you the
Dana

[Cinderelley]

My dream car is a 1970 Dodge Challenger. I don't have it yet, but I will once my kids move out. . I've even picked out the color already - Candy Brandy Wine.
If you have a drag strip around your house, try going down there and talking to the people who are racing classics. They'll give you some good advice.

[joonyer]

My dream car is a 1970 Dodge Challenger. I don't have it yet, but I will once my kids move out. . I've even picked out the color already - Candy Brandy Wine.
If you have a drag strip around your house, try going down there and talking to the people who are racing classics. They'll give you some good advice.

ahhhh, Vanishing Point. Great film. Bad ending for the car though.

[Cinderelley]

ahhhh, Vanishing Point. Great film. Bad ending for the car though.

Haven't seen it, but now I will have to.