Jay Leno says .... don't worry

[Cees Klumper]

A fellow member -thanks Wayne!- pointed me to this interesting article in which Jay Leno encourages us to not worry about what happens after we let go of our prized Pagoda(s). Enjoy:

https://www.hagerty.com/media/archived/leno-stop-worrying-about-the-fate-of-your-classic-car/

[thelews]

Reality is, when we're done with them, by choice or not, they're just hunks of metal, a piece of merchandise.  Their value is in the pleasure (or profit for some) during the time we own them, or some future buyer.  I never was a big fan of the "caretaker" mentality.  Sure, one off, very special, very limited production models, yes, they are special samples of history, but ones like ours with over 50K produced?  I don't think so. Maybe when the last few remain, but they are already in museums.

[JamesL]

No where near as interesting as the Dutch bloke in a shed building a v4 solenoid motor. Crazy Dutch blokes

[Rothko]

Nice article.

The fact is that we become too emotional over property ("It was the house I was raised in!") and cars.  The new owners can do whatever they want with your old house or your old car, and they will and there is nothing you can do about.  Nor should you.  When you bought your car from its previous owner, did you make a pledge to keep it intact in the condition you bought it?  I doubt it.

[Cees Klumper]

Haha, actually there was one car that was special to me and I sold it to someone who I have confidence is preserving it exactly as I sold it to him, which is the Earl Camino - the 1973 El Camino that was used in filming the TV show 'My name is Earl' for four years. I really pained over making any changes to how it appears in the show. The only thing I did do, was install automatic seatbelts ('safety first') but those can be removed easily. The person I sold it to is a fan of the show like me . Another motivation to preserve is in the premium value it has due to its modest celebrity status. But, other than those exceptions, I do agree with the notion that we better enjoy them while we have them, and not worry about what happens afterwards (although having said that, I would enjoy being able to find the 2-stroke SAAB 96 that was my parents' first car, back in around 1967).

[mnahon]

I owned a Triumph Spitfire for 42 years and sold it about 18 months ago. I had it for sale, half-heartedly, for the better part of 2 years. My friends and my wife made fun of me for those two years, telling me I'd never sell it, because I 'rejected' a few potential buyers---I made the sale difficult enough that they walked away. Eventually, I sold it to a guy I 'approved' of.

I was lucky and he's gotten enamoured of the car, like I once was. He takes care of it, and he's gradually improving it. He emails me from time to time asking me questions about stuff I did to the car. In the latest email, he sent me pictures (below). He added those stripes and the foxtail on the mirror. So it's not quite what I would've done; but I consider myself hugely lucky, so far, to have found the right buyer; and I don't regret the effort I put into that.

[wayne R]

Meyer, --A really nice lovely story,that both seller and purchaser are happy,.
Not like alot of transactions we read about,that dont end up with a happy  situation.
And Meyer---dont worry about the foxtail he loves that, also  while you owned the Spitfire perhaps
you should have put racing stripes on the  Spitfire,-----reason,cars do  go alot faster with
with stripes on them-----.
Yes after 42 years ownership would not be that easy to part with it.---regards.

[Peter van Es]

Crazy Dutch blokes

Oi... I resemble that remark!


(where's the link)

[JamesL]

It's here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=y3Bh_N1dRjg&feature=emb_logo

Such skill. Patience. Talent. And tme in a shed

[Benz280]

Not mentioned is Jay Leno's other comments, where has says: buy them, restore them, drive them , then restore again.
My first 113 280SL I had 30 years ago, sold and regretted ever since... found another, lesson learned.   

[Peter van Es]

It's here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=y3Bh_N1dRjg&feature=emb_logo

Such skill. Patience. Talent. And tme in a shed

As Dutchmen go, he's in a league of his own...

[Merc_Girl]

It's here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=y3Bh_N1dRjg&feature=emb_logo

Such skill. Patience. Talent. And tme in a shed

I want a workshop like that !!’ 😁

Unfortunately my husband is not as keen 😔

[MikeSimon]

Yes, emotions get in the way when it comes to value possessions like cars, motorcycles, homes etc. Sometimes it hits you years later when you start thinking "I never should have let this go".
I went through this with several cars. One was the very first car I owned, a 1961 Fiat 1500S OSCA Cabriolet. Wish I would have kept it. Second one was my 1970 Porsche 914/6GT -M471.
I finally "replaced" this. A more recent car was my 1996 Chevy Impala SS, one of the last ones rolling off the line before GM changed that facility to make the Yukon/Tahoe.
This all is the main reason why I am hanging on to my 280SL - and it may not be worth it.

[Cees Klumper]

What I like is that many cars receive complete restorations, the cost of which will greatly exceed the market value when done. So enthusiasts knowingly invest more than economical or rational ("just buy one that had all that work done already, it will be much cheaper") 'just because'.