Page 65 - Issue 48

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I am a huge fan of making it to every show Used car dealers are easier to fi nd your typical
I can, every swap meet I can, and visiting every point A to point B daily commuter, however,
car corral I possibly can. I love to see what is something a little more unique takes more
out there, meet who are fi nishing their projects, searching. A base model work truck with manual
and hear the stories behind them. I love to see windows, a stock modern muscle car, or anything
the almost-there projects, quietly waiting for more than ten or fi fteen years old can almost
purchase by their new owner to take home and never be found at any dealership. Driving around
fi nish. These could be complete basket case cars can be just as important as asking around. Some
with more boxes of parts than still attached to the people like to help their friends and relatives sell
chassis. These could also be a turnkey truck with their vehicles, too.
a full tank of premium and keys dangling
from the ignition. I live to eat and breath My wife still allows the long
the automotive scene. way home when we are not in
happiness three more projects under the baking a hurry, and any true rodder
I have a garage with parts, projects,
and one car in storage. Behind sit

sun or frozen snow (depending on my
with rust in their veins knows
Minnesota season). At my parents rest
more than I have space to list here. I
some of the best deals do not
already have more projects in mind and
more parts on hand than most rodders
I know, however, I still hear that nagging
voice telling me to want, want, want. show up online.
Listening can make me wish I had something I have shifted my focus more recently in being
else to tinker with, one more car to store under inspired by the work of others to begin, continue,
a tarp, or a new daily driver to keep me feeling and fi nish my own projects instead of listening to
fi ne on my daily commute. I do allow myself to the voice that tells me to start something fresh.
dream and speculate a few what-if’s, but I also There is something to getting your hands on
try to keep my own reality close and clear. fresh sheet metal, but there is something more to
My wife still allows the long way home when showing someone what you have fi nished after
we are not in a hurry, and any true rodder with working on it for hours and hours, year after year.
rust in their veins knows some of the best deals I am learning to be more content with what I have.
do not show up online—they are on the side of Appreciate and take care of what you have.
the road with a handwritten ‘For Sale’ sign in their In automotive terms, keep up with regular
dash. These would-be sellers might not really maintenance. Keep it clean inside and out, and
need to part with something. They just might replace the tires before the steel belts hang out.
be trying to keep their signifi cant other content In relationship terms, spend time with those you
after having reached their own personal threshold love. As my children age, I can bring them in on
of vehicles. I just don’t do this for me anymore. more and more of my hobbies. Some dig getting
Now, I do it for those I know are looking. their hands dirty, others are happier to stand back
If a friend or relative is doing some car and watch. Of my four, I have one dedicated to
shopping, I will give them a hand. I have found it the craft and three that will help enough to fetch
is always easier to spend someone else’s money. a wrench or move a trouble light.

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