Old cars are magic.

[Robert Smith]

What is it about an old car? Why do we love them, or find interest in them? For some it’s a drive down memory lane, or for some of the younger owners it reminds us of a simpler time in the world… whatever the case may be, old cars are magical.

Old cars are magical because, they stand out in traffic, one can be parked next to a brand new Cadillac, or even a Ferrari and the vintage or classic car will be the first to be noticed or admired.

Most everyone loves old cars, it’s an ice breaker, it’s a reason for people to talk to a stranger about something in common. We pull into a filling station and people tend to forget about being strangers and then open right up and ask questions about the car. More mature folks tend to stare and reflect on a time when those cars were all one could find on the road, they will share stories and bask in nostalgia of their first car.

On the road, we receive and give friendly waves to other drivers of classics or vintage autos… people who we don’t even know but, we have all have an understanding that it takes work, time, patience and money to keep these cars on the roads! So, there’s a natural bond to other owners we run into on the road. Also, most classic car owners are helpful and ready to offer advice or assistance. I have been very fortunate to have access to this group here and I feel very lucky to know if I have a problem or a question, I can come here and receive sound advice.

It’s not easy driving a classic daily, but it’s sure worth it! After all the headaches and head-scratchers, we do it out of love, taking care of a vintage car is much like a young child, one must have patience and time to endure the endless problems that occur. We fix, we mend, we trouble shoot and we solve but it’s never over. Even after a long full restoration, a car is never done!

But are we gluttons for punishment? Nay! We do it because once we sit behind that large wheel and start that motor and take a cruise down the road into the sunset, we feel satisfied, a sense of gratification comes over us and that right there is why we do what we do. Why? Because old cars are magic!

Keep’em rollin’

Sincerely,

Robert Smith.

[BobT-47P15]

Nice post, Robert. Well said.

Even pre-school kids and their teachers like old cars.

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[Young Ed]

Very well said.

[Plymouthy Adams]

they be magic alright...its magic how your time disappears while out in the man cave tinkering, how the money seem to slip out of the bank and into rolling stock that does not quite earn the return that real "rolling stock" does. Its magic how shop space getting eaten away for storage and all those spares and misc support tool/items assocaited with the RIDE of choice. It magic that no matter what needs be tdone to get the car prepped for anouting, maint or cleaning..the misses seems to appear dresses and aready to go the moment the car is cleaned and out of the garage..yeah..gotta love the magic....

[oldmopar]

Great thoughts if you were to write a book on old cars that would make a preface

[dezeldoc]

As others have said nicely said, but you got to remember they are just so damn sexy!!

[T120]

There was an elderly lady checking my car over with a smile on her face and she said to me ,"I remember the back seat in a car just like this"

[Oldguy48]

As I see it, it's almost incomprehendible to imagine that these vehicles were designed before computers, autocad, calculators, etc., etc. These old girls were designed by good old-fashioned engineering, with at most, a slide rule, pencils and a drafting table. Every time I head to the garage, to spend some time with my P15, I try to imagine who the engineers were, and how successful they were in their efforts. In spite of their shortcomings by today's standards, these vehicles were state of the art for their era. Sure, I'm building safety features into my P15, like disc brakes, seat belts, dual master cylinder, etc. to make it as safe as I can for me and my family, but I have to admit, these cars were extremely well engineered, and I have a great deal of respect for their designers. They were indeed masters of their craft.

[Dennis Hemingway]

We were camping at a Casino in Pahrump, Nevada last week and this rig was parked by us. We had a nice visit with the owners who were from Las Vegas.

Dennis:cool:

[david lazarus]

These cars were scarce even before I was born, but for me I am facinated by their endurance (will todays Honda be around in 70 years time...I doubt it). Then the time I spend working on them is my "de-stressor" something totally differet to what I do 9 to 5, they are simple, robust and quite forgiving to work on.

[Mark Haymond]

At filling station encounters the young people merely think it's a cool car, but the old people are a different story. It's in their eyes. To them it is a time machine that is magically taking them back to their youth. Their eyes are looking all the way back into early memories.

[mackster]

You should be a motivational speaker...I like the wording. I been feeling like I hate this car, but overall I know it is not true. Ok. maybe a bit....

Thanks for the posts

[Rodney Bullock]

When you say "It's like a small child" your right. These cars need attention. They need us. Time machine, sure. I think the most important thing about them is they are built by human hands. These cars have a soul about them. A personality. It is strange how childen like old cars and know nothing about them. It's like in there perivious life they drove them:) OOOOvery scary:D

[PatS....]

Magic they are, for sure. Even parts of an old car are magic. I had the "free" flathead in the back of the pickup for a week before I could get it hoisted out and at least 5 people walked up to me and struck up a conversation about the old flathead.

[Grandadeo]

Ahh they're just a bunch of old junk cars and I hate um....and I can't imagine what it would be like without them. If you sense my frustration, it’s aimed at me. You see I'm the world's biggest procrastinator. I tend to be a project car and parts collector not a finisher. Over the last 45 years of messing with junk cars I've completed very few. There are two unfinished projects out in the garage right now, plus my '53 Belvedere needs attention. Even my '32 Ford roadster could use a facelift. But for me life tends to get in the way. Over the years family has been my priority and still is. As you can tell by my forum name, now it’s the grand kids. Junk cars are a distant second to family, but still an important second.

Some of the pleasures I've experienced from junk cars are things like hearing my wife say “Yes we're from Florida and yes he drove it 3000 miles to get here." Or taking those rides at sunset along the beach with the top down and feeling 40 years younger. Or the bond between my son and I, he's an old junk car nut too. And of course the lasting friendships I've developed with other old junk car nuts from all over the country.

Now that I think I'm really retired the only thing in the way is all those things on the honey-do list that I've been putting off for years because of work, family, old junk cars, etc. etc. Think I'll try to split my time between that list and the garage and see what I can get accomplished. But first... I have to turn off this dang computer!

Lee

[Normspeed]

Neat photo Robert.

Like Grandadeo, I could have finished several old car projects in the past couple years if I had taken all that web time and used it on the vehicles.

[Olddaddy]

For me it's time travel. At night away from town on a two lane road with am radio playing I could be in 1950 driving my new Plymouth Suburban home from the dealership. All the bad stuff that is going to happen between then and now is not part of my world. I'm young, happy, and life is good in my Plymouth.

[TodFitch]

... I could have finished several old car projects in the past couple years if I had taken all that web time and used it on the vehicles.

I resemble that remark...

[Powerhouse]

Well said BroPar!

It's also magical how the gasoline just disappears right before your very eyes!...hahaha

Another magical thing in your foto is that place called in n' out...

...are those candy canes hanging on yer mirror?

[steveplym]

Nicely said Robert. Old cars and cars in general have always been a big part of my life. I've met more great people and had more connections with family members and others through this hobby. Plus it still feels pretty good to get behind that big wheel and look over that long hood watching the world go by.

Ahhhh.....nothing like cruising in an old car.

[Young Ed]

[Normspeed]

I resemble that remark...

Ahhh, but Tod, I don't regret having spent the time at the computer one bit! Much of it spent on this very forum, the best there is. Nice to get out of the house though.

[BobT-47P15]

In a convertible, you can see the road in both directions.

The old car gave me a chance to do something with my son-in-law

when we attended the buried Plymouth event in Tulsa last summer.

He enjoyed it.

[Frank Elder]

Looks like you have at least 3 "admirers" Bob! That's the only thing that can be a hassle on the old country roads is the double yellow line parade.

[BobT-47P15]

True. Since I don't drive the ol Plym as fast as the modern vehicles

like to go.....I will sometimes pull off onto the shoulder and let the

parade pass.

In the picture, the first car behind us is the Mrs and

our daughter, in the PT Cruiser. They went to Tulsa also, but spent

more time shopping than doing with the old cars.