The one thing that has consumed more of my time, energy, passion, and , of course, money, than any other is my irrational love for old cars. Specificly, big, noisy, fuel consuming politically incorrect monsters with thier heritage planted firmly in the U.S. OLd Fords and Chryslers mostly, With a brief foray into some unusual euro stuff. I am currently doing a full resto on a leyland Mini.... And a Leyland P76 (fellow australians will now point and laugh).
People just don't get it! My parents and friends would shake thier heads and chuckle behind thier hands whenever I mentioned some new project, and nice girls avoided me in droves, but I still smile fondly when I recall the sense of achievement I felt after my first respray.(much more rewarding than losing my virginity),or my first engine rebuild.
People who havent done it just don't understand. It is a feeling that money can not buy!
So, if I have any advice for budding car restorers, it is simply this.....Persevere! Don't let anyone discourage you.(many will try)and don't burn the car when you think you really want to, because that rusty bolt will eventually come undone, and don't let your mum tell you that you really need something practical(If we only thought of practicality, we would all drive volvos.....NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!)And spend your last $50 on nickel_plated screws, because in the end, it is all worth it!
Cruising in a car that you have built yourself is like no other feeling. It sure beats commuting in a plastic box.

Learn more about this author, Walter Keid.
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