Classic cars and quality of life.

Through his hobby I have developed some great friendships and met a fine larger group of people. I would not have missed this ride for anything. Also, when I show up at a non-car event in a cool old sportscar, I find instant notoriety since so many people have interesting opinions about old cars.

Cheers Ron

I'd love to hear from anyone who voted "No". If it's not making life better, why do it?

It's a long story... related to a post/thread over on GRM...

We're all guys here, mostly, right? They say a puppy is one of the best ways to pick up a girl. Rightfully so. But (sometimes), a classic car can have the same end result. So yes, a classic car DID improve my quality of life several times...many years ago.

They improve my quality of life because its all I can afford to drive!

Interesting point, Matt.

The average new car is what, $25,000? $30,000? Despite the maintenance costs, an affordable classic (like your MG) is probably going to come out quite a bit cheaper than a new car.

I found out about the "meet females" aspect of my Mini too late.

I have made many friendships and met numerous fascinating people via my car hobby. Had I not tinkered with cars, joined clubs and networked I likely would not be doing track days or working towards racing.

Probably half the people invited to my wedding (years ago now) were car pals and not family.

Car aspect great. International friends, a whole new appreciation for vintage cars, new skill set and a release after a long day chasing computer issues.

Not so great aspect. I have a bad habit of going over the top and focusing too much on the hobby. (Vintage racing bug does not help) So my better half gets a little annoyed with me. She's good though but does call herself a Triumph Widow from time to time.

That said I have to credit her for allowing me to become an owner... Still if I'd listen to her I would never have taken the chance and most likely would never have gotten into the game. Never the less she allowed me to buy the car (sort of) and then stuck by all the drama of a restoration by a rookie. Again should have listened to her and waited.

So I think we should have had a "maybe 50/50 Love hate" button.

I've been right on the border of selling the GT6 a few times. Not because I don't like the car, but because of the vintage racing thing. However my wife keeps telling me I'd regret it for the rest of my life.

Friday it will be 8 years of ownership. May 10 years of marriage hehe.

Who do I buy the bigger gift for?

A.

Yeah, I'm the old dog here, but I seem to recall that in the '60s, my Sprite seemed like a great ice-breaker when meeting girls.

I have maintained a big group of car friends over the years. And some of them have been directly due to cars. When a neighbour of mine moved in to our area years ago with his new TR7, I walked over with a beer. Since then we've raced at Lime Rock and various hillclimbs together. And even though he's moved, we're still good racing buds.
If we drive the MGB or Miata somewhere, we almost always get a car comment. Sometimes, some guy my age will look wistfully at the MGB and say, "Thirty five years ago, I used to have one of those." And I'll say, "Me too! And I still do!"

I don't follow "regular" sports other than hurling , so if I meet a group of new folks at work or socially, I can usually figure out who the car-guy (or gal) is. Even if guys are into hot rods, antiques, or four-wheeling, I'm still happy to chat (I'd much rather talk about the benefits of juice brakes on a Model A than discuss some millionaire who hits a ball with a wooden stick).

Hurling is considered a sport now ??? Geez, back in the day it was the result of mixing too much Guinness and Jagermeister... Who knew ? Cheers, Scott

GSCReno:

You've just identified two of the best things about hurling!

When I was a little kid, I lived right across the street from ~This Place~

Curling totally captured my attention during the last Olympics.

Olympics??? Somehow I missed those... Must've been out for a pint and a shot. Cheers, Scott

If I hadn't married into a Volvo Amazon and learned to work on it, I wouldn't have started a webzine (and later a printed edition) that taught me Web design, computer graphics and desktop publishing.

If I hadn't learned that stuff, I wouldn't have moved to the Northwest, where I thought I had a publishing job with a Volvo aftermarket outfit. Job evaporated, so I got a better job as Web Developer for a state agency and stayed anyway.

If I hadn't stayed, I wouldn't have hung out with people who did have jobs at the Volvo aftermarket oufit, and I wouldn't have gotten a bunch more experience working on their cars as well as ours (not to mention that I've stayed very good friends with those guys even though we moved further north years ago).

If I hadn't gotten that experience, I wouldn't be able to support myself by making old Volvos go fast now that we live out in the sticks where it's beautiful, but all jobs are entrepreneurial. But I'm getting away with it...

Curling was my winter sport. I suspect that the sports car hobby replaced it when I moved to the south. Look at tsn.ca if you want to see some good games on-line. Curling always ended with the winners buying the first round. There are no professional curlers and grass roots playdowns determine the national representatives.

Cheers Ron

Hmmm, yeah... More of a Foosball/Air Hockey guy myself... Seriously guys, anything that you get better at as you consume alcohol is not a sport. Cheers, Scott

The top-rated US Olymic Curling team mostly consists of employees and family members from "Dave's Pizza" in Bemidji, Minn. That's just cool all by itself. Pete Fenson, the owner of the pizza joint is the team captain. Also, Curling sounds like Hurling....another bonus.