Can you be bothered anymore?
Discussion
Sold my last stag in December 2017(can’t believe it’ll be 8 years this year). I tried to keep it as standard as possible even running the two sets of points rather than an electronic ignition. What I do remember happening regularly was one set of points to close its gap resulting in the car to run uneven. I had all the tools in the boot to fix it, messing around with a piping hot engine burning my hands. Various other things happened over the years like an SU fuel pump with dirty points making the car cut out, a wire come off the coil in the middle of Hitchin one busy Saturday.
But it got me thinking today, I’m 62 now and don’t think I could put up with messing around with my car on the side of the road anymore to get home. I’m often see old cars broke down on the road into Knebworth Pk on classic car show day.
Just wondering what other people’s thoughts are on this?
But it got me thinking today, I’m 62 now and don’t think I could put up with messing around with my car on the side of the road anymore to get home. I’m often see old cars broke down on the road into Knebworth Pk on classic car show day.
Just wondering what other people’s thoughts are on this?
There's quite a few classics I like the shape and style of, but were I ever to buy one again I would do everything I could to bring it as far as I could into the modern world, even change the engine. An electric conversion would be ideal.
And while I think of it, I would not get silver on black plates for it if it was from an era where almost all of them would have come with reflectives originally (pretty much 'E' suffix onwards).
And while I think of it, I would not get silver on black plates for it if it was from an era where almost all of them would have come with reflectives originally (pretty much 'E' suffix onwards).
singlecoil said:
And while I think of it, I would not get silver on black plates for it if it was from an era where almost all of them would have come with reflectives originally (pretty much 'E' suffix onwards).
Silver on black plates are ok providing the car is pre-70s but I make an allowance for cars that rolled over into the 70s but still had a 60s colour.For example my last stag was on a K- plate and was that creamy white colour, that had black and silver plates which suited it. My first stag was a L-reg in Emerald Green, that looked better with yellow and white plates, like today’s cars.
Just my opinion of course.
72 this month, just try and keep them maintained and if all else fails there's always the AA.
Appreciate your thoughts though, have no fancy for lying on my back with a gearbox on my chest, trying to wiggle it back in place.
The local garage are replacing brake pipes for me at the minute too. Once I'd happily have done my own but I can't find my flaring tool any more.
Appreciate your thoughts though, have no fancy for lying on my back with a gearbox on my chest, trying to wiggle it back in place.
The local garage are replacing brake pipes for me at the minute too. Once I'd happily have done my own but I can't find my flaring tool any more.
Edited by Skyedriver on Tuesday 1st April 19:37
It being April 1st today, I woke my Riley from its winter slumber having not visited its garage since early October. It started on the seventh prod of its starter button, settled down to a slightly lumpy idle and after I'd backed it out I saw the pool of petrol on the garage floor, right where the fuel pump was housed in the offisde of the boot.
Within an hour and a half I'd called in to my local parts supplier, bought a couple of seals and a banjo union, fitted them and run the engine - no more leak and a total cost of under a tenner.
That's part of the joy of running a classic, fixing it yourself for minimal cost, much of the time though last year's close encounter with a pothole was beyond my tool kit to fix and cost over a grand in parts and labour.
But yes, I can still be bothered to do as much as I can, even at 75 with arthritic fingers and a bad back that meant I had to lie down for an hour following the afternoon's 'spannering'. I've a list of tasks to be completed before this weekend's trip 300 mile round trip so it'll be back to the garage in the morning and probably another lie down in the afternoon.
Within an hour and a half I'd called in to my local parts supplier, bought a couple of seals and a banjo union, fitted them and run the engine - no more leak and a total cost of under a tenner.
That's part of the joy of running a classic, fixing it yourself for minimal cost, much of the time though last year's close encounter with a pothole was beyond my tool kit to fix and cost over a grand in parts and labour.
But yes, I can still be bothered to do as much as I can, even at 75 with arthritic fingers and a bad back that meant I had to lie down for an hour following the afternoon's 'spannering'. I've a list of tasks to be completed before this weekend's trip 300 mile round trip so it'll be back to the garage in the morning and probably another lie down in the afternoon.
Still enjoy doing minor servicing on mine - use a neighbour’s 4-post ramp to do oil change, grease various suspension components, check discs/pads and drums/linings and oil in the diff. I’m too old for the heavy stuff, so if anything more onerous is required it’ll go to a local old school mechanic I’ve known for decades and trust implicitly.
M138 said:
singlecoil said:
And while I think of it, I would not get silver on black plates for it if it was from an era where almost all of them would have come with reflectives originally (pretty much 'E' suffix onwards).
Silver on black plates are ok providing the car is pre-70s but I make an allowance for cars that rolled over into the 70s but still had a 60s colour.For example my last stag was on a K- plate and was that creamy white colour, that had black and silver plates which suited it. My first stag was a L-reg in Emerald Green, that looked better with yellow and white plates, like today’s cars.
Just my opinion of course.
When I was drving 20 year old 60s cars, I don't recall ever breaking down by the roadside, although I can recall a couple of 'failing to start' escapades.
I did once have to abandon a 1960 BSA and hitch a lift, and I once needed to be towed home on a Norton.
These days, I don't think I would find it hard to keep a 60s vehicle running.
I have a pretty good idea of how every essential part works.
Whereas my 15 year old car has lots of electronics and software in it, and lots of inaccessible stuff which I've never looked at.
I did once have to abandon a 1960 BSA and hitch a lift, and I once needed to be towed home on a Norton.
These days, I don't think I would find it hard to keep a 60s vehicle running.
I have a pretty good idea of how every essential part works.
Whereas my 15 year old car has lots of electronics and software in it, and lots of inaccessible stuff which I've never looked at.
Maybe it's a "can't be bothered" stage of life? I'm late 40's with two young children and although it's taken bit of effort, I've spent the winter re-building the interior of my car.
In fact I've probably got to put more effort into using it over the summer than tinkering in the garage although I'll be at the Nürburgring in May come hell or high water.
In fact I've probably got to put more effort into using it over the summer than tinkering in the garage although I'll be at the Nürburgring in May come hell or high water.
I'm fairly lucky as I am nearly 66 and have had over 40 cars, some old and crap, some decent. I have never broken down bar one occasion (ironically a Golf GTI) save for when I was younger, running out of fuel was always a risk.
I always carried a cardboard box full of spanners, screwdrivers, spare coils, points etc so could fix anything that did develop.
In theory, I should be at the age where a nice trouble free lease might suit but I am far too tight for that ( and have very little interest in modern cars) so still spend part of my retirement mucking round with a pair of old Fiat Pandas and replacing brakes etc to keep them in tip top condition. Exhaust to fit this week.
I always carried a cardboard box full of spanners, screwdrivers, spare coils, points etc so could fix anything that did develop.
In theory, I should be at the age where a nice trouble free lease might suit but I am far too tight for that ( and have very little interest in modern cars) so still spend part of my retirement mucking round with a pair of old Fiat Pandas and replacing brakes etc to keep them in tip top condition. Exhaust to fit this week.
57 and not in peak physical condition, but still enjoy fettling my ‘79 Caddy.
Since November, I’ve replaced the timing chain, water pump, PS pump, door seals, battery and rebuilt the carburetor.
Next week is front discs/pads and once done, the welder’s coming out to repair the O/S door skin.
So yes, for now at least I’m still in the ‘can be bothered’ camp
Since November, I’ve replaced the timing chain, water pump, PS pump, door seals, battery and rebuilt the carburetor.
Next week is front discs/pads and once done, the welder’s coming out to repair the O/S door skin.
So yes, for now at least I’m still in the ‘can be bothered’ camp
My AC428 is pretty easy to work on and I still enjoy even the most involved jobs though the big oily bits are pretty heavy and I’m very much relying on the equipment there. I’m lucky in that I have both the skills and the tools/equipment to take on anything bar a proper paint job but being in my 60’s I avoid long spells in the unheated garage during winter and pick bits that I can sensibly bring in the house (yes, my other half is extremely tolerant). I have however called time on my motorcycle; I’m feeling more vulnerable to injuries these days and I can’t justify the risk of a serious injury impacting my enjoyment of other activities.
Riley Blue said:
It being April 1st today, I woke my Riley from its winter slumber having not visited its garage since early October. It started on the seventh prod of its starter button, settled down to a slightly lumpy idle and after I'd backed it out I saw the pool of petrol on the garage floor, right where the fuel pump was housed in the offisde of the boot.
Within an hour and a half I'd called in to my local parts supplier, bought a couple of seals and a banjo union, fitted them and run the engine - no more leak and a total cost of under a tenner.
That's part of the joy of running a classic, fixing it yourself for minimal cost, much of the time though last year's close encounter with a pothole was beyond my tool kit to fix and cost over a grand in parts and labour.
But yes, I can still be bothered to do as much as I can, even at 75 with arthritic fingers and a bad back that meant I had to lie down for an hour following the afternoon's 'spannering'. I've a list of tasks to be completed before this weekend's trip 300 mile round trip so it'll be back to the garage in the morning and probably another lie down in the afternoon.
Similar.Within an hour and a half I'd called in to my local parts supplier, bought a couple of seals and a banjo union, fitted them and run the engine - no more leak and a total cost of under a tenner.
That's part of the joy of running a classic, fixing it yourself for minimal cost, much of the time though last year's close encounter with a pothole was beyond my tool kit to fix and cost over a grand in parts and labour.
But yes, I can still be bothered to do as much as I can, even at 75 with arthritic fingers and a bad back that meant I had to lie down for an hour following the afternoon's 'spannering'. I've a list of tasks to be completed before this weekend's trip 300 mile round trip so it'll be back to the garage in the morning and probably another lie down in the afternoon.
My Mk 1 Scirocco sprung a fuel leak a few weeks ago. This was from a professional braided hose kit I’d fitted about 10 years ago to replace the original solid fuel pipes. I was hoping that I’d never have to go near them again, not too bad fixing them to the floor pan, but a right bugger running them around the engine bay.
I could get a single replacement pipe at £125, which didn’t fill me with joys! I cracked on last Saturday to remove the faulty pipe (I figured it had to come off) no matter what.
Dropped it at my local Hydraulic Specialist Monday, picked it up last night repaired and pressure tested £26!
I do agree with OP, I’ve found my enthusiasm waning of late for this type of work. I’ve got the timing belt to do on my Elise soon that I’ve wrote about elsewhere on here. In my twenties, thirties and forties, I had boundless energy to tackle these jobs. Now in my fifties, I really have to dig deep to find the motivation.
I'm completing my second nut and bolt Elan restoration at the age of 63 and still enjoying it.
I will keep, run and maintain this one for the foreseeable then pass it to my son. However the days of having 5 old cars in varying stages of completion are over for me as I have other things I also like to do
I will keep, run and maintain this one for the foreseeable then pass it to my son. However the days of having 5 old cars in varying stages of completion are over for me as I have other things I also like to do
M138 said:
Sold my last stag in December 2017(can’t believe it’ll be 8 years this year). I tried to keep it as standard as possible even running the two sets of points rather than an electronic ignition. What I do remember happening regularly was one set of points to close its gap resulting in the car to run uneven. I had all the tools in the boot to fix it, messing around with a piping hot engine burning my hands. Various other things happened over the years like an SU fuel pump with dirty points making the car cut out, a wire come off the coil in the middle of Hitchin one busy Saturday.
But it got me thinking today, I’m 62 now and don’t think I could put up with messing around with my car on the side of the road anymore to get home. I’m often see old cars broke down on the road into Knebworth Pk on classic car show day.
Just wondering what other people’s thoughts are on this?
Updating the ignition and things I think is worthwhile. Small changes to improve the car, keep it running better for longer is always a good idea IMO. As long as it isnt a huge change like going from Carb -> Fuel injection. Another example is tyres, I certainly wouldnt be running compounts from 50 years ago and would always try and by the best tyres that are still made in that fitment! But it got me thinking today, I’m 62 now and don’t think I could put up with messing around with my car on the side of the road anymore to get home. I’m often see old cars broke down on the road into Knebworth Pk on classic car show day.
Just wondering what other people’s thoughts are on this?
It's an interesting question the OP posed.
My take is that, assuming you're physically fit (as I mostly am), a lot of it depends on what storage, facilities, space and time you have. I've never claimed to be a mechanic, but basics like oil changes and new disc / pads are well within my grasp. The problem I have is that I only have a small domestic garage which has to house a few things the shed can't. I can get a regular-sized classic in there but can't work on it under cover. That has to be done on the driveway, hence only really appealing in decent weather. I am also embroiled in an ongoing postgraduate research programme working towards a PhD, which steals a lot of my time.
I'm ready to buy another toy now, and am really torn on whether to go modern / convenient or classic.
First world problems and all that.
My take is that, assuming you're physically fit (as I mostly am), a lot of it depends on what storage, facilities, space and time you have. I've never claimed to be a mechanic, but basics like oil changes and new disc / pads are well within my grasp. The problem I have is that I only have a small domestic garage which has to house a few things the shed can't. I can get a regular-sized classic in there but can't work on it under cover. That has to be done on the driveway, hence only really appealing in decent weather. I am also embroiled in an ongoing postgraduate research programme working towards a PhD, which steals a lot of my time.
I'm ready to buy another toy now, and am really torn on whether to go modern / convenient or classic.
First world problems and all that.
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