Features Your Car Time Going Forward: A Poll Of Sorts

With shows and meet ups finally come back around me, planning on having as much seat time as I can get after not having them most of last year.

 

I retired in December at 73. I'm hoping for a lot more time. I've started a '32 roadster and have 3 more projects in the wings. It's a race against the Grim reaper.

 

More and not just cruising around town either but getting out on the road. Jalopyrama was my first car show since October 2019. Like others, it’s been a long haul to get to this point and as long as there’s fuel, I am looking to roll ....

 

More I hope, just retired last week so we shall see. My wife does have a large honey do list for me.

 

Mine has nothing to do with the state of the universe. More. I am newly remarried, busy wrapping up some long term house projects and my wife WANTS me to work on our toys especially the Bonneville roadster

 

I hope to spend much more time driving both cars, the 32 & the Ranch Wagon.

We took the wagon on a 450 mile trip last weekend and we heading to Steel in Motion this weekend, just a short 200 mile trip.

Hopefully if the planets align I can host the All Deuce Run in June and that will put about 600 additional miles on the old beaters odometer.

Yeah, 2020 put a hurt on going places. HRP

 

No third choice, about the same?

 

Reading the reason for the poll it almost seems like companies are wanting some "crystal ball" glimpse of what their future might be. If the outlook of such a poll looks less than promising then it might just set their attitude to ensure failure. Maybe their focus should be on what they can do for the car enthusiast industry's benefit that would benefit them in the end.

Lynn

 

Time. Yeah- I need some of that.

 

I fully expect less, due to the shut downs last year I was home most of the year.


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

Retired, and finishing up a '40 Ford project. 2020 vs 2021: More time building in 2020, more time driving in 2021. All due to project status only - would have happened that way regardless of covid. The only way I'd be buying more parts this year is if I break something. Could happen!

 

I doubt you would have been invited to participate if the industry didn't respect your input. BTW...that IS a compliment!

Lynn

 

One thing the industry does not grasp about many of us is that we are builders, not buyers. The amount of new parts I purchase is miniscule compared to say a drag racer. Mostly it is bartered for at swap meets through friends or online. Take my GMC pickup for example. About the only off the shelf items will be a wiring harness, weather stripping and tires. When I get back to my Model A it is all fabricated or repurposed Ford parts. Again, tires and wiring.

 

.....They don't yet understand just how much influence you have, Boss.

 

About the same as last year which is more than pre2020 due to working from home I can get an extra hour a day in the garage since less commuter time.



Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

An average Year...I did shop and order some long considered items to swap out and driving will be average with regular maintenance...and I'm considering new front Firestone Champions...one of my fronts has been out for quite some time...manageable but out...

 

I retired just before the virus hit, but it seems old clients are calling me every week to do just one more job for them.
Right now I have enough work promised to do for them that I expect to be busy the next two months, and I am
trying to get time to finish my truck. The positive is at least I can afford to buy the items I need for my truck.

 

I traded my 29 roadster for the '55 just so I could drive more and go on longer roadtrips. Everything on the roadster was period correct banger race car oriented which meant I spent very little money with the big vendors, just the bare minimum with the OG model A guys. Now with the '55 I have a lot of upgrade/speed plans that will mean more money spent over all on after market with the big guys, stock parts from the OG parts guys and swap meet finds too.

 

Hard for me to answer based on the criteria, last year I put a ton of hours in on projects (and bought quite a few parts) but there were no events to go to so I went to none, however as a result I have another car on the road. So this year I will likely have a lot more seat time and do more events than I usually would, but due to a shop expansion, I figure I will have very little time (and money) to work on any projects. Not sure which poll answer is appropriate.

I will also say, my shop sells used parts for old cars and 2021 has been a banner year here so far. And this weekend there was an un-sanctioned cruise night in town that was packed beyond belief with cars of all types.

I'm no oracle, but I know how far off the lumber mills and silicon chip manufacturers were. I would be fascinated to hear which companies did gangbusters and which ones were on the verge of bankruptcy right now. I doubt I'll get that data, but I bet there's more to it than more/less car time.

 

The last economic turn down saw no slow down in the hobby by reason that people got out in there garage and worked on there car while on a layoff. This time so many people / businesses had to shut down that I think it reduced the options to buy parts. This may in my opinion hurt business a lot..??

 

Oh, time I've got, it's the energy that's lacking!

 

Spent most of 2020 in semi quarantine, but rebuilding my 51 club coupe mostly through working with individual craftsmen who work solo and were also semi quarantined. No events on 2020 and no driving trips in my old cars. In 2021, I am doing small projects, like building a new steering wheel for the 51 and some laminated knobs; I am also going to a couple postponed 2020 events later in the year. Before the end of the year, I hope to be working on a new Terry Burtz block for my Model A cabriolet. So this should be a significantly more active year for me. I’m 75 and retired for 25, so I have to get it all done as fast as I can.

 

I won't be political here, but in MI anything "official" is getting cancelled like a fuckin stamp. DMs only if you want my rants (which I doubt). "Car time" is a loaded ask. If you mean will I work on my shit more then yes, last year and this year I did more and MADE THE TIME even if I didn't really have it. I spent a lot of money on smalls and used kool shit this past calander year. I'm in the business. I don't do a lotta new as a general rule but if repro restoration items are included in the elephant then in my observation some levels are down. In shakey times (I promise that's not political!) the 1st things to go are the toys. In "different economies" (again not political!) values can go to extremes and boost the industry as a whole. That's easily documented fact and NOT my spin. I have a few big job potentials in the near future. That will be welcome and needed relief after the panic of 2020. Some of my time won't be for me. A much welcomed trip to Amelia Island this month is as exciting as a 1st start of a rebuilt engine. That's big time car time.

I don't do anything but this world of ours. Yeah, I'm an American Classic specialist but there's a lotta crossover if you look, listen, see inspiration and broaden your horizons whenever possible. Hell @Ryan you even did a Duesenberg topic not long ago. Back to your blog topic though, you nailed it in one regard. Stagnant focus and practice. I'm glad to see in your replies here you don't take yourself too serious, but I think that's a loaded statement too. You wouldn't even be here or asked to play along if there wasn't at least a seasoning of serious for taste. I'm not so sanctimonious to think only the HAMB and those who "get it" deserve the nod, but who among us lately has picked up a street rod mag from say, oh I dunno, 2002-05? Or maybe a late 90s. Look at the cars at the event reports, then look more recently. Go to 2010 and forward. See anything different? I do. Less 20s and more steelies. That's the best I can do to reduce verbage, keep it simple. While I always knew our chosen styles never left they sure seem to dominate the landscape. Shows with dedicated areas figured it out. Shows and events are also part of the industry. "The Basement" at Autorama, and whatever they call it at GNRS. Custom (kustom?) revivals, 65 and older shows, a mark has been made and there's increased awareness of what always has worked and hit those marks. I don't have any sage industry advice, I surely never have taken any of this too serious. Maybe if the game looks at what's happening on every facet of this car jewel we all covet they can see better. At the end of it all that's probably exactly what you said anyways. And again, I promise I wasn't political above. Markets and society drive EVERYTHING as we all well know. I hope keeping my opinions about it all to myself was enough. Great topic...

 

My 54 Country Squire is almost on the road, my 40 pickemup is being torn down as I think I have a flat cam, the 28 land speed is running well, but needs a gear change (Bonneville to El Mirage), I might get back on my land speed Production Truck (223 Ford XO-PP), the Ute is plugging along, Chick daily 28 roadster is doing well,
So will all this,,, we picked up a 28 sedan cut down to a RPU for some banger fun,,,, life is too short not to have fun!

 

I'm one of the ones the lock down was good for. Business grew 5 times that of the year before. It may have just been timing with us hitting a good stride....maybe not. Not really sure.