Renewed Focus: Would You Be Better Off With One Machine? | The Online Automotive Marketplace | Hemmings (2024)

Wherever you live in the United States, August can be a hot, sticky month. Out here in sunny SoCal, it is particularly noticeable while using our muscle machines. After a cruise on a nice clear day, my shirt is usually damp! Back in the 1920s and ’30s, the Detroit automakers were more concerned with the comfort and appearance of their cars’ interiors, which were constructed of mostly breathable cloth materials. Not so the factory materials in my mid-’60s GTO. The seats are heavy factory vinyl and can get pretty uncomfortable in the warmer, humid weather. I usually put a beach towel over the driver’s seat to keep my shirt dry on a hot, sticky day. And I know it can get a lot worse in other parts of the country.

I can remember when changing the material in a collector car interior was a definite disqualification from being factory correct—it was a move that would automatically place your stock show vehicle into modified classes prior to show judgement. Currently, unless it is a concours show, the judges are not so strict, though they will frown heavily on such a change if you are competing in a restored class. Over the years, my vehicles have remained as stock as I could possibly keep them, so I have learned to live within the rules. As it happens, I really don’t enter many shows any longer; this is mostly because once you’re in and parked, you’re stuck there until the show is over and the winners have been announced. Consequently, my trophy hunting days are over. Now I find that I actually enjoy showing my car again, not having to care if I win, place, or show. And I can leave whenever I choose!

Speaking of taking a different approach, I recently made a life decision about collector cars. The most I’ve ever owned at once is three, usually two Pontiacs and one of some other marque just for a change of pace. Some of my friends who are also retired are always complaining about upkeep and the cost to store, register, repair, and replace parts. I was one of those complainers until I narrowed the stable down to one. It took some heavy thought to admit I am just getting too old to maintain more than one at a time. Plus, I never realized what a pleasure it is to have only one to concentrate on keeping in tip-top shape.

Now, with a new attitude about owning a collector car, I can enjoy the one I have much more, not working nearly as hard maintaining it in show condition and enjoying an occasional drive around my area. I guess sometimes one must simply consider how much time is spent keeping a vehicle show worthy rather than how much the owner can enjoy the car during simple drives around town.

As with many of you reading this, I have grown children who have been on their own for several years. This change in family status has provided me with more time to spend on other things, like repairing little stuff around the house and maintaining the family car. Only after doing this for several months did I realize just how much time I was spending on my GTO before. Just keeping the interior, engine compartment, and exterior spiffed up was a tiring endeavor.

Granted, I enjoyed it, but that chore was not only time consuming; expensive as well. Paints, polishes, parts replacement, and what seemed like endless hours were spent on the car. I used to refer to it as a “labor of love,” but to the detriment of many other things that also needed to be done. So now, I have hours back to be used on other chores rather than vehicle upkeep. It took me a while to figure it out, but the change has been worth it. Try it and see for yourself!

An old friend, who is a fan of mid-1950s Chevrolets, is going through the same life changes as me. He is always showing his ’55 Chevy two-door at local events and improving it in his garage, and that keeps him busy and interested in the hobby. I think that is a major reason why we all are involved in the early car hobby.

I have another friend with whom I worked in the magazine business for many years; he is a long-time car enthusiast and owns several cars that he has restored or modified to his liking. It has gotten to the point that he constantly is working on one car or another, and it seems that he never gets a break from this work. Just maintaining four or five hobby cars is a full-time job, not to mention the cost of the products and physical exertion required. I think I’ll just stick with my ’65 GTO and call it done at that. Good luck with your favorite car in the future!