I hope noone thinks I am touting my restored car again.
This is serious, because now I don't enjoy her as much as before, when it was my workhorse and daily banger.
When my 85 300D started to rust out three years ago it was my banger and because of that it was indestructible. I used to use it fearlessly, it was great for nice trips to New York City, moving stuff and I even drove it to West Virginia to see the mountains with a Bad Engine.
I always kept it well maintained and fully functional, even though at times itI drove it without a dash or the rear seat or even the interior, dreaming one day of fully restoring it.
One time a hitchhiker at a Gas Station asked for a Ride when i was driving her as a One Seater-- I was rewelding the Floor. I took a look at the unkempt suspect individual and smiled "Sure, get in, Sir" He took a look at the cars interior with its gaping hole in the floor and vacuum lines and was scared off! I probably missed being targeted by some Serial Killer.
Well now its restored down to the last molding clip and unfortunately, now its too nice to use as a Banger. Mostly I drive it on the weekends and it stays off the salty winter roads.
It went from workhorse to...? Maybe all I need is to take it and wring it out and get some dents into it?

yeah, that is the problem.

but it is a very nice problem to have! i probably would use it sparingly for a few months to give the paint a chance to fully harden, then just use it. and in another twenty years or so you can restore it again..... or let some younger person do it.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

That restore--new engine/trans/interior/exterior/ painting & welding took me from age 42 to age 45, some nice years--this morning I was thinking, while we don't control our lives, it sure would've been nice to use that energy and effort to be a volunteer teacher or learn something new.....so I don't think I will be doing this again...not in 20 years

Funny, I was thinking this very same thing yesterday afternoon.
It seems I enjoy driving an old beater vehicles than the nicer ones.

BTW, The '85 looks good! And, in those 3 yrs spent I think you were a volunteer teacher.

Thats the problem with having a decent car, thats why I have two. Buy another just to drive.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

thank you very much. sometimes i would like to teach math at a junior college and make it easy an fun.....but i don't even handle my checkbook well, though i can multiply big numbers in my head quickly..