Knowing when to let go...

[Tony_SS]

I know there have been some folks who've let go of some pretty nice cars.. or ones that've been attached to for certain reasons. How did you know when the right time was to let it go?

I'm in a situation where I have 3 cars, and only a 2 car garage and I'd rather not have any of them sit outside in the elements. I think I'm ready to let go of my 79 Monte. It's been a long road and I still like the car, but truth be told I feel like I'm done with it. It's barely been driven in the past 3 years. I did get a chance to drive it last week, windy country roads, some rough.. but the car never skipped. I was reminded just nice the car runs and drives... its smooths out any rough roads and still can handle the twists with ease.

But the bottom line is its just a piece of art to me.. I dont use it like its meant to be used. And I just haven't any desire to modify it anymore...so what good is holding onto it really?

[Finch]

I had to make the same decision as I have more cars than space to put them and had to keep moving them around to work on projects.

I just sold my 68 Mustang drag car last weekend as I had not raced it in 4 years and it was time to let someone else enjoy it. It was a hard decision for sure but in the end was the right choice.

[JEFFTATE]

Dude , I'm in the same situation.
I've got 5 cars and a 3 car garage.
My Camaro and Vette always stay inside.
But the other three have to take turns sitting out in the weather ...
I need to sell two of them .... I can't make up my mind which two to sell..
I can't give them up..

[NOT A TA]

I'm there too. 7 cars 2 trucks and don't use most of them. I was spoiled by having 4 garages at home and indoor storage at my business when I lived in New England. Moved to FL and now just have a two car garage and an enclosed trailer. I put some in storage but it's expensive here, spending a couple hundred a month per car got old quick and because there's drivable cars in the garage I don't make the effort to go get one at the storage place and drive it. Now moving cars around to work on one in the garage is getting old. I can't even use the patio on the back of my house because I'm using it as a carport since it has a roof.

I've got a buyer coming to pick up my 88 Nova Twin Cam in a couple weeks and whichever truck sells first is fine with me, I just need one to tow to the tracks. I put the 84 454 Suburban on CL already and will probably put the 00 F-350 CC Dually on this week.

As far as the other cars go, I've gotta decide which ones will have to be sold. Hard to part with some I've had as long as 30 years but I've gotta do it. The 14 Car will stay no matter what, and I'm in the middle of the 81 Malibu Performance Therapy project so thats gotta stay awhile. But at least 3 of these have to go soon. 66 Mustang project, 67 RS SS Conv Camaro, 70 Buick Wildcat, 86 Carrera euro widebody Cabrio. Tough decision!

[parsonsj]

I don't have that problem. I build a car, then sell it. I'm not much of a car owner: it's too much trouble keeping them clean, they get in the way of the next project, and I never can make the time to get to the track in a regular fashion. I've owned dozens of cars, mostly in a serial fashion. My wife hates that approach (she keeps her cars a minimum of 10 years), but has learned to live with it.

II Much was the exception. I owned that car for 9 years... way longer than any other car I've ever had.

jp

[Tony_SS]

John, your car came to mind when I posted. Disregarding any monetary gains, Any regrets with the sale?

I am the same way. I usually recycle my cars every year, keeping a rotating stock, while I'm not really a 'builder' per say, I am definitely not an owner or even a collector. I cant standing hoarding stuff. The things we own, own us.

The 79 Monte has been an exception too. I've had it about 6 years or so. I had an 80 Monte back in high school so there was some sentimental attachment when I got it.. but things change and to me, at this point its not there anymore.

I've never had sellers remorse at this point... but don't want to go there! I probably could find a place to store it off site, but again, whats the point???

[parsonsj]

I don't miss the car. Maybe because I got a replacement car (my 07 Z06), or maybe because I've got a customer's project car (69 Z/28). I've got one to drive, and one to work on. Perfect. For now. :)

jp

[Vegas69]

I have a custom bike that sits 99.9% of the time. One day I'm ready to sell it and the next..... For me it's losing half the investment on a paid for item. $50 a month in insurance is all it costs me. Is it worth the 6 rides a year. I'm not sure. LOL Can the money be spent somewhere more productive?

[Ron.in.SoCal]

I hear ya Todd. +1 on the custom scoot. Take that same principle and apply it to a custom boat. That market's dead, so after one try at selling it, I'll prob keep it. Heading your way next weekend to get it rolling for the summer...

[Vegas69]

Oh man, I bet the boat market stinks. I know the marina is a virtual ghost town compared to a few years ago. There was a time when the waiting list was a mile deep out there.

[Ishmael]

Which car are you really regretting letting go? Is it the 79 or the 80 you had in your youth? I regretted selling my old jeep before it was even sold. I tried to talk the guy out of buying it. He was bent on buying it - he didn't even have a ride home. I bought another to replace it last spring and I'm already ready to sell it for something else. It was the original one I loved and can't get back. Your 80 is gone. if you can go months without using the 79 or working on it, its probably time to let it go.

[Chevrolaine]

Use to have that problem but now I have indoor parking for 17 and can't afford to have any more than 3! :banghead:

[elitecustombody]

whatever you do,make sure to get top dollar, at least you won't feel too bad knowing you got good $$ for it . I regret literally giving away some cars I could have made some serious cash on ,if I kept them

[rednecknate]

you can have cars or room doesn't ever seem to have both i am In a house right now 6 car heated garage and havn't had any projects ive felt like building ... Now this month moving back to a small 3 car garage and ill have A nova project and 2 in the driveway ... Never fails...

[Bigblue73]

First thing that came to mind - add on to the garage. Are you anywhere near Fast Lane. I was talking to him last Sunday and he needs nice cars - just a thought. He could do the marketing for you.

[93Polo]

Hard to say, you just have to know. I've had my Chevelle since high school and threatened to sell it since about a year after I bought it, mostly to get something faster or fund a big build for whatever newer car I had at the time.

The last newer build was a '00 C5 Fixed Roof Coupe with heads, cam, big brakes etc. The sale was forced but I had reached majority of the goals with the car when I sold it. It could accelerate and stop with a C6 Z06 but something about the newer chassis made it boring. I have missed having something fast but not having C5/6.

Now I'm looking forward to building my Chevelle so I am glad I did not sell it. I can see both sides of the argument.

[Tony_SS]

First thing that came to mind - add on to the garage. Are you anywhere near Fast Lane. I was talking to him last Sunday and he needs nice cars - just a thought. He could do the marketing for you.

I'm a couple hours from Fast Lane. I'd rather not leave the car in his showroom. I guess he could pull top dollar if he offers financing though. Its not about the money, I dont need to sell. I just don't have the need for a car taking up space, that doesn't get used or worked on. I'm thinking ebay to see what the market will bring.. if I get a good price I see no reason to keep it really.

[dropit69]

i recently had 6 camaros ..now have 3 ..dont miss them a bit..made money on some broke even on oters..just to hard to keep up that many cars..

[mc84_zz4]

That's a tough one, if you can't enjoy the car, and you can part with it, market it until the right buyer $show$ up.
Or just change your perception to allow for a scuff or 2 and drive the car, the comfortable jeans theory, if you don't worry about things, nothing happens to them.
Your car is too cool an unique to dump. IMO.
Probable not being much help, I have owned mine 24 years now. My truck can sleep outside, even if it hails.

[MoonMan]

Hey Tony -

I think the fact that you're asking the question really is your answer. Sounds like you've lost the passion for your Monte and if that's the case you shouldn't regret selling it. Let someone else take it on that will have a new sense of appreciation for it. You've done a lot of nice work to it and you should be proud. Now just make sure you get top dollar for it!

[Ron L]

I've had this since 1989 and swore I'd never sell it. Daily driver through high school, work, and driving my daughter to pre-school. Now? More metalwork than I care to tackle. The more I disassembled it the more work I found I had to do.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/CIMG0481JPG-1.jpg

Well, last week became the "never" date.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/CIMG0560JPG-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/05/CIMG0561JPG-1.jpg


Someone said to me "Stalled projects look their best when gone". I feel relieved and don't miss it one bit. Someday I might but I think the '67 fastback has become the new '32 Ford. They won't be hard to build in the future, we've already got repro bodies, so what's next?

[CRCRFT78]

I would sell all of my cars to build my Nova (1st car). I just don't think I would get enough money for them to do anything significant to my Nova. I guess I feel they're worth more keeping than selling for a little bit of nothing to someone else. I would trade them for parts though.

[MrQuick]

sorry to hear Tony, but I gotta ask...the Suzuki replaced the monte??? Crazy...but I guess if it makes you happy. Gled you were able to get the car you want.

Me, I just find more places to keep them and go broke doing it.

RON L!!! I had no idea you were on this site. I don't know if you remember me but I asked you a few years ago(had to be 5-6 years ago maybe) if you wanted to sell the FB and you gave me a crazy look and said no. It was parked on the side of your house at the time. That was my dream car. I hope you got a great price for it.

We had one in the shop but a crazy Swede made an offer we could not say no to. In better hand I guess...although it left the states.


Vince

[Tony_SS]

No, it didn't really... I'm bored with the SBC g-body scene for now. Been there for awhile. I'm still not sure if I can sell the Monte yet.. I have a storage spot for it for now while I mess around with the Suzuki.

[Bigblue73]

I'm a couple hours from Fast Lane. I'd rather not leave the car in his showroom. I guess he could pull top dollar if he offers financing though. Its not about the money, I dont need to sell. I just don't have the need for a car taking up space, that doesn't get used or worked on. I'm thinking ebay to see what the market will bring.. if I get a good price I see no reason to keep it really.

Where are you located? I'm in Columbia. I was at FastLane on Saturday and the reason that I suggested in that he needs good quality cars. He's got a few exotically priced rides a very poor showing of muscle cars and street rods. Granted he's got some good starting point cars that need a ton of updates but nothing in the middle. I'm also aware of ton of muscle cars crossing the auction in Kansas City in the past month that have sold for next to nothing. People are needing cash I guess. A dealership here in Columbia picked up a really nice traditional styled '32 highboy for 14K. The paint needed some touch up but that's it and now it's leaving for Mecum tomorrow morning. You may be right in hanging on for the right buyer since you don't need to sell it.

[Charley Lillard]

I sold 3 cars at Barrett-Jackson in January. Two of them I had for about 10 years with lots of memories but I just wasn't driving them anymore. 6 months later and I don't miss them. I was done and there is a feeling of relief. I don't have to feel guilty about not driving them. If you get bored you can always find another car to fill the empty space.