Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

Today I wanted to show the previous owner of my Model A all the work I did to his car a year later, when I arrived at his home I was told he died of cancer 6 months ago. Use and enjoy your cars, we are not here forever.

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

Very True. Such a Sad Story.
One of the reasons I borrowed from my 401k to buy mine.
If you wait to long for "Someday", you just may find "Someday never comes".

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

Treat each day like it is your last because it could be. Today is the first day of the rest of your life !
, Wayne

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

I've worked hard and we never know what time you've got left so I'm gonna enjoy. My dad saved so he and mom could travel,and when he did , mom paste away. So guys make every day count

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

Tomorrow trap.

I have a pal same age as me says he's gunna live til 110, and has never been anywhere or built anything... got no idea what his memories are when he is wheelchair or bedridden.

Do it NOW, while you can.

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

The past couple of months we lost two guys in our car group, both guys really enjoyed their cars and both drove the wheels off of them.

The upside these two guys lived their dreams while here. of course we will miss them but they were a very good example of how to enjoy the car hobby, believe me their cars were not garage queens.

I drive my cars, yes even in the rain so I do follow their example, my suggestion is to enjoy your car and do not worry so much about passing them on, respect and maintain your car and above all enjoy the car, always remember your car was made to drive. :)

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

None of us are getting out of here alive

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

you're dead a long time.......

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

I'm going to live forever..........so far, so good.

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

The "Tomorrow Trap" That's a good one, Pooch. Sadly, It describes most of civilization. Similar to what you might call the "Goal Trap". The fixation on setting and achieving goals (very Western) at the expense of being fully engaged and in tune with the daily process, the task at hand - you know, actual living.

Regarding your A, drive it! Don't be afraid to drive it in the rain and the snow. Don't be afraid of scratching or chipping the paint. Don't be afraid to let children bounce on the seats and crank on the steering wheel. Don't be afraid. It's a tough little car and it can handle it, can you? If you can't, perhaps your A should be placed in a museum behind a velvet rope.

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

When my father was in hospital dying of cancer at age 62, he told me to not wait until I retired to have my fun, have fun now. I got a license plate for my 48 ford hot rod that said "fun now". I am now about 70, and have several medical issues, and plenty of surgery, but I started having fun in 1981, when he died. I hope to be around for a while longer, but we all know there is not only no guarantee, but no set date to go. I try to have a good day every day, and we go once a week to a museum or art show, or car show, or something. Yesterday we went to a truck museum. Have fun NOW.

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

There's a boat on the river where we live named "Someday Came". Seems the owner realized waiting for that "someday" will never come if we wait too long!

Glen

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

My folks are 88yrs old , my dad loves Model T Fords, builds and drives them rain or shine, they are not show cars they are drivers! Drive them he does! They go for rides just to enjoy. They may drive 20 miles for ice cream or Wendy's.
I drove the 26 Touring around 700 miles this summer. He gave it to me a year and a half ago,and does his heart good to see me enjoy it!
Life is too short, make the best of it!

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

I doodled around & ALMOST talked myself out of buying Minerva, glad I didn't! When Pat had Dementia, she was like a different person, when we ZIPPED around in the car. She always had our Rubber Chicken & would LAFF & BANG it on the door!! She was once banging on my knee with PANIC on her face, she dropped it! I burned a "U" in the gravel & retrieved it, I was her "HERO" of the day!
Bill W.

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

While I was student teaching I took my 1930 coupe to school to let the 1st grade class I was woking with check it out. I pulled it onto the playground and let them have at it!:eek:

No damage, but every square inch of the car was COVERED with little finger prints! If my coupe could speak I think it would say, "Best Day Ever!"

I wound up teaching middle school science for the next 35 years. Too many zippers to zip, buckles to buckle, and laces to tie at the first grade level for me.

For all those 35 year I would tell my kids, "Plan like you were going to live forever, but live each day like it was your last, because nobody can guarantee you a tomorrow." Then I'd quickly go on to explain that didn't mean to go crazy, but just to don't put off hugging your parents or siblings and telling them you loved them. :D

I'm convinced that my model A will help me live longer, since I refuse to go until I finish my tudor! And at times it seems that will take forever! :D

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

I like working on Model A's but I love driving them. We have over 80,000 miles on our Phaeton and it really has not been much work keeping it running and stopping well. You just need to pay attention to what the car needs to operate well. So I agree...Life is too short, use and enjoy your car.
Good Day!

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

I stopped by Maysville last week to check on my friend Benny Bohannon. I'd been lax in getting by to see him since that email a few years back about his condition.

Benny looks great, shop still doing top notch work. I hope that I'm as positive as Benny when I get some bad news....

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

At age 76, 2 years ago, I had a stroke. Long story that I won't bother you with but the point is I've lost 2+ years of driving my A's. Just now getting where I can drive them. Still have hopes of driving at Bonneville again, if only the weather gods cooperate! In the window of my wide-bed I have a sign that says "made of genuine Ford steel, OK to touch" I retired 21 years ago, best thing I ever did! Life has been great and I hope it remains so.

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

My parents died from natural causes when I was 21, they were 61 and 59. This within 6 months of each other. I'm 58 and since they've been gone I've tried to pack in a lot of living and experiences while I'm here. I had a career and also worked in other jobs for the experience. I drive my A alot. I ride my MC's alot. I've travelled alot. If I have an interest in something I do it alot. As a post above said "your dead along time" Good health to us all, but don't sit around thinking about what you could be doing. Try and do it. I also plan on spending my money on my wife and I, with small remembrance's going to my kids and grandkids. Oh yea, make a will!

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

My dad and mom were going to retire at 55 and buy a large sail boat to sail the world. My dad was a almost famous sail boat racer. My mom died of cancer at 56, she suffered for almost 2 years. My wife's dad died at 48.
We have no children and both have (had) good jobs and have enjoyed life.

We have a 57 Chevy hot-rod a 40 Chevy and now a 30 A p/u to enjoy. At 60, I feel my time is short and want to drive the wheels off the A before it's too late.

On the other hand, a friends 28 year old son wants a car, his dad told him it was a waste of money. I'm trying to change that idea in him with my cars. :D

Go enjoy, life is short, make the most of it. When they bury me I want them to say, he just wore out..

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

"I spent all my money on women and cars. The rest I just wasted."
anonymous

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

I lived for the day, but also planed for tomorrow. Been blessed with a great professional career which I retired from 8 years ago at 63. Made enough to enjoy life and also save so that I can enjoy life after I no longer worked. Money is not the root of all happiness but it helps. Always been a car guy, and so is my son and now my young grand kids are following right in my footsteps. Have a bunch of newer vehicles, and a classic '65 Mustang FB but drive my A's every chance I can, usually with a grand kid in the passenger seat. Have 3 of them now a '29 coupe, '29 CCPU and the latest addition a '31 AA flatbed. No plans on selling any of them and maybe in the future a Tudor. I may be gone tomorrow, but it has been a great ride. I have met some wonderful people in the Model A community, and for that I am grateful.. Live for today and Happy Motoring!

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

When I lived in Hawaii, I would see seniors getting off their flight from the CONUS, look around and say "Why didn't we do this when we were young" and then say "I need a nap" At that time I was driving a 57 Tbird and a 58 Impy. My bud had an A Fodor

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

I was going to build my car from the ground up....she was a diamond in the rough ..I started to take it apart and my brother said drive it have some fun ..well my mom was getting up in age and I decided she was going for a drive in it ..so it took a year or so to get it up and running ...well I got her out for a few drives ..she passed at 93 this spring and it was worth all the time I spent on it... I have so much fun in that old car and glad it's not perfect .......Drive them and keep the family close that's all we have

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

Gee so very sad.. I keep in touch from the very nice Gentleman I purchased my car from. He's got a nice collection of cars and was happy to get updates on his old A.

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

About 10 years ago I took my 30 pickup to my stepdads and turned him loose on it,he was 79. He enjoyed that truck everyday until I took the Tudor to him. He loved the Tudor. At 82 he slowed down a bit,so whenever I picked up another A or T I took them buy there.
Best thing I ever did. He Passed at 90. I used to take my Grand Pa for rides in my 51 Studebaker truck, He loved it! My Mom is 87 she rides in my 31 coupe some but it's not a big deal to her. Great Times
Myself...Most know I retired at the end of summer at 56,New shop is almost finished. So far this week,Painted ceiling,took neighbors out on a 30 mile boat ride,went picking and sat. I'm helping tear down a old barn for the Tin roof and wood! Next week the Bicycle gets back out.

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

Do it NOW !
At 75 my son and I went through the Performance Driving Course at Brainerd International Raceway. We had a ball and doing it together was priceless!
Three weeks later I had a heart attack.
Do it NOW !!!!!

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

I moved from the LA/Orange county area to the Northern California foothills about 9 years ago. I built a big heated garage, restored another Model A, and spend most days maintaining my collection. I drive all my Model As regularly and I'm about half done with my 6th Model A restoration. I'm slowing down some, but still having a great time. Life is good.

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

Bunnyc,

That quote was from W.C. Fields.

I'd like add my experience to the topic. My wife bought a Model A Roadster in the early '70's and it sat in our garage. About two years ago she was having lunch with an old friend from high school. My wife mentioned that we were going to restore her A and her friend said "what are you waiting for, we haven't got much time left!" I was 74 and my wife was 71, so we joined the local Model A club in JanuarY 2014. One of the guys from the club came over to look at the car and said "this going to take along time and a lot of money to get it running."

Right then we decided to buy a running car to enjoy. I was lucky to find a car in Orange County and we bought her 29 Roadster on Valentine's day 2014. She was able to dive it for about a year. Unfortunately, her rumatoid arthritis has made it more difficult for her to drive , so for the past year, I hve drivenwhen we go out.

David Serrano

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

Jim, you are an inspiration to all. Thank you for all you have done for our love of Four Bangers. May you have another 30 yrs. I would love to see you back at Bonneville.

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

Some day we will all die.
All the other days we won't.

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

I will never be as young as I am today so I will try to do the things I want to do today.

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

I concur, Jim has done so much for our hobby and is a genuine nice guy!

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

I'm 84. My 1930 CCPU I am restoring is called "Pea Cup."

My goal for living is 93, which would match my Grandpa's age when he died.

I look at life this way..

Exercise! Pea Cup keeps me pretty busy..
Eat the right stuff
A little red wine
Some dark chocolate
Food with vinegar
Get the proper rest.. Like a short daily nap ;)
Be totally honest.

What's nice about the Pea Cup, two of my kids want it! BUT! They're gonna hafta wait till ole Dad has driven the wheels off of it and lived to be a hundred!

Message? ALWAYS have a positive attitude! Now, who gets Pea Cup?

Larry

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

I am not going until I can take it all with me. Until then I will treat every day as the last.

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

For many, many years I restored old motorcycles, later branching off into WW2 military vehicles like Jeeps. All through that time, my Dad would say "why don't you get a Model A?". I'd always tell him sooner or later I would, but unfortunately, my Dad died unexpectedly before I ever got around to getting one. Now I have three, but almost every time I look at them, I think how nice it would have been if he could have ridden around in one with me.

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

Friend sold his car several years ago and he got curious about it. He found the current owner and gave them all the information on his car. Today he sent me an email that the owner had gotten the car a couple of months back and he was well pleased with it. Christmas he told his wife they should take it for a ride. They did and she noticed that he looked like he wasn't feeling well. when they returned home he asked her to just sit in the car with him for a bit. They did and he closed his eyes. She thought he had gone to sleep, but he had passed away, just the way he always wanted to, sitting in his Model A.

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

WC Fields I think.

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

At 53, I have certainly seen enough misfortune to appreciate each day. Best decision was to have a running model a to enjoy and we drive it a lot! Still working very hard and probably too much but need to get the kids through college and on their way. Always good to be reminded the value of today:)

Re: Life is too short, use and enjoy your cars
 

My Dad (driving the 40B in the picture) promised himself he would retire at 55. After several postponements, he died still working at 62. Determined, I retired at 55, 25 years ago. My wife promised me she would not let me die until I finished the Model A project. Before I finished the Fordor, bought a '29 Cabriolet to do which isn't done yet. Got another A project lined up to buy -- before I finish the 68A....................

Gar Williams