Watching Barrett-Jackson

[rogue]

I am a 100% addict to automobiles. I am not interested in a family, a white picked fence, or a nice home in any suburb. I want a warehouse where I can park my favorite cars next to the big screen and a bar where I can sit back with friends, have a drink and admire the beauty that has come out of the world's automotive marques in the comfort of my own living room.

I sit at home and watch things like the Barrett Jackson auction and think back to some of the cars that I have been lucky enough to work on, ride in, and enjoy throughout my short 26 years. A friend had a 1970 Chevrolete Chevelle with an LS-6. 20k Miles on the meter, yellow with black stripes. There was nothing more entertaining to me in high school than driving in that car and watching the cowl hood raise up as the throttle was hammered. Everyone looked at that car, they knew the car had serious balls. It was rolling history. It brought smiles to everyones face.

I think back about that 1970 Chevelle and I consider it a major contributing factor to my addiction to automotobiles. My friend trusted me enough to let me borrow the car on occasion in exchange for my 89 Bronco, which he would use to move stuff or help out his family. During those brief experiences with that car, I fell in love with the horsepower, the rumble through the seat rails, the cowl hood, the subtle intimidation factor when you pulled up next to a modern muscle car at a light.

My friend eventually had the car painted jet black, put a Pro-Street hoodscoop on it, and threw a 468ci motor in it. Over a period of 4 years I watched him ruin the car. I begged him to keep the cowl hood and the factory paint, and he had other plans. He sold the car for $12,500 to another friend whom sold it for $14000 after some rear end work.

I just watched that original numbers matching car sell for over $70,000 on Barrett Jackson and I cannot contain myself. I feel the need to call and yell, but I will behave myself and sit here in awe of the value that car brought. I knew muscle cars had a special quality, but I was too young to understand the true long term value of that quality.

I have one too many automotive dreams that I have not followed up upon, 2005 is THE year, and my 300c has provided me quite a bit of momentum to move foreward toward that goal of a warehouse with my favorite cars parked next to that big screen.

Can you imagine how clean those cars will be if I am forced to look at them every night while watching the evening news? I can't wait!

[HEMEEE]

rogue, you and my husband would be a dangerous combination...

He has many stories about the "one that got away" like the one you just told. He often can't tear himself away from Barrett-Jackson, especially the marathons, which he watches on our 65" widescreen, and we always have cold ones in the frig. What really grabbed me about your post though, was the warehouse mention... a retired friend of ours bought a large warehouse in Santa Clarita, where he keeps his streetrod collection and allows some of his friends to keep theirs there as well. They all gather to wrench on their cars, bench race, clean & polish, kick tires and plan the next rod run... or watch TV and do nothing at all... EVERY weekend! My husband can hardly wait to retire so he can join their ranks!

But know this: you CAN mix family with car addiction, you don't have to give up one for the other. We're living proof, and I'm as certifiable as he is (I've gotten worse since getting my C!). The night hubby and I met (in a bar ) he asked where I would want to go on our first date, IF I were to consent to go out with him; reply- Saugus Speedway... he said that did it. A week later he called and asked me to dinner and the races but, when he came to pick me up, I had a home-cooked dinner on the table for him... he said that REALLY did it. He asked me to marry him 3 weeks later!!

...and they lived happily ever after

[5point7]

You can absolutely mix family with your car habit, however, you will have much more money to spend on auto's if you decide no kids.

I think about having MANY different cars, and I've owned about 30 since I was 18. The only really notable..a bone stock original 69 GTO. I sold it the day before my son was born almost 9 years ago as I was also opening a business at the time. Yep, I want that one back. In the younger years, I was always a GM fan. Now, I'd have to say I dont prefer any of the brands - I love old GM's (Esp. old Pontiacs - and yes, the new GTO is a joke IMHO, you can't just throw HP under a hood and rename it a classic), I LOVE my 94 Mustang and old Fords, and I love old Mopar's now.

A few car's that would be in my stable? Hemi Super Bird, Eleanor, and a 69 GTO Judge Ram Air IV Convertible - One of each of the Big 3's best!

**Linda, great story!

[pd171]

Originally Posted by HEMEEE

rogue, you and my husband would be a dangerous combination...

He has many stories about the "one that got away" like the one you just told. He often can't tear himself away from Barrett-Jackson, especially the marathons, which he watches on our 65" widescreen, and we always have cold ones in the frig. What really grabbed me about your post though, was the warehouse mention... a retired friend of ours bought a large warehouse in Santa Clarita, where he keeps his streetrod collection and allows some of his friends to keep theirs there as well. They all gather to wrench on their cars, bench race, clean & polish, kick tires and plan the next rod run... or watch TV and do nothing at all... EVERY weekend! My husband can hardly wait to retire so he can join their ranks!

But know this: you CAN mix family with car addiction, you don't have to give up one for the other. We're living proof, and I'm as certifiable as he is (I've gotten worse since getting my C!). The night hubby and I met (in a bar ) he asked where I would want to go on our first date, IF I were to consent to go out with him; reply- Saugus Speedway... he said that did it. A week later he called and asked me to dinner and the races but, when he came to pick me up, I had a home-cooked dinner on the table for him... he said that REALLY did it. He asked me to marry him 3 weeks later!!

...and they lived happily ever after

Sounds like yall were made for each other. I was watching the Barrett-Jackson auctions at one this morning. Most of us 50+'s probably have some stories about great cars that got away. I actually gave away my 69 Roadrunner to my Dad. If we only knew.

[james jefferson]

Originally Posted by HEMEEE

rogue, you and my husband would be a dangerous combination...

He has many stories about the "one that got away" like the one you just told. He often can't tear himself away from Barrett-Jackson, especially the marathons, which he watches on our 65" widescreen, and we always have cold ones in the frig. What really grabbed me about your post though, was the warehouse mention... a retired friend of ours bought a large warehouse in Santa Clarita, where he keeps his streetrod collection and allows some of his friends to keep theirs there as well. They all gather to wrench on their cars, bench race, clean & polish, kick tires and plan the next rod run... or watch TV and do nothing at all... EVERY weekend! My husband can hardly wait to retire so he can join their ranks!

But know this: you CAN mix family with car addiction, you don't have to give up one for the other. We're living proof, and I'm as certifiable as he is (I've gotten worse since getting my C!). The night hubby and I met (in a bar ) he asked where I would want to go on our first date, IF I were to consent to go out with him; reply- Saugus Speedway... he said that did it. A week later he called and asked me to dinner and the races but, when he came to pick me up, I had a home-cooked dinner on the table for him... he said that REALLY did it. He asked me to marry him 3 weeks later!!

...and they lived happily ever after

at least he didnt take you bowling on first date.

[II kings 9:20]

My wife of 6 yrs is now "into" cars, she looks forward to going to the F1 race in Indy, and we spent a romatic evening drooling over the art on Barrett-Jackson last night (thank heaven for Speedvision). I can't wait to take the kids to indy, shows, and teach them to work on cars the way I learned from my dad. It is a family thing for sure, ever notice you meet the nicest people at classic car shows. I am putting my C in the Chrysler show befor the Mopar Nationals in the spring.

[midwestrc]

Linda... Umm .... If things dont work out with you and the hubby.... maybe you could ummmmmm.... CALL ME? Ha Ha

I love the Barret Jackson Auctions as well. Actually I wouldnt mind heading down there on a golf trip one year and spend the weekend there at the auction looking at the cars.

I continually tell my wife if we hit the lotto, it had better be a big one, cuz the cars I like, it wont last long if it isnt! I grew up idolizing the Vettes of the 60's. 63 Split window, 67 427/435 - sexy hood!, and why not a 69 or 70 427 as well.... just because. But the sickness doesnt stop at Chevy's. I too am not partial to any brand. Slide me in a nice 67(?) GT500 and I might just sleep in it for a week! By far, possibly the sexiest muscle car IMO! Super Bee's, Road Runners, Charger, Challenger, I would want one of them all! And thats just the muscle car era.... I also love the modern Italian cars... I can honeslty say, it would need to be a BIG warehouse and a BIG lotto win!

There is a guy and his brother in my town that have a huge, top notch car collection. One prefers newer cars, the other older muscle cars. I havent seen the entire collection, but I routinely see the Burgundy Saleen S7 parked at his business. He purchased the very first S7 sold to the public! I also know theres a F40 and I think and F50 in there too... God forbid I would ever get a chance to see them all... I might try and get adopted!

[HEMEEE]

Originally Posted by midwestrc

Linda... Umm .... If things dont work out with you and the hubby.... maybe you could ummmmmm.... CALL ME? Ha Ha

That story took place 5 kids and many, many cars ago so I think we're in for the long haul... sorry! lol