Rob, I love seeing your vehicles, and reading your articles! You have real, drivable vehicles with "character", not trailer queens, or Concours winners. Stuff I can relate too! I always do a basic maintenance check on my toys in the Spring before taking them out for a real drive. I check all fluids, and do a basic hose and fitting check, along with wiring check, not that I have ever had rodent issues... That first drive is always gentle, with the radio off so I can listen for odd noises. I breathe a sigh of relief when the drive is over without issue! But I completely agree with you, I love the feel and smell of my older rides. Reminds me of why I keep them, and enjoy them. Then the reality of 30+ year old sealing technology sets in with the normal wind noise, and classis NVH of an older vehicle. But, in all reality, 95% of the time I prefer that to modern cookie-cutter cars without a soul... If I'm going for a long drive, I would still rather take my '89 Dodge Daytona T-top, than my Dodge Journey.... Now, my wife would argue that, but that's a whole different conversation... 🙂
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