For me owning and driving a vintage car represents an bit of a paradox. First, we are all quite spoiled by the "new" cars we tend to drive everyday. No matter how hard I try, it is difficult to avoid carrying over some of those expectations to my old cars. We all know what they are. I currently have a few cars that are not daily drivers, including a couple from the 60s and 70s which I absolutely love! When I am able to take any of the cars out to drive or to a car cruise, etc., I am very proud of them and really enjoy sharing the cars and the histories with others. But here is what inevitably happens; when a week or two go by and I am not out driving them, and get really anxious to take one out on the open road and enjoy the ride. When I am out driving them, all I can think about is how to make them better. It is rare for me not to have some kind of "to-do" list after going out for a drive. Mostly minor things, but they add up, to a point where I will start to avoid going out again until I get most of the "to-do" list done, only to come up with a few more items to add to the list. Don't get me wrong, I like working on them too, but the pursuit of perfection is a bit ridiculous, and it really gets in the way of total enjoyment. I am smart enough to know that my expectations are not completely realistic, but that is little consolation when I stare at the list and know I can still make some improvements. It is the reason I tell people that a restoration project, not matter how extensive or limited it may be, is never done. So what should I do? That's the paradox, but there is no way I would ever give up on the hobby, I just enjoy it too much, even when it is frustrating. I guess these are the pros and cons.
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