Late night ramblings

"whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU" (whiskey-business)
02/18/2015 at 23:52 • Filed to: None

I have a problem. Being an avid reader of this site, a car enthusiast, and just a bit nutty in general, I'm planning a budget car build with my dad for this summer. I have a pretty solid vision of what I want to do, have the money and time to do it over the summer, and things seem to be all in line.

However, I'm the black sheep in the family. I'm the only one with any sort of love for cars. To the rest of them, I'm just the crazy kid on his laptop reading forums, playing Gran Turismo, and checking Craigslist Cars and Trucks a few too many times. Has anyone else found themselves the only one in their life into cars? And how can you help/make your loved ones understand?

I apologize for the tremendous amounts of feelings and mushy-gushy stuff in this post, its far past my bedtime. A Reliant Robin racing league for your time.

DISCUSSION (31)

Nibby > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
02/19/2015 at 00:00

My dad is into cars as well, but not as much as I am... and we like completely different vehicles.

TopSirloin > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
02/19/2015 at 00:04

I'm the same way, and have a dad that really just isn't a car guy. He'll recognize the greatness of something that's a classic or exotic, etc.. but to this day I wish we had that father/son classic car build going in the garage when I was growing up. Suffice to say, these people have been on this planet much longer than you, and are not likely to all of sudden find a passion for something like cars the way you have. Maybe they'll fake it. Not to be a debbie downer or anything.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
02/19/2015 at 00:04

If you're doing it with your dad what's the problem? I'm the only one in my family who is really into cars, but they don't have a problem with it. My dad like old cars to an extent but not enough to go actually buy one (he bought himself a Malibu in 2008, it has 45,000 miles on it). That being said we've done some car stuff together purely as a father/son thing. He helped me work on my shitty EF Civic when I was 19 and a few years later we did a Factory Five Build School for fun.

You don't need to share your passions with your family, they're yours and that should be enough. My mothers loves knitting and weaving, my father likes writing history papers about 19th century Detroit and my sister likes the Real Housewives. I could care less about all of these things, and they don't care that I don't care. You're thinking about this too hard.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
02/19/2015 at 00:07

You are likely right, I'm thinking much too hard. But this would be the first father/son thing. . . ever. Not to mention something he doesn't really care about. I guess time will tell.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > TopSirloin
02/19/2015 at 00:10

You pretty much nailed it. I hope for the prior, but expect the latter. Its funny though, he has one of the more interesting car histories I'm aware of, all fun, manual, stripper model cars. But for the last 20 years or so, automatic FWD American sedans. Beigeville.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Nibby
02/19/2015 at 00:10

What kind of cars are you guys into?

Hi, I'm Troy McClure > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
02/19/2015 at 00:17

Was in a pretty similar situation to you. When I was 17 I was crawling all over the internet searching for a car to buy for my first set of wheels. Eventually went with a 1973 Volvo 1800ES because my dad had remembered hitch hiking in one while in high school. Drove it for a couple months, then fixed up a garage space in my dad's barn and we did a light restoration. Few years after that I bought a 1969 Ford Bronco, drove it maybe a couple hundred feet and then tore into it with an all new power train, brakes, paint, etc. For me at least, my family saw how much I loved it once I got the car. I think when I first said I wanted to work on cars they figured it was just one of those things that you say you're gonna do but don't actually follow through on. It really is so incredibly enjoyable, but it's also a huge commitment of time and money (more than you expect) and I know I wouldn't have been able to do it without my parents help getting me started with some tools and providing a place to work. But it's a gift that you'll have forever and once you can fix a car, you can really learn to fix anything else around your house. Sorry to blabber on, I understand the mushy-gushy stuff, cars are incredibly emotive possessions. What kind of cars are you looking at?

Scary__goongala! > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
02/19/2015 at 00:23

My brother is into cars, he isn't on here much of all but he is an Opponaut and he turned me toward this place. But he isn't nearly obsessed as I am. Other than us nobody in my whole family is into the automotive world. My first/last car a 83' 300TD annoyed the hell out of my parent's because my neighbor GAVE it to me after it had been sitting for years. So they didn't like the fact I was spending money on it. But they supported me because they knew it was something I was passionate about and because thats what parents do. But I like to remind my dad of how he told me he didn't buy a GNX when they were new because he thought he would get too many speeding tickets. haha

Nibby > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
02/19/2015 at 00:24

I'm into wagons, luxo-barges, proper trucks and body on frame SUVs, and not really big on sports cars.

He likes higher end sports cars and fullsize SUVs (I guess that's one we have in common)

Officer Jim Lahey is not a real cop > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
02/19/2015 at 00:28

Same position here—I'm from a big family and somehow I'm the only one with any automotive inclination. Plus I moved across the country and don't know too many people out here.

But I'm planning to start autocrossing this spring, so I hope to meet some like-minded people.

Bonus: My girlfriend's support-she even got me a helmet for Christmas!

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Officer Jim Lahey is not a real cop
02/19/2015 at 00:46

You have the same hopes as me! I want to start autocrossing to meet fellow car guys, but my DD is woefully equipped for such an event. Hence wanting a fun car.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Nibby
02/19/2015 at 00:48

Different strokes for different folks, I guess. Its cool to see someone into big American metal when most of what you hear about is the sportier stuff!

Officer Jim Lahey is not a real cop > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
02/19/2015 at 00:54

Hopefully your plans work out this summer!

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Hi, I'm Troy McClure
02/19/2015 at 00:54

No, thank you for blabbering, its actually quite relieving that there are success stories! As far as cars go, I'm really big on older japanese stuff (read early 80's), but as I'm on a pretty tight budget and parts are more scarce for that kinda stuff, I'm starting to look into pony cars from the same era. I think I've decided on a 3rd Gen Camaro, but you know how looking for cars online goes.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Officer Jim Lahey is not a real cop
02/19/2015 at 00:55

Kinja'd!!!

Fingers crossed. Will post updates if events transpire.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Scary__goongala!
02/19/2015 at 00:57

Little did they know if properly kept that car will see the next ice age haha. My hopes are that I'll get the same begrudging support that you did. Thanks for the encouragement!

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
02/19/2015 at 01:16

Pretty much the same deal here. Fortunately I have a couple of friends who are really into cars (though not so much time to do much about it) and the rest at least understand that I'm totally into them.

Even if your dad isn't into it per se, as long as he's there to participate and appreciates your passion for the process, it can be a great bonding experience. If nothing else, it's a chance to make some memories. And he'll probably even be proud to see what you can do.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > NotUnlessRoundIsFunny
02/19/2015 at 01:26

You know, that is an excellent way to look at it. Might just try doing that myself.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
02/19/2015 at 02:31

I guess I'm pretty lucky because I've got 3 generations of car guys in my family. Myself being probably the most obsessed with cars but my dad and grandfather definitely played a part in the hobby being part of me. We all happen to like the same things too. Trucks, SUV's, American brands, racing, and some sports/muscle/pony cars. Definitely glad that is how it is for me. Having people sharing the passion with you.

E. Julius > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
02/19/2015 at 03:02

I'm kind of in a similar situation. My mom likes to talk about cars, but at the end of the day she cares more about having something comfortable than exciting. My dad likes cars, but not enough to get anything super interesting. He has a Golf TDI, which is about as fun as I think you could get when aiming for a high MPG vehicle for a super long commute, but his hobby stuff mostly includes his motor cycle, stereo equipment, mountain biking, and doing work on the house. That being said, we worked together fixing up some things on our sailboat last summer and I had an absolute blast doing it with him, so I hope you can find something to share with your dad.

I'm also hoping to buy a motorcycle for myself this summer so we can maybe do a little riding together. I think the important thing here is give and take. If you show a little interest in somebody else's hobby and try and get involved (I try to go mountain biking with my dad as well every once in a while), they'll probably be more willing to get involved with your stuff. Best of luck!

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
02/19/2015 at 08:40

Meh, it can't be that bad if you're going to be working on it with your dad. It's not like my situation where for years I was afraid of getting into a project because I didn't grow up in a family with any kind of mechanical adeptness. Eventually I just bought a cheap old MR2 and started rebuilding it. Turns out it's not that hard if you're willing to put the time in.

Hi, I'm Troy McClure > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
02/19/2015 at 12:37

Parts availability is a huge deal. Because you never really know whats going to be busted until you start wrenching on it. In addition, a few things will become busted because you're wrenching on it haha. Check forums out for that kind of stuff, I know the plethora of forums available for early Broncos was a huge improvement from working on the old Volvo, generally my question had already been asked and answered every issue I went to trouble-shoot.

Also, working on cars is so much fun to do with other people that sometimes your friends or family will just want to help out of curiosity. Hell, I even got my girlfriend to help me with a stereo and windshield install on the Bronco and she can't even drive!

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > E. Julius
02/19/2015 at 12:41

Your advice makes a lot of sense to me, I'll have to give that a shot. Thanks for the well wishes, and best of luck with your endeavors as well!

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
02/19/2015 at 12:41

It sounds like you lucked out, its an awesome feeling to be around people who love the same thing.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
02/19/2015 at 12:47

Well, I'm from a family of little mechanical inclination as well, so I can relate. The only reason he's along for the ride is because I asked, neither him nor I have a lot of experience with cars, but working at a bike shop for a few years taught me some basic mechanical things. Gotta love those old MR2's though, was it an AW11?

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
02/19/2015 at 12:48

Yep, it's an AW11. I love it. Now that the chassis is sorted, it handles like nothing I've ever driven before. It's like a go-kart, but better.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > Hi, I'm Troy McClure
02/19/2015 at 12:50

That's awesome that other people came around to help you! And forums are a huge part of my interest in cars, there are so many knowledgeable, helpful people to be found. Parts availability is pretty much ideal for SBC cars, which is why I'm looking into 3rd Gen Camaros.

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
02/19/2015 at 12:51

I've heard nothing but great things about them. Would love to drive one someday.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
02/19/2015 at 13:34

Even working on them is easy. The thing's simple. The only thing that's a challenge is getting at some parts of the engine since it's transversely mounted in the middle of the car, but the engines in these are pretty much unkillable, so it's not that big of a deal. Normal tuneup maintenance is no problem. I'm dreading the day when I have to change a water pump, though...

RustedSprinter > whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU
02/19/2015 at 18:55

Reliant Racing Team? Thats mind blowing! Do they each have a guy to pick them up when they tip over?

whiskeybusiness NOW A DANGER TO CROWDS NEAR YOU > RustedSprinter
02/19/2015 at 20:13

I don't know, but I'm sure people only watch it for the crashes!