Dating and Classic Cars Part Deaux

"mikecyc72usa" (mikecyc72usa) 04/13/2015 at 18:41 • Filed to: Dating, Vintage cars, British, Triumph, Spitfire

5

21

In the last installment I talked about the difficulties of trying to date when you only drive classic cars. Granted, it can be difficult or even a red flag for some (The likes of which you are better off without anyway. Trust me.) for many reasons. Yet over the last few days I have thought about this, and there is another side: what driving a classic car represents to a potential date. Now, my "research" has mostly been conducted with British cars, with a Porsche thrown in for good measure.

In my very un-scientific research, I am of the belief that driving a classic car demonstrates the following character traits: determination, unfailing (eternal) optimism, commitment, resourcefulness, problem solving, courage, adventure, and being in the moment. Plus a make do attitude. Who wouldn't want to date someone with these traits? Think of the possibilities. If this person has the patience to restore an old car, let alone drive it every day, not much will rattle them.

Look at it this way. Would you rather date someone who has to keep trading whatever they have in for the latest model, or one who actually appreciates what they have and values it? Granted our culture has shifted towards the former. Hell, I firmly believe I could pull up to the W in downtown Austin in a Ferrari Daytona coupe and it'd be all but ignored because the latest LED lit, clear engine cover Lambo or Audi pulled up behind it. But that's really another discussion entirely.

Look! I'm even reading directions! Yes, I read manuals due to my love of cars. Typically the classic car owner is atypical in many things. To draw a comparison, if things get a bit tough in a relationship, potentially a classic car owner will be willing to work harder, try to come up with good solutions, and head problems off before they get monstrous, just like we do with our cars. It's the way we live.

Now I know there are plenty of classic driver/owners who are the exact opposite of what I claim. There has to be. However, in my 25 years plus of driving, racing, owning and restoring classic cars, most of the people I've met have been steady, devoted types. Self sufficient, dedicated, and doing what it takes to achieve the desired result. I won't say that it always makes financial sense to own and drive a classic, but it's also a release, therapy, and just fun for us.

Of course having the patience to rebuild an entire car, or the laid back style of not letting some water dripping on your leg bother you is no indicator that a person is worth dating. I understand many other factors come into play. But take an objective look at it. Someone who sticks with a temperamental car, that is sometimes mystifying, and does it with a smile may be worth a look. As long as sometimes them being dirty, or stopping on the side of the road to fix a problem while traveling is ok. Otherwise, I think that Nissan owner has some NASA designed seats that are empty.

If someone can't laugh at stuff like that, then they take life way too seriously, and can't live in the moment. No thank you.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > mikecyc72usa 04/13/2015 at 18:50

0

Depends, really.

I'm 24, and everytime i ask some of my non-gearhead girl friends they told me they would love some certain classic car, like Porsche 356 or Alfa Romeo Spider or Citroen DS.

mikecyc72usa > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 04/13/2015 at 19:26

1

They all say that, (I've been dating longer than you've been alive save for a marriage) but when it comes to actually riding in one, or you arriving in one on a hot summer day, they mostly change their attitudes for the worse. If they don't they are a keeper.

mikecyc72usa > mikecyc72usa 04/13/2015 at 19:29

1

I should add that those cars also imply a certain level of shall we say, economic stature?

RallyWrench > mikecyc72usa 04/13/2015 at 19:39

2

Classic cars with bench seats help.

NoneOfYourBiz > mikecyc72usa 04/13/2015 at 21:42

0

In my late 30s, I see the appeal of climate control, a non-bone-jarring ride and door sills that don't leak, as a daily driver.

That said, a coworker of mine in her 50s owns an MGB convertible with her husband. They're part of an MGB club that does little road trips when the weather's nice. I see the appeal of that too but it's not a daily driver; that's a weekend car, and as a club they carry enough spares and tools to fix any car that breaks down mid-cruise.

I would be wary of someone who was clinging a bit too tightly to a classic - especially as a daily driver - if it was a wildly impractical or unreliable vehicle.

wafflesnfalafel > mikecyc72usa 04/13/2015 at 22:53

1

I drove a 77 VW type II bus, the Kombi with no middle seat and fold out bed in the back, to the first date with my future wife, (and a blind date at that.) She didn't run away.

mikecyc72usa > NoneOfYourBiz 04/14/2015 at 00:02

1

My 1978 Spitfire has given me five years and about 75,000 solid miles. Every now and then it has had an issue, but none any modern car wouldn't have. It's small, so parking and downtown driving in Austin is a breeze. It gets decent mileage, is perfect for autocrossing, and meets my needs mostly. Except for lacking air conditioning and not being entirely weathertight with the soft top, but the hardtop solves that.

My Jag is incredibly practical and other than the head gasket, has been rock solid. The MGB will be fun to shake down once done.

Hi there > mikecyc72usa 04/14/2015 at 03:34

0

If you can afford to pay out the nose for the R-12 those old air conditioners can be made to blow snowballs on the 9th circle of Hell if you have an excellent automotive hvac friend and are kind of a freak about making sure it does not leak.

Hi there > mikecyc72usa 04/14/2015 at 03:40

1

I'm not as old as you, but my strategy is to not DD old cars. I did it for a while with a very high mileage '91 Civic hatch (just will not die [completely], almost 440k miles now) and after a while it can be a pain to rely on an old machine if your livelihood depends on being able to reliably motor around. Austin has better public transit than my town but still, having a car there is absurdly handy.

ESSSIX GmbH - Accountant/Wagon Thumper > mikecyc72usa 04/14/2015 at 09:18

1

Haha this was great! In fact Im going to forward this to my Fiancé (though she already accepts and appreciates my love for old cars). Currently Im driving a 1995 audi S6 avant, its plenty nice and creaky, but filled with character and style.

mikecyc72usa > Hi there 04/14/2015 at 11:19

0

Even converting them to modern refrigerant works well. But many cars never had AC. There are now kits to add AC for a few cars, but not many.

mikecyc72usa > Hi there 04/14/2015 at 11:21

0

Austin has abysmal public transit. To go the 17 miles from my place on the northwest corner of town to Whole Foods downtown, it's a two hour ride on the bus.

My idea of a classic car is pre fuel injection mostly. Hell the Spitfire has only three fuses.

mikecyc72usa > RallyWrench 04/14/2015 at 15:16

0

Yes, because hot sticky vinyl is a real attraction. Unless said car has working AC.

Hi there > mikecyc72usa 04/14/2015 at 20:23

0

It's still better than where I live/work/was reared. It may be bad, but not as bad as central AR. I got my degrees in Austin and witnessed it's superior public transportation 1st hand for some years. By means of being significantly younger than you that experience is ~fresh and encompasses a decent chunk of my life, as my older (by 12 years) brother got his doctorate there and I lurked with him during the summers in Austin to see if I'd like to get my nerdy degrees there as well. So, summers of 1998-2005 and year round 2008-2012.

Hi there > mikecyc72usa 04/14/2015 at 20:23

0

Make an overly industrious friend, fuck driving without AC at such latitudes.

mikecyc72usa > Hi there 04/14/2015 at 22:58

0

It would depend on where you're going if the transit is ok. I've been here since June 2006. Growing up 90 moles north of NYC, I could get from Poughkeepsie to Grand Central in the time it takes to get from Jollyville to downtown. Thus, my assertion that transit here is horrible at best.

mikecyc72usa > Hi there 04/14/2015 at 23:02

0

It's physically impossible to put AC on certain cars. I make a living working on them, and if possible I'd already have done it.

Hi there > mikecyc72usa 04/15/2015 at 02:37

0

That sucks, might want to consider moving to a more northerly lat.

mikecyc72usa > Hi there 04/15/2015 at 14:35

0

Sure, if you know of a place where I can earn at least 65k with free medical, dental and optical, I'll move.

Joleen > mikecyc72usa 08/17/2016 at 19:46

0

.... doing it wrong for 24 years ...

determination, unfailing (eternal) optimism, commitment, they all” attitude towards women who didn’t like something YOU said or did- dude it’s you, go check your blinker fluid

mikecyc72usa > Joleen 08/17/2016 at 21:51

0

Being told your classic car is an issue isn’t “doing it wrong”, nor is it an attitude towards women. It’s a woman who at first days it’s cool then renegs.

An object isn’t an attitude.