I appreciate the many responses sent my way regarding the restoration of my
TR6. I obviously hit on a topic that everyone who has done a full restoration
can relate to.
As many of you have pointed out, my real problem is a lack of patience. There
is no doubt in my mind that I would prefer to own a car that I restored over
one that was simply purchased. My impatience problem started about two months
ago. I made my monthly detour on the way home from work to swing by a local
shop that specializes in British Leyland automobiles. I like to see examples
of the cars that they work on. Out in front of the shop that day was a perfect
blue/green TR250 with the top down. I walked around the car for 10 minutes.
Visions of owning and driving this car have been dancing around in my head
ever since. Now that I have calmed down somewhat, I realize that I have not
driven my car for 15 years, and I should be able to wait another 2 - 4 years.
I personally have a tendency to think and act in a very logical manner. For
example: calculating out the possible cost of a restoration before proceeding
with the project. Yet, I feel most alive when my decisions are based on
passion. Anyway, the passionate part of me says that 10K - 12K is not too much
to pay for the experience of restoring, owning and eventually driving my car.
The logical part of me goes along with this, as long as the results are a car
that is done correctly.
I am going to take the practical advice of Mr. Phil Barnes from our e-mail
list who wrote, “There is no cold, logical reason for embarking on one of
these projects. I'd recommend proceeding at a comfortable financial pace and
do the job right. In the end you'll be proud of the result”.
Take care,
John H. in Minneapolis
|