Goodbye to a friend.

[Itoldyouso]

Nobody died, but this week I made a big decision. Dan and I went to the Street Rod Nationals in Tampa, and..............I sold my 23 T.

I started thinking about it a week ago because of several things. First of all, we are out of room in our shop and my 23 has been encroaching on Don's area for the past 3 years since I got it done. To work on his stuff he has to move it outside every time, and that isn't very fair to him. Secondly, how many roadsters does one person need? My 27 is almost done and I have had that car for over 20 years, so I would never part with it. Finally, my Honda daily driver is starting to become problematic............it has been flawless up until the last few months, but then everything started going bad on it. Time to replace it, and the money from the 23 will help out there.

It was a VERY hard decision, and Dan was trying to talk me out of it right up until it sold. Don, on the other hand, doesn't have the same attachment to his cars, and seems to get a new one every year or so. He understood why I had made this decision and supported it.

So, today we drove to Tampa in the T for the last time, and put a for sale sign on it. By 11:00 a guy called me and wanted to talk. He made me an offer, and it was just lower than I had in mind, so I had to say no. Then a guy comes walking up and says "I see what you are asking for the T, and you are WAY underpriced, your car is worth a whole lot more." (I couldn't have scripted it better if I had paid the guy. ) So the guy who offered me the money agreed to meet my price, and we shook hands. He paid me and is picking it up next week. Another guy came up and wanted to give me a deposit right there, but the first guy had already bought it. I prefer to keep the final price between me and the new owner, but he got a good car at a good price, and I was ok with my portion.

Driving home was kind of a happy yet sad affair. I know some people turn their cars over like dirty laundry, but I don't. I become very attached to these dumb steel toys, and surprised myself in even considering selling it.

Part of my good memories of this car is the fun I had during the 1 and 1/2 years it took to build it and the suggestions, jokes, cartoons, ribbing, and a few pets thrown in, that all of you provided during that time. You all made this a special project for me and I thank all of you for that.

But, as soon as my 27 is done (should take a few more weeks) I want to dig into the 29 RPU based on the body Dan gave me when his project took another direction. The Olds engine and TH 350 transmission are all built and ready to install, so I only need to get some of Dan and Dons time to crank out another frame so I can get this one going.

Sorry for the lengthy story, and thanks for reading it.

Don

I think having these two young ladies demonstrating the car really helped seal the deal.

[Hombre259]

Don, I feel your pain , Always sad to see and Old Friend go, but sometimes its just what needs to be done. There's always another car and another time. Don't look back and second guess whats already done look forward. Besides you have a lot of tin you need to get to, even that fat fendered Ford setting in the corner may just be that new friend, yet to be.

Roland

[jyardgirl]

I also know how you feel. but sometimes we have to make room in our lives for something new.

[Jack F]

Don,

I know how you feel. I have sold a few rods that I have wished I didn't but they are long gone and I have gotten over them. None even came close to your 23, But one car I will never sell (never say never) is my 34. It will go to one of the kids or grand kids, or the widow will sell it. 44 years is too long to think about selling it now.

Jack.

[35fordcoupe]

Don, you're 23 T build thread is the main reason I was roped into this site. it was about the time I started building my car and before that I hadn't started posting much. Sorry to see it go, but I look forward to the next ones

[Ken Thurm]

Wow Don, that is really a surprise! Well I can't wait to see more progress on the truck.
Ken

[lamin8r]

Don,was there a car in that photo??
The only car I miss is the 65 Dodge Monaco,I built,,probably the engine more than anything though,,451ci,with 727,but boy could that thing grunt..
That went so I could spend some money on Lyndas Customline,and build up the business..That 27 cant be far from finished now,just in time for your winter cruising...

[stovens]

Don when I started reading this thread all I could think was not the 23!!!!
Project 3k was an inspiration to me and a lot of others. I think it is still one of my favorite hot rods that I've ever seen. It was simple clean and perfect.
I understand and look foward to seeing you post new projects here, but part of me morns the passing of a great car!

[roadster32]

I know what you mean Don, when i sold my T it was like losing an old friend

To upset me further the guy that bought it keeps texting me and saying what a great car it is

Onwards and upwards mate.

[sfort]

Don it sounds like you are a quick decision maker and once you make one it is made. You sold the car not the memories. Go make some more and share them with us!

[Itoldyouso]

Thanks everyone for the nice comments. Yep, it was one of those decisions that I made pretty quick, and this morning the reality is kind of setting in. But it is probably one of the few decisions I have made with my head instead of my heart, and that part of it feels ok. Maybe I'm growing up.

He is getting a good little hot rod, so I feel good about that. Although I normally play with Ford and Olds motors, I gained a whole lot of respect for Chevy small blocks with this one. It fires up with one crank, and runs like a clock. I see why so many people love em and use em.

Oh well, it's only iron and fiberglass, it's only iron and fiberglass, it's only........

Don

[Bob Parmenter]

Good thing I wasn't there during the negotiating...........I'd have been beating you up on the price because I KNOW you only spent $3000 to build it................I read it on the web!!!

I'm probably more like your son Don, each car has it's time in our lives. My bride likes to say that they only visit with us for a while. She's been more attached to some we've had than I ever was. But I know others form a stronger bond with them. I admire that.

When I saw the thread title I thought, "Oh no........which cat!? Glad it wasn't that.

[Itoldyouso]

Hehe, I was thinking the same thing as I typed the title, Bob. People might think either one of my cronies died or one of my cats. Thank God neither was the case.

I know what you mean about how some people just sell their stuff off and are ok with it............I can see how that can happen. And, to be honest, why should we become attached to something as ordinary as transportation? But I have to admit that on some portions of the drive home yesterday there was an occasional tear in my eye............and I don't think it was from the wind.

Don

[Whiplash23T]

To answer your question or attempt too Don, I truly believe that all of us true car people, rodders, bond to our cars like most bond to their children and that like pets become a major part of our family life. Yeah it is the same person from that other site making such a sentimental comment. Your build thread was the first one I followed when I joined this Club so I also feel your pain.

[Hombre259]

Don, Shame on you man!!

Ordinary??
Just Transportation??

Now even I'm getting worried, maybe this choice is getting to you. See a Doc a Shrink or something "QUICK" Don. Statements like that might be contagious or something. Think about your Boys Don Act Quick before it's too late.

A Yugo is transportation, maybe really bad transportation, but transportation none the less. A Hot Rod??? Man even saying, Hot Rod and that word transportation in the same sentence is borderline blasphemy.

Roland