Not doing a resto, is it a crime?

[DanoF250]

I bought my '70 to drive around and enjoy it. (It seems when I try to restore a truck it gets taken apart and never re-assembled.)
I keep getting negative comments from people on why I have no plans to restore my ride. When I tell them I'm not going to restore it, they give me a look like I'm being an a$$hole. I have people tell me that I should sell it it if I'm not going to restore it. Other poeple ask why I bought the truck, if i'm not going to restore it. Is there a law that I have to restore my ride. Can't I just drive it and enjoy it?
Just want to know if you guys agree with these folks.
Dano

[1971ford]

Tell them its your truck and you'll do as you please.

Personally I'll restore every vehicle I own, granted that I plan on continuing to only buy pre '80 vehicles.
I just like knowing that I can eat food off the bottom of my vehicle is all

Nothing wrong with driving a truck that works. Something breaks then fix it and keep going. Only harm you could possibly be doing is the truck is just getting slightly rustier and more wear and tear as you go but who cares. Better than it being in a scrap yard.

[Mancar1]

Drive it and enjoy it as you wish. Nothing wrong with that, if that is what you want. Your truck, your choice.

[BiggDogg]

Its kinda funny that someone would say that about a truck especially. Heck, 90% of bumps or dents I see around here look like they just walked outta the graveyard, or are close to walking in But, as we all know, these old trucks have the heart of a lion, so if they look old and weathered, nothing wrong with that. If it makes you happy, that's all that matters

[Thunderfoot]

I would just tell them "I'm restoring it 1 part at a time, as needed" you're keeping it alive and using it is way better then sending it to the scrap heap.
I like to fix them up to be dependable and usable, you make them to nice and you don't want to use them...

[390Nut]

Tell them that you live in America.

Then walk the other way.

[BobbyFord]

Tell them you'd be glad to restore it if they'd sponsor the restoration

[fbomb100]

I would tell you on what to tell them people but this form prohibits the words that I will tell u to tell them haters

[Caseys71]

I don't see one problem with you just driving your truck like it is. Just because you buy an older truck doesn't mean that you've got to tear the whole thing down and replace/rebuild everything. I say it's your truck, so you have the freedom to do whatever you want with it, if you don't want to restore it then that's your choice not theirs. If they are that worried about you restoring your bump maybe they should buy their own to restore .

[Racer Z]

Vehicles were meant to be driven, not kept in storage or pampered or trailered to and from shows. Trucks were meant to be used, to haul stuff around and do other work. They wear, get scratched and show signs of a life well lived. If I was to do a full, frame off restoration, it would be so the vehicle could continue it's designed intention for another 40 years.

It's your truck, not theirs. Do as you wish with your truck.

[hdpusher]

DanoF250
This is a conversation I've had more than once.
Reso guy: You gona finish that?
Me: It is finished
Resto guy: Your gona drive it like that?
Me: Yes
Me: How often do you drive your old car/truck?
Resto guy: Weekends/this that blah blah car show.
Me: Wow? Really thats it? I drive mine everyday.
The conversation ususally ends sometime after that point

Restorations are not for everyone. I would like to know how many good usable vehicles have ended up as scrap because someone could not finish the "restoration"?

Drive it and enjoy it...Its yours...

[averagef250]

Having an older vehicle doesn't mean you're constantly working on it. Most old trucks aren't restored, they're driven or just used occasionally until they rot apart.

Nothing lasts forever. Use it, enjoy it, but there's no requirement of dumping valuable time and money into an old truck when it suites your needs the way it is just fine.

I like my vehicles nice, but I'm happy with less than perfect. I like a $1500 paintjob better than a $5000 paintjob. I enjoy working on them, but really hate a full nut and bolt teardown. Vehicles take tons of room to teardown completely and rebuild. My '70's been apart going on 4 years now. I regret taking it apart as far as I did. This is the second time it's been down this far and the first time I had a lot more spare time, things went quickly. You mix a vehicle teardown with limited space and a busy life and it's just a bad idea.

Bottom line is do what fits you and your life. Lots of people get suckered into complete teardowns not realizing the scope of the job or that they just flat don't have the skill to do it.

[fitzwell]

Tell them you'd be glad to restore it if they'd sponsor the restoration

exactly. Like a buddy of mine is fond of saying, " They are no rules..." Build it the way you want, when (and if), people mass with you, ask them "Where's yours?" Ususally shuts 'em up..

[R.Smith]

Tell 'em you did restore it... and it was hell putting all those dents and scratches in it to get just the right look.

BTW...My 70 CS came from Ontario California....a dealer named Citrus Motors. Still got the original dealer license plate ring.

[forrestbump]

DanoF250, I've found over my life (I'm 60) that the minute I take my Car/Truck apart to "Restore" it... it quietly sits there for years and I seldom, if ever, "Finish" it the way I had intended. Not even mentioning the parts that get misplaced, parts bought that are never used, paths I go down that are ultimately abandoned, mid-project direction changes, blah, blah, blah.

DRIVE IT!! ENJOY IT!! KEEP IT RUNNING AS IS!! You'll be happier in the long run PLUS you can STILL USE IT AS A TRUCK and NOT worry about scratches, dents and dings.

All folks have an opinion, the ONLY ONE that matters is YOURS! Follow your heart, dreams and just do what YOU want.

You'll be doing yourself a favor by keeping an Old Ford Truck on the road, bringing Joy To Your Heart and memories alive in the minds of the Folks that see your Old Ford Truck driving around town.

My

Larry