Putting the $$$$ into the 68

[Mancar1]

Couple months back it was the RobbRoy mini starter. Last month it was putting over $1600. into suspension and breaks. Now I just ordered Sanderson shorty headers for the 68 C.S. 390., having them coated. Next month it will be the Elerbrock manifold and 600 CFM carb. Then after that new wheels, already have new tires. Then some day a nice paint job. Then spay in bed liner. I was going to flush $$$$$$$$ down the toilet, but hey the 68 deserves it. Besides I can't eat it and I can't take it with me.
I will only have right at $10,000. in it and that is before a paint job. Sure cost $$$$$$ 2 have fun I know some of u have a lot more $$$$ into your Bumps. Was going to buy a new Lariet, but decided to go this route and latter I will sell my 2010 Escape and buy a new Suv. I will use the 68 for hauling big loads.

[sargentrs]

I'm with you. I tell my kids that all the time. Instead of blowing 30K on a new car, buy an old one and put 10K into it. You'll have a better looking, cooler ride for half the money. And, if it breaks down, it's easy to fix. Me, I drive a $1500 beater import for my DD. When it dies, I buy another $1500 beater import. If they last a year, I'm way ahead. I put about 35K miles a year on a car driving to work. Can't see putting that kind of miles on a new car. That way, I can put all my spare money into my truck.

[jimmy828]

I look at the new automobiles as disposable rides. Once the warranty runs out, it's like you're screwed if repairs are needed. The prices on repairs are out of this world. I don't blame the mechanics that do the labor, the manufacturers make them hard to work on and hard to diagnose any problems. If i had plenty of $$$$$$, it would be nice to ride around in a top of the line Ford F150 and use the 69 for Saturday night specials.

[HIO Silver]

10-4. I'm on board with all the posts thus far. I too am in for $10,500 before paint... that's why it's getting mechanical and interior (buckets are a luxury!) goodies rather than spit and shine. I'd rather put $400 a month in parts into an old ride than $400 into a car payment.

Figure this also.. driving and maintaining an old ride on the road is actually more environmentally friendly than buying a new car/truck every few years. Our 41 to 46 year old trucks has been amortized over time in terms of production energy, materials, and labor ... it's actually less expensive to hold and maintain over the long haul.

Let's look an example in really in simple terms... Weight and energy. One truck is about 4000 pounds of material (steel, rubber, oil) and required 100 units of energy input to manufacture (labor, drilling, mining, electricity, natural gas). If we bought a new truck every five years for the last 45 years... that's nine trucks or 36,000 pounds of material and a cost of 900 energy units. That's more mining, more drilling, more shipping, more labor, more of everything.

So when some self righteous greenie driving a hybrid in the next lane leans over says we're killing the planet by driving an old truck that gets 10 mpg, you can use this argument against them.. they are usually a little miffed because their argument doesn't hold water. Then flip 'em the bird and do a nice smokey burnout.

[deltaguitar]

Cool thread. This is kind of my idea too. I don't to drive very far to work so I thought it would be cool to have the old truck. I just want it to be reliable and comfortable.

If the engine will hold up I can probably drive this thing for years. I do know I will be adding A/C at some point but I am hoping the rest will be smaller things.

[deltaguitar]

Cool thread. This is kind of my idea too. I don't to drive very far to work so I thought it would be cool to have the old truck. I just want it to be reliable and comfortable.

If the engine will hold up I can probably drive this thing for years. I do know I will be adding A/C at some point but I am hoping the rest will be smaller things.