• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Auto Trends Magazine

Car reviews, industry news, & advice.

HOBBY CARS

So You Think You Want a Hobby Car

April 5, 2012 by Selma Lockaby Leave a Comment

You catch yourself drooling over the old VW Super Beetle pulled up beside you at the fuel pump. Your neck is sore from repeatedly craning it at every Jeep Grand Wagoneer you pass. You spend hours online reading articles like this one about getting a hobby car. The $2,500 you’ve been saving for the project is threatening to turn into a new grill or get absorbed into Jr.’s college fund. It’s time to take the plunge. Here are some clarifying questions and tips to make sure you don’t end up loathing the experience.

1. Are you ready for this?

True story: A friend owned a new Subaru Outback wagon that cost nearly $30,000. The Subaru was parked outside under a tree, yielding his single garage space to a 1967 Volvo 122s that he’d acquired for $2,000. Even he knew that this arrangement didn’t make sense, but if you’re considering purchasing a hobby car, you already know that they aren’t about making sense. They’re about your love for the car.

Volvo 170
Do you garage your classic and keep your new car outside?

If you love the car, you’ll spend time tinkering with it. You’ll seek out online forums populated by friendly people who also love the car. You’ll drive great, dubious distances in your car to meet up with these forum people, and beam when they compliment the shiny, correct color-code paint you’ve applied to the engine block. You’ll break down on the way home and, using the box of replacement parts and duct tape you keep in the trunk, fix the problem on the fly. If the same thing had happened in your 2008 Honda Accord, you’d have cursed the vehicle up and down, but something about your 1961 Saab 95 makes it all OK.

Can-do, that’s you. If it’s not, you want a restored classic car, not a hobby car. You’ll pay more, but you can expect greater reliability and less hands-on maintenance.

2. Which Car?

Which car you buy depends largely on your skills. If you’re mechanically inclined and look forward to rebuilding the old engine, you can probably get a vehicle that isn’t running at a fraction of the cost of a roadworthy example. If you like to sew, you might enjoy reupholstering the interior of the old AMC Concord that recently was home to a family of raccoons – but you’re going to want to be sure that the engine runs. You need to be honest about your abilities and interests and try to acquire a vehicle with needs in your area of expertise. Otherwise, you’ll end up spending exorbitant sums paying others to do the repairs you’re unable to do yourself. And you’ll start misappropriating junior’s college fund to do so.

1981 AMC Concord.
A like-new 1981 AMC Concord.

The No.1 killer of old cars is rust. If you live or have vacationed in the South, Southwest or Northwest, you’ll likely have seen rust-free old cars in much greater quantities than in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic or Midwest. Rust permeates all unprotected metal parts, eating not just frames, unibodies and body panels, but also springs, axles, radiators and much more. Unless you have a body shop and easy access to rust-free replacement parts, you should seek out and purchase the least rusty example you can find.

This might mean travelling out of your region to find the right car. The good news is that the laws of supply and demand frequently result in a greater quantity of comparatively less expensive vehicles in comparatively better condition in dry regions, leaving you some spare change for travel. Or, if you’re already active and have made friends in the online forums related to your dream car, there might be someone near enough to the car you’d like to see who would check it out for you. Find a winner? Great! Bring it home.

3. Give Yourself a Honeymoon

If your car is advertised as running and driveable, and it’s fairly close to home, go ahead and drive it home. However, unless you’ve personally driven it at highway speeds and perhaps had it inspected at a trusted shop, your best bet is to have it transported home. Maybe you’ve got a buddy with a flatbed? No? If you have AAA, you might be able to have it towed up to 100 miles at no additional cost. If it’s more than a hundred miles away, spend a few bucks and have it shipped by an auto transport company. They’ll often move even non-running vehicles, so that opens the doors for your search.

flat-bed towing
Long distance towing of a classic car
can be accomplished via flat bed.

Basically, you want to bask in the glow of your hobby car before it leaves you stranded for the first time. Remember your duct tape fix on the way home from your car-geek meet-up? Your “new” car’s prior owners already have those stories with your car and you have no idea which bits are still held together by duct tape. It’s best to avoid any long or fast trips before spending some time going over the vehicle yourself, in your own garage. You do have a garage, right?

4. You Need a Garage

Apartment complexes and city streets are the wrong environment for a hobby car. It’s almost impossible to properly and safely maintain a vehicle in a parking lot. Plus, you’ll start to resent your current abode for its lack of a garage. You’ll start to hate the weather for raining on your first Saturday off that you planned to use it to swap out wheel bearings. And you’ll start to hate the car, covered in snow, ice or pollen, unable to be shown off and driven for your inability to keep up with the maintenance in the unpredictable outdoors.

Moving Forward

Still in? Enjoy the rewarding pastime of tinkering with your old car. You’re going to love it.

Photo Credits

Volvo 122s WikiUser5000

Saab 95 Jelson25

1981 AMC Gremlin CZ Marlin

Filed Under: Special Tagged With: AUTO RESTORATION, car maintenance, CAR SHIPPING, CAR TRANSPORT, CLASSIC CAR, HOBBY CARS

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Next-Generation Sedona Minivan Will Be Renamed the Kia Carnival
  • GM Launches BrightDrop, Its Commercial EV Brand
  • The Refreshed and Handsome
    Lexus IS 350 F Sport
  • What We Know About the All-New 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
  • The All-New and Formidable 2021 Nissan Rogue Crossover

Recent Comments

  • Next-Generation Sedona Minivan Will Be Renamed the Kia Carnival — Auto Trends Magazine on Buying Guide: 2020 Kia Sedona
  • Next-Generation Sedona Minivan Will Be Renamed the Kia Carnival — Auto Trends Magazine on Kia Telluride: Opulent, Large Crossover
  • Next-Generation Sedona Minivan Will Be Renamed the Kia Carnival — Auto Trends Magazine on Class Act: 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  • Next-Generation Sedona Minivan Will Be Renamed the Kia Carnival — Auto Trends Magazine on Highlights of the 2020 Toyota Sienna
  • GM Launches BrightDrop, Its Commercial EV Brand — Auto Trends Magazine on Will the Electric Vehicle Boom Create New-Found Dependencies for Foreign Minerals?

Archives

  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008

Categories

  • Auto Parts
  • Auto Shows
  • Automotive Career
  • Automotive News
  • Book Reviews
  • Car Tips
  • Classics & Discontinued Models
  • Commentary
  • Commercial Vehicles
  • Concept Vehicles
  • Dealers
  • Engineering & Technology
  • Fleet
  • Fun News
  • Maintenance & Repairs
  • Motorsport
  • New Car Reviews
  • New Models
  • Ownership Experience
  • Product Reviews
  • Special
  • Specifications
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

New!
Check out our Jobs Board!

via GIPHY

Subscribe to Auto Trends

Subscribe in a reader

Social Media

Visit our social media pages:
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Pinterest

Where is Matt Currently Published?

The Carolinian (new car reviews)
NAPA Know How Blog
On the Road Again

Pages

  • About
  • Authors List
  • Automotive Brochures
  • Contact
  • Industry Jobs
  • Write
    • Style Guide

Categories

Recent Posts

  • Next-Generation Sedona Minivan Will Be Renamed the Kia Carnival
  • GM Launches BrightDrop, Its Commercial EV Brand
  • The Refreshed and Handsome
    Lexus IS 350 F Sport
  • What We Know About the All-New 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
  • The All-New and Formidable 2021 Nissan Rogue Crossover
  • Fuel-Efficiency and AWD Champion: 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
  • Midsize Performance Master: 2021 Hyundai Sonata N-Line
  • Performance Hatchback: The All-New 2021 Mazda Mazda3 Turbo!
  • NACTOY Finalists For 2021 Offer Familiar and Futuristic Choices
  • Super Trooper: Nissan Titan Pickup
  • Behind the Wheel of the Popular 2021 Toyota Corolla Sedan
  • Lucid Motors Completes Arizona Factory
  • A Robust Turbodiesel Comes to the Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  • Mid-Engine Masterpiece: The Eighth-Generation Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
  • Compact Performance:
    2021 Cadillac CT4-V
  • All-Wheel Drive Supplies the Nissan Altima With a Competitive Edge
  • Return of the Toyota Venza!
  • Lexus Brings a Convertible to the Gorgeous LC 500 Line
  • Stellantis Logo Revealed by Peugeot, Fiat Chrysler Ahead of Spring Merger
  • Preview: 2021 Nissan Rogue Crossover
  • How to Fix a Broken Rivian Vehicle
  • Cadillac Gets Most Things Right
    With the XT6 Crossover
  • The High Potency Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Coupe
  • The All-New Chevrolet Trailblazer Forges Urban Paths
  • The Small Infiniti QX50 is Big on Tech and Engineering Features
  • Toyota Brings the TRD Treatment to the Midsize Camry Sedan
  • The Kia K5 Outclasses Most Competitors, Including the Departing Optima
  • Can the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road Handle Tough Terrain?
  • Subaru WRX Showcases Its Performance Chops
  • Infiniti Overhauls QX80 Trims and Makes This Important Safety Feature Standard
  • Ford F-250 Super Duty and a Trail-Stomping Tremor Package
  • A Cut Above: Mazda’s Mazda3
  • The Highly Efficient Hyundai Ioniq
  • Volkswagen Atlas Revels in its Strengths
  • General Motors Deepens Partnership With Honda, Takes Stake in Nikola
  • Smart Concept: Jeep Grand Wagoneer
  • More Than an Encore: Buick Encore GX
  • Got a Recall? There’s an App for That.
  • Refreshed Nissan Titan Makes Its Case
  • BMW M235i: Not Your Typical Coupe
  • Hot Stuff: Lexus RC F Sport Coupe
  • Will the Electric Vehicle Boom Create New-Found Dependencies for Foreign Minerals?
  • Rumors? We Got Them!
  • About Bollinger Motors, EV Startup
  • Raptor Fighter: Ram 1500 TRX!
  • White Space Wonder: 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport
  • About the 2021 Genesis GV80
  • The Toyota Supra Gets a Four-Cylinder Engine and We’re Simply Gobsmacked!
  • Jim Farley Appointed Ford President and CEO
  • 12 Things We LOVE About the Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack
January 2021
S M T W T F S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31  
« Dec    

Copyright © 2021 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in