Why bother?

[maple_leaf_eh]

This morning one of the first people I spoke to (outside the house) brought up a previous conversation, and told me I was wasting my time working the Jeep. "Screw it," he says. "Leave it as is. Go do something else." This fellow is seldom positive, so I filter his advice, but it started me week off a down note after what felt like a productive Sunday.

So, why do we bother fixing up our old vehicles?

- I don't own it; I'm just looking after it for the next owner.
- Because it is mine.
- I like how I feel when I work on it.
- I want to return it to original condition and remove the mistakes and modifications others have made.
- It is one of about 24 on the road in Canada.

PS Ed S. will know who I mean when I say 'Hammy'.

[chris vickery]

"Why do we bother fixing up our old vehicles?"
Why does someone go golfing? Read? Do carpentry? Collect stamps? Watch sports?
Because it's called a pastime or hobby and we like it, that's why!
Personally, I take a great interest in many aspects of restoring an old vehicle.
The hunt for parts and pieces is fun. Learning about old technology and engineering is an interest. Taking something that is totally messed up and making it new again is satisfying. Preserving historically important artifacts is a service to the public.....
Nothing ticks me off more than when people ask "what are you going to do with that old thing?"

[rob love]

Saw this answer once on a TV show where they were interviewing a tank collector in the US. His response: "I could collect beer cans, but who would care."

[Gordon Yeo]

Because it's fun. We restore Canadian industrial history. We preserve Canadian military history. We give veterans pleasant recollections from the past. You meet nice people, "Hammy" excluded.

[motto]

I am curious to know what the 'something else' is that 'Hammy' may have in mind. What would he consider a more worthwhile pursuit? I look at the huge crowds that attend sporting events and think to myself 'they must have little to do that they can spend time yelling ineffectually at some hired hand who has temporary possession of an air filled bladder'. And they pay money to do it!
Unbelievable!
In my time I've rebuilt a vehicle that carried myself and a companion tens of thousands of kilometres through the Australian outback and eventually from Istanbul to the UK where it now resides. Whilst on Crete we encountered some Norwegians who were awe struck by our adventure and referred to us as Vikings. How good is that? Jam your b****y football!
Meanwhile I'm building a replica Dodge Command Car and do have off days particularly when the weather is bad and the question does arise, 'why bother?'
Why do people climb Everest? I couldn't be bothered but people go to extraordinary lengths to do so. I will finish the Dodge and who knows what adventures lay in store.
Sounds like Hammy hasn't enough brights to understand the human condition. Some people are not worth bothering with.

David

[hrpearce]

It's a holiday from my usual work and I don't have to leave home.
It exposes me to a new circle of friends.