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SAAC Forum => SAAC Forum Discussion Area => Topic started by: deathsled on February 05, 2026, 01:56:26 PM

Title: The psychology of those who restore classic cars
Post by: deathsled on February 05, 2026, 01:56:26 PM

For what it's worth.
Title: Re: The psychology of those who restore classic cars
Post by: Corey Bowcutt on February 05, 2026, 05:18:27 PM
That is very interesting Richard.  Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: The psychology of those who restore classic cars
Post by: shelbydoug on February 06, 2026, 10:24:22 AM
The person or persons who wrote that obviously haven't been around us when we are bickering. It reminds me of the phrase "stable genius".  ::)
Title: Re: The psychology of those who restore classic cars
Post by: 67 GT350 on February 06, 2026, 12:14:26 PM
Is there a video on the type, who never work on a car, only do maybe one step, and never will get it done? It's easy to start restoring a car, it's hard to finish it!
Title: Re: The psychology of those who restore classic cars
Post by: roddster on February 06, 2026, 12:26:04 PM
  I've been waiting for the "Psychology of the person who is "Gonna fix it up some day".  Years later it still sits.
Title: Re: The psychology of those who restore classic cars
Post by: deathsled on February 06, 2026, 02:54:00 PM
Quote from: Corey Bowcutt on February 05, 2026, 05:18:27 PMThat is very interesting Richard.  Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome. Psychology is a soft almost psuedo-science to some degree.  But there are patterns and I agree that focus on the collector car hobby is for those of a high level of conscientiousness. It also staves off dementia and possibly Alzheimer's.
Title: Re: The psychology of those who restore classic cars
Post by: shelbydoug on February 06, 2026, 03:37:01 PM
Quote from: deathsled on February 06, 2026, 02:54:00 PM
Quote from: Corey Bowcutt on February 05, 2026, 05:18:27 PMThat is very interesting Richard.  Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome. Psychology is a soft almost psuedo-science to some degree.  But there are patterns and I agree that focus on the collector car hobby is for those of a high level of conscientiousness. It also staves off dementia and possibly Alzheimer's.

Hum. Interesting perspective. I was thinking that maybe it is a large contributing factor to dementia?
Title: Re: The psychology of those who restore classic cars
Post by: deathsled on February 06, 2026, 03:38:41 PM
Quote from: shelbydoug on February 06, 2026, 03:37:01 PM
Quote from: deathsled on February 06, 2026, 02:54:00 PM
Quote from: Corey Bowcutt on February 05, 2026, 05:18:27 PMThat is very interesting Richard.  Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome. Psychology is a soft almost psuedo-science to some degree.  But there are patterns and I agree that focus on the collector car hobby is for those of a high level of conscientiousness. It also staves off dementia and possibly Alzheimer's.
It's actually quite the opposite from what I have found on the subject.  The minutia of details help keep the mind sharp.

Hum. Interesting perspective. I was thinking that maybe it is a large contributing factor to dementia?
Title: Re: The psychology of those who restore classic cars
Post by: shelbydoug on February 06, 2026, 04:02:41 PM
Quote from: deathsled on February 06, 2026, 03:38:41 PM
Quote from: shelbydoug on February 06, 2026, 03:37:01 PM
Quote from: deathsled on February 06, 2026, 02:54:00 PM
Quote from: Corey Bowcutt on February 05, 2026, 05:18:27 PMThat is very interesting Richard.  Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome. Psychology is a soft almost psuedo-science to some degree.  But there are patterns and I agree that focus on the collector car hobby is for those of a high level of conscientiousness. It also staves off dementia and possibly Alzheimer's.
It's actually quite the opposite from what I have found on the subject.  The minutia of details help keep the mind sharp.

Hum. Interesting perspective. I was thinking that maybe it is a large contributing factor to dementia?

Yes but "outsiders" consider those details so esoteric that they question our rational.
Title: Re: The psychology of those who restore classic cars
Post by: Chris Thauberger on February 06, 2026, 05:44:15 PM
Huh... all these years I thought there was something wrong with me... turns out I'm just a classic car restorer. 🚗
Title: Re: The psychology of those who restore classic cars
Post by: 68cobra427 on February 06, 2026, 06:45:17 PM
This fits me dead on. After 142 mustangs I'm still playing in my shop. I finished my fathers hot rod truck 86 GMC 3/4 ton that he started before passing. I dropped in a 350 stroker new from Summit. Then said there you go dad. Sits in my shop for me to look at and use a few times a year. I understand everything that video said. Thanks for posting. My family does not understand why I do what I do. But my 4 and 6 yr old grandsons will get all my abilities as they grow. Each will get a mustang in the end. Passing it all on.
67 Shelby convertible mod currently building
68 GT/CS California Special convertible mod

Troy
Title: Re: The psychology of those who restore classic cars
Post by: gt350shelb on February 07, 2026, 09:13:14 AM

Yes but "outsiders" consider those details so esoteric that they question our rational.
[/quote]


Yes but they are wrong    shelbydoug
Title: Re: The psychology of those who restore classic cars
Post by: shelbydoug on February 07, 2026, 09:37:15 AM
Quote from: gt350shelb on February 07, 2026, 09:13:14 AMYes but "outsiders" consider those details so esoteric that they question our rational.


Yes but they are wrong    shelbydoug
[/quote]

You will never convince "them".

I don't find comfort in any of that. I think of it this way, artists of various methods have internal visions of beauty.

They attempt to share that vision with others. Others that can't see or feel it but in fact lack the capacity or the ability to feel it or understand.

When I can't make my "friend" understand the thought, the vision or the feeling, I take it personally as my failure having difficulty accepting that it is just I who have the ability to stretch abstractly the concept of beauty, fairness or even justice.

Apparently it is as possible as explaining sight to a person born blind? But I don't accept a concept that I am the only one with the ability to understand. My nature is to continue to try.


I remember a quote from Kopec. "We always knew that these cars were somehow special. We just didn't realize how much", or something to that effect. I wonder is that just an abstract ability since it applies to so much else.
Title: Re: The psychology of those who restore classic cars
Post by: 68cobra427 on February 07, 2026, 11:07:35 AM
Quote from: shelbydoug on February 07, 2026, 09:37:15 AM
Quote from: gt350shelb on February 07, 2026, 09:13:14 AMYes but "outsiders" consider those details so esoteric that they question our rational.


Yes but they are wrong    shelbydoug

You will never convince "them".

I don't find comfort in any of that. I think of it this way, artists of various methods have internal visions of beauty.

They attempt to share that vision with others. Others that can't see or feel it but in fact lack the capacity or the ability to feel it or understand.

When I can't make my "friend" understand the thought, the vision or the feeling, I take it personally as my failure having difficulty accepting that it is just I who have the ability to stretch abstractly the concept of beauty, fairness or even justice.

Apparently it is as possible as explaining sight to a person born blind? But I don't accept a concept that I am the only one with the ability to understand. My nature is to continue to try.


I remember a quote from Kopec. "We always knew that these cars were somehow special. We just didn't realize how much", or something to that effect. I wonder is that just an abstract ability since it applies to so much else.
[/quote]

It does apply to so much more. At 36 I turned my attention not only with mustangs I took it to the next level and built commercial buildings, Have 5 now. Rent 3 out for passive income. You make the best of time that we are given and pass it on to the next generation and grandkids. Family and friends and who you put around you makes for a good life.

60 now and not stopping. Get up each day and say what can you do to think outside the box. Move forward not backwards.

Troy
Title: Re: The psychology of those who restore classic cars
Post by: 67 GT350 on February 07, 2026, 12:59:22 PM
Quote from: roddster on February 06, 2026, 12:26:04 PMI've been waiting for the "Psychology of the person who is "Gonna fix it up some day".  Years later it still sits.

plus one, or your car is next to be done, can I get half now?