jon69olds

I don't know if anyone really cares, but after basically having my car sold and a suitable replacement found, I wasn't able to cut the ties with my car. After 16 years I've grown attached to it. I guess I'll continue on the refurbishment of the car. I just bought arm rests, window cranks, center caps, wheel paint, lug nuts, etc... so look for future installments in the "Dear God, What Have I done?" series. I'll have to scan some of my early pictures of the car for a flashback and show you all what I started with.

oldspackrat

Addictions are hard to break. Congrats on keeping it!

jon69olds

I'm not sure "addiction" is the right word. As I thought about the sale I knew I would miss and probably never replace it so just keep it and keep upgrading/refurbishing/changing things as I go, heck I bought it in '99 and didn't repaint it until 2010, so it's not like I'm in a hurry here.

67442nut

Good move.
Looks like a good car to do.
You may end up spending more than you wanted to.
I've done it many times myself.
'69 "S" post coupe. Still have it. My daughter's first car.
The finished product makes it worthwhile.

oldcutlass

It's love... or your a masochist, either way, your among many of us in the same boat. I think an interior freshen up will give you a whole new perspective on your car.

RetroRanger

Good choice if I had a gold 69 I'd keep it forever....and get the other car too lol

jon69olds

Boy do I wish I had the coin to afford 2 toys. Right now that isn't happening though, with 3 boys ages 14, 3 and 1, a 260 acre farm I'm slowly taking over plus my Dad's 50 acre farm I help out with when I can, and trying to buy a house, the car is last on the list unfortunately. I'm already in to this car way to much. I didn't start to bad I bought it for $2900 as a running and driving car that needed freshening. I put tires on it, replaced the rear springs and shocks, and rebuilt the engine all that first year (about another $2000). Then I proceeded to drive it like that until 2010 when I finally saved enough to repaint it (about $6000). So if you do some quick and dirty math 2900+2000+6000=10900 which is why initially I tried selling it for 10k. With what I want to do in the interior I'll have another $2000 roughly into it so about 12k for a real nice 69 Cutlass that has a near identical twin. I'll keep it and pass it on to one of the boys as some point. I guess any old car it is easy to get in to it way to deep. I still don't think I'm doing too bad.

don71

I've been in your shoes. Hats off for keeping it.

If I've learning anything about a hobby car its this, it will be cheaper to hold on to it now, than try to replace it later after you've sold it.

You do have to want it to begin with though. The car will still be there when you are ready and life gets out of the way.

To me a hobby car is technically a liability but can sometimes be an asset. When it comes to selling, you can change your mind later.

Good luck.

oldcutlass

To be in the car for $13k is cheap now a days. I don't think you'll be that upside down with the interior done.

71rocket

That's a real nice '69.

BlueCalais79

Wait until 16 years turns into 31 years. I had my 79 Calais in the transmission shop for 3 nights last October and I was literally losing sleep over knowing it was not in my garage. This will happen to you, count on it.

hookem horns

Glad to hear you are keeping it. I always thought that car was just an interior away from being really nice when you were trying to sell. Understand not wanting to get too far underwater on value but remember it is a hobby. Better than blowing it on drugs, strippers, greens fees, etc. (pick your favorite vice).

jon69olds

It will eventually get a somewhat upgraded interior. I'm for sure doing window cranks, and front armrests this year, being I already bought them. Hopefully I can use some tax refund money to buy seat backs, foam, springs, and upholstery and redo the seats, then a new carpet, different steering wheel, and maybe rally gauges to replace the aftermarket stuff, plus reinstall the factory radio and put a newer usb capable radio in the car, but hidden. I doubt I'll get all that done this year or even next winter, but I did buy new center caps, lug nuts and wheel paint to freshen up the wheels, which should help a little as well. I'm not planning on new door skins, headliner, visors, package tray or dash as they are all pretty nice as is. Then I need to upgrade to discs in the front and repaint/clean up the engine bay again. Eventually it will get there.
Thanks for all the positive comments,
Jon