Originally Posted by workingonit
I've been too attached to many of my 25-26 vehicles I've owned (either outright, or shared with my spouse) in the 55 years since my first (1956 Chevy 210 4-dr sedan) in 1965. It was given to me by my Grandmother after my Aunt suddenly died at 38; she had planned to give it to me on my next birthday (16), in two months. I grew attached to it (probably due to sentimentality), though a younger brother stole it and totalled it two years later.
I seem to keep all my vehicles too long, thru some sort of attachment: sentimental, having nebulous dreams of fixing them up again, or what?? I 'm not sure why. My record attachment was 27+ years, to the '66 Chevelle I bought to restore, but ended up racing instead, then traded at long last for my current obsession: my '01 X5.
Long-lived vehicles that I've owned and cared for:
'66 Chevelle Malibu 2-dr hardtop, Onyx black 1994-2021 27+ years, a once a week "daily driver" (weekend racer), converted to a dedicated drag racer (full cage, spool, 4.88 gears, etc.), with various engine/equipment variations, from 327c.i. (L-79 clone) street, to 427c.i.(431)/646 rwhp dragracing.
'86 Chevy S-10 Tahoe extended cab, Charcoal Gray Metallic, 1986-2004 18+ years, 2.8l v-6 (three rebuilds), daily driver
'04 Chevy Silverado WT 2500HD reg. cab, Summit White, 2004-2021> 17+ years ongoing, 6.0l v-8, daily driver to dedicated #1 trailer hauler (beefed trans, springs & shocks)
'98 GMC Sierra 1500 ext. cab, Fire Red, 2007-2021> 14+ years ongoing, 5.7l v-8, family transport, #2 trailer hauler (beefed trans, tuned engine, springs & shocks)
'08 Cobalt LS (SE) 2-dr coupe, Slate Metallic Gray 2008-2021> 14+ years ongoing, 2.2l 4cyl, wife's car
'09 HHR Panel, 2-seat utility van, Summit White, 2009-2021> 13+ years ongoing , 2.2l 4cyl, daily driver + utility usage
Other long-lived/kept vehicles were:
1)'88 Fiero 1998-2017 19+ years (engine died in 2005, given away in 2017)
2)'92 Olds Achieva SC (Quad 4) 2005-2017 12+ years (parked in 2009, needed timing chain + CV axles)
3)'69 Chevy C-10 1997-2004 7+ years (restored in 1999, traded for '65 ChevyII -never restored- + trans-braked Powerglide racing transmission, 2 spare engines, various other parts)
4)'75 Chevy C-10 2002-2007 5+ years (rebuilt engine, trans, rear end; partial trade for '98 GMC + DIXON ZTR mower)
all others (of 25 total) were kept for 5 years or less
'01 BMW X5 3.0i (acquired in May 2021) will be my last (planned) vehicle; I hope to have it as long as the Chevelle (27+ years)
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