Glad I'm a Street Rodder or Whatya mean my lug nuts are wrong?

     When I first purchased my '48 Chevy convertible project I joined a national club for the bow tie mark as a possible source for some missing hard-to-find parts.  I got their monthly magazine and signed on their forum site.  Well earlier today I was browsing the forum and a member wrote in stating he was at a show recently and was questioned whether the two bolts holding down the voltage regulator were the correct ones.  The car owner was using hex head sheet metal screws but some thought he needed to use clutch head screws and I thought, "what the fudge" really?  It made me think how happy I was I never got caught up in the restoration crap where I had to worry about making sure I had the correct date code on my air cleaner wing nut or all the mohair fibers were brushed in the same direction.  Nope give me street/hot rodders every time.  No worries about matching numbers, no siree, just build what ya want with what ya want.  Chevy in Ford?  No problem.  Hemi in a Chevy? Why but no problem. 
     Back in the mid '80's I owned a driver '65 Olds Starfire convertible.  I was in the process of starting some repair so I pulled out the carpet to have some rust holes in the floor repaired and the body though rust free had some scratches that the previous owner tried to touch up with almost matching red nail polish and a crease the same owner put in the passenger door and tried to fill by hand smoothing the bondo and using an almost matching red spray paint.  I mention this because a national Oldsmobile club was holding their national show about 5 miles from my house so I decided to drive the car over there.  Keep in mind there was no carpeting and all the body issues.  Nice summer day so I put the top down and headed out.  As I drove onto the "show field" (restorer type shows have "fields"  hot rodders have fairgrounds or parking lots) people were looking at the Olds cruising to its assigned class parking area and all the time I'm thinking "they must like my rare Olds". 
     After parking in the designated area I started walking around looking at cars.  When I returned to the car there were 4 or 5 older (I was in my early 30's then and these guys were in the 60's or 70's) checking out the ride. As I approached I greeted the gentlemen only to be met with scowls.  One asked why I brought an unfinished car to a national meet, "because it's an Olds and this is an Olds show" was my response.  Another asked, "why is the top down?"  My response was to look up to the cloudless July sky and respond "because it's summer time and it's a convertible?"  So far neither answer made these guys smile.  "But you're going to wrinkle the top!" was the response.  So I replied, "Wow, I never thought of that!" That response brought know-it-all smirks to the faces of the group of men.  As they watched in their satisfaction of showing up this young punk, who by the way chose to wear jean shorts and a street rod nationals T-shirt instead of the obvious uniform of white slacks and a golf shirt and Olds cap, I got into my Olds and put the power top up as they smiled widely.
     As the top reached it's full upright position and I latched it down I exited the car thanking them for reminding me about wrinkles to the top.  I watched, with great pleasure I may add, as their smiles turned back into scowls when they saw the silver duct tape covering the tears on the top.  It was great!
     For some having fun with cars is a perfect factory restoration which is fine, I enjoy looking at restored cars but owning one isn't for me.  But all I ask of restorers is to chill out a little and don't worry about the small stuff like a couple of screws.  Enjoy driving, that's what it's all about.

2014 and Counting

    2014.  Say it again...2014.  That's the year, can you believe it?  Seems just like yesterday there was a lot of stories and worry about the new millennium wreaking havoc on the world as we know it and doomsayers  stock piling water and canned goods.  But we made it through the first 14 years of the "new" century and here's hoping that 2014 and beyond will be good to all of us.
     2013 was the first full year that my club was a post-1949 club after 43 years of pre-1949 only  and just like the millennium we made it through with very little damage.  Yeah, we lost a few members that didn't agree with the change but we gained many new members with later model cars (1949-71, cut-ff is '72).  Even one of our die-hard pre-'49 guys just bought a 1949 car.  The good thing is even though all the newest members range from their early 30's to mid 40's it lowered our average age in the club by a couple of years which is good and hopefully will keep the club going for another 45 years.
     But with the passing of another year the harsh reality is that means we have one less year to enjoy our rides.  Sure there are rodders out there still cruising in their 80's but let's face it many of us will not be able to manage long haul runs once we get "old".  I'm 62 and in my mind I'm still in my 20's but every time I kneel down to do something I'm quickly reminded that my body isn't as I look around for something to lean on as I try to get to my feet only to find my feet fell asleep.
     I am not trying to be a downer but I'm just trying to make folks realize not to take tomorrow for granted.  Get out in the garage and finish that project, get the car out and drive it whenever and wherever you can.  If you have never been to a national event go to one if for nothing else just to say you did it.
     Like a commercial for a certain vodka says, "just don't have any regrets".  Well, gotta get in the garage and do some work.  Now what did I do with those knee pads?