When I bought my 1st vette ('72 soft top) getting parts was a big help in me affording the car. Bought for 3 grand because the cat thought it had a bad cylinder.....turned out to be a burnt wire (LOL)....but that car would go through axle u-joints like a baby and diapers......A big help also was that I had access to a local garage who bought from us, so I could always have a full garage to work with with upgrades or repairs......ended up customizing it with a daytona hood, a camaro style wrap around rear spoiler, and a flip top chrome gas lid, chromed out motor, wire wheels, leather inserts on the seats, and a paint I mixed myself that went from a purple in the day to a brown in the evening to black at night......Alot of people said I messed up the value doing those things, but taste is in the eye as they say......
Something that I really miss is the vette club I belonged to....everytime you passed a vette in the day you would show the V sign as you passed, all owners waved at each other. The cars were never sold in dealerships at the time (where I lived anyway), no one had multiples of the car on the lot like they do now. the car was really quite rare back then...today you see one almost every block it seems. No old ones......
I have no place to work on a car now..(1 car garage)...and really I am not as agile to get under the things anymore....sometimes its hard to get out of the bed (LOL)....but the memories sure are fun to go back to....I have considered buying another Harley, but my wife says no...when mama says no she means it....and a bike won't fit in a bed, plus it isn't as warm and cuddly either....