We are a car and truck country. Many Americans have one or more “classic cars” sitting on their property, waiting for restoration. Chances are that only a small number of these projects will ever be started. The number of them being completed will be even lower.
Let’s look at the impact of having these cars sitting around.
If a non-functional car sits in your garage, it takes away the spot of a functional vehicle that could be parked there. Alternatively, the garage could be used as storage for something that is being used (bicycles, other recreational equipment, etc.).
If the car sits outside, it is exposed to the elements and will keep deteriorating. It may well be an eyesore for some of your neighbors.
It might limit the parking available for friends and family.
Most of these cars are in poor condition and worth very little money. That means getting rid of them might even come with an actual cost. But you end up with the benefit of having more space. If you’d ever change your mind and decide the time for a car restoration project has come, you might very well go shopping and take a car out of the hands of someone that might look to get rid of it.
Classic cars have become more and more of a museum item. Driving a vehicle that lacks modern safety features, blows out dirty fumes, and gets poor gas mileage is feeling outdated in today’s world with its firm focus on emission reductions.
Maybe your community already has a great car museum where you can appreciate classic cars. Or maybe your town needs a museum, and you might want to advocate for one.
Imagine your city’s project cars turned into future museum items.
Classic cars are part of our culture and history. I’m not advocating for abandoning them altogether. But I believe we need a higher consciousness of which cars to hold on to and what to let go of.
Maybe this post will inspire you to talk to a friend or family member about letting go of their project car.
Feel free to reach out or comment underneath to discuss.
