Celebrating 27 years together...now 30

[70/6chall]

Jason....... Congratulations on your Cuda anniversary ownership. 27 years is a long time in anyone's book to hang onto a car. As for the paint job, IDK I believe I'd keep it the way your Dad painted it. Unless of course being your ride, maybe the paint needs a change or it's getting a little thin in places, then by all means give her a fresh look. As of Mar 18 of this year, I've owned my old '70 SL6 Challenger for 44 years (1973). I dated my wife of 40 years in my Dodge, brought my 2 sons home from the hospital in 1979 and 1980 and it still served as my go back and forth to work car until 2005.
It has also trophied many times.
And when you are 70 years old, 43 is young, revel in it.    Thanks, Al

[RusTy/SE]

Congrats Jason! 

[Cudajason]

Jason....... Congratulations on your Cuda anniversary ownership. 27 years is a long time in anyone's book to hang onto a car. As for the paint job, IDK I believe I'd keep it the way your Dad painted it. Unless of course being your ride, maybe the paint needs a change or it's getting a little thin in places, then by all means give her a fresh look. As of Mar 18 of this year, I've owned my old '70 SL6 Challenger for 44 years (1973). I dated my wife of 40 years in my Dodge, brought my 2 sons home from the hospital in 1979 and 1980 and it still served as my go back and forth to work car until 2005.
It has also trophied many times.
And when you are 70 years old, 43 is young, revel in it.    Thanks, Al

Wow man...44 years, that's cool.

in all honesty I love the paint job on the car, for a lot of reasons.  but it was painted in 1992, and was stored outside a number of years, so the body and paint is not in that great of shape. it is getting to the point that it needs to be redone.  Like I said my plan is in the next 5 years to stripe it down to bare metal and do it, probably need quarters, at least 1 fender, hopefully nothing else major, but I have a few other upgrades I want to do too!

At that point I will decide what to do in terms of paint.  it wont go back stock!

You are right, 43 is young, most days I have to remind my self that I am 43, in my mind I still feel like the 25 year old kid that is trying to make his way in the world!!! Then I look in the mirror!

Jason

[RUNCHARGER]

That's cool. I had my FM3 car for 18 years and it felt like a long time.

[70/6chall]

Jason, buddy, I personally think your Cuda looks great even though you feel it needs attention. But you know your car, your Dad painted it in '92, she sat out for several years picking up some patina. Maybe in 5 years she'll need a redo then another 27 years will slip by , and why not she's already part of the family. Do you know how you enmass 44 years with something, you enmass more time on this earth with it. What did ChrycoPsyco say "If you find something you love hang on to it" I guess I love that old Dodge even with its economical engine. As for the woman that's been with me for 40 years I believe in my heart I love her the most. That career with the Federal Govt. I hung onto for 41 years, I can say with all earnesty, it was more economics, benefits, and a vested Civil Service Retirement. Remember I never said I loved it.  I retired 2 years ago, still trying to get used to it. Ok! When you look in the mirror and see a 43 year old guy, just remember that 27 year old is still going strong on the inside. When I look in the mirror I see a 70 year old I see a 43 year old still going strong on the inside. See below.     Thanks,   Al
P.S.    My Grandparents on my Fathers side are from Quebec, French heritage Canucks.

[Cudajason]

Well crap...I missed the big one this year.

Oct 2 marked 30 years that I have owned my cuda.

Maybe now that it is back on the road I can enjoy driving it before the snow flies!

Jason

[anlauto]

.....and here I thought you were talking about your wife 

[73_Cuda_4_Me]

Was the original a Burnished Red or Tahitian Gold Poly?

My 73 was originally a Tahitian Gold Poly car with black stripes...

[CNUMB]

Congrats!!! Beautiful Cuda Hope you hold on to it for the rest of your life.. At 43, you are still young!!

[Brads70]

Very cool that you have had it that long!  My 3 sons still love your car!

[RUNCHARGER]

30 years is a ton!

[DeathProofCuda]

Congrats on the 30 year anniversary.   

I hit 32 earlier this year.  This is mine soon after I bought it in 1988 and peeled the flapping vinyl top off of it.  I was originally FYI Lemon Twist, but had been painted green sometime prior.  Sad thing for mine is how ratty it still is after owning it for 32 years, but it spent much of that time doing duty as a mouse hotel during a long stint in barn jail.  I'm just happy that its on the road now.

[700 AKN]

 

Glad to hear you have the Cuda up and running again.
Also glad your car still keeps that classic 70's look and I for one hope you keep it that way for many more years to come.
Embrace & enjoy the hobby.

[Spikedog08]

Love the car and the paint job!  I would not change it . . .

I have owned my car for 38 years now . . hasn't changed much.  Does have a big block in it now but plan to put the original motor back in at some point.  Here is a picture of it when I first bought it.  Had no carpeting and no rear bumper.  Paid $1800 . . my first car. 

Picture of the original motor I uncovered for the first time in many years a couple weeks ago  . .

[jimynick]

There's 2 reasons why I like this thread so much. 1- Jason's car and it's various adventures and 2: I'm glad to see that I'm not alone in the Long Time Owning and Long Time Not Driving Club! Near as far as I can recollect, I got mine in '82 or '83 and it didn't hit the road again until 2016. I feel your respective pain.