Great thread! Seems like I can identify with a part of every single post made thus far. I personally like Greg's comments about the added feature of the hobby bringing new friends along your path--it is a great ancillary side affect.
Personally, since I got my first 69 at the age of 16 and still have it, it was all I ever wanted--never got into any form of drinking or drugs, spent every waking moment and every penny on that car---it's now my race car. For me, back then, it was a form of identity. Now, it is purely for the love of the hobby/sport and the friends and fellowship that come with it. I can honestly say that I am emotionally attached to the race car--it carried me though and kept me occupied through some tough times. I've had people ask me how I can be so into this (doesnt' make sense to some of them as professionals) since I don't fit their perception of a gearhead---I don't want to know why I love it---ignorance is bliss in this case---and I'm glad I still have such a huge passion for it.
I say all that to say this---for many folks, it's still a form of identity--we all know some of these guys/gals where it is hardcore identity--and when that's the case, they will have to have the best of everything--and if that shoe fits, man--this site has the capacity to destroy a savings account quickly which often forces the sale of the project. There are so many perfect and off the chart cars here---it's like going grocery shopping hungry--you come back with way too much food which means you spent way more than you should have.
I've fallen into spending way too much so many times simply out of just not wanting to wait---I call that greed--sounds like I am not the only one!
I like my new approach with the PT car, one mod at a time---refine that mod, move onto the next one--it will never be the nicest car, but I dont' care. It has to be fun and I don't want a blown apart project--I have the race car for that--and it sucks to have to work on it all the time and then wait for what will break next. If it starts to be a "have to work on it" for me, then I will think about getting rid of it.
In the end, there are obviously many reasons for the abandement of unfinished projects. I always have a soft spot in my heart for those who run into this since I can't imagine them sharing the same passion I/we feel for these cars and then having to let it go---family first, I understand that--but the death or end of a dream is very, very hard to take. A good solid plan up front (I'm convinced) like others here have mentioned, and an rock solid commitment to stick to it (which is even harder to make happen) is the only way to go for someone starting out in this hobby/sport. It's what I will tell my kids when they are old enough to get swept up into this wonderful mess.
Doug
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