Tuesday, October 14, 2008

A Dream Come True

For a long time now, I have wanted to buy an older car that I could work on in my spare time. I didn’t really care what make or model it was. I just wanted one. Maybe it is because my dad has an old Buick that he has been working on over the years. (Much to the disgust of my mother I might add.) In fact, every time Lisa and I are out and about, I will see an older car for sale, and I always make the comment to Lisa how nice that car would look in our driveway.

Well my friends, the day has come that I am going to get myself a project car. And the best part is that I wasn’t even expecting it! It all started with Lisa talking to her mom on the phone on Friday. Her mom was trying to think of ways that she could save some money. The one thing that she thought of was the storage unit that she had. It was costing her a lot of money each month to store things in it. If she cancelled it and moved the stuff into her garage, then she could save that money.

The problem that she was running into was the car parked in the part of the garage she wanted to use. It stored the 1971 Chevy Nova that Lisa’s sweet Grandmother Tamblyn had purchased brand new back then. Since Lisa’s mother is very sentimental about things, she has been keeping it all of these years, not having the heart to sell it. But in order to save a little dough, she was going to have to part with it.

Then Lisa had a brilliant idea. What if her mother sent it up here and we could keep it? That way it would stay in the family. On top of that, her mother has always wanted to see that Nova restored and either be in parades, or entered into car shows. Luckily for me, Holly thought that was a fine idea, and agreed to let us have the Nova.

It really is a win win situation all round. First, Holly gets to save a good chunk of cash each month. Second, the Nova was the car that Lisa drove to High School, so it has some sentimental value to her too. And third, I get what I have wanted for a long time. A car that I can work on, and turn it into something that Holly has wanted to see done to it. As you can see from the pics, it is in pretty good shape already. I will be sure to update you with anything I have done with it.

I can’t wait until next week when this baby arrives. Let the fun begin!

As you can see, it has been well cared for
Only 66,249 original miles
It might not be a V8, but I can work with it
Back view with the classic California blue plates
I love the 70's green. Very groovy!
So if you live here in the TC, feel free to stop on by and have a look for yourself. And notice the giddy grin that I have plastered on my face when you visit. I have a feeling the grin is going to be there for awhile.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

That looks so cool! I wonder if your girls will be mortified by it like I was of dad's Buick. Hopefully not.

Alicia said...

Yay Donald! I hope this gives you a lot of smiles and 'guy time' in the garrage!

Jan said...

Love it love it. I am crazy for cars like that. You did really good Donald.

I married a guy that had a nova. Was it the car or him? The world may never know. :)

Heather said...

Project time! Sounds like fun.

Lori said...

That's a cool car! My dad raised me to appreciate cars - and I'm sure you're doing the same for your girls. :) It's fun to share that interest with him and I also found that boys respect girls who respect cars. Not that your girls (or mine for that matter) are EVER going to date or anything. :)

Lisa Christine said...

Donald, this makes me happy too. It was really the perfect solution for everyone. In all honesty I dreaded the idea of you getting some old hunk of junk to tinker on and take up space. But this is different. This is the car I saw my grandmother drive when I was a child. This was the car that I drove when I was a teenager. This is special. I am SO happy for you. You deserved it :)

Stephanie said...

Congratulations! What fun!

SuzanSayz said...

Lisa is lucky. I wish I could find it in me to like dad's car, but it means nothing to me. Maybe if it was his original one, but the one he has now,does nothing for me at all.

Brooke said...

What fun! I love when situations like yours end up so well- it does seem to benefit everyone involved! My step-dad loves to restore and work on old cars too. Looking forward to some pictures of the progress...

tharker said...

Sounds like lots of fun! Well, except the 70's green, but that's just my opinion ;)

Mike 'n' Cindy Brinkerhoff said...

I see MUCH potential for hotness in that car!!

Kristen said...

That is definitely a win-win situation!!

When I saw this last picture of the inside of the car a certain lyrics played through my mind, "Stick shifts and safety belts, bucket seats have all got to go when we're driving in the car, it makes my baby seem so far."

It's a perfect seat for snuggling close to Lisa.

Anonymous said...

Hey, my pics look really good. Donald, does your website have an Insiders section?
McCain needs to kick barry hussein osama's butt tonight.

Mitchellaus Copernicus said...

No offense Lisa, but that car could have been found under an overpass in Cheboygan and it couldn't get any cooler. Can't wait to tinker on it with you.

KaTrina said...

It's gorgeous :) I love it.

Unknown said...

You're living the dream. They don't make cars like early 70s GMs anymore. They are TOUGH and COOL cars. I had a 72 Oldsmobile Delta 88. It had a couch in the front & back, power everything, 455ci V8, something like 16 feet in length, made of steel, similar vinyl/cloth style top as your Nova, nice smooth ride, ATE gas... The plan was to work on it too. It was pretty beat up. Your Nova is in A LOT better shape than my Delta 88 was. Definitely, fun to drive a tough car like this one. The beauty of these cars is that they never die. You clean them up, make them look nice & they're good as new.

Kristen said...

Yeah I know I'm cool...actually, I can't take the full credit. If I'm cool it's only because Mike is. He's the one that has me listening to all these bands like Cake, Styx, etc.

Your pay it forward story is awesome!!

And your comment about grocery stores not stocking that much milk made me laugh.

Anonymous said...

Once again your killing me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You know I have a 68 bug in the garage that rob and I have had for 10 years now...Every year rob says he is going to fix it for the cool desert nights parade...Every year it is not ready....lol...Maybe you can give him some motivation and we can go together next year...My bud needs alot thou....Kind of gutted out right now...lol...
So, happy for you!!!!! It will be sparklin for years with your car cleaning...!!!