I turn 50 in a week and I stll want to be able to go out in the garage and work on an old car or truck, up to and including pulling engines and doing complete frame offs.

Let's hear from the 50+ crowd. Who's still restoring cars? And I'm not talking about the people who restore cars with their checkbooks. Who's the oldest guy who's still doing restorations and all their own work?

From the Model T clubs, I know quite a few in their 70s that still build cars, and even some well into their 80s that still "tinker". :thumbsup: They work a little slower, but they don't let that stop them from living life to the fullest. :cool:

I started mine at 50 Randy. I will be 55 this weekend and am still not finished haha. No problem doing the work while in your 50's, maybe a bit slower. The worst part for me is sliding under the car on the garage floor.

I'll be 67 in october, and can probably out work most of these younger guys.:) These youngsters would get in my way.:)

Somebody on here said slower, not slower just more cautious. Yeah the old guys know the deal, this ain't our first rodeo.:yes:

You should post "Is anyone under 50?" instead.

Go to the shows and you rarely if ever see an owner without less and grey hair.

No one under 50 has the cash to do these cars. :)

I'll be 62 next month. I still work on them and intend to do so after I retire. In the last couple years, my wife bought me a 4 post lift, and had a heat pump put on my 24x30 shop. She sold one of my cars to put up a 24x50 4 (or 5)car garage. My shop has satellite TV, 2 refrigerators, a washer and dryer, hot and cold running water, an oven (for powder coating), along with the usual welder, engine hoist, a few spare engines and trans. The garage has my project 56 210 2 door sedan, my project 47 Chevy 2 door sedan, and my 71 Chevy pickup (which needs a redo) and my original owner 86 Monte Carlo SS with 237K, that's looking to be freshened up. She gets one bay for her Tahoe. My 66 Chevelle is in my shop.........I think I've got a few plans for retirement, and she has plans for me to be in the shop when I retire, not in the house.

My step-father turns 68 in September. He helps with my Chevelle and I help him with his car ( 71 Lemans Sport Convetible with 455. )

You should post "Is anyone under 50?" instead.

Go to the shows and you rarely if ever see an owner without less and grey hair.

No one under 50 has the cash to do these cars. :)

I've still got 20 years to go before I hit 50.... There are a few of us out there.

I'll agree with your last line though. My wife is about to pop out our first kid and the hobby $$ are pretty much gone now- but that won't last forever.

I want my kid to grow up helping his dad work on greasy projects in the garage like I did- so as long as I have something to tinker with- it will continue.

My grandmothers neighbor is almost 74 and he's still working on projects. He just completed a 32 coupe and an international of some sort and now is working on a something new that I havent seen Grandmother told me he's hauling in pieces of a car or cars. He's one of those retirees that cannot sit still and has the coin to play with. Does all his own work but for the final body work and spraying.

Does feeling the oldest count for anything. Been workin on these cars for 30 years now since I was 15. My bones are not as flexible anymore.

Almost 59 and still at it. Hope I'm still able to well past 70.

I had a neighbor at the last place I lived that was restoring a 38 ford. He is a semi-retired farmer.

this guy at almost 90 is still putting out great work, one of the hot rod gods...Bill Hines.
http://kustomcarpictures.com/Bill_Hines.jpg

You should post "Is anyone under 50?" instead.

Go to the shows and you rarely if ever see an owner without less and grey hair.

No one under 50 has the cash to do these cars. :)

I'm 21, have to work my ass off to build this thing:yes:

The guy who painted my Chevelle 3 years ago is 74 and is workin an old 63 1/2 Falcon right now. Ground up resto in his 2 car garage on an approx. 45x120 lot in the suburbs. He also owns a beautiful 40 3 window coupe that he did a ground up on about 10 years ago.

When he painted my car, he started at 10 am, took a lunch and dinner break, then when I got off of work around 5 we'd work on it till 11pm. That was for about 4 months. He did not work Sundays or holidays. He painted it for FREE too. I just had to buy the supplies and help. When we got all done, he told me "even though its a Chevy, I absolutely enjoyed workin on it" That mad me happy.

I stopped at a gas station down the street to look at a 64 Galaxy. The guy was fueling up said he had just finished restoring it was passing through when he saw a car show (in the park across from where I live) and had been looking around.
In our conversation he said he was 78 (be 79 in August) years old. Then he asked me about how I got hurt. When he heard I was a truck driver he said he was too and in fact was still working. I thought he was joking around so he pulled out his Oklahoma CDL and his current DOT Physical card which he had just renewed in May! 78 years old!, and he was still driving OTR!!! Hats off to him boys!:thumbsup:
Almost for got! He showed me the pictures his wife took of the restoration, he was in most of them. He did it all himself! Paint too!:thumbsup:

You should post "Is anyone under 50?" instead.

Go to the shows and you rarely if ever see an owner without less and grey hair.

No one under 50 has the cash to do these cars. :)

I beg to differ. I built my 70 when I was 18, the 69 Malibu when I was 20, and the Charger at 25, and I still have 2 years before I turn 30. I'll have my 70 convertible done by the time I turn 30.

FYI, if you know actually HOW TO WORK on the car and not write a check for it, you can frame off a car for a relatively cheap price. I know how to do sheetmetal, fabrication, body & paint, build an engine or rear axle, and do suspension work as well as interior work. I only pay for parts. Over 60% of the people on this website are under age 50. I really hope the above comment was simply sarcasm.

58 and going strong. Only degradation is in the knees which slows down the getting up and down. I take care to make sure I don't get in places where I will need to move quickly to get out of the way. I didn't realize I would go from martial artist to gimp in a year, always thought it would happen gradually. Mother nature has a way of fooling you that way. Wrists are getting a little arthritic so I relie on air tools a little more than I used to. Still trying to get one of my grandkids interested enough that they would help out like I did for my grandfather (the original OrrieG).

I'll be 56 in Oct. :pout:

I will admit...that Creeper is a little closer to the ground lately than it used to be.
Or at least getting up off of it seems to take a little more effort. ;)

I am 62 1/2

RANDY: I just got my 1st Chevelle just over two yrs ago. And I'm 64. I've had cars back in the day. But went to Harley's for 25 + yrs. But then some jerk went by with a very beautiful 1970 chevelle SS 454. OHH MY god the bug hit so bad. I sold my motorcycle. And started on this quest. And I'm loving every min of it. Makes me feel younger. Until I have to get off the garage floor. ha ha ha. PLUS!! I met a lot of great guys doing this.Rick

You should post "Is anyone under 50?" instead.

Go to the shows and you rarely if ever see an owner without less and grey hair.

No one under 50 has the cash to do these cars. :)

I beg to differ. I built my 70 when I was 18, the 69 Malibu when I was 20, and the Charger at 25, and I still have 2 years before I turn 30. I'll have my 70 convertible done by the time I turn 30.

FYI, if you know actually HOW TO WORK on the car and not write a check for it, you can frame off a car for a relatively cheap price. I know how to do sheetmetal, fabrication, body & paint, build an engine or rear axle, and do suspension work as well as interior work. I only pay for parts. Over 60% of the people on this website are under age 50. I really hope the above comment was simply sarcasm.

This should be a fun thread, and he had the smiley face with it. Just roll with it.:thumbsup:

I really hope the above comment was simply sarcasm.

Of course it was, notice the smiley. Members here just like to have fun and bs with eachother. :thumbsup:

Anyway, I restored my first car at 16. ('65 Mustang) I had a paper route, sacked groceries and mowed yards in the summer. I'm now 34 and still do my own work when I have the time.

60 in Dec. and still working on cars. In fact I'm building a street rod now.

Will be 62 next Feb. Working on a 66 nova wagon:cool:. Have at least 2 more projects I would like to do. Don`t do the body work or paint, but do everything else myself. Don`t have the patience to do body work:(. Also maintain all my daily drivers.:D

51 this past May. Wife thought I was going to "grow-up" last year when I turned 50. Told her, I had finally realized that it was time in my life to get my priorities in order - hook or crook I was going to get this car project done. Only difference is, I finally have the racing out of my system. Time to enjoy the ride instead.

Let's hear from the 50+ crowd. Who's still restoring cars? And I'm not talking about the people who restore cars with their checkbooks. Who's the oldest guy who's still doing restorations and all their own work?

So how long does it take you to compound a tire or make an upper radiator hose? I don't weld or paint but I try to do most of my own mechanicals. I've never rebuilt a rear end and I didn't use glue to replace my body panels. I guess you figure that makes me a checkbook guy huh?

I'll be 62 on my next birthday if I make it.

I beg to differ. I built my 70 when I was 18, the 69 Malibu when I was 20, and the Charger at 25, and I still have 2 years before I turn 30. I'll have my 70 convertible done by the time I turn 30.
.

Yeah but you are from NJ, we all know there is some car restoration magic up there. It might take awhile but some of us in other states might figure out the recipe.

56, Don't need Viagra yet! But I could sure use a post lift:D

this guy at almost 90 is still putting out great work, one of the hot rod gods...Bill Hines.
http://kustomcarpictures.com/Bill_Hines.jpg

This guy can "lead" I saw him on monster garage and he kicked butt!!!!

BTW, I turn 47 this year. I have been wrenching (Bicycles, lawn mowers, go carts)since I was 9 and did my first cam swap at 13 by reading Hot Rod magazine. It was my (Middle) brothers 289 and he didn't even know what a cam was back then.

My oldest brother had bought a 70 RoadRunner and it came with a box of magazines and he gave them to me.

I turned 55 today and still work on cars. In the past I always did body paint work for a living and a few restorations. I got burnt out for a few years and didn't want a car, figuring with my background I would get a project to build. 5 years ago my wife saw this gold 72 and we bought it(she said it was my birthday present). My car is not perfect, but it wasn't a project, it need the right amount of work & tlc I want to do now. For you young guys, enjoy yourself working on these cars, I think it's great that you are part of the muscle car heritage. Remember cars are like women, when you're younger you have energy to work on a couple at a time, as you get older, you will be happy to work on one.

My Dad will be 65 in two months. He's still going, it just takes him a little longer to recover from a long weekend of working in the garage. I'm 35 and I kinda, sorta, in a round-a-bout way have enough money to build what I want. It all depends on your wheeling and dealing skills.

I am 63 and have 3 cars that I have restored in the past 12 years. I am going over my 57 now, replaced gauges, rear springs and next an electric fan. I need to do some spot painting on the 63. I plan to get the Chevelle ready to repaint this fall. I still enjoy working on them but probally will sell the Chevelle and Impala next spring, it takes alot of time to keep up 3 cars.

So how long does it take you to compound a tire or make an upper radiator hose? I don't weld or paint but I try to do most of my own mechanicals. I've never rebuilt a rear end and I didn't use glue to replace my body panels. I guess you figure that makes me a checkbook guy huh?

I'll be 62 on my next birthday if I make it.

No, the checkbook guys are the ones who drop a car off at a place like Jeff Lilly's in San Antonio with instructions to call when it's done. If you have the money, I guess that's okay. I have to farm out certain areas myself, such as interior upholstery. I don't think anyone does 100% of the their own work. Most of us have to farm out something. That's not where I was going.

The real reason I started this thread is because since I had to sell my Chevelle last year, I'll be starting completely from scratch when I finally do settle on my next project. And that's not likely to happen this year. I'll probably be 51 or 52 before I tackle my next car and I was wondering how many guys were still hard at it after age 50. And I was wondering how many had taken on new projects after turning 50, like I'll be doing.

Just installed a 468 in my driver over the winter, Had the old 454 bored at a shop and put it together at home, I borrowed a engine cradle that will allow you to tilt the engine. Took awhile but I got it in my-self
last week I installed some " Jewish " axles in my driver, I think they are a " MOSES " brand, Not sure Jewish or Catholic brand. Had to grind .050 off of the ends to get the shaft through the spyders.
Stuck a new Delco clutch on the 772 fan today, Trying to be cool. I still play with cars. July 17 of this year I will be saying goodby to my first 67 years on this planet. Hey look at the bright side, I figure any day above ground at my age , Is a good day!!!!!!!!!!!!!

just like the country song-- I am not as good as I once was, But I am good once as I ever was!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May God Bless all of you that, Eat the right foods ,,Run and Jog ,,hit the Gym. dont smoke or drink. Life is a one way street, Enjoy it while you have your health.
Bob:hurray:

I am about to turn fifty next month and just got into wrenching on cars. Have put the motor and trans in my Chevelle along with a bunch of other work. Had a shop do the paint but I stripped it of paint and took a good portion of it apart. We pulled it all the way down off the frame.

Traveling weekly for work and working mega hours prevent me from doing it all but I made the arrangement with the shop to work on the car with them when I could. When I was there I was working for them. I also told them to don't be shy about giving me the dirty work to do. They weren't. :noway:

Call me a check book owner if you want but I don't have a tremendous amount of experience and I wanted to get the car done before I die. I also saw this as an opportunity to learn. I would drive 2-1/2 hours on the weekend, stay at a hotel and work on the car. I learned a lot, probably didn't save too much money but I learned.

I also now have put a new cam, lifters, push rods and tming chain and gears in my Camaro. This was done with the help of a friend who is a master mechanic. One or two more and I will feel confident enough to do it without adult supervision.

I didn't have a dad who would teach me all the stuff he knew. He wasn't that type of guy. I will continue to learn and gain experience so I can do more and more myself. I will say that working on anything under the dash is a challenge between old eyes and a difficult position.

You should post "Is anyone under 50?" instead.

Go to the shows and you rarely if ever see an owner without less and grey hair.

No one under 50 has the cash to do these cars. :)


I beg to differ. I built my 70 when I was 18, the 69 Malibu when I was 20, and the Charger at 25, and I still have 2 years before I turn 30. I'll have my 70 convertible done by the time I turn 30.

FYI, if you know actually HOW TO WORK on the car and not write a check for it, you can frame off a car for a relatively cheap price. I know how to do sheetmetal, fabrication, body & paint, build an engine or rear axle, and do suspension work as well as interior work. I only pay for parts. Over 60% of the people on this website are under age 50. I really hope the above comment was simply sarcasm.

This should be a fun thread, and he had the smiley face with it. Just roll with it.:thumbsup:

Yup just fun and a hair of sarcasm. Didn't mean any harm. :noway:

Nice to see some "young blood" involved in the hobby, especially those who have the talent to do the work.

I am enjoying my build and doing all of the work I can myself, tore it apart myself, putting it back together myself, fortunate to be able to buy some pricey parts, but not all the pricey parts, and wise enough to know when I'm in over my head, talent-wise and shop-wise.

54 and working my a** off to pay for the build too! :D

Didn't mean no harm, no way, no how. :noway:

i'l be 62 july 18 at Super Chevy in Maple Grove, plan on having my 69 LS/Procharged chevelle there-i still do all my own work, body off, paint, body, engine building, fabrication, etc-always have, mainly cause i want it done now, not someone else's time frame
i am getting burned out, seems i have built a new car every year for the past 20 years, you do get tired of being in the garage all winter/summer, lol
i still like to drag race some, mostly if someone rents the track-done like sitting in line for an hour to run-prefer 1/8 mile also
everytime i would build one, i wish i had done something diff on it, so i sell it and start over, rather than redo the same car
prob owned 200-300 cars, totally lost count, prob 30-40 motorcycles, well over 30 of the cars were blower cars-i like boost, lol
years ago, i didnt want to grow old-found out i didnt have much choice there, so i decided not to grow up, i had a choice there

I have been working on a 72 Chevelle Heavy Chevy I bought 2 years ago.I am 71 years young but still can get around pretty good. I didnt do all the work but a lot. Currently having rear quarters welded up and plan on finishing myself then hiring out the paint for a daily driver. Chuck

I'm 24 and doing my 68 Camaro and my 70 Chevelle...the Chevelle is being done in small stages so I can keep one to drive. I work at Year One so that helps motivate me...but I love it its just a way of life that the more I look less and less really understand the passion.

I turned 59 on may 27th. For me age is a state of mind, I don't mind so it don't matter.
I took this week off to paint my 64 convert after 5 years of working
off and on the restoration. It was more fun than work, been messing with car's
since gas was 29.9 a gallon. At car show's I will go out of my way to talk with
a guy with more grey than me. Love the stories and reminice about how things used to be.

But as I got a little older I don't know if I slowed down as much as
trying to find the time to juggle all the projects between work and play.
Rich64

55 and just starting on the 68. I dont want to grow up