Time sure flies..........

Something happened a year ago this week that lead my life down a different road. Before then, I occasionally visited this forum, but mainly spent most of my internet time on MCN, for Cougars, and Vintage Mustangs.

I had a plan to finish all of the cars I had at that time and had been taking one a year and finishing it to the point of show worthy. I had just had my Mustang Sprint painted and was beginning the reassembly. Then, I was to start on a '69 XR7 conv and I would finally be done.

You should never look for something unless you are ready to buy, because you will find it and face a huge decision, to put up or shut up!

I had been lurking here checking out the cars for severals months prior, thinking how neat it would be also own a Sprint Maverick. So, I began looking for one. That search ended when I spotted one on Ebay by one of the members here. I put in bid and went to work. When I came home, I found that I bought it. Holy crap, what do I do now? Put up or shut up time!

I am glad I put up and since then purchased a couple of more. My life got turned upside down and I began accumulating parts again for new projects, and my direction got shot off center. My Sprint Stang finally got to it's first cruise last weekend, many months delayed, and is still not totally finished but getting there, and the XR7 conv is to the paint stage with most other things finished.

The Sprint Maverick has a 302 now, a new steering column, and buckets. The Comet GT has a bunch of new parts to get it closer. Last week, I got Marti reports on both cars. Little by little, it is coming together. So, I am still hoping that I will still be able to finish most of them by the time I retire in a couple of years. We never get through. It is part of the Madness.

I would like to thank everyone here for being friendly and helpful in this endevour. This is a great site and I frequent it now most of my spare time and rarely go on the other forums anymore. Funny how those crossroads in life are, huh!

Now, you know why I call this old car hobby "the Madness".

Jim

 

You asked for it!!!

 

It is funny how things change in a hurry. My Maverick project is known around here as "Project Damn you Jason".....Jason works here in my shop with me and is my right hand man....one day he was looking at pictures on the computer and I saw him looking at a couple of done up Mavericks...I commented "I've always liked those".....a half hour later I came back into my office and there was a nicely done Maverick as a desktop picture on my computer....next thing you know I am looking around on Ebay and a week later we are headed 2 hours south to pick up my new acquisition....I needed another project like I needed a hole in the head but it was solid and cheap and I just couldn't resist. Rule of thumb around here now it to not put something "obtainable" on my desktop otherwise I might drag one home!

 

Yes...you definitely need some more projects!

 

what Ray said.

 

I guess this thread is worthless, since I have no pictures to display. In fact, I don't even own a digital camera. Anyone wanting to see my cars in person is welcome. If my son comes up from Tampa, maybe he can take some pics with his camera.

One point of this thread was to inspire stories like SVOPaul's. Everyone's life has crossroads in it. Depending on which road you choose will determine the direction your life heads. Ever wonder how your life would have been had you not decided to look for a Maverick?

I also wanted to express my gratitude to the good people on this forum. Unlike some forums, this one has little conflict and great comraderie. Everyone seems courteous and helpful. The ones I have met personally have been very pleasant people. You don't see too many forums like this out there. I am glad to be here and hope to get one of my Mavs or GT done enough to join in on the fun soon.

May the Madness be with you!


Jim

 

I'll add a pic of mine although it's not much to look at....

I agree though, while I've only been here a short time the forum atmosphere is great!!

Anyway....Here is my '72 the day I picked it up....I really have not had any time to do anything with it yet.

 

Nice car Paul
Looks to be in very good shape!

 

Well said Jim.

 

Ray, this one is for you.:bananaman

My son came up from Tampa today to visit for Father's Day since I work on Sun. He brought his digital camera, which needed batteries, but took several pictures with his cell phone. He said he would try and get them transferred over this weekend to the gallery, possibly with a link from this thread. Hope the quality is ok.

I pulled out 5 of my cars, including my white '69 Cougar conv daily driver, and he took a group shot, plus some single shots. The worse of the bunch is the Sprint Maverick, which is still a project. It is slowly coming together, though. The other 3 cars, the '69 XR7 conv, the '71 Grabber, and the '72 Comet Gt are also projects and stayed inside and didn't come out to play today. Maybe another time.

Stay tuned.

Jim

 

Jim, loved your story. You just never know where life can take you. Glad you are here.
Dan

 

It just goes to show how easy it is to become addicted to these cars when all it takes is a picture to set the wheels in motion. The best part is that it's a rather nice addiction. There's something about these cars that's very likeable, and that goes for thier owners too.

 

I'm not addicted. I can easily quit anytime I want. I have done it many times just to prove I can.

 

You know they can really get in you and not let go either. There has been twice since owning my first that I was without one and at those times thought I would go a different route but both times it was right back to the Maverick. See one sitting somewhere, here about one, see one driving around and there you go again. It is really the only "car" that I never get tired of. I love ford trucks but the Mav/Com is the only body style car I can stay interested in. And the family of owners I have met over the years, including Jim , have been great! And unlike Dennis I'll admit I can not quit, tried twice, thanks for this support group.

 

I started CCA years ago.....Car Collectors Anonymous....I am not only the President, I am also a client.

I stopped searching for a cure though....what fun would that be?