[J_JAMNIK]

I have driven a 68 Bonneville wagon as a daily driver for the past 7 years(except during engine rebuild). It isn't pretty, but people think that it's pretty cool. The best part is it seats 9, people will not pull in front of you, I can park it and not worry about door dings (and I tell my kids to be careful not to hit the other cars when opening the doors), insurance is cheap, and it is capable of 20 mpg on the highway if I drive 60 mph. It always starts, I can put six sheets of 4' x 8' sheetrock or plywood in the back and still shut the tailgate, and people stay out of my way, wait, I already said that. If you can't work on your own car, an old car isn't for you. The labor cost for all of the neccesary work that I have done is well over $12,000 and the parts would be outrageous because repair shops don't let you bring your own parts. The transmission rebuild and the 2 1/4" exhaust is the two things that I have paid to have done (I removed the trans myself to save the extra $150). The down side is I have to lift the hood about twice per month and last baby I had the valet at the hospital didn't want to park the car. I don't have to carry a spare axle with me any more(pressed on RW408BR bearing) since I replaced the entire rear end that caught fire(backlash is very important here I found out)! You should have seen the look on the lady's face that saw my rear wheel axle snap and stop to help when I pulled a spare rear axle out of the back! She couldn't believe it when I was on my way 15 minutes later. When I get safety inspections I pay 12.50 and don't have to wait for all the emmissions testing crap!