[dataway]

Actually this restoration is costing me so much I can't afford to die.

I guess one option would be to tell the wife to beat the living crap out of it and when it dies, take it to a Pontiac show, park it and leave it with a note on it.

[Old Man Taylor]

I already have a trust, and since my wife is already gone my situation is easy. My daughter will be in control of everything. I'm sure some of my younger Pontiac friends would be willing to help her out.

She still needs to learn how to drive my hot rod, so Robert Johnson was giving her some preparatory experience.

[Goatracer1]

I'm getting up there in age and had heart surgery so I've been getting rid of all the stuff I've collected over the years. Anything that doesn't fit my cars I have been selling and giving to people that I know. I got rid of a couple dozen Pontiac drive shafts, 8 working auto trans, and several engines. Plus boxes of small parts. I realize that I'm too old to build any more cars. I still have some used "smalls" to get rid of. The 2 things I can't bring myself to part with are a complete 1966 Tripower and a complete 1965 Tripower. I've had these so long and they are in good shape (though the carbs would need new gaskets and pumps from sitting) that I just can't part with them.

[poncho-mike]

I started thinking about this a few years ago.

Last year I started putting together a list of the cars I have. I wrote out detailed descriptions based on what I could remember on each car, and listed an estimated value and date of the estimate. I will only say I have far more project cars than I need.

I've started the same with the more expensive parts. I used paint sticks to write the basic details of what the item is on the part. Hopefully my wife or kids will be able to search my files and find more info on the corresponding part.

I have two sons, both seem more interested in 4x4 trucks than my old Trans Ams. I wouldn't feel bad if they sold the cars and used the money to buy something they really like, even it if is a lifted truck.

Once I begin retirement in 3 - 5 years, I'll start selling off cars, keeping only my favorite five. If something happens before then, my wife and kids should be able to follow my notes and figure out reasonable prices and dispose of what they don't want.

I have started doing some estate planning, and I may end up setting up a trust.

Mike

[6 Grrrs]

Great thread. I never knew about, and just printed the T O D form for Pennsylvania and plan to get that done. I have been wanting to have a trust drawn up, but not sure what would need to happen. My son likes cars, but sports more. I always assumed he would get my Truck and GTO, but he is only 9 now.

My 454SS truck is a part of me since I have owned it for 25 years, yet it really isn't worth much to anyone else (I would love to know it is stored/taken care of until my son can respect it, and care for it the way I have over the years).

My GTO is worth more than I have invested in it, but was my father's car so it'd be great to pass on for generations. However if it is sold, the money could be put to better use.

My Girlfriend/spouse (his mother) doesn't have much interest in vehicles, but would hold onto them for my son if he wanted. She knows what they are insured for, so I would think she would have an idea what to sell it for. A few months ago, I had a conversation with a very close friend of mine about this. I asked him to assist her with maintaining/selling them if something were to happen to me. I would hope between the two of them, they would do what is best. I also asked him if he could take them out and drive my son around and keep them driveable until my son can learn to enjoy/drive/maintain them.

[fiedlerh]

My lovely wife has no idea, so if I kicked, I would need to have a trusted Pontiac nut sell my car and all my crap.

[Heybuck]

Originally Posted by Goatracer1

My youngest son gets my 67 GTO. He's worked on it for 25 years. Since he was just old enough to hand me stuff so he deserves it. My 64 GP I haven't decided yet. I have 3 more sons and grandsons so I don't know.

Sorry but unless you are irretrievably estranged from your other sons (or they from you?), what you are suggesting is a sure fire way to create long and lasting dissent between them and your youngest son.

Grandsons, doesn't matter unless you are treating one or more of them more generously than another. Better not to include them at all UNLESS, they are the progeny of one of your sons that may pre decease you in which case that child should be treated as equally as the other surviving brothers (your sons).

None of us can rule from the grave. Leaving an unbalanced (read unfairly balanced) will not create a lasting fond legacy of you.

JMHO

Ian

[Squidward]

I have nothing rare or valuable.

Out of the 67 Firebird and 72 Lemans, my son said he wants the FB "because it runs".

My daughter would easily take one off my hands. She likes the old cars.

I'd hope a couple of my Pontiac/car buddies would help dispo my car stuff so my wife wouldn't have to deal with it. She has her own pile of hoarder crap to deal with.

[bird72]

I want all you guys (and gals) to think of your prize Poncho..... after you're gone and looking down..... still has the healthy big engine you built.... still sounds good...... however, the honeycombs, or rallyes, or Americans you loved are now rusting behind a shed still have the BF's on...... while your pride and joy car you put 2500 hours in is at a car show! With 30 inch rims so shiney special sunglasses are needed and tires an inch tall. Yippeee.....................

['ol Pinion head]

Originally Posted by bird72

I want all you guys (and gals) to think of your prize Poncho..... after you're gone and looking down..... still has the healthy big engine you built.... still sounds good...... however, the honeycombs, or rallyes, or Americans you loved are now rusting behind a shed still have the BF's on...... while your pride and joy car you put 2500 hours in is at a car show! With 30 inch rims so shiney special sunglasses are needed and tires an inch tall. Yippeee.....................

No whooptees will ever roll on any of my keeper Pontiacs, not with my son, he was raised right!

To answer, the OP, we set up an irrevocable trust.

[craigs69]

Originally Posted by bird72

I want all you guys (and gals) to think of your prize Poncho..... after you're gone and looking down..... still has the healthy big engine you built.... still sounds good...... however, the honeycombs, or rallyes, or Americans you loved are now rusting behind a shed still have the BF's on...... while your pride and joy car you put 2500 hours in is at a car show! With 30 inch rims so shiney special sunglasses are needed and tires an inch tall. Yippeee.....................

Oh lord. I would think you would have to be looking up to deserve that much anguish. The bible tells us that to be cast in hell is an eternity of pain and suffering. 30" Dubs on my Poncho would qualify.

[Engine-Ear]

I am putting together a list that allocates my stuff...some to family, some to friends and some to strangers (charitable donations, you might say).

One idea on parts: create a "mapped" list that IDs parts that belong to a particular unfinished project.

Candidly, I was saddened to read all of the member's posts that reveal the disinterest (if not disdain) by their spouses and kids toward their Freedom Machines.

If this describes your situation, why not make a resolution to teach your spouse or kid how to drive your ride? And after passing that test, have him/her drive you around every week or two. I claim that the appreciation will build within him/her, and maybe you will discover a gracious recipient after you're gone.

[salem1912]

Originally Posted by marxjunk

im leaving my cars to an unsuspecting friend or two..

Hi buddy just checking to see how your doing.

[wheelspin]

Faced with the inevitability that I will someday reach the point where I am no longer able to care for my classic Pontiacs (I'll be 77 next month), I discussed this subject with my 4 adult sons. Only two of my sons have any interest in owning the two remaining cars. Best of all, the primary reason that they would like them is to have a car that their father hand-crafted, raced and drove cross-country, and who is currently performing a few tweaks in order to suit their future owners and environments.

As Ian pointed out, equal distribution of my estate proceeds between my 3 sons and Sharren's son is very important. We already have a irrevocable trust/pour-over will to which I added an amendment stating that the two sons who will receive the cars shall each have their shares of the trust reduced by $25,000 (arbitrary value of the cars). Furthermore should my wife require the value of the cars during her lifetime the boys are to pay her the $50,000 which would then restore their full shares in the trust.

All of the stock parts required to return these highly modified cars to stock are stored in inventoried tubs that go with the cars.

[yumpy]

Thanks for the info on the T O D. Didn't know you could do that. My long time g.f. doesn't have much interest in my Trans Am as it is too hard for her to get in and out of. I suggested that she give it to her daughter as she has all ways liked the car. Plus it runs a lot better than the ratty 68 Camaro she bought last year! I also suggested she sell it and use the money for property taxes. She'll need it with us living in New York. Now I have to figure out what to do with the unfinished 81 TA and 55 f-100. Time to get my butt in gear.

[GT182]

Originally Posted by sdbob

I guess buried with me.

I've been thinking the same as Bob.

My wife The Warden says her youngest grandchild, Logan now age 9, will get it. I say, under my breathe, no way in hell. I'll sell it and go on a good long trip by myself, or be buried in it.

[63gpman]

Originally Posted by Engine-Ear

If this describes your situation, why not make a resolution to teach your spouse or kid how to drive your ride? And after passing that test, have him/her drive you around every week or two. I claim that the appreciation will build within him/her, and maybe you will discover a gracious recipient after you're gone.

This is exactly why I purchased an automatic for my 2nd Pontiac. I want my wife to take it out and enjoy it. She did that with the 67 wagon and could see it build a little.

[Carl S]

My kids each get $15,000 towards a special interest car when they turn 21 if they are living a proper lifestyle free of alcohol, drugs, tobacco etc. They are not allowed to sell the car, it must be kept and remembered as gift from me. Our son used his $15,000 to buy a 2001 T/A WS6 convert when he turned 21 last fall, sounds like our daughter will do a similar purchase in a couple of years when it's her turn.

My thinking in this is that at least they "inherit" a car that they like, not one that dad liked. Originally I had a 67 Nova SS for our son, a 65 Acadian Canso Sport Deluxe for our daughter but they both admitted to liking new Trans Ams better. Why try to make them like a car that is not their style?

And I get to see them enjoy their inheritance to boot!

Problem is, 30K sure cut in to my hobby fund.....

[6TEE8GTO]

My Judge was sold by the children of the guy who spent years gathering up NOS parts to restore it. He passed before he could see his dream car completed, and a member here bought it and I purchased it shortly after that. It seems they didn't know what they had.

My cars are all listed in my will by vin # and will be left to my kids. We had a candid discussion before I had surgery and there was no arguing over who gets what. Good idea to handle these things before something happens. You guys over 50 like me, if you have health issues, you should have "that talk" with your spouse and have everything laid out, who to call, who to contact, insurance polices, etc... "Open this after I'm gone, has all the info you will need".

[1969GTO]

I'm going to be looking down watching my kids fight over it. lol