Letting Go (of Project Cars) is Easier Said Than Done

After I turned 60 in July last year and legitimized my dual citizenship – I’m a Filipino citizen and now a proud senior citizen – my wife Shawie and I decided that we should simplify our lifestyle. My idea of lifestyle simplification was to go out less and to stay home more, especially since I greatly value my privacy. However, Shawie’s idea of simplifying our lifestyle was to declutter our home and to sell or donate stuff that we don’t use anymore.

Among the various items that Shawie has posted for sale online (with the help of our daughter Vette) were several corporate giveaways and knick-knacks, small appliances like coffeemakers (we’re not big coffee drinkers), a couple of electronic gadgets, and, surprisingly, her 2011 Puma Biomega Nevis Ladies’ city bicycle. Even though she loved that tri-color bike, she decided that it was time to sell because she has chosen walking instead of cycling as her exercise regimen.

I somehow got onboard Shawie’s “sell-what-we-don’t-use” spree and eventually agreed to sell some of my project cars. My 1990 Nissan Cefiro 2.4 GTS-R (A31) and my 1995 Jaguar XJ6 (X300) were the latest ones to be sold. I also subscribed to Shawie’s observation that I have been going around in a never-ending circle – tinkering with one project car until another car would grab my attention because of a newly-acquired part that I would suddenly prioritize the installation of.

Shawie somehow convinced me that I would never get to finish any of my project cars if I continue to go on this never-ending circle. She pointed out that by selling one or two project cars, I can raise some funds to work on the other cars. Thus, after we sold the A31 Cefiro and the X300 Jag, I began perusing online sites that offer parts for my 1971 Chevy Camaro RS Z28, 1974 Volkswagen Super Beetle 1303S, and 1983 Mercedes-Benz 500SE (W126) project cars.

Unfortunately, the flood control scandal, the uncomfortable political climate, and the unstable fuel prices caused by Trump’s ill-advised war against Iran considerably slowed down business everywhere and affected our business ventures. The funds we got from selling the two cars went into funding our business instead of buying parts for my other project cars. Business has slowed to a point that we need to sell available assets to infuse more capital into our ventures.

And by “selling available assets”, Shawie is looking at selling one or two more project cars.

Oh, boy…

I sat down in front of my computer and looked at the Excel file that I made to monitor the expenses made on each of my project cars. I slowly surrendered to the fact that Shawie may be right: I have too many projects, too little time, and currently challenged with dwindling funds. Also, we do not have the garage space to keep all of our project cars if and when I get to finish the restoration of each one.

Aside from my ’71 Camaro, ’74 Super Beetle, and ’83 S-Class Benz, I am also the current steward of my late father’s 1996 Nissan Sentra 1.6 Super Saloon AT (B14) and a 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe LS 4800, both of which need some work before they can become roadworthy. On top of these cars, I am putting the finishing touches on a 1997 Vespa PX150E 2-stroke scooter that once belonged to Jeffrey “Epy” Quizon, the son of the late, great comedian, Dolphy.

In addition, I currently ride a 2022 Harley-Davidson Softail Breakout 114 that might require a new battery and some PMS very soon. Plus, I also have several bicycles – a vintage 1961 Fuji Youth rod brake roadster, a red Nishiki 12-speed racer and a chrome-frame MBS 10-speed racer, both from the 1980s, and a black 2011 Puma Biomega Nevis Men city bike, which is the male counterpart of Shawie’s tri-color Nevis Ladies.

So, what should we sell?

Shawie is more inclined to sell the ‘96 Sentra B14 just to free up a parking slot. However, B14s currently fetch low prices in today’s market so it feels more like we’re giving it away when we sell it. Moreover, this particular silver Super Saloon is the last car that my late father, Atty. Jaime G. Dizon owned, so it has sentimental value. A specialist mechanic advised us that the Sentra is in very good condition and will see better use as our son Chevy’s training car while he’s learning to drive.

I thought of selling the Vespa and the Super Beetle because they’re already in good running condition and they just need minor cosmetic touches. But then, I realized that the PX150E is now a collectible scooter since it was formerly owned by a celebrity. On the other hand, the 1303S was a gift from my late father’s friend, Ildefonso “Fons” Caluag, who passed away in 2020. I’m afraid that the ghosts of my Papa Jim and Mang Fons might haunt me if I sell the green VW.

I cannot sell the Harley yet because it’s still encumbered with a finance company until December 2026. I cannot sell the ’02 Tahoe because it is currently undergoing repairs after it was involved in a collision. I cannot sell the ’83 S-Class Benz because it was Shawie’s dream car and I’d really love to see this V8-powered German luxury car restored.

I definitely will not sell the ’71 Camaro because it was our date car when Shawie and I were just dating. Besides, we now have a son named Chevy who will get mad if he didn’t get to drive our sporty Chevy 2-door coupe once it’s fully restored.

So, what can we sell?

We could sell the ’02 Tahoe once it’s finished but I’m just not sure if buyers nowadays will go for a full-size American SUV with a gas-guzzling 4.8-liter V8 in light of the skyrocketing fuel prices.

As for my other project cars, I realized that I’ve become so personally attached to each one that I’m finding it hard to part with any of them. After all, I believe that I did not just find these cars. They came to me to be rescued and restored.

I could sell my chrome-frame MBS racer because I don’t really need two vintage racer bicycles from the ‘80s in my collection. Or do I?

Thus, I’m not sure that we can sell any of the vehicles currently under my stewardship. Shawie will definitely not sell her 2016 Suzuki Ciaz 1.4 GLXi since it is her daily driver and our current family car. So, I think I’ll just go see my favorite bank manager and work out a loan to fund our business ventures.

Wish me luck.