Re: Posting to say hello

 

Greetings Doyt,
 
I haven't posted here in some time, but your story touched a nerve.
I am 69 and surrounded by a life's collection of machinery and spares, some 
of which has a hold on my soul. I built the engine for the red '91 Jetta 
right here at my home shop, and here she sits after being hit by a garbage 
truck 3 years ago. She needs only a fender and headlight, but we have a 2016 
Jetta 1.4 liter that is so far trouble free and gets 38 mpg around town on 
cheap regular gas. Next to her is parked another '91 Jetta, this one green. She 
was my X's ride years ago. When the 1.8 gas engine wore out I installed a 
1.6 TD in its place. Health issues and several journeys to China interrupted 
the project's completion. In the garage sits a 650cc 1954 Triumph cafe 
racer, unstarted in more than 20 years. The '85 BMW K100 and the '38 Indian Scout 
get ridden often, because they are both pretty much bullet proof. All these 
machines have my blood in them, literally. They consume fuel and air, much 
the same as people do. To bring an old motorcycle to the point where it 
lives again is as close as I'll ever to get to giving birth. Same with the 2 
Jettas. But the eye opener is the personal nature of these possessions. They 
are mine by strife and pain, no one else's. Nobody else has the connection, 
nor do they care to. So here they sit, slowly returning to the Earth from 
whence they came. I have no solution to your dilemma, Doyt, as I am in the same 
boat. Unless someone shows genuine interest all this stuff will sit here 
until I die. My wife and kids can then junk it all. I won't be around to give a 
damn.
Just wanted you to know you're not alone.
 
Bob Slater
In the Entire State (NY)
 
 
 
 
 
In a message dated 6/25/2016 11:03:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
[email protected] writes:

My 89 Jetta 1.6TD is resting in the driveway, watching all the 
activity and itching to get back on the road and do what TD's do 
best.  I wash it every few weeks. But this summer I need air 
conditioning and quiet running at 70+mph on the turnpike. So I choose 
the 2014 Toyota Hybrid almost every day.  And it gets between 38 and 
44 mpg without any drama anywhere, any time.  So, the 89 sits and 
waits because I invested years and sweat getting it there, finishing 
the minor body work, replacing the engine and clutch and adding the 
turbo.   It is a great spare car, with spare AAZ engine, three 5 
speed diesel trannies and three spare injection pumps, spare 
headlights and tail lights, a speedometer and boxes of alternators, 
relays, vacuum pumps, door handles and fuses and parts. Sandy Cameron 
in Canada knows about how the shelves fill up. He is 82.   I'm 86 and 
having trouble letting go of my hobbies and toys. Just wanted to keep in 
touch.

Doyt Echelberger
Ohio, USA

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