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Original poster

My car has had it, but my late Dad bought it for me.

16 replies

redrubyindigo · 05/02/2014 19:42

DH is nagging me to replace my old car. Many years ago when I was skint and struggling with buses in a rural area Dad walked to the garage over the road slapped the bonnet of the nearest car and bought it for me.

Dad died two years ago. I wish I had the money to keep it restored and in a garage for Sunday outings.

I am being a sentimental twat but I know it will be scrapped. Sad

Give me a good talking to. It is a bloody car.

OP posts:
kelper · 05/02/2014 19:46

My dh is like this with his late dad's car, and he passed in 2006.
I believe it has now been given to a friend as a farm car, but dh and his dad were very close and he struggled.
So yes it is a "bloody car" but it has lots of sentiments attached.
Maybe keep the number plates? I'm sure your dad wouldn't mind :)

Original poster
redrubyindigo · 05/02/2014 19:50

Kelper

Keeping the number plate is a lovely idea. The engine is fine and it has very low mileage (57k on a twelve year old car) but it is rusting away underneath.

The mechanic did that 'whistle through the teeth' thing when he saw it. Will cost as much as the car is worth to repair.

OP posts:
NoMoreMuddyTrousers · 05/02/2014 19:51

The car that I bought from my dad gave up about 2 years after he died. The local garage took it to an auction for me. They kept it on their forecourt in the meantime, and I couldn't drive past without getting upset that somehow I had done something wrong and not looked after something my beloved dad had given me. So the garage, bless them, moved it for me so that I wouldn't have to see it!

Funny isn't it, how even a heap of metal somehow seems to hold part of that person.

hootloop · 05/02/2014 19:53

I have my Gran's dining room suite, table and chairs, , display cabinet and side board it is falling apart and horribly old fashioned and doesn't go with the house, not only is it my gran's but ut is the last thing my Grandad bought for her before he died just before I was born.

I just can't bring myself to get rid. Sometimes I walkin the dining room and swear I can even smell my Gran's perfume.

hootloop · 05/02/2014 19:55

Oops

Pressed send not return somehow.

Your car probably is repairable do you have room to keep it as a project and do it up yourself even if you have to learn as you go? As well as as getting a new one.

Original poster
redrubyindigo · 05/02/2014 20:02

It probably is repairable but is it wise to spend the money on it? We have a driveway and a garage so could store it I guess. It has wind down windows and a cassette player! I think that is why it has been so reliable, there is so little to go wrong with it.

Might be a way to get DH to clear out the garage.

I once worked in a company with lots of American employees and it was so funny to see them crowding round my little car and asking to drive it. They ignored all the Jags, BMWs, Mercedes and the Aston Martin parked up.

OP posts:
Slippersandacuppa · 05/02/2014 20:07

Ahh, I can understand why you'd want to hang on to it. How about one of the 'cash for old bangers' schemes? I know Brooke Hospital for Animals does one. They'll come and collect it and any money they manage goes to their work. We're going to do that with our past-it car. You could donate it in your dad's name (and keep the plates!).

figgypuddings · 05/02/2014 20:08

Worth finding out if there are any enthusiasts near you as they might be able to help restore your car especially if you explain that it was from your late Dad.

Reincarnatedpig · 05/02/2014 20:12

My husband was like this - he inherited his grandmothers rust bucket of a car and wanted to keep it forever, he even sold his reasonable car and talked and talked about having it restored. We didn't have a garage to store it in or money.

In the end it broke down on Marylebone Flyover, we were very lucky not to be hit by other traffic especially as DD1 6 months old was in it. It could have killed us all. He sold the remains to a garage to be used for spare parts.

Original poster
redrubyindigo · 05/02/2014 20:21

I am still friends with the daughter of the garage owner and he always jokes when he sees me that it was the fastest sale he ever made! Thanks Dad.

I know it is getting rusty underneath but I think I will try another garage for a second opinion and if they do the 'sucky teeth' thing then I will into Slippers idea of donating it to Brooke Hospital as Dad loved dogs and all animals.

OP posts:
piratecat · 05/02/2014 20:23

what car is it? x

ITCouldBeWorse · 05/02/2014 20:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
redrubyindigo · 05/02/2014 20:47

It is just an old Ford. Nothing special.

OP posts:
WMittens · 06/02/2014 12:56

There are some very special old Fords; Mk1 and Mk2 Escorts can be silly money now.

Starballbunny · 06/02/2014 13:24

Your not being silly, I come from a family that get soppy about cars. I still miss my very first one, which was an ex garage demonstrator with a daft paint job.

Our house is full of furniture from DHs late parents house and I still have my great aunts colander, which has a sharp base and needs to meet the bin. I took it to uni, it's drained my spuds all my adult life (I'm 46 and I'm sure it's as old as I am).

misdee · 06/02/2014 13:25

Can you afford to repair it?

Is it silly to keep hold of things that mean a lot to us?

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