The Car Teaches Me Things

I've had my Triumph for about four months. Here are a few things I've learned.

1. If your car only has four forward gears, you are allowed to really rev it up as you work through them. This has the added benefit of making you feel like you are going really fast.

1b. You can try to shift into fifth with a four-gear transmission all you want but it won't work.

2. The internet is making car restoration a lot easier. No matter what you drive, it seems there are people out there that (a) know everything about the car and (b) are pleased to be asked for help. Plus it's made it a LOT easier to track down parts.

3. I am spending as much money on tools as on parts. I'm sure that the balance will eventually tip, but right now I'm laying out a fair amount of cash on tools - the usual stuff, like sockets and wrenches, and some specialized things like the road spring compressor that Miles brought back from London last month. (Thanks Miles!)

4. Best tool purchase? A box of rubber gloves. They eliminate a lot of hand-scrubbing and dirty fingernails. And they're cheap!

5. Spray brake cleaner is amazing. It cleans everything. Except my language.

6. Working on an old car like this is gratifying. It's good to learn something new, and I am really enjoying working with my hands - something I seem to do less and less of at the office.

6. In spite of the front suspension problems I've been working through, dang this thing is fun to drive.

7. Big delivery trucks sometimes can't see happy convertible drivers. The results:

Ouch! I'm taking her into the body shop next week. The good news? That fender would have eventually needed some work regardless.