Thinking about a higher level of the car hobby. Part One.

1931 Cadillac.
This poor car has fallen on hard times.

The concept of stewardship.

"There are several definitions of the word. While none captures it's true essence, my favorite is: The careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care." Stewardship implies a special kind of care, responsibility, and trust. Yet it is more than this. Stewardship means something sacred." ( definition found on the web)

I have always concentrated my interests on low level type cars and their ownership.

Cars that are affordable and accessible. The type that most people have had experience with, and exposure to. 

Sometimes, I'll admit, that I push my bottom feeder narrative to the extremes. 

 Could this bike be the beginning of my Dream Build? 

The Sportster was always a very basic motorcycle.

Maybe. It does get some things right. 

 Thinking about Then Came Bronson. Part Two.

While it looks like a stock XLCH model, it isn't.

The Bike.

The motorcycle was always the focus and star of the show in my eyes. Any TV show that featured motorcycles, even if in just one episode would catch my attention. Maybe some of you out there can remember the episode in the old Dick Van Dyke show where Rob bought a small 50cc tiddler. He is out riding and encounters a group of serious bike riders. Years later I was able to find the episode on YouTube and saw the the other motorcycles were HD Sportsters and a couple of Triumph twins. Looking for motorcycles on TV was like looking for dinosaurs, even if they were just an iguana with a fin glued on it's back, they sure were worth watching!

 Thinking about Then Came Bronson. Part One.

"Gee, I wish that I were you!"
"Just hang in there."

This iconic exchange was part of the opening sequence to every episode of Then Came Bronson. Jim Bronson is headed out of town and stops at a traffic signal next to a harried commuter. The motorist looks over at Jim sitting on his bike and asks if he is going on a trip, Bronson replies that he is. When he is asked where he is headed, Bronson replies, "I don't know, wherever I end up." The motorist then declares that he wishes that he could be in Bronson's situation. Bronson replies, "Just hang in there." then he rides off to chase that long  lonely highway.

 Taking stock of my newest purchase.

The tires look good but are quite old.
The hubcap and trim ring are in fine shape but need cleaning and polishing.

Once I got the Plymouth safely home it was time to take a more detailed look at it. As well to put some miles driving it to get better acquainted. 

 Fetching the '46 Plymouth. Part two.

The car looked even better in person.

After a thorough test drive, inspection, and interview with the seller, I decided that I definitely wanted the car. My Wife had arranged to have a U Haul trailer available at a nearby rental yard. We called to confirm the reservation, then asked the seller if he would drive the Plymouth back to  the Albertson's parking lot for us, which he agreed to do.

 Driving down to So Cal to pick up my "newest" old car. Part One.

I finally made the leap!

Driving down to So Cal to look over my "newest" old car.

I called the seller of the '40 LaSalle that I had seen last Summer, and he advised me that the car had been sold. Drat! It had been a good car and a good deal. I had been hoping that the car was still available, it had been listed twice, and I knew that it sometimes takes a long time to find a buyer. 

Thinking about the LaSalle, I got to thinking that maybe I should look for a car in similar condition; a driveable, usable car that was already in good shape. I would have to expect it to cost me more upfront.