Just how dumb was I?

[ford38v8]

I saved my paper route money and bought a '49 Ford Convertible off a used car lot for $263 including tax & license. I had to borrow $40 from my father to do it. One broken axle and one thrashed engine later, I paid a backyard mechanic $250 to put in an Olds with a Hydromatic. Should have stayed with the Ford V8 & 3 spd overdrive, 'cause you know why. It barely ran at all, but I got $20 for it at the junk yard.