23 year old engineer invested in a 1931 Ford Model A instead of stocks. And WON!

[Flathead Fever]

I invested in both stocks and old cars. A Shelby '66 GT-350 in 1982 for $8000.00 and about a dozen "project" cars since then, I stall have all of them. I'm not good at selling stuff. I'd say after all these years the stocks are winning the value race. Some of my cars aren't worth any more than they were 10-years-ago. I buy old Fords because I like them, if they make money that's a good thing but it's not what's important to me. You have to do both, buy stocks or some other type of investment for your retirement but also buy things that make you smile for your "now" years. I was a mechanic for the phone company, so I wasn't rich, I just split my spare money between buying what I liked and investing for my retirement years.

[P.S.]

Lots of good input here. And some not so good.

I believe this conversation may have wandered away from the point that a YOUNG guy decided to buy a Ford Model A instead of investing all his portfolio into stocks. John clearly says he invested in stocks and bonds before he bought a Model A.

What should have been a joyous discussion of young people carrying the torch for our hobby has turned into a discussion of whether or not the young guy really did invest properly or whether the initial idea to buy the Model A was made purely from an investment standpoint, or that he lied. Frankly, that kind of comment makes the case for the negative stereotype some have about people on web forums.

Here's the facts- At 23 years old, this guy decided that he and his future bride would be better off having a Model A Ford than not having one. From a financial standpoint, he could justify it. He pulled the trigger and made it happen. This car is a positive part of their young lives. He was willing to share their story publicly and inspire others.

Can we just be happy for them and for people like them who will make up the future success of our hobby? Or do the web forums have to nitpick them?

[TerryO]

Originally Posted by ronn

Hitman- nvidia went up close to 200% in ONE yr.
that equals 3 model As
not a bad ROI

Driving my Model A is much more fun than counting my money (it also takes longer). Besides he is young enough to build a retirement while he and his wife enjoy life in a Model A.


TOB

[ronn]

Terry, learn to live large and drive 3 model As!

lol. Ill buy the cigar!

[rackops]

I thought it was a nice video, and as someone who bought my first Model A when I was young(er) at 35, I can identify with some of his context.

In my case, I sold off my World War One uniform collection and bought the car. My wife said while driving in our first parade, "This is SO much better than a room full of old uniforms!"

So in that aspect, I won. On the other hand, if I had invested the same amount ($26k at the time) in the stock market, I'd be sitting on $46k right now. If I still owned that car, I could probably get somewhere around $20k for it with the way the market has gone down on these cars.

Technically, stocks would have been a better option, but the car was much more fun. I will agree that I won in the long haul.

[Jeff/Illinois]

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We all assume we have many years of life left, that the other guy is gonna buy the farm not us.

After two bouts of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Cancer that I wasn't supposed to 'get through' I've finally learned that whatever makes you happy, today, NOT when you are 70-75 plus years old, you had better do it.

Too many of us fuss over 'gee will I have a lot of money in old age?' By then you will be stricken with arthritis, diabetes, kidney failure, heart failure fill in the blank---- and the Medical 'Industry', Government, and the Legal profession are all going to steal what you spent a life time accumulating anyway


All our lives we are preached to, to save for old age. Why? Oh wait that is the 'investment bankers' telling you that, so they can make a lot of money off of your's without actually doing any work.


If a Model A makes you happy, buy 2 of them

[ronn]

well said Jeff!

Here here.............................................. ... no guarantees on anything.

[P.S.]

Well said, Jeff. Except I passed up owning only 2 Model As a long time ago.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

We all assume we have many years of life left, that the other guy is gonna buy the farm not us.

After two bouts of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma Cancer that I wasn't supposed to 'get through' I've finally learned that whatever makes you happy, today, NOT when you are 70-75 plus years old, you had better do it.

Too many of us fuss over 'gee will I have a lot of money in old age?' By then you will be stricken with arthritis, diabetes, kidney failure, heart failure fill in the blank---- and the Medical 'Industry', Government, and the Legal profession are all going to steal what you spent a life time accumulating anyway


All our lives we are preached to, to save for old age. Why? Oh wait that is the 'investment bankers' telling you that, so they can make a lot of money off of your's without actually doing any work.


If a Model A makes you happy, buy 2 of them

Jeff,

Agree 100%. I say this as I've started the count down until I retire at 55 next December. Recently, I've had friends who passed away or fell into ill health. The reality is do it now for there may not be a tomorrow.

I'm lucky to have married an incredible woman who shares my values. Early on we scrimped and saved and lived below our means. We've been able to save up a considerable nest egg while also putting money aside to pay for our two son's colleges.

That said, you do need to find a balance of responsible saving and living your life in the present and trying to enjoy every moment.

[bobv]

I was brought home from the hospital after my birth in a model A. I have been told that if I was cranky or wouldn't go to sleep they would take me for a ride in the A and I would quickly fall to sleep. After a while they found that they only had to start the A and let it idle and I would fall to sleep, so I guess I have always had a connection with the A even if I didn't realize it.
Show people your stock portfolio and your model A and see which one gets more smiles, waves and thumbs up.😊👏👍

[Russ B]

I would never consider a car as a financial investment. Back in the ‘90s I sold 80% of my stock to finish building a Model A. Today, that 20% I kept is worth almost $3 million, and quarterly dividends are more than I paid for the stock.
On the other hand I have no regrets on spending a lot of money and time on my old Fords over a period of years. A car is an investment in unmeasurable pleasure and satisfaction.

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by Russ B

I would never consider a car as a financial investment. Back in the ‘90s I sold 80% of my stock to finish building a Model A. Today, that 20% I kept is worth almost $3 million, and quarterly dividends are more than I paid for the stock.
On the other hand I have no regrets on spending a lot of money and time on my old Fords over a period of years. A car is an investment in unmeasurable pleasure and satisfaction.

Russ.... buddy... let's us go buy a '70 Boss 429.... I'll let you drive it a couple times a year

Well done!!

Tim ------I gotta warn ya after retirement, the years go into warp speed I've been retired 18 years now and have NO idea where those years went! And like you, most of my school chums and work friends are dropping monthly soon none will be left....

[Anteek29]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

Russ.... buddy... let's us go buy a '70 Boss 429.... I'll let you drive it a couple times a year

Well done!!

Tim ------I gotta warn ya after retirement, the years go into warp speed I've been retired 18 years now and have NO idea where those years went! And like you, most of my school chums and work friends are dropping monthly soon none will be left....

Jeff, you are so right! I've been 'retired' for 20 years and now time just ZIPS BY. Sadly, my family members and friends are passing on as well.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by bobv

I was brought home from the hospital after my birth in a model A. I have been told that if I was cranky or wouldn't go to sleep they would take me for a ride in the A and I would quickly fall to sleep. After a while they found that they only had to start the A and let it idle and I would fall to sleep, so I guess I have always had a connection with the A even if I didn't realize it.
Show people your stock portfolio and your model A and see which one gets more smiles, waves and thumbs up.������

BINGO! This nail has been hit squarely on the head.

[TerryO]

Tim ------I gotta warn ya after retirement, the years go into warp speed I've been retired 18 years now and have NO idea where those years went! And like you, most of my school chums and work friends are dropping monthly soon none will be left....

Life is like a roll of toilet paper...the closer you get to the end the faster it goes...


TOB

[old31]

Terry, that's a crappy saying!

[old31]

Originally Posted by ronn

gullwings are around 1.5 million on avg

Oh, sure, Ronn. Thanks for reminding me. Let's see: If I had invested 7k, I could have had a 1.5m return. Not bad.

[Smokedtires]

Enjoyed the video and story, thanks Paul. Our Model A lead my wife and I to the Old Car Festival this year in Greenfield Village. We went with another couple from our Model A club and had a blast! I don't view my car as an investment but as a hobby that allows my wife and I to travel together, enjoy, and make new friends along the way.

[TerryO]

Terry, learn to live large and drive 3 model As!

lol. Ill buy the cigar!

I do...
TOB