I agree. It's really a matter of perspective and your ability to enjoy
the challenge of keeping them on the road. I've got two spits (79 & 80)
and each have had major repairs over the past several years. Luckily, I
could afford to have a transmission rebuilt when needed on one and have
been able to address the majority of the rest myself. Since I work as
an systems engineer in my day job, I find a lot of pleasure in working
as my own Spit mechanic in the evenings. Overcoming the adversity of
maintaining British engineered automobiles gives a certain amount of
satisfaction. I call it therapy for my real job. I actually get to
take things apart, and then fix them. Try doing that with
specifications for large scale, integrated information systems. Thank
goodness for greasy wrenches, banged knuckles and the resulting
confrontation with reality.
Boy, was that long winded. It's a great hobby and I've been lucky
enough to get my Spits into good shape and have them stay that way. A
good shop and mechanic helps too. Motorhead just outside the DC beltway
has done a bit of work I haven't had time or the talent to do. They
aren't cheap, but their work is worth every bit of the cost. They
warranty their work for a year and stand behind it.
Keep 'em driven!
Mike P
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