Today's Room For Debate opinion pieces focus on collecting. One of the seven authors has 30 cars in his collection. I thought folks here might appreciate it... Why We Collect Stuff.

All I know is that if I had all the space and money I'd have a collection that looks something like Jay Leno's....and my wife would have something that looks like a Knoll showroom from the 50-60's

I collect a lot of things. Car books (spent a few thousand last year, expect to do the same this year...), Vintage and rare racing memorabilia, Hot wheels, 1:43 diecast Porsches, and Tamiya 1:24 scale model kits.

Why do I collect them? Couldn't tell ya. I could probably have a couple nice P-cars with my various collections liquidated. I like my stuff, though.

We collect things as investments and then we forget to sell them. Works everytime.

Car's to Gear Heads are MAN ART, who dosen't like collecting Art?

We collect stuff cause you might need it someday for something, and then we forget we have it and buy new stuff when we need it.

We collect things for spare parts for things we sold or trashed, and forgot we have parts.

I used to be able to place everything I owned in or on top of my 914. Now I have a family, house full of stuff, vacation home, cars and more stuff. Some day I hope to have the guts to be able to get rid of all my stuff and live a more simple life. Maybe ditch the phone and internet.

Oh , the hot wheels cars. I've kept those I didn't blow up with firecrackers (yes, sometimes I did blow shit up just like that Rocket City Rednecks show I bitched about- but it has been awhile). Some are allegedly are worth pretty much, but its not like I can take 'em down to the bank and they become money. I few are not too beat up even. Apparently the really stupid ones that I trashed long ago are the "rarest".

Most of the car parts I collect eventually find a use, some even for cars...

I, like the rest of you "collect" items for present and future projects. Then, when we are either done with them or move on without doing them, we have all this "collectible" stuff.

I have piles of stuff from each car project and a giant pile of Emergency, Code 3 type stuff that is too old to sell to Mexico police departments.

When does the stuff turn into collectible items is the part I haven't figured out!

Or is it the other way around? I admit I need counseling!

Collections .....

I like what I call "Wall Art" and stash. "Wall Art" can be the rarest of parts and stash is stuff I can't stand to throw away because I might need it someday (even though it may be trash).

"Wall Art" is ego ... I have something that can be damn near impossible to find. Score when I do ... bragging rights I guess. Eric Shea did a set of 914/6 rear calipers for me. I could never stand the idea of putting them on a car so I had to sell them to someone that would actually use them.

"Stash" ... Just to damn cheap to throw it away as the cost of new is absurd. Stash is the stuff I can give away/sell cheap to help someone.

I think the first article may have substance ... It takes us back in time. All represent those things I couldn't afford and drooled over.

I don't collect anything but dust.

Damn, I collect 914's, Parts, Automobilia, Watches, Car Models, Tools, Wheels, ex-girlfriends, Trophies, Hangovers, Music, Guitars, Beer Tap Handles,

Shit someone shoot me now




Glad I don't collect Guns

One in the same?
Mark D.

I've collected "stuff" for years because I know I would "need" it sometime in the future, especially nuts and bolts. Moved it from California to Washington state to Virginia and back to Washington state. Then when I need it, I can't find it and have to go to the hardware store and buy some more!!! I need help!! Hey, I've even organized some stuff and then still can't find it when I need it!
Tom

I recently bought a small clausing lathe but it's on a trailer waiting to be moved inside when I get time to move two cars and four motors on engine stands waiting for a car to go in. The trailer is the last one in the yard that was empty, now I can't go get anything else till I unload a trailer. I bought a front end loader for my 58 massey ferguson tractor but I decided to redo the tractor before I put the loader on it. The loader is for to put up the two post lift that needs to be blasted and painted before it goes in the shop. The shop is too full to get the lift in so that bay will need to be cleaned out. I will need to build some BIG shelves to put up all the 914/vw stuff from the many vw dunebuggys and the 914/suby and fieros projects I have. Hell I don't even have room to clean all the guns I've shot this winter. I was going to use the kitchen table but now my wifes retired so she's home too much.

Actually all would be good if I just added on to my shop again and bought another gun safe.