Most of you are familiar with my white Lincoln, Art. It's in great shape, has low miles (109,000) runs great and is completely stock. Overdrive slips and it has a few other small problems but overall it's pretty solid, air ride, Teves brakes, etc...
A friend of a co-worker has an unmolested '90 5.0 5-speed notchback he's willing to trade for Art. It's totally stock, has 160,000 miles, new tires and runs great. I'm going to drive it tomorrow. It has a bit more rust than Art and the interior is a bit worn but it's in decent shape.
The thing is I don't really feel like I own the white Lincoln. I feel obligated to restore it and pamper it like a show car. I'm more of a "go" car person. I like functional. It would be going to a good home, this guy's a collector in his 50's and his vehicular addiction far surpasses my own. I could see it in his eyes when he was looking over the white Lincoln.
After driving the Stincoln and Art on alternating days this and last week I came to the realization that I prefer the more Mustangesque ride and handling of the brutish, uncouth Stincoln. It's just... me. As is a 5.0 5-speed. I'm leaning toward doing the deal but I'm still a bit hesitant. As odd as it may sound I'd like to put a clause in the trade that says he can't hack up Art to fix his Fairmonts. Yes, plural. He has two. On the other hand I'm a firm believer that once an object is transferred from one person to another the former owner has no say whatsoever in what the current owner does with said object.
Yet still there is the obligation to honor the white Lincoln's namesake by restoring and caring for the car.
What would GRM do?
Title fail...
