Why do some wives hate project cars so much?

[Charger440RDN]

I know this doesn't apply to ALL wives out there. But how many times have you brought a project car home without asking the wife her opinion and she gets pissed? Is it really about the money that was spent on the project or is she really worried that you will be in the garage paying more attention to the car than to her?  

[nh_mopar_fan]

Hasn't happened yet.

Last project I did, she dyed all the interior pieces herself.

[69 OUR/TEA]

Had 3 projects currently waiting,Labor day brought home project #4.My wife that I have been with now for 20 yrs(dated for 8,married for 12)knows the car hobby is in me,and is not going to change,doesn't really give me grief as she has seen me buy,restore,sell in the past years and does'nt fret over it as long as it never hurts the household funds(which it does'nt).By doing all the resto work myself and not having to farm anything out is where the difference is.If I had to pay to do everything,especially the paint/body,I would never be able to do it.,and therefore would'nt.As weird as this may sound,even if all my cars were done,other than the occaisional cruise night or car show,the rest of the time I think I would be bored and would want something else to do.I don't do fishing,hunting,golfing,sports,drinking,etc.I geuss what I am saying is I think I enjoy restoring them just as much as you guys that like to take them out for drives or show them.( that is my golf,fishing,etc!!)

[jb666]

My wife supports my GL project 100%, but that's very rare... A couple of my buddies tell me all the time that their wives would kill them... It's taking away from "their" money. As long as the bills are being paid my wife's cool!!

[bull]

In general it's not a good idea to just blow a bunch of money on something without telling your mate, unless the money has been set aside for such a thing. I'm sure most guys would be just as pissed if she spent $2,000 worth of household money on furniture without consulting them first. If it's money that's been set aside for a project car and she knows it and you both agreed to it then there's no reason for her to get angry.

[69bronzeT5]

My mom told my dad I'm turning into him, having a bunch of cars that don't run. Then again she only knows about the Charger and Duster. She dosen't know about the Coronet I'm getting for free However, she's into cars a bit. She used to have a '76 Trans Am 455 when she was younger. She mentioned last week she loves the body lines on 2nd Gen. Chargers (well '69s in particular). 

[aussiemuscle]

you make it sound like a rational, reasonable, well thought out relationship, bull, but many women aren't rational (that i know). Most of my friends had to give up their hobbies when they got married  not just car stuff. almost makes me glad i didn't get married, almost. 

[Daytona R/T SE]

Her:  "WHAT in THE FU@& is THAT?"

Me: "Just another hunk of shit that you have to pay someone to haul off to the
crusher when I'm dead"...

"Now, get your POS car out of my garage and park it on the street."

"Then get your ass over here and help me push."

[1969chargerrtse]

Plain and simple, 100% true, it's always about money.  As long as money is flowing my wife could care less.  Recently with 3  kids and her not working ( though going to Nursing school ) things have been harder and she is watching the bills etc and making comments.  When times are good and money is flowing I could get a package a day from UPS and she says nothing.  It's all about money, and I understand that.    I'm just thrilled my car is 95% done and all the thousands I spent are behind me.  It's turn key ready. 

[ZSmithersCharges]

Every time she gets mad at me for spending so much time on the car I make her come help me so she understands.  It keeps her quiet and helps her understand me more at the same time.  Shes actually getting into it, its kind of fun 

[beware the sleeper]

see that is why i am trying to marry my girlfriend, my only real passions in life are good movies (not indie movie snob good, just good) making music, and muscle cars, and she gets turned on by 2 of the 3... more depending on the movie.

[bull]

you make it sound like a rational, reasonable, well thought out relationship, bull, but many women aren't rational (that i know). Most of my friends had to give up their hobbies when they got married  not just car stuff. almost makes me glad i didn't get married, almost. 

Yes, this assumes you're not living with an idiot. If she agrees to the money being spent a certain way and yet she still gets pissed when it is spent that way then it's her problem. My wife is not an idiot but I knw that if I started spending more than the agreed-to amount, and it was cutting into our ability to cover the bills, there would be a problem.

[TruckDriver]

I lost 3 projects because of my ex wife. My '74 Rallye Charger 360 4spd car, My '69 Charger 383 4spd, & my '89 Ramcharger 4x4 360 4spd, 6in. lift 12.5x15 tires. AND, in '97, she told me to sell my owned '93 Freightliner (semi/business) or she would leave me. I did, and she still left me 5 years later

[The70RT]

Get a project and say it is hers and then get it done first  .... then start on yours. Get yours done and sell hers to fund another one and say it is for her again and it will be better  

I lost 3 projects because of my ex wife. My '74 Rallye Charger 360 4spd car, My '69 Charger 383 4spd, & my '89 Ramcharger 4x4 360 4spd, 6in. lift 12.5x15 tires. AND, in '97, she told me to sell my owned '93 Freightliner (semi/business) or she would leave me. I did, and she still left me 5 years later

Sorry to here that. Too late in the game for us....we been together 30 years.....she is use to all this now.

[elacruze]

Get a project and say it is hers and then get it done first  .... then start on yours. Get yours done and sell hers to fund another one and say it is for her again and it will be better  

My bodyman did that! He's got mine in the shop, his '70 'Cuda next to it, and bought a 65 Valiant for his wife...put both ours aside to finish/paint and swap a nice 360 in the V so she could make the Mopar Nationals in it. The 'Cuda stayed home...

[41husk]

I would agree, time and money are the top reasons some wifes have problems with projects (mine included) I have had a few projects and I believe a lack of vision has much to do with it.  My wife can't invision the POS sitting in the garage finished with people drooling over it,  they just see junk!  Much like when she comes home with shopping bags full of wonderfull deals from the mall, I don't see wonderfull deals.  I see a few more weeks before I can order the needed parts for my project, now!

[NHCharger]

Being in the construction biz for 25 years my wife has seen many other people in construction go down in flames due to drugs, alcohol, gambling,etc.losing everything they own. Seems construction people are more prone to these problems. She knows that my car hobby keeps me somewhat sane and she knows I'm not blowing money at the bars.

Another plus side is the knowledge I've gained over the years working on my cars. Last weekend I replaced the brake calipers, rotors and pads on her Jeep Grand Cherokee. All the parts cost about $200.00. How much would that have cost at the dealership or garage.

[ZSmithersCharges]

see that is why i am trying to marry my girlfriend, my only real passions in life are good movies (not indie movie snob good, just good) making music, and muscle cars, and she gets turned on by 2 of the 3... more depending on the movie.

we should crank out some tunes together 

[Belgium R/T -68]

My wife also appreciate me always beeing home on my sparetime busy with my projects instead of getting drunk at some bar
like I always did before. Ofcourse the household stuff has to be paid before moore parts are ordered.

Per

[beware the sleeper]

see that is why i am trying to marry my girlfriend, my only real passions in life are good movies (not indie movie snob good, just good) making music, and muscle cars, and she gets turned on by 2 of the 3... more depending on the movie.

we should crank out some tunes together 

long as you dont care about commercially releasing em (shackled by a contract) i am totally there

[ZSmithersCharges]

see that is why i am trying to marry my girlfriend, my only real passions in life are good movies (not indie movie snob good, just good) making music, and muscle cars, and she gets turned on by 2 of the 3... more depending on the movie.

we should crank out some tunes together 

long as you dont care about commercially releasing em (shackled by a contract) i am totally there

Sounds good to me, as long as they throw in some chicken and possibly one of those plastic back scratchers

[chargergirl]

My guy used to date a chick that said she thought he would grow out of the muscle car stage...LMAO! She also stated he had to get rid of his dog and cat...like I said used to date. He and I both love muscle cars! I have been bit by the Mopar bug and love my 2nd anniversary gift...66 Charger. I supported him when it was just his race car being done. I also have the wonderful experience of having a man that pays the bills first and puts aside money in a separate account for the car. In this manner he knows what he has to work with to get the job done for house and car accounts. Common Sense! Used to be with someone that bought for himself and paid bills late...used to be. I can't live like that. It's all about balance...for those women that get jealous over a car...they would be jealous over everything in your life and that's abuse. I know where my man is and appreciate the OTHER WOMAN being a car. (For my dad it was electronics). I truly believe that when you honestly love someone you embrace what is important to them. You may not understand it, you may not even like the hobby, but you can respect it and share aspects of it. True love is not romantic it's real.

[Back N Black]

The money that i have invested in restoring my Charger is not from my regular income, so my wife pretty much leaves me alone. 

[ZSmithersCharges]

The money that i have invested in restoring my Charger is not from my regular income, so my wife pretty much leaves me alone.  

Drug dealer? lemme get an 8th  

[PocketThunder]

The money that i have invested in restoring my Charger is not from my regular income, so my wife pretty much leaves me alone.  

Drug dealer? lemme get an 8th  

No..  its called an Unlicensed Pharmacist.