I joined the classic car crowd last year, and that was driven by nostalgia.
My first three cars in turn were all Triumphs, starting with a 1965 Triumph 12/50 manual sedan in 1971, a 1969 Triumph 2000 manual sedan in 1972, and finally a 1972 Triumph 2.5PI manual sedan in 1974.
In those times, I was driving around 30,000 + miles a year, so the odometer ran up quickly. The last passed on in 1977 when I bought the first Honda Accord in Australia.
The Triumphs had what we would in this day and age call character - mainly to justify any problems that we may have encountered. That was especially the case with the 2.5PI.
In early retirement, I started to look for meaningful (my word, not my wife's) things to occupy my time. I now have two historic cars, and am a member of a historic car club. My vehicles are a 1970 Triumph 2000 auto that has been upgraded to the 2500 manual with electronic overdrive, and a 1977 2500S manual. I have been surprised at how easy it is to source parts for them, and how my hobby does not cost a whole lot.
Since there were only 288 12/50's like mine made in the world, I sort of wish that I had kept mine. I notice a couple of coupes (of which only 144 were made) on Ebay, but the asking price in five figures is more than I am willing to pay. Maybe one day.
If you have an interest in old machinery, I would recommend that you look into classic cars, particularly if you live in one of those states that allow private use through a logbook system. My club, the Standard and Triumph Car Club of NSW, has proven to be a most enjoyable membership.