History Where is this hobby headed?

The cars and styles I'm into are the stuff I saw as a kid running at the local track or cruising around town that I thought was so cool. With my 55 it's mostly older guys (and women!) who had one as a first car or they went to their prom in one. Stuff like that. Super cool stories that I love hearing. Other times it's lowball flippers looking to make a buck off of my work. Not super cool. There's still enough interest in our cars to attract vultures, but not enough to keep the torch burning into the future, I fear.

I get more questions and comments about my OT 1989 Mustang from younger guys than I do with my 55. My Mustang is a hit with the young guys and kids, and it is now as old as a 55 Chevy was in 1990. Just like me when I was 13 years old seeing 55 Chevys light up the drag strip and cruising around town. It all makes sense. You can still buy these cars relatively cheap. Just like my 55 was a lot more affordable when I bought it almost 20 years ago. I wouldn't be able to buy it now. There are still affordable old cars out there, but the interest from the younger generations is not there.

I've seen buddies age out of this hobby, have life events force them to sell off their cars and collections, or pass on and leave their life's passion and legacy to be squabbled over by greedy relatives. I've seen all the talent and dedication on the HAMB age (as have I, not to even begin to compare myself with some of the legends on here), and some pass on. Our pond here is only big to those of us swimming in it. To the outside world, what we do isn't even a blip on the radar.

The newer generations aren't into the stuff we are, plain and simple. With the current state of the world and the economy for working class people, I feel like our cars have a very limited future. I believe we'll all either age out, be priced out, or be legislated out of this hobby. I just plan on doing what I always have done until I can't. But it's depressing to think that the future generations we will pass these cars and collection on to may not be able to enjoy them, or even care.

What do you think?

Edit: I call it a hobby because this is not my lifestyle. I've created a lifestyle that lets me enjoy my hobbies, not vice-vera. I have other interests and they all make me who I am. I am not defined by my car.

 

My Hobby Is Headed Out To Enjoy The Road...Period...

 

Saturday night I went to a "cruise in" in Council Bluffs, Ia, I was invited by my neighbors grandson (25 Year old), he likes my 38 Chevy, the T roadster, not so much. A guy in his thirties/early 40's? found me and wanted to buy my car, was totally enamored with 37-38 Chevys, I was able to give him a lead on a project For what it is worth the car was painted over 40 years ago, and the paint has lots of scratches and paint de laminating, I hadn't washed it since last year Parked nearby was a 34 Coupe, younger guy, he'd never heard of the Jalopy Journal, his car would have fit perfectly here so I have more hope now about younger people continuing our "style" of cars. I suspect that most of the cars in the cruise in had never been displayed in a typical car show. The flamed 40 was built by my neighbor, his kids and grandkids will carry on the mantle.

 

I've been hearing the "only old guys are into this anymore and it's going to die out any day now" story for like at least 20 years and it's never true.

I've had plenty of young guys (I'm 43) tell me they like my '57 Chevy, and I'm sure many of them would like to have one, but they're expensive for a young person, especially if they have limited space.

If the hobby was really dying out, prices would be dropping, but they haven't yet. I think we're fine. If you want to help, actually drive your old car around and use it as a car, not just to car shows and shit. People love that, that's where you'll get people interested.

 

It’s that time again

 

The sky was falling when I started reading car magazines in the 70s....still waiting for it to fall.

The hobby is as strong as ever, but it has changed with the times. The fast street cars are a hell of a lot faster than when we were kids!

 

To keep it positive, should be on the upswing since millennials have now priced us young guys out of 80s and 90s import cars. Got into that stuff myself because I couldn't afford muscle car and hot rod era cars. Now they're not any cheaper and I'd much rather American cars for the prices.

 

I do a lot more driving than sitting in parking lots, that's for sure. Anymore it's just putting on miles or hanging out at my buddy's shop messing with his old cars.

 

Seems like this topic comes up on a weekly basis...I agree with Squirrel, I've been hearing the same thing since the 1970s but yet there are younger people still building and driving cars.

 

I spend a lot of my time in the garage, since none of my stuff runs lol. Did make it to CCR this year. Good show, was worth the drive.

 

There is something elemental about cars that people can work on without a lot of special tools or electronic parts, and that seems to slide right up to the early 70s. But a lot of the early cars can inspire an almost magical attraction that fascinates people, and particularly young mechanically minded people. I don't think that is going to change.

 

I was 10 years old when Mom dropped me off at the local HCCA Fall Meet here in town back in 1961 to look at PRE 1943 Automobiles. I'm 73 now an still like looking at other peoples cars. Spent 13 years working at a Restoration shop, worked on some of the FINEST automobiles in the world. In my five trips to Pebble Beach I've seen at least one every year that I was given the honor to work on. We'll never run out of cars to look at. If you are into driving one of yours, fine, get it to a show field so I can look at it with my kids & grandkids. Bob

 

Geez, price out a decent, say 56 Chevy 4 door wagon with no options lately?

Compare to a 10/15 year old vehicle that the younger crowd grew up admiring. Now for little investment, they are on the road and modify as they go along.

Kinda like the 70’s all over again, right?

 

It's going where you want it to. I race my car, go to cruise ins, car shows, cruises, drag it to Lloyd's. Also I help young people with their hot rods (18 year olds Nova engine shown, and got my own son into the hobby as well.
Car shows are where car people all get together. I love walking around and talking about everyone's rides.

 

HaHa...absolutely. Too many Pollyannas, and not enough pragmatists.
The car "hobby" will go on, just certain trends will dissipate...including the older, so called traditional stuff, definitely the style I like best, but this segment will pass...just like the billet street rod era.
You can never go home again.
Thomas Wolfe

 

People that think the car hobby is dying needs to step out of their vacuum.

 

A new thread on this topic every few months, hey?

The sky is not falling. It has been falling for 50+ years according to car mags, and hasn't fallen yet.

I'm 38 and doing my part to keep it alive in my yard.

 

Sorta funny.... I once lived at the beach where all the cars were parked underneath the elevated houses.
I had my (M-word) street rod parked there with the slick paint...loud headers...5-speed ....snotty cam...big tarz.. and right beside it my 91 S-10 parts chaser/everyday ride. Where did most of the "lookerz" gravitate to...??? The truck !!
"Man.... LOVE the pick-up !".......Oh well
Ya just can't figger folkz sometimes......
6sally6

 

Did you mis-place your anti-depressants? I can send you some of mine.

 

Nice car the kid should be proud
Dan

 

Honestly being depressed or worried about the fate of a car/truck after passing sounds like the car/truck carries way too much value
Enjoy it today
Wonder if any Romans worried about what would happen to their chariot.
I’ve never been to a chariot show.

 

I'm not really that worried about what happens to my stuff when I'm gone ................ 'cause I'll be DEAD.
I sure am going to enjoy it in the meantime.

 

I’m surprised! You never drove a chariot?
Dan

 

Yes, that can really suck!

 

Down hill, it’s all heading down hill. Oh, the sky is falling too!

 

I will be driving a a traditional hot rod till I can't drive anymore.

That's 40 or 50 years from now by my estimates.

The hobby may change. But it isn't dying.

If you older guys spent more time driving your cars and showing them off to the younger generations, instead sitting here and lamenting the death of the hobby, maybe it would spark some more interest with the younger crowd? Just a thought...

 

Don't look now, but there have been some terrific deals on pre-war Fords lately, especially on models you wouldn't expect. Phaetons and Woodies are being especially hard hit.

 

Yes a little different these days. Show up at a cruise night and looks like a new car lot. Not for me, I will drive my suburban or chopped Chevy all night. I get comments and people stopping me to tell me how cool it looks. Younger guys wish they could have something cool. But so much easier to get the beat up Honda part together 3 engines add spoilers and wheels and make it Pop (Fart) with no exhaust. Prices are what’s really changing the attitude.

 

I have said it before and I will say it again vintage racing...

My photos from Fonda Speedway Fonda NY 06-08-24


...and it's too loud to hear people ask "Where's the hobby headed?"
Video click here-

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1496144957682645

 

I disagree it’s getting harder and harder to find what we consider hot rod raw materials now a days. You can buy some nice finished cars for 20 - 50k and up but a solid pre 65 car for less than 5k is very hard they are out there but hard to find. That’s why many are building more modern stuff, not a lot of old stuff out there, not necessarily a money problem, the tuner crowds spend some$$$s
Dan