Featured Hot Rods Are you seeing any young bloods in hot rods

What I am seeing is youngsters in is muscle cars and tuners. Maybe a few 70s trucks.

 

I definitely see younger men and women in hot rods, all the time. People in the teens and 20's. It's part of a lifestyle for them, including hair and dress styles and tats. And they like traditional hot rods and customs. I would say the majority of those at the Grand National Roadster Show that was recently held were younger than me, and around here I'm not one of the old guys.

 

One 50 Year Olde Showed Up For The Show...

 

I don't know if 45 counts as young, but that's my age....we've got quite a few 30 and under guys here that are into pre '60 cars and trucks, mostly early '50s seems to be the flavor, which I attribute to the price of admission to start out with. Couple really skilled metal workers/fabricators in the mix. A lot has to do with whether they have someone give them a hand or talk to them and get them interested. I think a lot of the people who are into customizing import cars would like to be into our style of vehicles, but don't know where to start, and have never been taught about carbs and distributors, so they find the newer stuff easier to work on, because that's what their friends do. I run the service department at a Chevy dealership, and when something pre-1990 or so comes in, I usually have to go help whichever guy I give the job to out if it's got anything to do with a runability issue....I invite my younger techs over to my house sometimes to help me with my cars and have a few beers, lots of them get interested after that.

 

just look at a picture of Troy's fabrication team, all youngsters doing incredible work.

 

@Blues4U nailed it there are lots of young people into hot rods, and who own and build period correct hot rods and race cars, but you aren't going to find us at your "GoodGuys" sit behind your car in a lawn chair fairground show!

Unfortunately, many of the young guys and girls who kicked off the Hot Rod Revival in the mid 1990s through the early 2000s don't come here much anymore because of all the arguing and nit picking and the "I was six months old in 1959 so I know how a 1950s hot rod was built and how it should look!"

They would much rather post on social media like Facebook or more often Instagram where they can choose who can see and comment on their builds.

 

N

Nail hit directly on the head.

 

Uh, guys the “young guns who kicked this off in the late 90’s” are in their 50’s now. I don’t think that’s who he’s asking about lol

it’s a wild idea but you could read one of the many many…. Many threads on this exact topic.

 

My 15 year old step daughter is getting hot and heavy into old rods

 

Couple of my club members are under 30. Alot of us are in our mid 40s to 50s.

Look at the culture overseas, Japan, huge younger movement. Same in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany with a younger generation getting into this full swing with culture, dress, cars and lifestyle.

Here in the states, there is still a movement, look at many of the big shows, you will find em. Viva las vegas is as much of a cosplay revival and car show in one, but loaded with younger generations. You wont find the younger generations at the "local" show, they don't own new balances or crying baby dolls for fenders, and don't have a sign out front of their car. Plus the old timers shunned them instead of embracing them.

 

I'm just not seeing it in my area. All the younger guys I know or are my friends sons and daughters have no interest. They do all have new KIAS though. Then again we have seven months of non hot rod weather.

 

Hot Rods are becoming like the Stock Model T's and A's were back in the day... nothing but old farts own them.

 

Younger like in their 40's? Sure, lots. Younger like in their 20's? Pretty rare. Although I know extremely few people in their 20's who are into 64-74 era muscle cars (too expensive, although they seem to really like them), and tuners around here are super rare, too. Jacked up diesel trucks with wheels that don't fit properly and eBay LED kits are everywhere, but I don't even count that.

 

Do your part, people....start em young. These two are already Cadillac men. All Blake on the passenger side wanted on his birthday was to show up at his bowling alley party in "Uncle Lucas's" '60.

 

Yep, starts with us. My kids loved the road trips in the old cars. These pics were on our first 1500 mile round trip with me and my four kids.

Both my boys are now 20 and into old cars (30’s through 60’s stuff) as well as performance later model stuff.

 

I only go to 1 show a year. And cross out the "Don't" in the "please don't touch" and let the kids climb all over my truck and sit in the drivers seat...

 

There lies the remedy

My father and his buddy corralled about a dozen Model A survivors
( Tudors, Pickups, Coupes ) Weekends in The early '50s were enjoyed riding the countryside.
I've owned many off topic performers, but you know, what gets me really excited

 

Uh, I would include @Cody Walls in the younger group. The dude has been consistently building awesome traditional rods and customs. Do I see them every weekend in NC? No.

It's become an expensive hobby to restore cars of any ilk. People in their 20's definitely have a challenge to get into the hobby but some do it. Add the fact that very few young people have been given the opportunity to learn how to work with their hands and it becomes even more expensive. Cutting out vocational and shop programs in our schools has short changed a couple of generations. Sadly, I don't see that situation improving.

 

Little Truckdoctor is 15 and he’s hooked. He wants an old car so badly that he isn’t brand picky at all. We both want a Tri-5 Chevrolet, but I suspect if something old and cheap comes along, he will be a goner.

 

Start them young!

 

took me 70 years to see how cool a hog nose pick up looks...

 

Welp.

it must be that time again

 

I sure miss it.

 

Yup, the hobby is doomed.

 

You'd see a lot more of em with encouragement... its not commonplace. They arent gonna just happen upon one unless their parents are into it... i get pretty givey with kids wanting to get into hot rodding, both parts and lessons or free labor

 

Fuck them snot nose little punks. Who wants em in our gig




Hey, somebody had to get that out so I took it up. Seriously, yeah there's enough youth in this stuff but not many hang out here. Shit I'd bet a good number of em never even looked in or know this place exists. Is that bad? Good? Untenable? Who knows. Remember this picture from 2 Hersheys ago?

These 2 are in their 20s, and last year went from DETROIT to HERSHEY in a 1919 Model T touring. Yup, drove there and back, no trailer following, and it took 2 days each way. And they have a gaggle of pals doing the same and similar, and who have various types of old stock and rodded stuff. Don't worry kids our lifestyle will carry on when we're gone. Even though there are some who really do say fuck them snot nose little punks. I don't. Those 2 and their pals hang with us at car gigs all the time, and our gang is in their 60s n 70s. We're happy to help and teach also. It's fine, relax, we ain't goin nowhere and the "utes" who like it are right behind.

 

There are MANY in this hobby who dont come around the hamb. Can you really blame them? It takes a mature person to see through the nasty and sour comments and see all of the great folks who are still here and willing to help someone out. There are little cliques on here. Saddest part is we are all brethren who share a passion... shouldnt be so hard. I think folks get bitter. People come and go, especially young folks. Some of us have forgotten what its like to be young, a girl comes along or ya graduate and head off to college. Life changes fast when youre young. Gotta help these kids get into drivers, learn how to fix em up, learn how to do a winter or spring break thrash on the rod to get an upgrade done. I drove a 54 ford through h.s. that was early 2000's I lurked on here back then. A lot has changed in 20 yrs....

 

Ive only got about 1200 into this rod...thats another aspect kids need to see and learn. Doesnt HAVE TO be expensive if youre hungry and driven

 

My youngest is in her second year of mech Eng. That really surprised me. Then she got involved with their SAE2000 all electric race car. That again really shocked me as she showed absolutely no interest in vehicles while growing up despite numerous project vehicles around the house. Hoping she’ll take up interest in hotrods soon. lol!

 

I'm 32... a few stories from recent.

My 8 y/o nephew loves being in the shop with me. He helped me press studs into my '40 hubs recently. I used his good eyeballs to check and see if the back side of the stud was flush all around or not yet fully seated. He loved having the last word on project.

At dad's place running the rental woodchipper the other day, and the damn thing just died on us. EFI gremlin confirmed by the service tech they sent out. Our workday was done. I fired up His '57 Cushman Eagle to run and get donuts from the shop down the street. Next door to the donut shop is a kids toys and clothing consignment shop. Rounding the corner with a dozen donuts in my lap I saw a mother and her little boy. He was watching, I goosed the throttle, then closed it shut (shitty return spring) and that little straight piped 8 horse flathead burped out the most beautiful decel symphony of pops and cracks and gurgles. That boys eyes lit up, his expression made my day.

These are my little contributions to the following generation.