My kids have NO interest in cars ,racing or anything that pertains to this hobby. They grew up around it ,and that was enough I guess. A lot of kids today go from Skate boards to cars..that in itself is scary enough.. Anyway, who is going to take care of this 'stuff" we were done using it..? that goes for ALL your collectable stuff..magazines,all your cool stuff you have saved for years.. Is the land fill going to get it? did you will it away?.. donate it to the local junk collector? After seeing the cool stuff everyone has stashed away,well, it got me thinkin' to much !! 1939fiat
Might as well sell it off now, so you don't have to worry about it. (yeah, I've wondered the same thing about my stuff)
I am only 38 and in good health. If any of you guys need a care taker of your stuff who will treasure it, I will take care of it free of charge!!! Hey seriously, I have a 20 year old and a 24 year old that work for me and they are into this stuff as much as I ever was. I don't see demand going away anytime soon.
Speaking as a younger (20's) newer car builder, I can say that the interest in the hobby/lifestyle is not completely abandoned by the younger generations. Reach out to the next generation just like i'm sure someone older than you showed you the ropes. Alot of this younger generation doesn't have the cash to purchase the stuff any more since it seems to be "the thing" right now. Find someone who is sincere about their interest and pass the stuff along.
It's just "stuff". It's not really as important as you think it is. Everyone has things that are dear to them, and when they pass, if it has no "real value" it just disappears, if it's worth something, it gets sold to someone else who will enjoy it till they pass,--- it's the circle of life. So when you get too old to enjoy it anymore, sell it and spend the money on a naughty nurse, just to punish the kids for not sharing your interests.
im 26 now.....when i was first getting into this stuff heavily about 5 years ago i had a few people offering me alot of stuff for free or very cheap just to keep it going on gave me a complete set of Hot Rod Magazines and Model-A restorer news and some machining books too it was just sitting at his house and he knew i would appreciate it i think theres always going to be someone who will really appreciate this stuff, always a place for it to go where it belongs hopefully someday i'll have a kid who loves it all as much as I do, if not... I'll pass it along to someone else Zach
The same thing will happen to your neat stuff that happened to every other old guy's neat stuff,thats why old stuff is hard to find now.Better make arrangements now if it's important to you.The only thing that I care about is that they play James McMurtry's Choctaw Bingo, repeatedly,real loud,at my funeral.I have lots of neat stuff,hope it sends someone to college when it's sold off.
If you think this Hobby/Life style is Dying you need to get out more. Stop going to events with 60 year old Guys with Cry Babbie dolls and find an Event with 6 Rock-a-Billy bands listed and check out the Younger Crowd. Got to a Bilettproof event or Viva Las Vegas. Those will open your Eyes. Our Old Treasures are going to be Just Fine without us. The Wizzard
I just told my kids , if you don't want it , find someone who does. Stuff like my old magazines are not important to them, so I said call one of my hot rod friends and they will help you find a good home for them. The thing we must remember is that this is our life, not theirs. They have their own lifes memories and collections. The shear quantity of my crap would be a burden to my kids, hell it makes me mental somedays. Oh well, as the lights go out for the last time I won't be thinking about my shit, I will be thinking of my family and friends. chuck
Too many times I've seen & heard of relatives tossing it all in a dumpster. The worst is when long lost family comes out of the woodwork looking for their fair share. Since I have been working setting up estate sales I can tell you life is reduced to one big 3 or 4 day yard sale, pretty depressing. Going through someones house can be a very interesting history lesson, most people save way too much crap but I have found some very cool stuff as well.
I just went through a estate sale in the area where I grew up. When I was in the garage there was a school book with a kids name on it. The person was my classmate over 40 years ago. I kind of made me feel wierd. Everything in this house was just like it had been in 1965 I didn't buy anything, it was more like a look back into my own childhood.
I guess the thing to do if your kids don't want the stuff, is to make a list of what is realy worth something so at least that won't get thrown out.
No kids, no family left. I'm 58 and good shape, but could croak by the end of the day. You never know... The wife and I have talked about it, put it on paper and had it all put in the proper documents with our attorney. Hot rod and all related stuff goes to a handful of friends. NHRA Museum gets my negatives, films and a large sum of money. Everything else goes to two charities that are dear to our hearts... George Carlin said that everyone who is lucky has a two minute warning. In my last two minutes, I want to know that my assets will go to those who appreciate them and to those charities that would benefit. Then I can croak happy.
As time passes less and less will survive through lack of understanding the value of this "stuff." That's just the way it is. The best thing you can do is educate your kids or who ever will take care of your estate as to just how much this stuff means to you and that you realy want to make sure it get's to someone who appreciates it as much as you do. If no one in your family wants your stuff, sell or give it to a friend who does before you kick. In case of unexpected death make a will and make sure everybody knows where everything goes. If you think a will won't work because of a surviving spouse or some other reason, leave a detailed letter in the safe deposit box so they at least know your wishes.
My toddler already has a few dozen 80s magazines I kept for him (as well as my huge collection). I was going to toss em but decided the lil dude could put them to use.........he already has hotwheels and plays in the shop with me. I am not worried about the future.
My daughter has her sights set on my Buick when I'm planted, and my son will almost definitely be into old tin. He's not even 2 yet, but he wrenches with me all he can. With that said, I know I have 2 kids that will carry on the rodding tradition in my family.
I been thinking about this subject ever since my buddy died 2 years ago and then his wife died 9 months later. Now the kids have all kinds of diecast, Boyds Bears, tools, car parts, etc to worry about selling. Kinda hard for them because one kid lives half way across the country. I know all the stuff is going to go for alot less than it should. I have alot of extra stuff that I will probably never use so I should probably start getting rid of stuff but it's hard to do for a packrat!!
Well, if we "take it with us"..we sure as hell going to need a BIG friggin hole...LOL Yeah,ok..give it to your buddies, or let the family have an estate sale ,and give it away there. Your right,I won't need to worry 'bout it... Come to think of it,that's how I ended up with this shit to begin with !!!!!!!!!!..LOL One of the museums up here wants old rodders to donate to them...so they can do as they see fit.. (sounds like the Harrah deal again) Rick
when i go , i'm taking it with me seriously , i'm more concerned about hanging on to what i have NOW...gasoline powered cars are in the sites of our elected officials , and the ones who want to get elected. they all want us driving "non polluting" electric cars and riding light rail. i'm afraid that someday driving our cars will become too expensive , or illegal
ynottayblock: don't plan on leavin for awhile..but has got me thinkin'.. maybe sell it in Lambeth..LOL 1939fiat
Hey.....WATCH IT, I'm 60 years old and I'm a long way from the grave and I'll never have one of those stupid dolls. It's ok, I have thick skin! I won't have to worry about my stuff, I have two sons over 30....one of them can't even check his own oil (wears a tie to work!)......the other son has a chopped shoebox, a '41 truck all whacked up and he has enough ink on him for two people. They will somehow figure it out.
I have some car parts stashed, machinery, tools and loads of model car related items. The kids are eyeballing some of the tools already and know the value of the model car stash. I do plan on downsizing within the next 10 years or so when I retire. Hopefully I'll have most of my marbles still intact by then and can have some enjoyment out of the proceeds. Bob
My cars will be sold off, my son will get the rest to finish off his 41 Ford. Since my health went south I've rid myself of a lot of memorabilia. Who needs to put that on anyone's shoulders. Gave most of it away over the past 15 years.
I think about this fairly often. My two daughters could care less about my roadster, or model railroad collection, or large die cast model collection. Like someone else said, when I'm in the skull oprchard, I won't give a shit. Somebody is going to have a lot of ftuff to sell. When your gone, most relatives just see your stuff as a cash cow. The Kurtis Kraft midget my Dad built and raced in the 40's is now in the Justice Brothers Museum. Being in mint condition, ready to run, and 100% original, it's probably worth 50 grand. My Mom want's it to stay in the museum. My two brothers, and I want it to stay there forever. But my two sisters just see the cash it represents. When Mom goes, I'm going to have a fight on my hands.
It is funny how relatives fight with each other over dead peoples' stuff. Do yourself a favor and spell out who you want getting your car stuff and also who should be executor of your estate. You will feel relieved about that part anyway. Never too early to do estate planning.
This is a clear sign you need to go thru everything you own, and seperate what means something to you, and what you're keeping only because it has too much value to discard. Sell off the extras even if it's a little less than seems fair (that attitude got you here), put it in the bank for a rainy day, and if it never rains your heirs receive the full benefit of all the valuable stuff you're concerned about.
The Jalopy Journal
