Great point; My six year old granddaughter is always up for a cruise-in or car show, and she's already asked me if she can have my '32 when I die.
Don't you think hot rodding is a lifestyle with a network of friends and like-minded people? Maybe the "young guys" haven't been mentored or adopted and cycled in yet?
I have cut down on going to car shows myself unless they have a swap meet. I never drive my car because I can't see paying the large sums they ask just for parking,its too expensive for a lot of people now. I like to go for the swap meets because I've seen most of the cars and they get boring. Young people are even more easily bored so you need some other attraction to get them in other than sitting and talking about stuff. The music car shows usually put on is lame to younger folks, they just laugh at it. Perhaps we need to include some kind of workshop at the shows whereby someone demonstrates to the younger crowd how to build a chassis, etc. Hey!......wet T shirt contests!! Yeah, but none of you old farts and fartresses need apply...
I just don't think that car shows at least in my area are something that attracts the younger generation. I'm 40 and personally I would rather spend the day driving the car and being on the road. In my area I have seen how the car shows are a tight knit group of guys that drive 50's chevys or 60's chevelles. A traditional hot rod to them is no different than a tuner car to us. I don't know I guess it's just not my thing to sit around all day in a lawn chair.
Two words... Barrett Jackson. Ever since they started televising these auctions prices have gone through the f-ing roof. Even if it's a hammered four door people think it's worth a mint since they saw one "just like it" go across the block one time
The only reason I would go to an indoor car show is for ideas. Put my HRT in one indoor show and thats the last time. Speaking of the lawn chair and feather duster shows, same, it's to get ideas, socialize and once done, onto the next one or go cruising for the rest of the day. I'm a greybeard by someone's definition but sorry, don't like sitting all day and taking a nap. You think old, you become old.
When I go to the summer Wed. night cruise, I'm satisfied the hobby is in good shape around here...plenty of 20-30 year olds with hotrods, tuners, bikes etc..
This same lament was debated in Street Rodder magazine...in 1972! The fact is that there will always be people who are creative, good with their hands, and/or sufficient ego to want to build something that appeals to other people enough to make them want to go to car shows to see them. Inspiration hits different people in different ways. I was inspired by cars I saw in magazines as a kid back in the '60s, and by riding my bike past Dick Harrell's and Al Vander Woude's shops in KC (I admit it: I have a funny car fetish). There will also always be people who have no talent/no space/no time/no health and prefer to buy a creation from the creative folk, or the latest hot rod from a manufacturer (ever compare a new Mustang 5.0 Coyote GT with anything that came before it?). I'm 54 and will likely never be able to build another car in my lifetime, but maybe driving to work every day will inspire some kid that rods are cool.
Elvis, Jerry Lee, Buddy, the Beatles, Michael Jackson, Rap, Vanilla Ice, Millie Vanillie (SP?), and lastly, American Idol! There are very few things that are original on this planet! As the list above proves, there is often one or two greats, and then people can't get enough and want to own a part of it all, so new ideas and genres are born as a necessity to fill the void. I don't think that people in the late 40s, after the war, had any idea what Hot-Rodding would become, at least not until the time when Elvis started to slip and the Beatles took over. Funny thing, it took a little under a decade to identify and title the magic of that generation – to understand that it was truly unique and fresh. By that time, of course, new products were creeping in after the big explosion and smoke from it wore thin. Not to confuse this thread, I'm just noting that it wasn't classic when it all began! Nothing is. Most people building a traditional Hot Rod today, I'm certainly guilty as charged, are attempting to be unique; but there is more to it than that, in some way or another, we are each keeping a tight leash on our identity, our way of life. Fact is, kids of today are not better or worse off, they have simply switched from Elvis to the Beatles. The Fast and the Furious’ Vin Diesel and his shit box R-burner has become John Milner and his “timeless” yellow 32 coupe. I don't think it is bad. Sure, for many of us the Beatles will never have the power and feel of Elvis (John and Paul idolized the King), but they are still the god damned Beatles! There is/was enough value in their mop tops and harmonizing to change the music and cultural scene forever! Damn it, men! We can't go back! We can, however, remember and hold on to what was, what has created us. But too much of that can actually get old and boring as well. Oh, and I second the idea of the texting and cell phone use – absolutely ridiculous! I believe that our reliance on technology at work, home, and leisure will be directly connected to our downfall in society.
So you're standing in line and the gate is closed and wondering where the young folks are...I don't know but this old guy is sitting down till the gates open. As far as young folks in the hobby,,disposable income is the major reason many don't have a hotrod and also most folks in the hobby are mentored either by friends or family at a young age,,if some kid shows some interest in your car or what you are doing with it give him the grand tour..
I would have to disagree to a certain extent. Back in the 50's a 1940 ford was only a 15ish year old car and was readily available and affordable. A young guy today had very little chance of finding a 1940 ford in decent condition at a low price in addition to the overall relatively little exposure to these types of cars. So instead he gravitates to a late 90's camaro, mustang, import etc. to hot rod. Yes, the cars aren't applicable to the HAMB, but it is still hot rodding. I would actually make the argument that what these kids are doing is actually closer to how hot rodding used to be, just in a more contemporary form.
Im 40 and I would rather drive my junk than look at a bunch of cars parked in the grass. Dont get me wrong I love to look at what has been done with a car but I like driving them better... kyle
I was at the same show in Murfreesboro yesterday. I'm not worried about the next generation they'll be fine. There were plenty of young people there just later in the day,plus it is a two show. I just didn't like the late 10:00 start time. Yes I'm a grey beard and 55 My ride is not ready or it would have been driven or Possibly entered. I tried to support the promoter all I can I know him and he's a stand up guy. Also who in their right mind would stand in that line when you can sit in your car and stay warm untill the line got shorter...
The problem is my generation(28) and anything under is used to everything being easy. Nothing requires a whole lot of work. Back in the day people had to farm and hunt etc. now we just turn on a microwave. So when it comes to old cars a lot of people that I try and talk into it are turned off that you need to put in work. Most people would drive to an auto repair place and the mechanic could say your canootin valve and muffler bearing are out and we would say then fix it vs you guys saying there is no such thing. Everything invented now is to make life easy and most younger guys don't want the headache of an old car and trying to learn. Trust me I couldn't tell you a thing about a car a year ago and now I'm addicted with a 59 ford f100 and 50 ford shoebox... Once you start you can't stop.
the young people are there they are just not at the shows you go to. a younger guy is not going to the show to fight for the best spot then whip out the lawn chair then a board with every show he went to. and if someone gets to his spot first the guy gets all pissy. the same people show up and park in the same spot. it never changes. you are doing this to yourselves. the shows and races i go to the people are out walking and socializing and dont care where they park. hot rods used to be fast fun loud and dangerous. now they are just for getting ice cream on saturday. i went to the kalamazzo car show this year and after the first day i was bored out of my mind. there was no action after the swap meet. no burnouts no racing no pinup contest etc. shows like symco or the iron invasion have no problem getting younger guys to their shows. its because they offer some entertainment geared toward their liking. kids like action
An old car buddy of mine lamented a few years ago that all of the shows that he went to were the same people, most having both NSRA and AARP memberships. I have noticed that a lot of us are graying, just like the generations of hot rodders before us. But not all is lost, there are younger folks who dig old cars. A friend of mine and his sixteen year old son are building a 1964 Fairlane together. My son, wants to build something old, but is having to wait until he is out of college to do so. I look at it as Episode IV: A New Hope.
yesterday I took my 32 out for the first time and drove it to the neighboring town.I know a family that has 4 boys ages from 15-24. I let each one drive it. You think they will go to a car show now? Drug dealers give the first hit for free.
It sounds like some folks think that if your a younger guy that you do not have any money. What's up with that? I am in my mid thirties and have had hotrods since I was in my early twenties. For the most part, most younger guys don't want to go sit in a lawn chair all day. I would much rather be driving or working on mine, or helping a buddy work on his. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
And I hope it stays that way until I'm gone. Nothing ruins a car show like a bunch of costumed, pierced & tattooed, psychobilly hipsters. OK, maybe that's a little harsh and an unfair characterization of young people but there's some truth in it. Car culture isn't going away, it's just changing and I'm an old dinosaur that has difficulty accepting cultural change. Bob
Is this thread going to turn into another Coker Tire Thread? I hope someone will ask Ryan to close this thread when It reaches 22.2 pages. I think hot rods are bread into people. I saw an old Neighbor hood hoodlum (78 yo) at Wally world yesterday. He is still building cars and so is his son and grandson. The hobby was kind of dead in the eighties and part of the nineties. It is back strong now. It will cycle and the rich folks at Barret Jackson will die and flood the market with affordable hot rods. I may be wrong, but I think the buyers at Barrett Jackson probably did not have hot rods when they were kids. They misspent their youth by playing sports, band, Greek club.thespians etc. Now they also realize they spent most of their lives supporting a woman that they can hardly stand.They are trying to make up for lost time. Now back to the Coker Tire stuff.
For some reason this thread reminds me of all those other threads about kicking people's asses for for touching or leaning on their cars.
Check out my earlier thread on this subject:http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...ghlight=no+one+cares+about+the+things+we+love This just scares the hell out of me. With all the scrapping going on by the generations of families inheriting and old guy's field car hoard, when will it all just go away? Times they are a-changin'........
I think money plays a big role in it, especially for the real young guys like 16-25. Just look at unemployment. Half of fresh college grads are unemployed right now. The monjey just isnt there. The only reason i can take part in the hobby is because 1. my parents had an OT car already that i could work on and 2. my parents are paying for my college. Im paying for everything on my 49 ford and there is no way i could pay for both.
We are at home working on our cars so that we can eventually go stand in line with all you geezers!!!
Open your eyes! There is literally a car forum on the internet for every single genre of cars, ttucks, motorcycles, etc. There are more car specific magazines being printed now more than ever. Go to your local drag strip, dyno day, track day (road race), or bike night and take a look around if you want to find the younger crowd. The lack in availability of old iron and traditional parts is a part of it too. You old guys sent all the cool stuff to the crusher, or rust into the ground or get destroyed at the dirt tracks . Now the cost of getting into traditional hot rodding is unrealistic for the younger crowd. If you want to see a younger crowd in those car show lines then lift the year requirements for vehicle registration that pushes the younger crowd away from entering. The hobby isn't dying, it is just changing. My 2 cents -Charlie
i've been around for awhile and everything cycles seen hot rods come and go now they're back and been seeing more younger people getting involved there is always the die hards, there is at least a cruise in every night each one is different in demographic and car styles/years you have to accept for what it is keeping hot rodding alive. don't go to many shows two of the best I've been to were free and I met about 20 people drag race with me in the late 60's and 70's that had hot rods and muscle cars peoples interest are constantly changing. last week a sold a model A cowl to a young who's a hamber who's finishing a 30 2dr sedan and is helping gather parts for a coupe. the cars are better finished now.
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