Where's the next generation of rod n custom builders?

I'm pretty sure we are just too poor to afford to build crazy customs... combine that with the cost of decent shape projects in most areas. Craigslisters are aware of the popularity of nonsense reality car building shows, and as such... usually add a few ones or zeros to a rusted out project's "worth". Gone are the days of 50$ "just haul this off my property" scores. Couple that with massive space issues- crappy apartments are barely affordable anymore (especially in areas that jack up the price of project cars). I'm lucky to have the sh*tty small house and tiny garage I have.

Of course there's also the fact that learning trades and being able to work with your hands waned in popularity for about 15 years(thanks to tech boom)... with little to no help from public schools (woodshop lost funding/ autoshop no longer offered in highschools).

Atleast that's what I noticed growing up being the only person in my friend group into old cars. But now I'm 32.

 

In my books you are the best description of a hotrodder.

 

Another real hotrodder and a very acurate decription of the times young people are living in

 

I drive a 58 f1 to work at 33 yrs old. The 4 guys on my crew in their 20s love it, yet they're hopping subarus and toyotas.
I asked them why they don't get older cars. Their response: "that's a rich man's hobby".
They drive their cars every day to work, but tv shows have shaped their idea of what old cars cost.
They're right. It's a rich man's hobby and I'm barely hangin in there.

I recently got a pajr of yom 39 plates for my sedan from an older rodder I know. $200!!! But he said pay what I can when I can. That's a guy who believes in this thing we do.

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Raising up the next generation is very rewarding but has it challenges like when the brushes end up on the ground and the soap bucket gets spilled 3 times. My initial response when they asked to help was "no let daddy do this" but literally this post came to mind and I changed my response!


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Yes, take the time to teach them right! You'll never regret it!

 

One kinda sad way to look at it is, when all of you old fart die off and your 10 car collection goes up in the estate sale, I'm gonna be in hog heaven because few people my age will be interested! [emoji23][emoji23]


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I'm "young" (35) but I always welcome younger guys and gals to come hang and learn a thing or two the same way I did hanging around the shop when I was younger. I currently have a friends 14yr old son that has been coming every Sunday for a year. He's learned how to MIG, TIG, run all sorts of power tools, use an english wheel, setup a chassis, frame geometry, make a patch panel, hook up a car trailer, etc.. all in one condensed year. I can assure you if he keeps his nose clean and keeps his interest up he will do big things. I think so many kids have big potential but get lost in the political correctness-video game-social media world that we live in.

I think the biggest thing as others have mentioned is to be SOCIAL. If a young kid shows interest at the hardware store or car show, etc. take a few moments to stop and talk to them and their parents. If you meet a younger guy or gal that is trying to build up an old car on a budget; donate parts or your time/expertise. That spare carb you have sitting around on a shelf could make big headway in a young guys project just starting out, and imagine the impact it will make if you come and help/show him how to rebuild and tune that same carb. I firmly believe good karma gets passed on and this is part of getting the next generation into it!

14 year old Andrew get dirty in the shop!

 

My garage assistant, aka "Mini Me".

 

One of my coworkers comes over every once and and while and gives me a hand with the coupe plus I show him how to do things. He’s 27.


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Where's the next generation - Helping Dad in the shop. It will be theirs one day...

 

Here's the next generation after that... Grand kids helping Papa change a rocker stud at the gas station.

 

YEP ! They leak that synthetic oil......

 

It isn't so much as being concerned about who is coming along after guys like me, it is what are our overbearing state and federal governments up to. Here on the west side of the state of Washington the state is in a concentrated effort to force us out of our cars. This not a joke or a supposition, it is fact. New taxes are being reviewed and soon we will be paying to drive BY THE MILE and we already have the highest gas tax in the nation. They are going to make a tracking devise mandatory in every vehicle and we will still be paying gas taxes. They are also studying how to toll each and every mile of major road in the state.For years they have been building rapid rail, and the latest bond measure passed was for 59 billion dollars, that billion with a B. They got caught using the wrong formula for assessing the licence tag fees to force higher evaluation of value and even though called out on it they are doing nothing about it, and will not refund the over payment. They are hell bent to get every person riding public transit.
With 8 decades under my belt I don't think I have to be concerned about me, but I am greatly concerned about my kids, their well being and that of the grand kids.
I'm of the opinion that while they can't come and just take your car they can make it to costly to own one.
They teach our kids that owning and driving a car is bad.
None of what I have said here is fantasy or roomer. It is happening each and every working day and week ends.
This won't happen over night of course and it wont happen in the lesser populated areas and regions of the nation if it happens at all. The original question by the OP will take care of itself if allowed to do so. Perhaps not like us older folks saw happen because for us there was hardly anything else to involve our self in, but ingenious young men always have something to tear apart and rebuild.