Does anyone ever fear the end of traditional, vintage or any type of hot rodding? Say in the next 10 years does anyone think they will still be able to find a 30's Ford in restorable shape? What about the talk of hybrids and all of the new economy issues. What happens when they stop making fuel that is used in most cars today? Besides the larger issue of everyone in America needing to find a way to get around in their cars. Having an alternative way to power vehicles would basically end hot rodding unless someone found a way to adapt an alternative fuel to all applications. I just think that the longer I wait to actually buy something the less chance I have to ever get what I've always wanted. Architect majors in college don't have a lot of time or money so my plan is to just wait till I graduate and become employed before I buy something. Which will hopefully be in the next 6-8 years. Sorry for the long and stupid post
dude,,we havent even done the VON DUTCH post yet,,the "what is traditonal" post was only a few days ago.... actually,,i thought about what you just said,,,and you are right!,,,you should buy my 50 merc in the classifieds while you can still find one....
I'm sure there's a good reason for the sale, but I was hoping to see the chop and a couple paintjobs.... Bryan
nobody will buy it anyways,,well...probably not..,..i'm just doing some serous soul searching do to some events the past week or so....serious shit,,,,,,maybe if i get right and as soon as this black cloud blows over ,i will try and my head straight and cut it up......and paint it a few times,,hahaha
FNG type question-- but glad you're thinking. i think it wont die unless you let it die for yourself and your family. as for me, im deep into multi-generations through my family.... and my daughers first car will be the '49 Shoebox i have in storage at my dads shop. every heard of the term "carrying on tradition?" that's what it takes. my dad had it carried down to him, he carried it down to me and im carrying it down as well. traditional isnt just about the cars. it's about values-- that you teach your kids about that's a big part of hot rodding for me. -scott noteboom
This is exactly what I was thinking Scott. As long as you pass the love on to your children, neighbors, neighbors' children, co-workers, co-workers' children, it will never die.
Wow, it got really deep in here. Very true though. For me, the interest was sparked by my father and others around me. If I didnt pick this up, theres really no telling where I would have ended up. While my friends were out commiting crimes for fun, I was holed up reading magazines and manuals or turning wrenches. Barret-Jackson is definitely making the hobby harder to pick up by fueling a more corporate, money-making career for those who buy up the cars, restore them, and sell them for $70,000 and up. There is always going to be some field mice you could find, but finding a old rod in a big city will definitely cost you some more $$$. I know for sure (even with the possibility of alternative fuels) that the hot rodding spirit will ever die, look at the new cars (WAIT....Just hear me out!) These kids are taking their cars and pushing all the power they can out of them, although everything is bolt-on and they are not classified as "hot rods" they are doing the same thing as the old timers who paved the way. HOT RODDING WILL NEVER DIE!
I realize hot rodding will never end, but what I'm worried about is the hot rodding of old ending before I get a chance to actually get involved in it myself. My family isn't huge into hot rodding, but we did restore a '68 k20 that my dad bought about 5 yrs ago and my uncle is mainly into drag racing 80's Monte Carlos and Malibus. I'm just saying I'm not in the situation to be able to afford to buy a $2000 beater and then pour money into it. I'm only worried that buy the time I get that chance I either won't be able to buy anything that isn't crap for $2000 or these old cars won't be around at all.
it wont die for me, my hot rod keys gotta be taken from my "cold dead hands" hahaahha... SERIOUSLY.. only person that will ever get it from me is my son (once i have one), but before he is born i plan on buying another body and storing it in the top of the garage until the time comes, and buying brakes and all that while they are still affordable (hahha, not like they were even 2 years ago, but deals are still out there)
I had this feeling that yu might be a young guy like myself, so I looked in your profile and it says you're 20. So I definitely understand where you're coming from. You have nothing to worry about. In 5 years you could save 2k. Granted you might not find your dream car immediately though. Even if it's your dream car "beater" cause everybody knows they don't just fall out of the sky. Right now your expenses are prolly rent/utilities, food, gas money, and car insurance. If you've got more, perhaps you should consider getting rid of something extra. An example is I don't own a fancy new videogame system. That saves me a minimum $400 plus $50 per game if I bought them brand new. Sure my college buddies have the nex xbox and 50 games...but they also on a shitty 80s grand am while I own 2 classic cars. I'm sure you understand what I mean. It's all about saving a nickel here and a dime there. Hope this kinda helps you, cause I know how you're feeling.
This thought has crossed my mind and as long as there is a multi- (billion?)dollar industry demanding this to keep on, it will. The IRS loves to collect taxes on this money. I thought all the old cars were gone in my area until the local roundy round track started having street drags on the front stetch of the 5/8 oval. I couldnt believe they had over 200 cars show up to race less than 300 ft. Plus, 1500 -2000 spectators in the stands. It almost outdoes the Sat. nite roundy crowd. There will always be alcohol......these old motors will still run after the oil is gone.
passing it on down to my only child, a daughter no less, but she will be able to work on her car and not need help changing a tire on the side of the road. imparting hot rod values to her from the day she was born. she lays claim to my 53 chevy. shes now helping me build MY 28 tudor..Dad needs a car , she will probably drive the 53 when shes become an accomplished driver.
Dude, You can ALWAYS find a car on the cheap. It might not be a mint 57 Nomad but, they are out there. For example, I found my 49 Caddy for 800 bucks. So far, I have exactly $381.23 into it and that includes a few stupid mistakes and a few new tools. If all goes well, I will have it fired up this weekend.
I don't think we'll see and end to hotrodding unless big brother somehow deems it illegal to operate vehicles older than XXXX. There is too big of an aftermarket which computes into dollars to let rodding die. Most here will attest to this being a disease. Seems you can't own just one! Therefore there are thousands of potential hotrods rat holed in buildings and backyard across the country. Due to attrition, there will always be a constant turnover of inventory so younger people will have an opportunity to acquire their first rod or project. I don't know how many times I've sold something and regretted it thinking that I'll never find another. It amazes me how things are always popping up and available. So to answer your original question. Hang in there, get your education, and be patient. Your chance will come and you'll be hooked like the rest of us. Misery loves company!
Your view at 20 is a lot different than my view at 70. In the blink of an eye, you will be seventy and some 20 year old will be wondering where all the 2000 cars went. I am grateful that I lived through such a great time in the history of hotrodding. I am thankful that the generation before me fought for my freedom to live in this great country, and buy a 40 ford for $75. when I was 18. By simple attrition, the old tin will go away, and so will we.
Exactly! But if and when it DOES all go away, you can bet the farm that no one will miss it. Unforeseen events will occur in the future that will change our collective views and feelings on all this stuff we love to immerse ourselves with. In other words, as long as there is a demand and/or yearning, trad rodding or some form of it will continue (hopefully for many generations). So go ahead and obsess about something else, like, where will we get our FIX for crappy mexican food if Taco Bell folds.....
Don't worry,,,,the cars are not going away,,,,as we get older and the put us in the ground,,,the cars will remain and be sold. And as long as people like Brookville are in business there will always be steel cars,,,,HRP
Hot Rodding is all about adaptation. Get the origianal tin while you still can, but just imagine, if you dare, a world where we don't rely on fossil fuels. I know I will miss the sound, smell, feel and performance of a chunky V8 or torquey six, but I don't think I'd throw in the towel and just let my enthusiasm for old cars die if I can still drive the car, even if it's powered by electricity, solar, fission, flubber, whatever. I'll probably run whatever I have with hood though.
Flubber...the next "big thing" in hot rodding! Looks like fun, but is it traditional? Maybe so...let's ask the absent minded professor.
Every car that gets saved from the crusher or rusting to nothing in a dry creek bed is one that will be available for posterity. This hobby isn't going away....
IMO we are living the "Golden Age" of hot rodding right now. I think the hobby will decrease in popularity and scope from here but there will always be people wanting to build a traditional rod. Two main forces will cause the hobby to lesson as we know it, the age of the participants and oil. I don't have to point out the age of the average street rodder. I won't dwell on this-we know what is happening there.. Regarding oil, T. Boone Pickens came out with a report last week or so that the oil companies have discovered all the "peak oil" reserves meaning no new discoveries will be made that will allow us to increase production to meet the worlds future energy demands. Future oil production will level off in the short term and then start to decrease every year on while at the same time demand is increasing every year. Alternatives like E-85 or Oil from shale rock will help but it is extremely expensive to recover. I read a recent report on how many cars China & India will have on their roads in 5-10 years. It is uninmaginable. It is predicted that China alone will be making more cars than all other countries in the world combined by 2020 including the US and Japan. China and India will also have more cars on their roads than all the other countries combined. Oil is going to skyrocket as a result. I expect gas will be outrageous in 4-5 years..probably 6-8.00 per gallon or more. Some rodders will continue to use their cars maybe not as much or convert to E-85. More expensive oil and less particpants will mean less national meets but I see local cruising becoming more popular. One of my 60 year old street rodder friends made a comment the other day that he is going to start selling several of his less popular style body rods while he can can before they become "valueless" Finally the first wave of baby boomers are starting to retire right now. 80,000 people will be signing up for SS and Medicare every month starting in a few years. Medicare and SS are already in the red. This is going to place a terrible burden tax wise on the younger people. I'm not saying we won't have the American Dream in the future but people are going to have to work alot harder and maybe have less material things to get by than their elders. Companies to compete in the global work place are dropping employee healt h benefits and pensions requiring the employees to purchase these items on their own. This will also put a nail in the coffin of young hobbyist. I feel for them. I read another report that we may actually go back to a 50's style lifestyle. One TV, No more 4-5 cars per family -maybe 2, kids won't have a computer in every room etc. Someone has the pay the $46 Trillion in future medicare and SS benefits
If this idea ever come to play, the pool we are putting in this winter will be turned into a covered petroleum holding tank.
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