It's my birthday today and I'm turning 33. Other than a few aches and pains in the morning, I haven't noticed much difference between 23 and 33. Until today, that is. Last week I hired this new guy to work for my construction company, he's 21. Well we got to talking at the jobsite today and the subject of cars came up. He was all excited because his dad had loaned him the money to buy an "old" car he wanted. I asked him what he bought and he said "a Chevy, it's in the parking lot" so of course I said "let's see it" so we walked around the side of the building. On the way I asked "what motor you got?" to which he replies "350" and I say "cool" so we get to the lot and he points it out and I burst out laughing!!! IT'S A TAN 1980 CAPRICE WITH A COLLECTOR PLATE ON IT!!! So the kid's getting a little pissed and says "WHAT?!" Wiping the tears from my eyes I explained to him that it was the exact same car, right down to the color, as the first new car my father ever bought, back when I was 8 years old! So, is that how you can tell when you're getting old? When cars that still seem kind of new to you have collector plates and are "cl***ics" to others?
First off, there's just WAY too many November birthdays to keep track of... ...I suppose Valentines Day is to blame for that!?! Ha Ha...Well, Happy Birthday, anyway...hope you got a big ol Kringle for yourself this morning! Working with kids is fun...as well as a little unsettling sometimes. I was driving a flatbed wrecker when I was a couple years younger than you, and the kid they had me working with was 19. He could run up to the truck, leap up onto the bed, sprint across and leap off with work boots and coverall on...I was like "I remember when I used to be able to do that!" Of course, as we'd drive around town going on jobs, I'd point out bars and such and recall times I'd had at them...and he said "Wow! You have a cool story for every place in town!". Being on both sides of the see-saw has it's ups and it's downs!!! When you draggin your old *** back to Michigan to get that boat ancho...I mean, that STOVEBOLT motor from Jay??? We gotta drink a couple while you're here!!
You'll like it more when he puts 30 inch rims on it. I learned around here the call it rolling on skates, because it looks like a roller skate I guess. They play Prince on the cl***is station around here found that to be weird.
To put it in perspective, think about what were the "cool" cars to drive when you were in High School. I graduated in '82 and late 60's muscle cars were what we drove...... a 15 year old car. Today that's a 1990 Camaro/Mustang etc............. I'm getting old
When you draggin your old *** back to Michigan to get that boat ancho...I mean, that STOVEBOLT motor from Jay??? We gotta drink a couple while you're here!! [/QUOTE] Hey, Hack good to hear from you. Don't know when I'll get there for the motor. We just bought a 2nd house so that's become the priority around here lately. At least i know no one else wants it...
This is hilarious!...damnnear fell off my chair laffing...you certainly ain't got a clue there kiddo! I'm turning 62 next weekend...I was there when the 1957 Chevys debuted...and every new car from then on! It's all relative, isn't it? The kid thinks anything built before he was born is "an old car!" and it is...after all, an '80 Caprice is now 25 years old... Did you attempt to explain to him what "an old car" really was? He'd probably call you an antique for even knowing! Anyway, Happy Birthday to you...and me...at least we're still around to see the faces of youngsters when you can tell them stories from waaaaay before they were born! R-
I found out a couple weeks ago that age doesn't have that much to do with it. I was at a clients office, outside havin' a smoke leanin' on my '62 Olds...when a very well dressed gent in his late forties walked up about to get into his new expensive whatever the hell it was. He says to me "Nice car!" and we started a light conversation about it. He mentions he has an "old car" a few times in various ways...finally I ask him what it is. He says, beaming, that it's an '87 Mercedes...it's so clean...just needs a couple little things to be perfect...and then says that us old car guys need to stick together 'cause they just don't make 'em like they used to. Uhhh...ok! Yeah yer right...they don't make 'em like this anymore (as I gave Gretta a little tap on the fender). Oh yeah! Happy Birthday. Olson
Satchel Paige,the great ***** Leagues pitcher said,"Your age is how old you would be if you didn't know how old you was". I think that says it all.
I'll be turning 32 in a month. My left knee started workin kinda funny two days ago. I'm worried I've got arthritis! A cop pulled me over once while I was driving my '63 Fairlane. He gave me the usual and let me off with a warning...then started BSing about his old car. .....1985 Lincoln or some such nonsense. And he was OLDER than me. The '63 is 10 years older than me. Thats an old car in my book. heheh. ....lets see what that book says about 80's cars...oh yeah, right here on page 2...under PARTS FODDER. hahahahaha TINGLER
Yeah Tongler...what you said! If it's older than I am it's old enough. I was born in '70, so anything before then is alright by me. Olson
Ha ha. You make me laugh with all your aches and pains. I was born in Feb. '37. Anyone on here older than that?
This thread is sad. I was at work one day and this guy pulls in driving a 1980 Chrysler Cordoba. Talks about how he's going to restore it. I looked at him like I was choking. He asked what my problem was, I said, THAT"S NOT a cl***ic car! SURE it is Brandy, it's 25 years old! My 25th is coming up in December...........wonder if the Dept. of Motor Vehicles will issue collector's plates for my ***? **x
My 25th is coming up in December...........wonder if the Dept. of Motor Vehicles will issue collector's plates for my ***? **x[/QUOTE] There ya go, "vintage" style blue jeans with a Califoria black plate on the pocket.
You're five months older than me. But I was there long before the '57s debuted - did it take you 13 years to get all of the way out??? You oughta be able to remember these....painting the windows of the showrooms, covering the cars during delivery.... Mutt
whats even weirder is when you see some older gent (no offense but I'm only 31) in a big ol 70's or 80's convertable thats all gook wagoned out to look like its a car out of the early sixites... I saw one myself.. I was in my 61 and pulled up next to this guy, and he wouldnt even look over at me.. he just stared staight ahead like i wasnt even there.. and I know he heard me coming...... What gives with that weird "I dont see the greaser freak next to me in a car cooler than mine."
There ya go, "vintage" style blue jeans with a Califoria black plate on the pocket.[/QUOTE] Could be a new trend ya know! Mutt, if I had been around during that time in automotive history, I'd be glued to the showroom gl*** on D-day. Lucky boys! **x
Part of the problem is, for m*** cunsumption, the industry is pushing the idea that a car is OLD when becomes 5 years old and the government likes that too because excepting people that are true gearheads that love their cars, the older a car is the less safe it is. I know, I know, a lot of it is bullsh*t but the fact remains that somehing that is 5 years old is old and if it is 15 years old it is practically ancient by those standards.
Naw, wasn't that tuff a labor (at least that's what my Mom told me! Probably should have stayed in...I still ain't stinking rich or famous!). When the '57's debuted was about the time I got interested in cars...think I was about 14 then...I was still playing cops and robbers and indians and cowboys up to that point. Cars, girls and a driver's license were way in the future! R-
My Daughter (4) says she wants a scary car when she is old enough to drive. My scary car is a '36, it's 33 years older than me, so her's will more than likely be a 1968.... I can deal with that. But I better buy it now!
This sure is an eye opener. I thought that Fuelpump and I were THE senior citizens on this board. I had no idea I could be called "kid". Well, at 61 I'm not buying many green banannas, but still can't resist draging home an old rusty hulk. I guess Satchel Paige really knew what he was talking about. Frank
My car is older than my parents. If you guys think its hard getting other 25-30 year olds to "get" old cars, try talking to a 17 year old about a carburetor. It will usually get you a dumb gaze and a "huh?"
Just get used to it folks. It really hit me about 10 years ago. I started seeing muscle cars,that were popular when I was in high school,with'antique auto' tags. Although when I was in high school,I was driving a shoebox ford,and'the jocks' were lusting after mustangs,and camaros. I was sooo coolSparky
My Chevy and I were both products of 1940. The only thing that depresses me is what better shape IT'S in than me. But then I've still got all the original equipment and my body's never been off my frame.
When I got my stovebolt '50, it was from an old friend of the family who p***ed on. He had it "forever" and since I had helped maintain it for the "old guy", his widow sold it to me knowing I'd take care of it. Well that was in 1975 and I've had the car for longer than the "old guy" . He took care of it for the first 25 years (with some of my help) and I've been taking care of it for the last 30!. When I first got it, oldtimers would constantly tell me stories of their experiences with their stovebolt Chevy (or in the back seat). Now the "oldtimers" ask me what it is and tell me about their "old" K-car or Cordoba or some ****. PS The car and it's story is in Hemmings "Cl***ic Cars" - drivable dreams article in the upcoming January issue.
I really envy you old farts who can say WELP I was born in 1935 and I'm gunna buy me a 35 Ford. You know what I'd get? Do ya? HUH?! Yeah I'd get a 1980 ****PILE.........so unfair. **x
In two years and two months, there will be Dodge Caravans that are eligible for collector plates. I'd have to re-read the book of Revelations to be sure, but I'm pretty sure that's one of the four hor***** of the apocalypse.
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