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Are roadsters old man cars?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Johnny1290, Jun 23, 2006.

  1. Johnny1290
    Joined: Apr 20, 2006
    Posts: 2,834

    Johnny1290
    Member

    I'm getting closer to the old man category myself, unfortunately, but the question is sincere. My buddy is looking into buying a chevy roadster and I've been teasing him about it being an old man car(he's 35). He swears its not. Who's right? From what I've seen at the LA Roadster show and others, it looks like the average age of an owner is at least 55(I know, you're not really an old man at 55, it's just a figure of speech). I think part of it is at least a matter of econmics, since it's so damn expensive to get that sheetmetal. Whenever I see one I mentally picture a bumper sticker that says "my other car is a Buick". T-buckets don't count in this, they're a different sort.

    I'm not the only one that thinks this, am I? If I'm wrong I'll have to stop giving him shit about it, but I figured here is about the best place to get the straight dope. Thanks!
     
  2. Gregg Pellicer
    Joined: Aug 20, 2004
    Posts: 1,347

    Gregg Pellicer
    Member

    To answer your question NO.I think that at most show's the average age is about 55 .It doesnt seem to matter what there driveing.But then again im a 51year old driveing a roadster.GREGG
     
  3. banjorear
    Joined: Jul 30, 2004
    Posts: 4,692

    banjorear
    Member

    Ah, huh? Roadsters as old man cars?

    Maybe the average age of the gold chainer at the LA Roadster show was 55, but I know sure as hell they aren't the guys that I know or have seen who own roadsters.
     
  4. revkev6
    Joined: Jun 13, 2006
    Posts: 3,350

    revkev6
    Member
    from ma

    dunno, bought my 32 cabrio 12 years ago at the ripe old age of 14
     
  5. Couple months back, runnin' the roadster in 16 degree weather.

    Few days back, 103 degrees.

    What do you think?
     
  6. Rusty
    Joined: Mar 4, 2004
    Posts: 9,478

    Rusty
    Member

    I'm 29 in my roadster. I think that the older ones know what the true early hot rod was so that is why they are sought after from that era
     
  7. Could be these days since it takes some economic leverage to build a nice glass roadster, more for a repop steel, and somewhat insane money for a gennie. Talking '32 - '36 in general.

    Economics don't get us there til somewhat later in life in most cases so your observation is somewhat correct, but not necessarily because younger guys don't want roadsters.

    Charlie
     
  8. loudpedal
    Joined: Mar 23, 2004
    Posts: 2,209

    loudpedal
    Member
    from SLC Utah

    You should get out more. I know of many roadster owners that aren’t old.. It’s been my experience radial tires or ’I-did-it’ steering columns are the ways to pick an old man’s car out of the crowd.
     
  9. 3wLarry
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 12,804

    3wLarry
    Member Emeritus
    from Owasso, Ok

    ...I like this guy...I gotta hand-made column and bias ply tires...so,I'm not old...:rolleyes: :D
     
  10. Guess that depends on where you live. most of us old men around here would rather have something with a roof. In the summer its too hot and in the winter its too cold.:D
     
  11. Jackie
    Joined: Mar 16, 2004
    Posts: 12

    Jackie
    Member
    from So Cal

    I'm 23 and I own a T roadster. AND I'm not a man. =)

    Go to different shows, you'll see that they're not all owned by old men. I'm sure economics plays a big role for most. I can't afford what I REALLY want right now at this point in life ( 30's flathead powered steel roadster) but maybe when I'm more established in my career I'll be able to get there.

    Speaking of the LA Roadsters show, there were some very nice cars there that I wouldn't mind having. But the price tags were more than I make in a year. :(

    -Jackie
     
  12. Likely the most assinine thing posted on the HAMB ever.
     
  13. metalshapes
    Joined: Nov 18, 2002
    Posts: 11,130

    metalshapes
    Member

    Yeah, but I bet you've got a bug deflector and diamond plate runningboards on your Truck...:D :D
     
  14. Misirlou
    Joined: Apr 1, 2006
    Posts: 41

    Misirlou
    Member

    "Are roadsters old man cars ?"

    Not by a long shot.
     
  15. I don't think so. I think a 50K fiberglass car is an old mans car. I'm 34 and drive a 1918 Dodge Roadster. :cool:
     
  16. McFly
    Joined: Oct 10, 2001
    Posts: 1,169

    McFly
    Member

    I'm 28 and getting ready to drive this!
     

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  17. If it has a top that folds into the trunk and it goes on or in a trailer...yes.
     
  18. Deuce Roadster
    Joined: Sep 8, 2002
    Posts: 9,519

    Deuce Roadster
    Member Emeritus

    I just wish I could go back to being 55 ...

    [​IMG]

    But I got mine when I was in my 20's ... :) and yes, steel 32's were not a dime a dozen then either. I was out in my " Old Man 32 Roadster " the other day and this young whippersnapper of 30 or so pulled up in his new 2006 Corvette and looked over and looked down at my old man antique ride ... ;)
    He then proceeded to TRY AND DRIVE OFF ... but my old man car has a 430 Horsepower SBC ... so he watched the tail lights get smaller ... :p and this old man a smiling ... :D
     
  19. loudpedal
    Joined: Mar 23, 2004
    Posts: 2,209

    loudpedal
    Member
    from SLC Utah


    Yes! Nice!! He should go to Auto Zone and buy an Iron Cross Air Freshener, some blinky valve stem caps and maybe a new set of ‘Rims’… then he’ll beat you next time..
     
  20. tommy
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 14,757

    tommy
    Member Emeritus

    Hot rodders drive roadsters! Old, young or in between.

    Old men need A/C, cruise control and trailers. Roadsters are too hot, too noisy and too wet for old men.

    You'll never find a whiner in a driven roadster.

    [​IMG]

    Take your rod out and play with it no matter how old it is!
     
  21. LongT
    Joined: May 11, 2005
    Posts: 979

    LongT
    Member

    You're TOO young for that! I'm 58 give it to me.

    Very nice ride!!!

    Bill
     
  22. 4tford
    Joined: Aug 27, 2005
    Posts: 1,824

    4tford
    Member

    Those guys you see driving the roadsters are the same ones that started the traditional hot rods. When your older you can build what you want and yes you have a few more bucks to do it. Anyway when your hitting 55 and up it is a little easier getting into a roadster then a chopped coup I'll be 60 and don't bend like I use to. Give us old guys a little credit for still going at it ://all these years. I drive a sedan not a roadster though. [​IMG][​IMG]
     
  23. There are roadster "owners" and roadster "drivers", both old and young.

    I'm almost 60 and I've driven my '31 for over 12 years, summer and winter, with no top. This weekend I had the pleasure of being fried and drowned on the same trip. Yeah I will get a top, but won't stop driving.

    Check out the Flathead Forum for "Rumbleseat". Paul is 72 at least and drives his 34 on a 2-3000 mile odyssey every year, alone! Flathead powered, no less.:cool:

    What about Rusty (Dirty31)? He certainly earned his stripes this past weekend.

    Lots of others on here: C9, Tommy, HRLC, Roadstar, DeuceRoadster, DRD57 are just a few. Young and not so young.

    Age has nothing to do with it! It's a part of you.;)



    "If you have to ask, I can't explain it to you"
     
  24. ironpile
    Joined: Jul 3, 2005
    Posts: 915

    ironpile
    Member

    I`m 64 and never owned an open car just want one before the dirt nap. I`m building the Train wreck that I got from Squablow.Jerry
     
  25. 23 bucket-t
    Joined: Aug 27, 2005
    Posts: 1,366

    23 bucket-t
    Member

    NO.......... it seems to me that as you get older you are more inclined to want a closed rod w/ heat only during the early spring and late fall especaly up in these north~east other than that young/old it does not matter........... because once you go topless you will not want to go with a top any more......... :D
     
  26. Thorkle Rod
    Joined: May 24, 2006
    Posts: 1,392

    Thorkle Rod
    Member

    There are those that say a true hot rod is a roadster everything else is a family car. But most of those that say that are on the grey side those LA Roadster guy's for instance, most have piles of cash.

    I say who cares if that's what you like screw 'm. Besides when the old farts die somebodies going to buy those cars and they will be younger than those fellers
     
  27. Good question. Use this HANDY CHECK-LIST to find out!

    Are you incontinent?
    Does your bald spot burn in the sun?
    Has your penis fallen into disuse?
    Having trouble remembering your medication regimen?
    Trouble remembering that you HAVE a medication regimen?
    Eye sight? Yes or No? Other?
    Reflexes? Yes? No? Other?
    Happiness is a soft, regular stool? Other?
    Bran?

    If you said yes or no to any or all of these factors, congratulations, you are old or will be some day with any luck.

    If not, why not?

    If a roadster is too youthful for your image and out of fashion with your ascending status in the world get yourself a dual cowl phaeton and light your cigars with $100 bills.

    Fresh air is good for you and will keep you feeling young if not actually young.

    Or you can have yourself sealed into an artillery shell and fired off for the ultimate closed coupe hot rod experience.

    Smilies: Here::D Here::p Here::rolleyes: and Here::) But NOT Here: (potrzebie)
     
  28. Model A Vette
    Joined: Mar 8, 2002
    Posts: 1,075

    Model A Vette
    Member

    Let's see: I was 18 when I got my roadster body and 27 when I finally got it built and on the road. I'm now 57 and still have it.
    Was I an old man then or just now?!!
     
  29. SUHRsc
    Joined: Sep 27, 2005
    Posts: 5,098

    SUHRsc
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    im 24 and i have about 4 roadsters
    one is all mixed up in my parts pile right now...but its here

    so id say no...they're not just for old men
    zach
     

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  30. hiboyroadsterboy
    Joined: Nov 16, 2003
    Posts: 1,864

    hiboyroadsterboy
    Member
    from Mass

    I'm 25 and I drive this 32.
     

    Attached Files:

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