Art & Inspiration Thoughts on the future of the hobby

Bingo. Even my 50+ year old nephews, who love Go-Fast cars, don't understand the arbitrary 1965 cut-off. Us old-timers understand (and appreciate) it. Broaden the category and the interest is there.

Amen, thank you.

 

The only thing that worries me is the availability of replacement parts. Fuel pumps, water pumps etc. go to the parts store these days and ask for SBC parts.

 

We're in the transition where a lot of parts for SBC stuff will be easier to get in stock at a specialty store, I think. Keep in mind the original geometry SBC hasn't been in a production car in 20 years now.

 

True! We will keep our fingers crossed!

 

Asking for a friend, is “urban camping” considered traditional?

 

i get the 1965 cutoff, no pony cars! makes it a lot cooler in here.

kids like me get 4 doors because they are cheap, and with a v8 and manual its just as fun as a two door for a quarter of the price.

 

I have been searching for a old post from 2007 en***led, "Lasting Impression" and I think it ties in with this thread.

I just copied & pasted my experience at that time -

The Mrs. and I took the roadster for a ride last night and ended up at a small cruise-in about an hours drive away from home.

I was talking to a friend I have known for a few years and after the conversation a man walks up to me and ask if I remember who he is?

I say," I'm sorry, I can't say that I do" He introduced himself to me and my wife and said that I took him for a ride in my Model A pickup and he was a kid at that time, that ride was something that he still remembers to this day.

He remembered more about that truck than I do ,he also said that was the reason he is building a 31 roadster pickup.

He never said how many years ago that was but I kinda figure it was at least 23 years ago and the last time I saw him and to be honest I really didn't remember taking him for a ride in the truck but I have always offered rides trying to light a flame if someone who shows any interest, young or old.

I have done a lot of things that people remember me for ,some regretfully not good but meeting a guy who said he has a love for old cars because I took the time to take him for a ride in a hot rod and tell him about my truck made me feel a little uneasy and happy at the same time.

Just goes to show you,what goes around does indeed comes around.HRP

 

Hello,

The hobby has always been in the minority of all activities people follow or join in with their builds. But, we are all individuals with different outlooks on life and fun. If and when a choice is made about what you build and drive, you will get more thumbs up than a guy/girl driving around in a Camry.
Going out for a well deserved post holiday drive to the beach, to check out the blue skies/blue water and current waves hitting the shores in So Cal...

These folks last Christmas had a great at***ude about their old 57 Thunderbird. They got a lot of waves and thumbs up signs from other motorists. If the T-bird had been in the family for the long time and had been refurbished for today’s road trips, that is what hot rodding is for them.

Since the early days, the hot rod scene seems larger, which it may, but it is still in the minority. But, all is not lost. Until the whole world goes electric and the power grids show signs of blackouts, then until that time, nothing to get all worked up about. The incursion of electric car technology is just how advancement in design seems to be headed. Much like the AI program is in computers.

Jnaki

It is not the recruiting of young people that is a hinging point. If the young people are concerned, then the movement will head in the direction of climate change as being more important for their health. Then everyone will start to worry or get somewhat concerned.

Until then, build your hot rod or cruising car for daily drives. Make sure it is not just a car that comes out for the bright sunny day and sheds the “garage queen” label for some open road adventures. For the non initiated, the sight of a hot rod on the road is vintage and these days, vintage is one of the current styling trends. If you are into that sort of thing… YRMV

Note: It sure seems like going to the weekend events in your location and participating in various activities is a way to actually talk to others about the hot rod/cruising scene. It is not to be on the bandwagon with a “cause” to push on other people. Let your old hot rod or cruiser speak for itself. If it is in the “cards” for those people talking to you at these events, that is how ***ociations are created and then it initiates some movement to the hot rod scene.

You can’t talk someone into being an accountant versus a store or shop owner. It just is a part of the way it falls for most. Absorb the current scene, enjoy it for what it is and one day, a spark of two will happen if it is supposed to happen, otherwise, that is the way it goes… YRMV

Note 2: @Paul
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/encourage-the-next-generation.1304621/

 

Hot Rodding will go the way of the Amish. Converge, persist and endure. So we should all start taking notes from them on how to deal with our obstacles.

Traditional Hot Rodding culture will not only survive but will be imitated around the world by up and coming nations. Maybe some of you will one day see international contract work as consultants! I heard China is producing new Flathead blocks(?) Muscle cars won’t fare so well, to be seen and not heard. The glam truck culture infesting our roads today can go to hell asap.

Shade tree automotive tradesmen will be the Shamans of the future.

Remember you read that on the HAMB

 

Many already are, yes?

 

I am 68 and have been a car crazy fool since I was 8 and built my first model car. I always built the hot rod or the custom versions. Went to my first world of wheels show in Milwaukee when I was 12. To me it has always been about the build. I have gone through every phase of the Hobbie when it came to cars, trucks, and motorcycles. in the 70s it was street machines. custom vans and choppers, 80s was pro street, and jacked up 4x4s, 90s it was street rods and customs and pro touring and slammed pickups and fast and furious cars for customers while I ran my own custom shop for almost 30 years. Once the car is done, I cruise it but 9 times out of 10 someone else wanted it more than me. which was okay because it gave me the were with all to build the next. I love going to shows for inspiration and ideas. I still see a p***ion in some young folks around here but just like when I was 16 to 20 it's a 4- to 10-year-old car or truck. and it is wheels and tires and stance. I saved up the hard-earned money to buy a Holley and a set of ******s, Crager's and Formula1s back then and they do the same with a turbo and a 4-inch pipe. But back in 71 we cruised the boulevard and were inspired by others and hung out in a parking lot and bench raced. Now they get $500.00 tickets for cruising. or tresp***ing. Enjoy the hobby in any way you can. In the immortal word of Bob Dylon, The Times are a Changing.

 

"Now they get $500.00 tickets for cruising. or tresp***ing." !
WTF!!!??? In Portage???
Is there gang activity going on, hoodlum activity, property destruction, or building desecration happening? This blows my mind... When I was a kid, we'd *never* think about doing that, much less do it. There were, of course, always a very few who did, but folks I grew up with, avoided being around - much less ***ociated - w/that element. I suppose it's the current-culture; woke, (illegal)"immigrant", n all that ****. West-Side-story wasn't anywhere near everywhere. Guess there's a lot to be said for the Maybury-concept of small towns. Sigh...
Marcus...

 

wizard, Thats why I look forward to coming up to Back to the 50s every year. Lol We are only about 35 miles from Madison and have become a Bedroom Community for the if I don't like it nobody can do it mind set. Alot of these regulations started in the major cities and have spread like wildfire. They seem to think if they make it hard for young people to hang out with each other they will say home with their parents. Thats not working out to well either. LOL

 

We will reach a point in time where we can print or CNC hammer form whatever car/part we want.
We won’t even have to click a key or move a cursor.
Just use our mind.
And any kinda combo we want.
You can simply clone a previous build by just giving a command.
That super rare hard to find part will be cloned in moments.

Flux capacitors and electro magnetic pulse devices in the shape of a flathead.

The future is so bright, I gotta wear shades.

 

By The Time This Discussion Of The Future Of Our Hobby Is Resolved The Future Will Be In Our Rear View Mirrors...

 

Tomorrow is a hope that I have yet to endure. I think I'm going to start driving my stuff more than just on weekends.

 

I graduated high school in 1971, first car was a 56 chevy wagon for $25., worked at Petes Esso in high school. I never
had a hot rod or anything but basic transportation thru college, marriage to two ex wives. Finally decided if I wanted to have something screw being responsible and bought a "parts truck" 50 chevy, Met my current partner 20 years ago
built a decent garage in the back yard and started working on the truck. I just turned 70, had major back surgery this
past year and expect to get back to it this fall. What happens in the future will happen, I expect that gas will be available for as long as I can drive, and the future owner if any can worry about it then.

 

If it will accellerate me with the G-loading of an F-18 or magically autonomously silently transport me 1400 miles to a winter getaway while I cuddle in the back seat with my cutie...
Hell yes, sign me up.
Which is not to say I don't enjoy getting out a hot rod for a ride through the countryside also.
Nobody likes change except a wet baby.

 

This is a copy of a prediction made by Lynn Pew (Pews Place) some years ago. His vision looks more like todays reality.

I, for the most part, tend to look at the current and past trends when dreaming about hot rods. My ability to see things in the distant future is often clouded by love of the past. We can all relate to things we have experienced and dealt with but how many of us can look into the future and realize what lies ahead for our p***ion for old cars and hot rods. In California, we have the DMV, who would like to see old cars removed from the highways in favor of more hybrid vehicles. Registration issues often prevent a person from enjoying his vehicle after or during the build time. Higher cost of building a hot rod today has many enthusiasts looking for alternative ways to spend their disposable income. The list goes on and on but the die hards always seem to find a way to build and drive their hot rods. If I could see into the distance, here are ten predictions that I see possible:
“Predictions”
1. The cost of painting, upholstery, fabrication and other operations will continue to rise to record levels in the future. Household incomes will lag inflation and reduce the number of options for most of us — especially retirees.
2. Shops specializing in building cars will continue to change their business model to stay in business which could put a dampener on traditional built hot rod growth.
3. Reproduction bodies will be the norm and in 20 years sellers will claim the bodies are original — which in their mind, they are.
4. Modification to cars will change to late models as the demographics change for the hobby. Federal and Local governments will enforce stricter rules for modifications to automobiles.
5. Promotors will continue to attract car enthusiasts and vendors to their events by catering to select groups and segments of the industry as a whole. SEMA’s Hot Rod Alley may change their name to Performance Enhancement Alley.
6. Publishers of Automotive magazines will be replaced with on-line news about the hobby. Social networks will carry live streams from events all over the world that you can see on your new watch or smart phone. Facebook is already in that mode.
7. The value of today’s hot rods will decline drastically in the next 10 years. (I hope I am wrong on this one.)
8. Men and women of all ages will continue their love affair with the automobile regardless of any of the above predictions.
9. New events for modified cars will initiated as the demand grows for a certain segment of the market which includes racing of all kinds. For example, the NASCAR, SCORE, NSRA, Goodguys, Corvette, Camaro, Mustang and Cobra organizations may be replaced with other automotive groups that are popular with the generation who purchases some newer models. A Hybrid race or Solar powered race event is not new news. I was on the team when GM built the first Solar powered racer, “The Sunraycer”.
10. Future cars will no longer be called Hot Rods, Street Rods or Muscle cars due to public perception and Government intervention into our world of Modified cars. I think the future terminology for our style cars will be “Personalized Cars”.
If you have any vision of what lies ahead, please share it with me.

 

Yep. Things change.
imagine time traveling 1000 into the future expecting to see a 1948 and down show.

 

"choptop40 said: ↑
... F electric cars.. who wants to sit in an big *** electro magnetic field anyway . "

Hey, choptop40;
Might want to re-visit Nikola Tesla, his ideas n papers. . Electrical waves/frequencies can be very beneficial. Magnetic fields have advantages too. Do you have any idea of how much emf you're currently in now - everywhere?

Battery-only power source for EV's = no, it's idiotically pointless(not touching political aspect here), at least for me. If anyone can figure-out the Gray-motor for power source = hell-yes.

Sadly, as always - e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. - can & usually is corrupted/weaponized by the usual Suspects. It's up to us how to utilize those concepts. Tragically, the cost of obtaining the Source is usually prohibitive. & then there's the learning curve to using them... .

Anthony: Absolutely Cool Future - one that's beyond even Tony Stark... . If those same "features" can/will give Privacy, as well as Prosperity, I'm _in_ ! Affording & then learning to use them, well, that's the next hurdle... " . Bring it on! Read: Help!... .

*If* I take the time to consider what my grandparents saw & went thru, in terms of technology becoming available, & even what has happened in my lifetime, it's actually amazing. & although the timeframes(rates) in which it has occurred has increased near parabolically, I'm having trouble seeing it affordable, much less useful to me in my lifetime. ;( .
Marcus...