State of the Hobby

[GrabberOrange69]

That the subject keeps popping up should tell us something.

A guy I knew in the antiques business (had 20 shops across southern Cal and Nevada) said the window for enthusiasm is 30-75 years. A thing becomes collectible and of interest at about 30 years. At 75 years, few people are into it.

He pointed to an early century Tea Table, with a lace table cloth. He said he couldn’t give it away today. Said yesterday a woman came in and chewed him down to $35 and he finally said “I’ll take whatever you’ll give me for it.“ She walked out empty handed. He tells me 30 years ago, he could have sold that table every day.

Right now, iconic kids toys from the 1980s are hot. SLR cameras, which you couldn’t hardly give away 15 years ago, are hot. I asked him, “who’s buying?“ He said “millennials”. I was stunned.

If you want to get your socks blown off, look at eBay for Toyota Celica Supras from the 90s, with the turbo motors. Exceptionally clean cars go for over $100k, unrestored. Same goes for GNX Buicks. Many of those buyers are millennials.

Weve had a fantastic run, and there’s still gas in the tank. The cars that we love were already becoming collectable at 10-15 years after they left the showroom. But RC is right, there’s going to be some great deals in the next 25 years as it winds down.

But it will wind down.

 

[terrywalker]

I've managed to get a few of my grandchildren interested in the older cars. I promised to give my recently finished Charger Rallye to my 17-year-old grandson when he turns 21 if he meets some agreed upon goals ( ie. good school grades) and helps me maintain the cars. I have a 19-year-old grandson I gave a 95 V8 Bronco too and he drives it to work. He loves the Bronco but can't afford the gas. A granddaughter has driven my 2015 Challenger Shaker R/T around and would like to help on the 72 Challenger I'm currently working on. Unfortunately, she now lives over 500 miles away. They love my convertible. Does it make me nervous when they drive my cars? Yes. But they have an interest in them. The photo of the grandkids in my convertible is at least 5 years old. They are the ones I mentioned previously. My 17 y.o. grandson helps me maintain the cars as shown.

 

[Cheapsunglasses]

Fine I’ll bite.

First problem is a lot of older guys treat these cars as trophies. They pay someone else to work on them, so their kids and grandkids don’t see the work done. They sit in garages only to be taken out if the weather is absolutely perfect and there’s a car show, or they’re trailered to a car show, so again children and grandchildren never get to ride in them and enjoy them. Heaven forbid a kid goes near your $40k or more restoration. I know not everyone is like that, but there’s enough out there.

2nd problem. Hoarders, “I’ve had this car for 30 years, I’m never going to sell it, or build it, or touch it. But damn it you can’t have it. Then it rots to the ground.


Third problem. If I younger kid has an older car, if it’s a 4 door, station wagon, or even a 2 door. If it’s not a $40k restoration, or if it isn’t absolutely perfect, all the old guys will talk **** about his car and make him feel not worthy, so he’ll stop coming to shows, and he’ll go out and hang with his friends.

Fourth problem. People don’t do driveway maintenance, they send it off to the dealership, how are kids suppose to learn when they aren’t taught?

Some of you older guys are the reason for younger guys not getting into the hobby. Hoarding stuff, making prices of cars astronomical and unattainable. Treating younger guys poorly. I know it’s not all of you, there’s a lot of great people here.

 

[Cheapsunglasses]

I've managed to get a few of my grandchildren interested in the older cars. I promised to give my recently finished Charger Rallye to my 17-year-old grandson when he turns 21 if he meets some agreed upon goals ( ie. good school grades) and helps me maintain the cars. I have a 19-year-old grandson I gave a 95 V8 Bronco too and he drives it to work. He loves the Bronco but can't afford the gas. A granddaughter has driven my 2015 Challenger Shaker R/T around and would like to help on the 72 Challenger I'm currently working on. Unfortunately, she now lives over 500 miles away. They love my convertible. Does it make me nervous when they drive my cars? Yes. But they have an interest in them. The photo of the grandkids in my convertible is at least 5 years old. They are the ones I mentioned previously. My 17 y.o. grandson helps me maintain the cars as shown.

View attachment 1377846

View attachment 1377847

Thank you for taking the time to try to get your grandchildren into these cars, you are a great man, and they’ll also cherish those memories!

 

[dadsbee]

Got it covered for now with three generations enjoying them, after I'm gone it's up to them and their tax free inheritance!

 

[f569]

Did we just get scolded?
I feel like I should go to my room.

Fine I’ll bite.

First problem is a lot of older guys treat these cars as trophies. They pay someone else to work on them, so their kids and grandkids don’t see the work done. They sit in garages only to be taken out if the weather is absolutely perfect and there’s a car show, or they’re trailered to a car show, so again children and grandchildren never get to ride in them and enjoy them. Heaven forbid a kid goes near your $40k or more restoration. I know not everyone is like that, but there’s enough out there.

2nd problem. Hoarders, “I’ve had this car for 30 years, I’m never going to sell it, or build it, or touch it. But damn it you can’t have it. Then it rots to the ground.


Third problem. If I younger kid has an older car, if it’s a 4 door, station wagon, or even a 2 door. If it’s not a $40k restoration, or if it isn’t absolutely perfect, all the old guys will talk **** about his car and make him feel not worthy, so he’ll stop coming to shows, and he’ll go out and hang with his friends.

Fourth problem. People don’t do driveway maintenance, they send it off to the dealership, how are kids suppose to learn when they aren’t taught?

Some of you older guys are the reason for younger guys not getting into the hobby. Hoarding stuff, making prices of cars astronomical and unattainable. Treating younger guys poorly. I know it’s not all of you, there’s a lot of great people here.

 

[Fran Blacker]

In 1960 my father bought a Bolex 16mm movie camera for $600/$700. The projector was $1200 and accessories another $2k. This is professional equipment. 100ft of film takes 8 minutes of movies and cost $55 for film and developing. If sold $1200 if I was lucky. The stuff is nearly obsolete a pro might use it find him.

 

[Speedbird]

Oh great another, the end is near for our hobby thread! How many of these threads do we need?

View attachment 1377816

Old goat or dinosaur.
Take your pick.

 

[Cheapsunglasses]

Did we just get scolded?
I feel like I should go to my room.

No, just got the perspective of one of the young guys that’s “ruining the hobby” or “not interested in the hobby”

But if you don’t eat your veggies it’ll be straight to your room, and no dessert!

 

[68BabyBlue]

Fine I’ll bite.

First problem is a lot of older guys treat these cars as trophies. They pay someone else to work on them, so their kids and grandkids don’t see the work done. They sit in garages only to be taken out if the weather is absolutely perfect and there’s a car show, or they’re trailered to a car show, so again children and grandchildren never get to ride in them and enjoy them. Heaven forbid a kid goes near your $40k or more restoration. I know not everyone is like that, but there’s enough out there.

2nd problem. Hoarders, “I’ve had this car for 30 years, I’m never going to sell it, or build it, or touch it. But damn it you can’t have it. Then it rots to the ground.


Third problem. If I younger kid has an older car, if it’s a 4 door, station wagon, or even a 2 door. If it’s not a $40k restoration, or if it isn’t absolutely perfect, all the old guys will talk **** about his car and make him feel not worthy, so he’ll stop coming to shows, and he’ll go out and hang with his friends.

Fourth problem. People don’t do driveway maintenance, they send it off to the dealership, how are kids suppose to learn when they aren’t taught?

Some of you older guys are the reason for younger guys not getting into the hobby. Hoarding stuff, making prices of cars astronomical and unattainable. Treating younger guys poorly. I know it’s not all of you, there’s a lot of great people here.

I plead guilty, but try not to be part of the problem. I never wished for the older Mopars to become pricey, but it happened, and I refuse to give them up. However, the fact that the current occupant of my garage is insured for 50 times what I paid for the first GTX influences how I use it. I worked on the first three in my driveway, but that shipped sailed as I approach my seventh decade, too many physical issues that make it not fun.

Younger guys need to be treated with respect if the hobby is to have a future. I try to point out to younger folks who show an interest in my car that it wasn't always what it is today (ironic, the cars have gotten better as I've deteriorated.) I always point out the 1960s Mopars were looked down on by many before they began their rise in value . By the way, I think your GTX is awesome.

 

[cosgig]

This was at the cruise in over the summer. It is owned by a nice young man in our area, although I’ve never seen him before or since. This was his labor of love, and I’ll admit, it’s a nice, simple, understated example of what early hot rodding is all about. Kudos to him for keeping it real. I’d say the hobby is in good hands, if his hands are where we’re headed.

 

[roadrunnerh]

At 54 - soon to be 55, I don't seem to meet many younger guys into old muscle cars. I just enjoy the hobby now, and try not to worry about the future. All things must pass.
@PA_65_Plymouth where are you in Pgh? We should meet up sometime.
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

 

[PlymCrazy]

It all goes in cycles. For those of us in our 50 and 60, the brass era cars seem really old, and I suspect most of us relate to the cars of the 60's. The kids today see 60's cars the way we see a curved dash Olds. No fault, just time marching on.


View attachment 1377825

Interesting point. Guess I can see that, too.

 

[69 Sleeper Bee]

Living in a town that has 3 universities I am amazed how many kids love my car and come up to me anytime I am out and about and tell me how cool it is.

 

[Speedbird]

Here's a review.
The comments

 

[f569]

No, just got the perspective of one of the young guys that’s “ruining the hobby” or “not interested in the hobby”

But if you don’t eat your veggies it’ll be straight to your room, and no dessert!

And a great perspective it is. I wouldn't put you in either of those categories but rather regard you as an ambassador to the hobby!

I love my veggies, 'gonna clean my plate ... promise!

 

[PA_65_Plymouth]

At 54 - soon to be 55, I don't seem to meet many younger guys into old muscle cars. I just enjoy the hobby now, and try not to worry about the future. All things must pass.
@PA_65_Plymouth where are you in Pgh? We should meet up sometime.
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

I’m the same, I just do my own thing and enjoy my car I don’t care about re sale value or how much I put in it, my reason for this thread was curiosity as to what others thought things.

@roadrunnerh I’m in Penn Trafford
Always up for meeting car people!

 

[PlymCrazy]

Why am I suddenly thinking about buying a model T? I never saw the appeal…until now. Thanks guys.

 

[1967coronet]

It all goes in cycles. For those of us in our 50 and 60, the brass era cars seem really old, and I suspect most of us relate to the cars of the 60's. The kids today see 60's cars the way we see a curved dash Olds. No fault, just time marching on.


View attachment 1377825

Hits the nail on the head !
In 1972/73 I could not get into model Ts, lol

 

[roadrunnerh]

Why am I suddenly thinking about buying a model T? I never saw the appeal…until now. Thanks guys.