Millennials and the future of our cars.

[CVCashmere]

My kids have no interest in retro birds! However, they all want my wife’s BMW (which is a very common car!)/.

CVCashmere

[Rondor]

Wonder if there is a way to get a reasonably accurate number of people who actually own a classic or antique car and what percentage of the population that is ?

[Rondor]

The cars that will be popular collector cars (future classics) will be the ones that they made millions of. EASY TO GET PARTS FOR! --- Alan

In my 60 years of interest and ownership of old and special interest auto's I don't recall this being a big factor as to what people like. Availability of the car may be a factor in how many are still around and yes what was popular back when is likely what's popular today. Try finding a mid 50's DeSoto and see what it will cost. Even better try restoring one. one.
If you happen to have a Desoto it certainly has a good value, but agree less buyers. Bottom line there is a gap in logic and predictability in this hobby Many cars never thought to be collectible are and many thought to be never were. Like said here by many that human emotional factor is major and unknown

[jerrym3]

My daughter's boyfriend and my son/in/law's niece came to our house for Xmas eve. They are both in their 30's. Both were eager to see the Galaxie. So, I took them to the garage one at a time to see my two cars.

There was very little interest in the TBird, but a lot of interest in the Galaxie. The Bird got a few "nice car" comments, but the Galaxie really perked their interest.

The biggest TBird eye catchers were the ww tires the and black/saddle color combo.

[AyPapiii]

Don't give up on TVR yet Tom!

Merry Christmas,

RBIRD

Good catch, there is hope but it ain't the same. When they got electric windows they lost most of what they were.

[AyPapiii]

Hi everyone, joined the forum today as I bought a tbird yesterday. I'm 29 and would like to share my perspective on my generation and their taste in cars. There's two main items i'd like to emphasize.
1) I think the financial piece plays a huge role and hasn't been emphasized enough. Me and pretty much everyone I know left college with 30k+ in student loan debt and sometimes substantially more. This despite going to local public universities and working part time throughout. With the 4 year graduation rate typically around ~50%, many have this without a college degree to show for it in the end. I think the interest is there, but the lack of financial independance has made automotive splurges a non starter for millenials, it's pushed deep below emerging priorities around that loan payment and the latest iphone.

2) In regards to interest and speculating on future of the industry, I think Tesla has captured the market perfectly in several ways. No dealers, mostly online experience, grassroot viral marketing and strong community (400,000+ people waited in-store or placed 1k down online for an Model 3, a car which they wouldn't expect to get until 12-18 months). It's also minimalist design and electric. All of these contribute to the feeling they're contributing to something bigger (lessen climate change), relevant (internet, silicon valley model) and futuristic (electric). Now I bet a chunk of those 400k reservers may back out as they realize they can't afford it, but the fact that this company has lit a fire under this age group for a $35k+ car is remarkable and shows the interest exists in the mainstream but the old guard is not doing much to draw it out.

Anyway thats my thoughts! I bought a 2005 medium blue tbird, blue insert seats, blue soft top, blue hardtop. Fully loaded, 114k, absolutely love it. Coming from a '67 mercury cougar.

Best,

Tim

Welcome, Tim

That is beautiful color combination on a beautiful car (I considered a similar 2005 at a Georgia dealership awhile back). I imagine there is no confusion as to which car is yours in the lot.

While I never really admitted it in high school, driving a 67 2&2 Mustang, I always liked that balance of luxury and performance the Cougar offered. You may regret having sold it.

[Rondor]

I have no idea how many cars I have owned,,, but I can count on 1 hand how many I don't regret selling and have a few fingers left over. The original T birds weren't always a high dollar car. I was offered a mint 57 Buick 2 dr. HT in the 60's free and was not interested. Wish I had that car today.