a sign of the times

[jerrym3]

Read an article today: "Sales drop could be sign of peril for muscle cars". Article goes on to describe the change in the culture with respects to automobiles and the age of potential buyers. (Maybe sales will reverse in the next sales cycle.)

True, we can't lump all kids in the same category, but, IMHO, the vast majority just aren't car lovers, at least not to the level we were. I have two daughters, no grand-kids, so, I can't state with certainty, but while kids cruised the streets and drive-ins in the late 50's and through the 60's and 70's, most kids today cruise their smart devices and play video games.

This will impact old car values in the future.

I'm a kid from the 50's.

My dad loved driving. I'm not so sure that he loved cars, but he was fond of Nash autos, used Caddies, and his gas gobbling 1948 Buick convert. In 1958 at age 15, two years below the legal limit, he taught me to drive a 1952 Plymouth manual shift station-wagon on public roads in New Hampshire. (Mom was having a canary, especially one day when we saw a police car behind us.)

But, he never taught me to be a car lover. He didn't have to. I did that all by myself.

In the mid 50's, a trip to the Pocono Mountains with my folks, my Godfather, and his fiancee, and a chance encounter with a couple driving an early 1950's black Merc convert, triggered me. I was hooked, especially on Mercs and converts.

[merlot4]

Hmmm, at a restaurant, I would think it is a sign of the tines.... I think the other posters have pretty much nailed it, the current generation likes their vehicles, but, for many, in an altogether different way. We were very much a product of our time, but in a sea of SUVs and bubble shaped vehicles, TBirds do stand out, even if some aren't quite sure what they are. An interesting observation by Randy, thanks for sharing.

[jerrym3]

Watching a panel show last night, one of the guests, who has an educational and professional background in the changing patterns of our younger generation, was making comments about today's youth.

Some of the comments were very disturbing, such as the increase in suicides, especially among young girls, "cutting", and bullying. The use of smart devices was also discussed. (Boys tend to use them to play games; girls use them to post pictures and see how many "likes" they get.)

He also commented that getting a driving license is nowhere as important as it used to be.

[Sealy]

A coworker told me that she had seen me pulling into a parking lot in my Thunderbird and it was really nice. At the time, I was driving a '64 Rambler American convertible.

[Howlandd]

I also worry about the value of my Bird. However, I know that it's value will never match my love for it. We need to accept that these cars will never be worth so much that selling one will cause significant improvement in our bank account. Because of the use of computers in the design of all newer cars we will continue to see less interest in owning older cars that were manufactured with computer components and therefore impossible to repair under a back yard shade tree. In the "old days" the enjoyment of owning a classic/antique car was three fold - driving it, repairing it and joining in on club activities. So considering these three things we are losing one third of the "fun" in owning these cars as well as the cost of owning going sky high as we rack up repair bills. So - I just live with the knowledge that I will drive my Bird for as long as I am physical able and it is affordable for me to do so.

[007Cruiser]

A coworker told me that she had seen me pulling into a parking lot in my Thunderbird and it was really nice. At the time, I was driving a '64 Rambler American convertible.

Any plans to go for the new Ford Ranger?

[Sealy]

Any plans to go for the new Ford Ranger?

I have a 2010 XLT with all the options Ford offered and a few I added. It rang up at about $25K and has done every hauling job I have asked of it. It;s a good, dependable, proven truck. I built a fully equipped replacement on line and it came in at +/- $37K. Although the specs have not been released, it has one 4 cylinder engine and appears to be the size of an early F150. I'd have a hard time justifying spending that much money for that much truck when I have a paid for truck that is just the right size for what I need. (Also, I really, really like the way my truck looks. Not overly styled to look overly macho. Just good looking truckish.)

[007Cruiser]

I have a 2010 XLT with all the options Ford offered and a few I added. It rang up at about $25K and has done every hauling job I have asked of it. It;s a good, dependable, proven truck. I built a fully equipped replacement on line and it came in at +/- $37K. Although the specs have not been released, it has one 4 cylinder engine and appears to be the size of an early F150. I'd have a hard time justifying spending that much money for that much truck when I have a paid for truck that is just the right size for what I need. (Also, I really, really like the way my truck looks. Not overly styled to look overly macho. Just good looking truckish.)

I didn’t realize that you still had your Ranger. I knew that you really liked it. I still miss my little Chevy S-10 Extreme.

[Sealy]

I didn’t realize that you still had your Ranger. I knew that you really liked it. I still miss my little Chevy S-10 Extreme.

I have the S-10 to thank for my first Ranger. Just after the restyle, the local Chevy dealer had the exact S-10 I wanted. Fortunately, he quoted the sticker price and said take it or leave it. On the way home, I stopped at the Ford store and bought the Ranger for a negotiated price. Every time I see a S-10, I thank that dealership.

[Rondor]

My next Ford will be a New Bronco

[NotU]

To complete the original post, we had a nice conversation about cars and Thunderbirds.
I was just taken aback when he asked, "who makes it?"
Randy

[wcoates]

To complete the original post, we had a nice conversation about cars and Thunderbirds.
I was just taken aback when he asked, "who makes it?"
Randy

Randy most still have their Thunderbird script on the side of the car. Think they'd be able to read. Now I (with others) have taken the script off. I like the look. Since taking it off, more than half making the nice car comment also ask what is it and who makes it?