Collector Cars and the new Economy

[Guest]

sanpattbird2.jpg

Well I will not worry for my 02 Bird. It was sold for a very low price to me being it was an insurance claim. Total out for Insurance. When I got it and my Salvage title you cannot even tell it was ever in water. Driving it over 6 years now so I got MORE than my money worth. Even if I let it go for free or donate it to Goodwill which will probably happen because it is worthless with the title it has with it. I am all to the good having this car.

Picture taken in front of the San Patricio,Texas Court House- Replica. The original was burned down years ago in 1889. This one built in 1985.

http://www.texasescapes.com/TexasGul...icio-Texas.htm

[birdy]

Have owned a '65 and an '03 , both convertibles. I sold the 65 to a member of the local Tbird club. Now that was a car that attracted all kinds of attention. The 03 not so much. I agree that tastes have changed and only the boomers yearn for the older rides. Nostalgia plays a big role in those decisions.

[JerriLampon]

Have owned a '65 and an '03 , both convertibles. I sold the 65 to a member of the local Tbird club. Now that was a car that attracted all kinds of attention. The 03 not so much. I agree that tastes have changed and only the boomers yearn for the older rides. Nostalgia plays a big role in those decisions.

The question is, who is going to "yearn" for the '02-'05 Thunderbirds in 20 years? Where lies the nostalgia?

[jerrym3]

Will there even be enough buyers interested in cars to keep the classic car thing going? I don't know.

A lot of younger kids still look at my Galaxie and retro, But, if my Galaxie weren't a convert and painted an eye-catching Pagoda Green, I doubt if it would get the number of young lookers that it now gets. I can't imagine any of these kids wanting to buy either one of my cars in the future just because they saw one once in a car show when they were youngsters.

And, for every youngster that looks at the cars, there's a kid who is glued to his smartphone.

As said above, where lies the nostalgia?

But heck, it was a good run.

[Sierra977]

Does anyone want to buy a pristine, like-new VHS machine?

[007Cruiser]

Does anyone want to buy a pristine, like-new VHS machine?

Maybe the Smithsonian.

[MikeB6]

Ben has a like new Laser Disc player in the garage. He probably has the discs too. He probably doesn't want to sell. I'll call the Smithsonian but I'm doubtful they'll take my call. Ha ha

[AZTB]

Does anyone want to buy a pristine, like-new VHS machine?

That's funny...my 90-year-old father has 3 new VHS machines in his closet, still in their boxes...he keeps them as backup should the one he's using breaks. He has a DVR, and a DVD burner, but he prefers the VHS (it's technology with which he's familiar).

[Sierra977]

We are no longer a car culture, we are a tech culture.

[007Cruiser]

Maybe cars were the tech of their day.

[5bird7]

I have twin nephews, now 29 years old. One is into cars like his dad and mom are and the other has never had a drivers license. Both are techies/gamers.
I might add that my son is into cars, too and is a techie/gamer. He's just not into our tbirds, but does enjoy his MustangIIs and new car technology.

[Sierra977]

Ask which they would give up first, their car or their phone.

[Rondor]

ALll great comments and what has made the car hobby what it is today. While many of us were a little over zealous about cars 50-60 years ago I,m not sure we were typical or at least the majority. Today's youth has a lot more to be interested than we did, but my guess is that the few who are car nuts will be just as gung-ho as we were.With them it may only take one noticeable incident to start a mad run on a car or a pair of $200.00 sneakers

[5bird7]

Ask which they would give up first, their car or their phone.

easy answer for two of them, phone would go first and then the cars. The third doesn't make enough money for either.

[TXBlueBird]

I wonder to what extent hobby cars are inherently an older person’s pursuit because of the necessary resources? I’m not just thinking of purchase and maintenance cost but also garage space and the time to work through issues that can’t be resolved with a quick trip to the dealer or mechanic. I know some younger people who love cars and had older models that they worked on while they lived with their parents but who abandoned them when college, marriage and kids came along. I think at least some of them will come back around when their nests empty.

Also, as a city dweller with a condo, I really envy suburbanites with garages and private driveways. I don’t want to give up my urban lifestyle but I’m having to get creative to accommodate my growing yen for a classic or two. My 2004 retro bird (which i love) is a bit of a compromise. It’s a bit less demanding to care for and house than a 1963 rocket bird.

Duane