We are a dying breed

[Rondor]

We grew up in a time when the automobile was more than a way to get from point A to B. Cars for most of us were like our signature. A few specials like our birds may come out but like them will not sell all that many. The everyday affordable cars that Ford and Chevy are so known for are all look alike wind tunnel designs that have no appeal beyond functionality. I see little or no interest in the upcoming generations and when I talk cars to them they look at me like I am from Mars. They think our retroe bird is cool but only because it is a convertable, and to them no different than a Miata or Toyota. I think the style peak was in '50's and the performance peak in 60's, A 2 or 3 year old muscle car was so common in late sixties you couldn't hardly give one away.

[Sealy]

Re: We are a dying breed

What an old curmudgeon! We're not dead and we're not on the DNR list, either. Go to some car shows - either classic or new (Jacksonville link is below) and you'll see lots of people of all ages and all varieties appreciating fine design and style. You need to join a club that does outreach - my club attends all kinds of local events and we have meetings in public places. Not everyone is looking at or for high MPG people movers. I come from a long line of car people - grandfather sold Pierce-Arrows, grandmother drove real Cadillacs, great uncle pin-striped for Ford, uncle was a notorious used car dealer, Dad sold cars for a while and Mom liked the ones with the peace symbol on the front. We also updated our cars pretty much every year, just like a good American consumer should. If people are looking at you odd, there may be other reasons - - - but, I do the same thing. Just plant the seed and see what happens.


http://www.paragonexpo.com/index.php/JAK-General/

[fums6]

Re: We are a dying breed

I have two grandsons ages 19 and 25 who are car nuts. Their tastes may be different from mine but their passion is just as great. Unfortunately their wallets aren't, but they'll get there someday. However, having said that, there will never be a time like the 50's again.

[Brad]

Re: We are a dying breed

It's really a matter of perspective. I got my drivers license in 1980 and my first car was a 100% original seafoam green 1955 Chevy that I used as a daily driver for several years, and my best friend drove an all original 1948 Oldsmobile. We made fun of the kid that drove a brand new special edition Corvette.

If you are having trouble communicating with the youth, you probably haven't taken time to learn their language (just like your parents probably didn't with you). You have a choice, you can either spend some time with the youth and bestow some of your knowledge on them or you can pull your pants up to your chest, water your lawn and complain about the kids loud music.

One tip that I learned from my 14 year old is to limit all stories or answers to his question to about 30-45 seconds, anymore and he gets bored.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: We are a dying breed

MAYBE NOT, WE JUST NEED TO PASS OUR LOVE OF CARS ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION. MY SON JUST TURNED FORTY AND BOUGHT A 2003 THUNDERBIRD TO ADD TO HIS 1969 MERCURY X-100 AND 1969 CYCLONE 428 SUPER COBRA JET. NOW MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW HOLDS ON TO MY SON'S 1959 FORD RETRACTABLE HARDTOP, 1959 COUNTRY SQUIRE, AND HIS 1987 MUSTANG GT WITH T-TOPS. SO THE BREED DOES NOT HAVE TO DIE, WE JUST NEED TO PASS ON THE LOVE OF CARS.

[Bill Brown]

Re: We are a dying breed

Grandaughter (18) has her heart set on the 02, Grandson (16) wants a ride in the 56 everytime he visits (hint...hint..grandpaw) and son-in-law (40) gets the 55. I'm not worried about re-sale value or what to do with the cars because I know they will be enjoyed after I can no longer take care of them.

[E'sBird]

Re: We are a dying breed

Agreed! My son wants all my cars, 1974 Saab Sonnet, 2005 Pontiac GTO and now the 2002 Thunderbird. His Son wants the GTO real bad (17). He will have to wait in line. Each car is different. The Saab is a classic sport car, the GTO is a muscle car beast and the T-Bird is a cruiser. I will tell you I have had a lot of fun and will enjoy passing the joy of cars on to my kids and grand kids.

[jerrym3]

Re: We are a dying breed

A agree with the first post. There may be some younger attendees, but the age of the people at the shows I've attended are in the gray beard range.

Some guys bring their sons, but not many.

Us older folks grew up in an age where the cars went from from ho-hum to wow. To me, with a few exceptions (49/50/51 Mercs, early 50's Olds Super 88's) 1955 was the year that most cars came alive.

Then, all hell broke loose with the musclecar era. But, high insurance costs and government regulations slowed things down in the 70's.

And let's not forget what the car meant to us on Saturday nights....the drive-in movies.

Technology has now put the performance of today's sedans in musclecar territory, but with some exceptions, they all look alike.

[Mintgrn]

Re: We are a dying breed

my retro bird is though "no different than a Miata or Toyota", SACRILEGE, OH THE HORROR, THE HORROR.

[NotU]

Re: We are a dying breed

And let's not forget what the car meant to us on Saturday nights....the drive-in movies.




I've been thinking about purchasing a large projection TV for the garage (it has a 10 ft ceiling) so we can play drive-in movie. My wife doesn't like that idea.
Randy Mattson

[AZTB]

Re: We are a dying breed

Agreed! My son wants all my cars, 1874 Saab Sonnet...

At first I thought this was a typo, then I realized it was a model, not a year!
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...vt=1874+saab+#

[007Cruiser]

Re: We are a dying breed

I just want to see Earl's 1874 Saab.

[ThunderBubba]

Re: We are a dying breed

MAYBE NOT, WE JUST NEED TO PASS OUR LOVE OF CARS ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION. MY SON JUST TURNED FORTY AND BOUGHT A 2003 THUNDERBIRD TO ADD TO HIS 1969 MERCURY X-100 AND 1969 CYCLONE 428 SUPER COBRA JET. NOW MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW HOLDS ON TO MY SON'S 1959 FORD RETRACTABLE HARDTOP, 1959 COUNTRY SQUIRE, AND HIS 1987 MUSTANG GT WITH T-TOPS. SO THE BREED DOES NOT HAVE TO DIE, WE JUST NEED TO PASS ON THE LOVE OF CARS.

Hey Ron -- If your family ever decides to part with the Cyclone please let me know.

[Ray]

Re: We are a dying breed

I just want to see Earl's 1874 Saab.

I didn't realize the Swedes were so far out in front of the rest of the world technologically. The Battle of Little Big Horn may have turned out differently if Custer had a few of these.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: We are a dying breed

Hey Ron -- If your family ever decides to part with the Cyclone please let me know.

HE SAW THIS CAR WHEN HE WAS SIXTEEN AND HAS BEEN TRYING TO BUY IT EVER SINCE. FINALLY GOT IT THIS SUMMER, BUT I WILL KEEP YOU IN MIND.