My opinion of why this hobby/sport is dying

I've been noticing this more and more and it is driving me nuts. I honestly believe the reason this hobby/sport is fading away because the younger generations are lazy and don't want to work for anything. Everything has to be easy.............

I was searching you tube for videos and I found this old video of my car from one of the times my brother had it at Byron. Check out the comment from a month ago under the vid:

'68 CORVETTE 5.9 CUMMINS DIESEL at BYRONS DIESEL DRAGS - YouTube

If you don't want to go to youtube, I'll post it here.

How can we make everyone realize we are fucking idiots... I know put the heaviest engine we can find in a corvette so it will only run elevens and not weight transfer at all. Just because you can do something doesnt mean you should. You could run elevens with any ls based motor or a mildly built old small block, and do wheelies, with no annoying smoke and smell.

I thought about going and replying to this person, but I figured I'm just going to be arguing with a moron and it's a waste of my time. If this person had any sense he'd understand why some one would do this. That isn't the fastest the car has ran, and there's a lot more left in the car. The car does weight transfer and in that vid you can hear how slow it leaves the line. If I ever get the trans to stall, it'll be pullilng wheelies. Either way, this dip chit puts it in words and shows why this sport is going away. Use an LS and be like everyone else, don't do anything different. Pound sand, run your welder or car, not your fingers!!!!!!!!

Possible responses:

1. And you drive a ??? that is how quick?

2, Kid, if I got to explain you wouldn’t understand.


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Yeah, I was pretty pissed when I read it. But I have to step back. I used to get constant flack when I first got it done. People would post a pic on a diesel thing on FB and I'd go defend the car/us, and everytime the trolls would not respond. It's because they don't know crap and just like to run their mouths/fingers. I have to just shut up and remember the more I run my fingers the more it irritates me and then I look like a tard too. :LOL:

Ryan, you are probably 100% correct, however, "we" just have to keep the vibes going and hopefully "SOME" will take up the torches from you "real deal dudes". My two sons have the passion and are slowly acquiring the talent but their Work requirements and raising a Family slows their progress down considerably.

I must say that their were more older Rodders at the Show last Saturday than young ones and it didn't use to be that way. Good post too !
meller

Meller, I understand where your sons are right now. It's hard to be building cool stuff when you're keeping your family clothed and fed. My addiction will have to be slow until I hit the money tree or lotto. :LOL:

I wasn't aware the hobby is dying. I am however, painfully aware that the perpetual debasement of our currency by the fed is coming to a head, coupled with the continual outsourcing of manufacturing, and overall increase in energy cost. It all equals an overall reduction in expendable income, in an expensive hobby.

Money has some to do with it, but I don't think it is the issue. Guys have been hot rodding with no money for let's say 70yrs? Next time you go to a car show or what ever, check out how many people under 35 are there with their own ride, not a passenger or tag a long..............

I think the question / viewpoint has already been responded to but.. when "someone" replies on-line.. "we" automatically assume this person has some knowledge or even a clue.. Clearly when reading that reply, the fool knows 2 or 3 "buzz words" and believes he can present himself as a knowledgable person.

Don't waste your time or breath working yourself into a frenzy over a "internet expert"! There are to many of them and they will only drag you down and get you no where.

Cool title to the thread tho!:LOL::LOL:

I agree... I remember back when I was younger and building a car or even modifying it only to take it to second street on Friday night for the approval of my friends. The thoughts or approval from the guys that lived in the next town or neighborhood were of no concern to us. Who cared what they thought? We were doing our thing and having fun doing it. Now before it gets out of the garage there are pics of it world wide and its being critiqued beyond belief. Young guys have never known anything but the internet and its sad to realize that they never will. Its a great tool but in so many ways it isn't worth a squat... I'm sorry for being so negative... Old man syndrome I guess. Time to knock off for the day and grab a beer. Enjoy your days and your hobby while you can. Cheers

I agree Bob, social media and the internet is a double edged sword. A very useful tool, but can be a very destructive one too. It also makes it easier for the goof balls to be some body too. :LOL:

My 12 yr.old grandson loves old hot rods. He has gone with me to many shows this past summer. I can't say he will build one someday but if you get them interested early enough , ya never know...........take a kid to a car show!!!!

Bondo, fiberglass, push button radios, FM, sterio, electronic ignitions, Jegs & Summit, crate engines, efi, and now internet---------


Garage wet bars and tv instead of welder, lathe, mill----------


more??????????


Check writers?????????

when we were young hanging in the garage fooling with cars was all we had. that or watching boring tv our parents watched . but the passion is gone today. the big 3 no longer exist . as with anything it will evolve it's self out of existence .

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Originally Posted by shine

when we were young hanging in the garage fooling with cars was all we had. that or watching boring tv our parents watched . but the passion is gone today. the big 3 no longer exist . as with anything it will evolve it's self out of existence .

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Well, I'll do my part to not let that happen. I just hope there are more like me out there. I know there are, but they are very few and far between.

Don't get too pessimistic Ryan, at least around here there's still lots of garage activity! The drag strips and circle tracks still have a lot of younger types in attendance and/or participating! Ford has a few red hot Mustang's, Chevy has a Camaro and Vette, and the new Challenger is one heck of a Hot Rod!!! We've gone through some lean times over the years, so I'd say give it some time and there's going to be another generation of Hot Rodders emerging!

Parts are plentiful and available from a multitude of sources, the competition between them tends to keep the prices down. There's also a myriad of engines and transmissions available from the manufacturer's as well as some reputable performance shops that you can buy either ready to run or in pieces as your budget allows! Hot Rodding isn't over, just going through some changes and evolving (perhaps) into folks using platforms that we as an older group may not be enthusiastic about but the kids are there still wanting to go fast and have a Hot Rod!!!

I agree. It isn't dying yet, but it does change for sure, it used to be two young guys on horseback would square off.. then the auto came along and we've been trying to get faster and quicker since. Even if we're using batteries and DC motors, someone will hot rod it and take it to a backroad or a track, garrontee! Guys like us just can't leave it alone, we have to change something on our ride!

Like many here I'm over 60 and remember a simpler time when we really enjoyed life. I know as a kid I lived for the times I could be with my dad and building on just about anything mechanical - probably because he was patient and taught me how to do things the right way. He had an old Dodge businessman’s coupe and we rebuilt the engine sometime in the ‘50’s and I was hooked from that time on. It was a flathead six – nothing at all fancy or the least bit hot rod, but there was something about learning how it all worked together that enthralled me.

As I grew older, I bought go-carts and built mini-bikes before I was old enough to drive. There were good lesson’s to be learned with those old Clinton, Tecumseh and Briggs & Stratton four strokes and the real thrill of the McCullough 2 strokes that would make your go-cart up and fly. I’ve always liked the engine building side of things and while I’ll never come close to the skills that Pat and Jerry have, I’ve done okay with small block Chevys and seen a few that I build turn eleven second quarter mile times - not bad for a “streetable” car built on a budget.

I’ve had some really great cars, ’57 Corvette (yes – I know I should have kept it!) early Falcon, Chevelle, Mustang, some cool trucks and now this little ’63 Nova that has a bit of several cars (Z-28 engine, Super T-10, Fatman Fabrication front end, etc..) and a whole lot of me in it. It’s taking forever to build but has been a great source of relaxation for me.

When my middle daughter was a teenager – she’s in her 30’s now – she used to come into the garage and hang out with me for hours. We’d drink coffee and assemble engines and she was a great little helper keeping thing all organized and wanting to take part in everything. We’d turn the engine on the stand to vertical and she had to stand on a milk crate to get enough leverage to torque bearing caps but she did it and we had fun. Once after getting an engine back in a car and following all the break-in procedures, she wanted to go for a drive in the car. Well, I stood on this little Chevy pretty hard and the smoke from the rear tires literally filled the interior. Stopping I expected to see her scared but nope – she had a grin like the Cheshire cat and said, “That was so cool! Let’s do it again dad!” Precious memories and to this day, we’re still very close and she still loves cars and Harleys.

There’s no one right way to hot rod and that’s what makes it special. But even more so, it’s the bond that’s formed between men (or women) and machines. Be it a stock 4 cylinder, a small block, a monster motor making a thousand plus horsepower, or an electric marvel that brings instant power. It’s hard to explain – like telling people why I like Harley-Davidsons and don’t much care for import bikes. It just “is” and I for one hope that we can somehow pass on the love of all things mechanical. Hot rodding will continue to evolve. I too struggle with the Hondas, Toyotas and the Subaru WRX that sounds like you're castrating cats in a blender – but ya gotta admit, they can be built to fly! For my money, I’ll always prefer eight American cylinders – and as long as the younger generation keep civil tongues when discussing their rides and respect those of us who have gone before them to make what they’re doing possible, I can get along with them too. But in the meantime, I’ll keep doing my thing with the cars I’ve grown to enjoy – most of which are fifty plus years old!

Thanks for letting me ramble – I know most of you here understand..

Regards All,
Glenn

Very well said Glenn... :D agreed!

Its funny when you think the sport/hobby is dying when it really is alive more than ever. Just the guys that are deep into don't troll around on the internet so you don't see it a lot. I'm probably in the minority here as I'm a bit younger. I turned 30 earlier this year and the 32 is probably my 30th car to build or modify extensively.

The LS comment is a bit much... That is kinda where I have the most fun, but again I don't just slap a junk yard engine in a car. I make my own parts and try to make each one of them different. Once my 32 is done I'm working on a sheet metal intake for dual dominators and the LS7 port heads... Should be interesting.

I have a group of friends locally that is about 20-30 guys/gals deep that are into it. Nation wide there are probably 30-40 more that I talk with, consult, or even visit to toss around some wrenches.

This isn't a plug, but rather something I would like to share regarding younger guys and hot-rodding. This is a truck that was near factory. I met this guy on a forum and he came down from Missouri to have me and my father build him a 4L60E. It wasn't 4 months later I was there for 4 days and managed to take a near stock Silverado SS into a 650hp monster granted with about 10 hours total sleep.

Before:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/2bfast/3-11.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/2bfast/2-15.jpg

After:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95...t/DSC03167.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95...t/DSC03165.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95...t/DSC03166.jpg


The funniest thing about this... I got 4 text messages from buddies around the country that are my age. Each message contained a picture of a car older than 1972 and all were of work they were doing tonight.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mike P

Possible responses:

1. And you drive a ??? that is how quick?

2, Kid, if I got to explain you wouldn’t understand.


.

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The best response is: Because I F^&KING CAN!

Four days of work and 10 hours of sleep!!! I used to be able to do that!!! Now I have to get ten hours of sleep before a half-day of work!!:CRY::CRY: Getting old ain't for sissies!!

Dang nice work on the pick-em-up!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Four days of work and 10 hours of sleep!!! I used to be able to do that!!! Now I have to get ten hours of sleep before a half-day of work!!:CRY::CRY: Getting old ain't for sissies!!

Dang nice work on the pick-em-up!!

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Oh trust me I felt that for a week. I drove 10 hours home after pulling 46 hours straight. The next morning it was loaded up and taken to the Silverado/Trailblazer SS nationals.

I did it all for the love of the Hobby and to help a good friend out when he bit off way more than he could chew.

He is doing 2 69 camaros now and I will be going back up there around March to do the wiring and a bunch of other stuff. This time I'm taking a enclosed trailer with all my tools, welding table, and welder. MOBILE FAB SHOP!!!!

Hey Im speaking in generalities here so please don't take it personal in any way. The stuff your building is top cabin Dan and really sweet no matter how old you are! But you have to admit you are fairly unique for your age... I guess in my way of thinking the old tin is getting very expensive which is putting it out of the reach of the really young guys. If they weren't raised with V8's they could probably give a squat? There will always be motorheads and they will be busting their knuckles on something for sure... Just not sure it will always be a early naturally aspirated kind of rod or classic. Of course Brookville is going strong so who knows?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by M.T.

Hey Im speaking in generalities here so please don't take it personal in any way. The stuff your building is top cabin Dan and really sweet no matter how old you are! But you have to admit you are fairly unique for your age... I guess in my way of thinking the old tin is getting very expensive which is putting it out of the reach of the really young guys. If they weren't raised with V8's they could probably give a squat? There will always be motorheads and they will be busting their knuckles on something for sure... Just not sure it will always be a early naturally aspirated kind of rod or classic. Of course Brookville is going strong so who knows?

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You already know how calm I am, I don't take much personal... I guess it was just letting everyone know that some of us youngsters that love the hobby still exist. As far as the money is concerned. Those of us that have the drive will become very resourceful and learn how to make what we can't afford. Trust me that is a large part of why I built almost everything on our 32 truck.....well that and I'm an OCD psychopath LMAO.

Here is another one I did a ton of crap on and this fellow is about 32.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...52716048_o.jpg

When ever I go to car show of old hot rods. Its all grey beards. They are in love with their 30's,40's and 50's cars that just don't appeal to younger crowd. Does it matter if you have a 32 Ford and change every single part on it to make it a hot rod or take a car that already has 400hp and give it more pop? Not to me. Go with flow I say...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by slincoln 3

When ever I go to car show of old hot rods. Its all grey beards. They are in love with their 30's,40's and 50's cars that just don't appeal to younger crowd. Does it matter if you have a 32 Ford and change every single part on it to make it a hot rod or take a car that already has 400hp and give it more pop? Not to me. Go with flow I say...

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I disagree with your statement regarding the interest level of the under 30 crowd. I generally spend most of my time at a cruise talking to younger guys about parts used, sources, and how decisions were made. They may not build, but with the right car there is interest.

You can disagree with me. I didn't mean every younger guy in the world didn't have an intetest in older hot rods. They wouldn't be at car show or talking to you about old hot rods if they didn't have an interest. But its a small %. How do I know cuz I'm that age 30's-40's. All my friends,brother,brother in law are all in that age bracket. We all love to look at them talk toowners and pick their brains. But I don't know one single younger buck that has one. Though we do have to guys that drive their dads old T buckets.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by slincoln 3

You can disagree with me. I didn't mean every younger guy in the world didn't have an intetest in older hot rods. They wouldn't be at car show or talking to you about old hot rods if they didn't have an interest. But its a small %. How do I know cuz I'm that age 30's-40's. All my friends,brother,brother in law are all in that age bracket. We all love to look at them talk toowners and pick their brains. But I don't know one single younger buck that has one. Though we do have to guys that drive their dads old T buckets.

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We'll just hope that you and your friends are the minority....

To me, Hot Rodding is like Rock-N-Roll, it will never die!

Sprayed99, that's really cool. You're probably right about how it can look dead but isn't. I haven't been to many big out of state shows for a couple of years. I however did race a pretty large spread for 4yrs with the NHRDA, and there were less guys in their 30's getting in to it than say the 40 up guys. The shows I've been to that were large and in Iowa, the younger crowd really isn't there compared to the old timers. Maybe it's just this area? I know the LS swap is huge down in your area. My uncle lilves down near San Antonio and he's always calling me and telling me about all the LS stuff down there. Turbo'd and blown, pretty cool. The LS swapping is becoming more prominent up here. We always seem to be behind states like Texas. Whether it's songs on the radio or new types of soda or what ever. Probably has more to do with demographics. :LOL:

It might just be the economy sucks and has for about what 5 or 6 years now... from what I hear its bad everywhere but Texas and Washington DC. So it might be the place to be hot rodding right now LOL Now that I think about it the car shows are down across the board here. There are the same guys that have been setting up on the same corner for 15 years now, week in and week out. LOL But I think it is much less of a turn out now than just a few years ago. It doesn't matter at all just an observation.