Thread: New Member Confused

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Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

I made passing reference to it in my earlier post because at that time it didn't deserve anything more than passing. We've joked for quite a few years, both here and in the real world, about how nearly all the guys you see at a car gathering have grey hair. What goes with that is those same folks that have been getting older are hitting the end of their road, either dying or going through an expensive medical battle before the end arrives. Not trying to be maudlin, just dealing from the deck of reality. The mid-50s and older cars have a fairly specific owner/ interest profile that could loosely be identified as "baby boomers". We tend to have our affinity for these vintage cars because of the calendar..........they were the cars we grew up with when our passion was born. Naturally, the same factors prevail for those born later in the continuum, they relate better to those cars that were "affordable" and desirable when their passions formed. Sure, there's some cross over in the various age groupings, and we even saw/see some very passionate admirers of "traditional" hot rods in the so called millennial crowd, but comparatively small numbers. Right now muscle cars are still holding reasonably well in the market price and activity wise as they appeal most to the youngest of the boomers and those a decade or two younger than that. But, as history repeats, that will be the next market slice to "surprise" with a sudden drop in price and participation/interest.

That doesn't mean that hot rods, particularly the older ones, but later as well, are completely dead. Sure, economics play a part. A book could, probably has already been, written talking about all the other things in our lives that suck up disposable income, or even more importantly, those life necessities that take priority over the disposable/hobby stuff. Much of it is the so called hidden cost of government or social engineering (a topic for a different venue). But as we old guys are pushed to part with our babies for all the reasons stated above and a few more, the market will have more offerings available for the dwindling number of genuinely interested potential buyers. Yep, that ol' supply and demand formula that so many speak of, but often don't recognize when they're in the middle of it. The market today is awash with older hot rods that are priced like 2006 (as an example) because ten years ago there were many more potential buyers still alive who were interested, as well as financially able. Sellers, being typical humans, want that bigger financial nut that their memory tells them their car is "worth". So they put it out there for, let's say $20k, and they are surprised when nobody responds to their treasure. What they choose not to see, or don't take the time to research, is that there are dozens more similar vehicles on the market for 25 to 50% less for the smaller number of legitimate buyers to choose from. There are still some cars that sell quickly, and for those better prices, but they have a more desirable combination of features that give them a competitive edge. All of this was/is predictable, but often that sort of message is too painful for a lot of folks to stomach........that would explain why the mythological character Cassandra was created.

Wow that was incredibly well written and filled with some really good insight from whom I assume is an older member of this community. I hope others get a chance to read that. I couldn't agree more with what you have written especially when it comes to the buying and selling market. I ask my mentor all the time if there is money to be made off restoring cars or hot Rodding them to sell and his response is always "only if someone else is funding it" and it's for just like you say the supply and demand is so low and the market for a "hot rod" is almost non existent. I'm hoping that this market for hot rods and customs increases in the coming years. It's unfortunate too that the younger generation didn't really catch on, there is a little car scene with the import crowd and all that, but from what I've seen and I own a Z car, there are few body modifications, just carbon fiber add ons that in my opinion look terrible. Or the liberty walk kits... They just look plastered on to the side of the car.. No serious sheet metal and body reconstruction like the old guys were doing back in the 60's. It's quite unfortunate if you ask me.

Originally Posted by Capecreations21

Wow that was incredibly well written and filled with some really good insight from whom I assume is an older member of this community. I hope others get a chance to read that. I couldn't agree more with what you have written especially when it comes to the buying and selling market. I ask my mentor all the time if there is money to be made off restoring cars or hot Rodding them to sell and his response is always "only if someone else is funding it" and it's for just like you say the supply and demand is so low and the market for a "hot rod" is almost non existent. I'm hoping that this market for hot rods and customs increases in the coming years. It's unfortunate too that the younger generation didn't really catch on, there is a little car scene with the import crowd and all that, but from what I've seen and I own a Z car, there are few body modifications, just carbon fiber add ons that in my opinion look terrible. Or the liberty walk kits... They just look plastered on to the side of the car.. No serious sheet metal and body reconstruction like the old guys were doing back in the 60's. It's quite unfortunate if you ask me.

My Dad has mentored me on these old cars. Best advice he gave me, "Nothing is easy and Son, you'll never stop spending money on these old cars. Even when you get it the way you want it, you'll eventually change your mind, tear it out, and put something else in its place." He's right. I'm almost 40 years old and have always loved old cars for their looks, history, and old school mechanics. My affinity is toward muscle car models and nothing much more. I do wonder what the market for classic cars or parts (even aftermarket) will be like years down the road. When I hit 60, Is it soon going to be like the last days of the Old West or Rock n Roll? I dunno, but at least I'll plan on still driving a 'throw back' to the golden age of cars.