Age of the 2nd, 3rd .....owners

[lasuvidaboy]

Re: Age of the 2nd, 3rd .....owners

Do most younger people even have a passion for cars other than for very basic (ie boring) transportation? It apparently is a big concern for the American car companies. As for our cars, most younger people have never heard of or seen a 1955 and '61 TBird that inspired our car's design so there may be little interest for them. The car culture started to die in the states in the late 1970s early 1980s when basic transportation replaced interesting vehicles. Sure there will be high-end and exotic vehicles but the so-called masses will be driving incredibly reliable and incredibly boring cars that are thought of more as an appliance than anything else.

[Rondor]

Re: Age of the 2nd, 3rd .....owners

It's difficult to read the tea leaves today but collecting has always been unpredictable thing and collectables usually are deemed so after the fact, that somebody collects them. In the last 20 years collectables became a marketing tool and every body sells collectables None of my sons-in law are interested in cars but all the grand kids are, even tho' they are young. I think our speed of light lifestyle is causing a renewed interest in life in slower times.the retro t bird reflects on a lot of that time

[jayred1]

Re: Age of the 2nd, 3rd .....owners

50+ responses is indeed a statistically large enough sample size. It does appear that the younger (< 50) ages are not likely owners of T-Birds. The question is "why"?:
- because they're less likely to afford a "fun" car? (TB isn't very practical for most families)
- they prefer more than two seats because of family size?
- they don't like the retro styling of the T-Bird?

For me, I didn't give the car a second look until the kids were grown and out of the house. Most travel was 3+ persons and college bills kept the checkbook closed.

And, for those looking to future prices ... will the T-Bird interest "grow" on the younger people as they get older? This is the big unknown.

[Lindy]

Re: Age of the 2nd, 3rd .....owners

This poll is a good idea. However, IMHO the graduations in the age brackets are going to perhaps make the graph look a bit more lop-sided than consistent age brackets might do.

[darsinewman]

Re: Age of the 2nd, 3rd .....owners

The question is "why"?:
- because they're less likely to afford a "fun" car? (TB isn't very practical for most families)
- they prefer more than two seats because of family size?
- they don't like the retro styling of the T-Bird?

For me, I didn't give the car a second look until the kids were grown and out of the house. Most travel was 3+ persons and college bills kept the checkbook closed.

I think Jay has the right idea. I still consider myself a "younger" person, and I fell in love with the RetroBird the first time I saw it (I was 24). Like Jay said, a two-seater car wasn't practical as an "only driver" for me, and I was in law school and certainly couldn't afford to buy a "fun car" in addition to my regular driver. Honestly, at 32 it's still not practical and I probably still couldn't afford it, but luckily I got it as a graduation gift. I get lots of compliments on my Bird from people my age and younger, so I don't think it's a styling issue; it's just what younger people can see themselves affording and being able to use with family committments, etc.

[justjon]

Re: Age of the 2nd, 3rd .....owners

How long will it be before gasoline is again an exotic fuel and is sold in pints at drug stores? Fifty years? At that point all these old cars will be museum pieces and they aren't going to need that many of them. I see little future in the continued gasoline restomod hot rod thing. Self controlled vehicles will probably not be allowed on the freeways in 50 years. We don't have to worry because there will still be resale value in 25 years . Saving it for your grandchildren however, I believe is futility.

[lasuvidaboy]

Re: Age of the 2nd, 3rd .....owners

How long will it be before gasoline is again an exotic fuel and is sold in pints at drug stores? Fifty years? At that point all these old cars will be museum pieces and they aren't going to need that many of them. I see little future in the continued gasoline restomod hot rod thing. Self controlled vehicles will probably not be allowed on the freeways in 50 years. We don't have to worry because there will still be resale value in 25 years . Saving it for your grandchildren however, I believe is futility.

More like 100 years or later according to our nephew who is a petroleum engineer. By that time, new technology may allow for the conversion of classic, muscle and exotic cars into far more efficient vehicles. Not everyone wants to drive around in a look-alike plastic box on weekends:) I look around L.A. and see 1965 Mustangs on the road (as everyday drivers) almost every day. 46-year old cars that are being driven to the market, work, school every day is pretty amazing.

[qruml23]

Re: Age of the 2nd, 3rd .....owners

This is a very good discussion my friends. Many of us provide excellent comments.

As we know, the existing engine is using the gas since a long time ago.
The manufactures have improved their cars by mixing electronic and gas to improve the gas consumption. But, it is not enough. The future will be to get rid of gas for many reasons with completely electrical components, such as engines and batteries. However, the batteries needs specific material that is also coming from earth and it is quite a bit rare. Chicken and the egg effect. The idea is to reduce the CO2 effect for the next generations.

By saying that, the next generations will see our Tbirs gas engines obsolated to provide the power that was requested at that time. They will see only a funny engine and they will ask questions to their teachers: why have they been using such an engine in their cars???? We could provide more for less...

I was talking about the futur as you noticed. It is also the same for the others manufacturers. However, by the time being, we are using our cars. I think, the classic cars will be different in the next decades. It will not be the same as for the 1950 to 1975 years . That is my point of view.

By seeing the poll result, after the next 30 decades, we will not be questionning over our Tbird usage nor this website. That will be also a museum piece!

Thanks,
Alain

[qruml23]

Re: Age of the 2nd, 3rd .....owners

This poll is a good idea. However, IMHO the graduations in the age brackets are going to perhaps make the graph look a bit more lop-sided than consistent age brackets might do.

I will let you to provide the next one to meet your criteria. For the time being, this one is providing excellent global results. We can see where the radar is.

Thanks for your comments. It is appreciated.
Alain

[Lindy]

Re: Age of the 2nd, 3rd .....owners

Alain, I do agree that we can already see the "radar" reading. As for the future collector's demand of the Thunderbird; let's just say that the wine connaisseur is going to select his wines.

Lindy

[qruml23]

Re: Age of the 2nd, 3rd .....owners

Alain, I do agree that we can already see the "radar" reading. As for the future collector's demand of the Thunderbird; let's just say that the wine connaisseur is going to select his wines.

Lindy

Thanks Lindy. I love your comment. Very well said.

[DavidA]

Re: Age of the 2nd, 3rd .....owners

Go to almost any car show or cruise-in and look at the demographics. Nearly all the owners are 45+ and most of the lookers are up there too. The younger kids are more interested in rice burners.

There also seems to be a larger contingent of rods and resto-rods than purist cars. While I understand that updating an old car with modern running gear makes it much more driveable than nearly any older car, I don't think these cars are driven much either way.

My '66 Tbird is a tank and I am the first to admit it. However, it is fun to drive and take to shows, but I wouldn drive it much farther than 200 miles from home. Regardless of how mechanically fit it is, things are bound to go wrong on a 45 year old car and I would hate to get stranded in some of the places we've been with the '02 Bird.

Another factor is gas mileage. I think the '66 gets about 10 MPG on a good day and that is premium ethanol-free gas. Hard to find and more expensive than 'normal premium. Putting ethanol in it is suicidal. The rubbers will rot out and the cab will gum up faster than you can say "gum'. This it is impractical as a daily driver as are most older cars.

In short, anyone over 50 appreciates the retro-birds, anyone under 20 could care less. But they also could care less about any 'antique" car.

[justjon]

Re: Age of the 2nd, 3rd .....owners

Kids don't cruise around like we used to. First it's dangerous and second it's expensive. They go from here to there if it's not to far, then they fly. They care a bunch about the radio and gas mileage and more then a bit about comforts. Most kids equate desirable cars as very expensive cars and they mean new ones. They can lease a new Honda for $129 a month and it has more sucess appeal then any old Mustang.

[HKS]

Re: Age of the 2nd, 3rd .....owners

Justin,

You may be right. My grandkids do not put any value on the Tbird.
The Tbird is my chance to re-live yesteryear when I had my 56 bird for a short time.

HKS

How long will it be before gasoline is again an exotic fuel and is sold in pints at drug stores? Fifty years? At that point all these old cars will be museum pieces and they aren't going to need that many of them. I see little future in the continued gasoline restomod hot rod thing. Self controlled vehicles will probably not be allowed on the freeways in 50 years. We don't have to worry because there will still be resale value in 25 years . Saving it for your grandchildren however, I believe is futility.

[HKS]

Re: Age of the 2nd, 3rd .....owners

Justin,
You may be right. My grandkids do not put any value on the Tbird.
The Tbird is my chance to re-live yesteryear when I had my 56 bird for a short time.
HKS

How long will it be before gasoline is again an exotic fuel and is sold in pints at drug stores? Fifty years? At that point all these old cars will be museum pieces and they aren't going to need that many of them. I see little future in the continued gasoline restomod hot rod thing. Self controlled vehicles will probably not be allowed on the freeways in 50 years. We don't have to worry because there will still be resale value in 25 years . Saving it for your grandchildren however, I believe is futility.