We are a dying breed

[redbirdsal]

Re: We are a dying breed

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

The Drive-In Theater is always a consideration when I look at cars/trucks!
There's a Drive-In about 45 min from me, and my Ford Club goes at least a couple of times a year. We usually have at least 3 generations represented, set out lawn chairs, and quilts, and share popcorn and candy, initially, but we return to our own vehicles after a while, and personal comfort is a prime consideration.

[redbirdsal]

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

An old friend in E TX set up one like that in his large metal storage bldg, He parked a few cars from his collection in front of the screen, and for a bit, our group had our own Drive-In!
But he kept storing other "farm stuff" in there, and now we use it mostly for music videos. Drink enough beer, and it's just like being at a live concert, for a very select group of friends!
Talk to your wife some more...she'll LOVE it!

"Build it, and they will come."

[007Cruiser]

Re: We are a dying breed

She probably doesn't want to end up in the back seat.

[jerrym3]

Re: We are a dying breed

They actually showed movies at those 1960 drive ins?

Well, you learn something new everyday.

There was a drive in in the NJ Meadowlands (S-3 was the name, I think) close to where Giant Stadium now sits.

The mosquitos would eat us alive in the summer, and you needed layers of blankets in the winter.

Funny, can't remember anybody complaining.

Go figure.

[birdfan]

Re: We are a dying breed

Ron, tell your son he has great taste in cars. The '69 Mercury Marauder X-100 is one of my favorite cars of the '60s. One just missed being my first car by a few minutes years ago. They sure were/are big impressive powerful cars.

[lasuvidaboy]

Re: We are a dying breed

I agree. The car club I belong to in Southern California must have an average age of 55-60 years-old. Of our many members, we have a few in their late 30s but none in their 20s. I think the reason is the younger generation simply did'nt grow up in the car culture. Unless they are exposed to the collectibles and classics they won't develop an interest in them. When you look at the cars Detroit was putting out in the 1980s and 90s-who can blame them? The '02-'05 TBird is an exception but few people have not even see those on the road. I'm 47 and grew up in Southern California so it was fairly common to see beautifully kept (and not so beautiful) daily drivers from the 1950s and 60s on the road-I still see several 1960s Mustangs every day! I'll never forget the time I saw a pristine '58 steel-blue chrome covered Buick Limited pull into the grocery store parking lot where I bagged groceries during high school. The elderly lady driver was equally elegant w/her clothing and white driving gloves. That magnificent car was 20-years-old then and looked brand new! How many kids today would get excited about a 1990 Buick pulling into that lot??

[Leroy]

Re: We are a dying breed

My Son is carrying on the love of cars in our family. I tought him well at an early age how to take care of a car. He has a 2000 Ford Super Duty Crew Cab 4X4 with the Triton V-10 that he bought new and drives everyday, that looks like new. In his garage is a 2007 Shelby Mustang with less than 2000 miles on it, that he keeps in a bubble. His Wife drives the kids around in a new Ford Edge, but they love Grampa's TBird.

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[Southern]

Re: We are a dying breed

I'll never forget the time I saw a pristine '58 steel-blue chrome covered Buick Limited pull into the grocery store parking lot where I bagged groceries during high school. The elderly lady driver was equally elegant w/her clothing and white driving gloves. That magnificent car was 20-years-old then and looked brand new! How many kids today would get excited about a 1990 Buick pulling into that lot??

Well, I would say there was a world of difference between the Panache of a 58 Buick and a 90 model.........
The question is, would the kids of today take a second look at a pristine 1958 Buick today?
My guess is, they would. At least some would. (I know I would!)

The industry built a lot of "Appliances".
Who can get exited about a 1990 Buick? Or a 2005 Toyota Whatever?

[JAB02LHS]

Re: We are a dying breed

The question is, would the kids of today take a second look at a pristine 1958 Buick today?
My guess is, they would. At least some would. (I know I would!)

Retro Car Ads

[Ski]

Re: We are a dying breed

My son is more of a car nut than I am. He's just kid poor. Big into Mustangs back before he was married.

[Toystoretom]

Re: We are a dying breed

The question is, would the kids of today take a second look at a pristine 1958 Buick today?

Hey Southern!

I have a very nice 1955 Buick Special Tourback Sedan and every so often I drive it to work. It's the kids that really go nuts over it. I think they have heard so much about 50's cars from the internet or maybe their folks or friends, but very few of them have actually seen a 50's car in the flesh.

It almost seems like some sort of alien technology to them. What? You push the gas pedal to start it? What's a tube radio? Why does it have two heaters? Why is it sooooo big? That's the coolest horn I've ever heard. What are Dagmars? The dash is made of metal? Why do the wipers act so strange?

Anywho, If you were born in 1985 you relate to a completely different set of car values. I guess things like bad ass stereos and seats that tilt all the way back are their gold standard. If you hit the car dealers there are some pretty nifty new cars out there now, I think there is hope

[darsinewman]

Re: We are a dying breed

I agree with all previous posts to a certain extent. There certainly are some younger people who are "car nuts" today. I'm 31 and have been a car nut for as long as I can remember. BUT I think most younger car nuts are the children of older car nuts who have passed down an appreciation and love for a good-looking automobile. I didn't know any other car nuts growing up because all of my friends' parents had the "just a car" mentality. My Dad, on the other hand, had the "car as art form" mentality and taught me to appreciate and care for them at a very young age (I think he was just glad to have an extra set of wash and wax hands around, but of course I first had to learn the "right" way to do it).

[jerrym3]

Re: We are a dying breed

As much of a car nut that I've been over the years, when I was in my 20's (1963/73), I paid very little attention to cars of the 40's. They just didn't interest me.

So, I'm not surprised that a 20 year old today really doesn't connect with a car from the past.

If they are true car lovers, they will connect, someday, with a car from their past, not ours.

When I go to shows today, I spend very little time looking at cars from the 30's. If it's really pristine or rare, I'll look for a while, but I'm stuck in the late 40's, 50's, and up, to a certain year. These are cars that I can remember.

Then, except for the Mustangs, Camaros, etc, even I lose interest.

[007Cruiser]

Re: We are a dying breed

My son is more of a car nut than I am. He's just kid poor. Big into Mustangs back before he was married.

I think you hit the nail on the head, John. When you're young most people are too busy raising children, starting a career, saving for a home, paying off college, etc. Once the kids are raised, the mortgage is paid and you're earnings are at your peak you can have your toys. That's why the clubs and shows are full of old people. Always were, always will be.

[4LOWBIRDS+7]

Re: We are a dying breed

Ron, tell your son he has great taste in cars. The '69 Mercury Marauder X-100 is one of my favorite cars of the '60s. One just missed being my first car by a few minutes years ago. They sure were/are big impressive powerful cars.

I SURE WILL, IT IS ABOUT 80% FINISHED FROM A FRONTEND OFF RESTORATION. CARDINAL RED AND FLAT BLACK ON THE THE TUNNEL WITH WHITE BUCKET SEATS INTERIOR.