Where is the new blood?

[81cutlass]

Ive had my cutlass since I was 15. 8 years later i can't tell you the amount of times people have asked what I did to let my dad drive his car, then I tell them its mine. It's not expected from my generation like I am told it was in the 70's.

Theres 3 kinds of car people sub 30 (from what I see) Very generalized btw...

1. The import/new car kinda ones that go to cars and coffee with their sub 10 year old car, they don't go to old man car shows because they don't want to hang out with grandpa's restored 55 chev that has nothing to do with their car
2. The ones who just go out and race. The few midnight event type or street legal drag strip days are like almost all younger guys it seems.
3. The guys with older cars that don't show up because they don't want to hear about how their camel hump headed 350 pop up piston 3/4 race cam corvette motor chevelle could throw you in the back of the seat so hard you couldn't do the $100 on the dash challenge.

And another reason, its tough to build a car. There's less people in the trades so people don't have tools. They don't have mechanical knowledge. You either spend 4-6 years in engineering school (what I did) or 2 years for a trade and not have much time or money but have the knowledge. Money comes after you graduate. Or, get it passed down from someone like a relative/mentor.

And the reason nobody mentions, the internet makes (for lack of a better term) dick measuring so easy with 1400hp youtube videos. If it doesn't run 8's and run drag week it isn't cool. Slower than 11's is slow and laughable when its not. I think people don't build to what's reasonable, they go to the internet, shoot way to high on a build, get half way done 3 years later and give up. Instead of having a running and driving 12 second car they want a 9 second car that never gets done.

 

[theoldsone]

If we look at the era were living in we could definitely see cars that could crush classic muscle cars out of the factory for just 399/mo lol. I mean look at what's common today. Most sports cars today are capable of 250+ hp or more. No time dedicated, nothing to restore and easy to drive. It's what kids are into. Now look at the odd ball 17 y.o. who wants to restore that classic. They're usually really hard workers who spend $$$ on their cars, like we all know its not a day and night process either. Body work, Chassis work, Trans/Engine work, the list can rack up quick. Most kids aren't going to invest in something that won't give them that instant gratification, like an old car. Well not all but most.

 

[foxtrot]

If we look at the era were living in we could definitely see cars that could crush classic muscle cars out of the factory for just 399/mo lol. I mean look at what's common today. Most sports cars today are capable of 250+ hp or more. No time dedicated, nothing to restore and easy to drive. It's what kids are into. Now look at the odd ball 17 y.o. who wants to restore that classic. They're usually really hard workers who spend $$$ on their cars, like we all know its not a day and night process either. Body work, Chassis work, Trans/Engine work, the list can rack up quick. Most kids aren't going to invest in something that won't give them that instant gratification, like an old car. Well not all but most.

So true!
It still amazes me that a used mustang with 435+ hp can be had for ~15 grand! This is cool but cooler to have your own Hotrod that is customized by you the way you see it.

 

[autonaut]

I was the only one in my area at my age with this hobby.. I quickly stopped attending cruise nights and meets..

Old people, driving pristine camaros and boring mustangs. And snobs about it too. And they all thought their outdated piece of sh*t smallblock/bigblock were powerful.. They wouldnt know as they never pushed them. And 350hp from 454 cubic inches is kindda pathetic by todays standards.. Nissan family cars will give then a run for their money.. Some people had used so much time and energy restoring their camaro it only came out if ot hadnt been raining for the past 3 weeks.

 

[autonaut]

I can agree with all of you. The "culture" of the individual cruise/car shows vary from style to style...and everyone, from all generations, need to be more accepting and tolerant of an individual's tastes and passions. What I've also noticed is that many classic car shows are shooting themselves in the foot by only accepting cars in the show up to 1979... and just because "that's the way they've always have done it." If they want the numbers for both cars and spectators, change the rules of the show, play music that appeals to a broader demographic, and encourage the passion that person has for their ride! You may not like that 1 foot high spoiler, or the Hemi in the Mustang, or the 26" rims on the Grand National, or the bone stock Chevette... but you can certainly appreciate the mountain of passion and pride the owner has for their car! Respect your fellow car nut!

No.. No sound person will ever respect someone who mounted 26" wheels on their grand national.. Thats a disgrace by any standard, just like the hazardous stancing. Im sorry. I like everything else and agree with you. But mouthbreathing idiots who mounts 26" wheels on their cars are idiotic. Almost as idiotic as stanced cars endangering innocent people with their hazardous wheels/tire/suspension setups.. That sh*t needs to stop!! Just my opinion though..

 

[64nailhead]

I don't think that it is a problem that the younger generation is into cars like hondas, but some of that crowd has absolutely no appreciation for anything that has a V8. These are the same kids who refer to younger people who like muscle cars as "old men."

They have no appreciation because they don't know the history. Build your V8 (carbed or not) and teach them a lesson - at the strip of course.

If we look at the era were living in we could definitely see cars that could crush classic muscle cars out of the factory for just 399/mo lol. I mean look at what's common today. Most sports cars today are capable of 250+ hp or more. No time dedicated, nothing to restore and easy to drive. It's what kids are into. Now look at the odd ball 17 y.o. who wants to restore that classic. They're usually really hard workers who spend $$$ on their cars, like we all know its not a day and night process either. Body work, Chassis work, Trans/Engine work, the list can rack up quick. Most kids aren't going to invest in something that won't give them that instant gratification, like an old car. Well not all but most.

Car lovers, like me, know that anyone can buy something. Building it, restoring it, tuningit, etc., are skills that require something other than a pocketbook or fat wallet. And also require some education, perhaps self taught, along the way. But that still doesn't mean to bash a car lover who has a new Mustang, Camaro, Charger, Evo, etc. - to each his own. But remember that there is always someone faster and richer, but you built yours - be proud of what you brung.

I was the only one in my area at my age with this hobby.. I quickly stopped attending cruise nights and meets..

Old people, driving pristine camaros and boring mustangs. And snobs about it too. And they all thought their outdated piece of sh*t smallblock/bigblock were powerful.. They wouldnt know as they never pushed them. And 350hp from 454 cubic inches is kindda pathetic by todays standards.. Nissan family cars will give then a run for their money.. Some people had used so much time and energy restoring their camaro it only came out if ot hadnt been raining for the past 3 weeks.

I personally don't believe in show only cars, but if someone else does then so be it. Be happy that they enjoy what they have.Enjoy yours!

Short story, mentioned previously that my son and his G-body are usually the only one it's type at most of the shows and cruise ins he attends. But at the most recent large show (500+ cars) of mostly import tuners , no one can walk by his EFI, turbo'ed SBC in a Cutty without questions or comments - ALL complimentary. And when it comes to red light racing or drag slips none of them can compete and more people walk away notbelieving that it get 19mpg and drives better than it did when it left the factory.


This is a great thread that identifies why each of you have a G-body and why everyone else has something else - be positive rather than negative towards EVERY car at every show you go to.

 

[Qdub24]

No.. No sound person will ever respect someone who mounted 26" wheels on their grand national.. Thats a disgrace by any standard, just like the hazardous stancing. Im sorry. I like everything else and agree with you. But mouthbreathing idiots who mounts 26" wheels on their cars are idiotic. Almost as idiotic as stanced cars endangering innocent people with their hazardous wheels/tire/suspension setups.. That sh*t needs to stop!! Just my opinion though..

That is why it's better to not to try to intermingle in my opinion. People like that get so butthurt when you gap them in a race with your rims on. An older gentleman tried to run into my Impala SS a long time ago because I outran him with my rims on. Luckily my dad was there and handled that situation on my behalf.

 

[axisg]

HP has nothing over torque....and where will those fart machines be in 30 years

likely "still" hot rodding. So we have always had 2 classic breakdowns. This site obviously not excluded into which category you may or may not fall into. I am definitely 1000% a hot rodder
Classics - car with enough historical interest to be collectable and worth preserving or restoring
Hot Rods - a motor vehicle that has been specially modified to give it extra power and speed

So to me its the classics ( lawn chair spray wax ) crowd that tends to get bent out of shape with low lows, bags, big wheels ect... because its like painting your own smile on the Mona Lisa.

However I find Hot Rodding is alive and well with this generation. And hot rodding can be appreciated over many verticals. Some of those "fart machines" are running some pretty healthy turbos and engine management systems. Before the Monte I was eyeing an SRT4 Turbo Neon and an older Skyline R34 myself. Hell my friends son is in his early 20's and gets a kick out of building 600+ hp in his dads throwaway 2k powerstroke diesel worktruck on the cheap. Watching a dually with a workbox doing a burnout is funny as hell BTW !

To think all of the cars of today are disposable is a little short sighted. The tri-fives were ever so plentiful in the 60's and 70's. The Muscle Cars of the late 60's were dirt cheap in the mid 70's and early 80's. The Gbody and Fox Body are still relatively inexpensive ( although starting to climb in value ). Because they were all disposable. I am sure some of the 90's FWD obd2 cars will be the next classic or hot rod for the generation who grew up with them.

 

[autonaut]

That is why it's better to not to try to intermingle in my opinion. People like that get so butthurt when you gap them in a race with your rims on. An older gentleman tried to run into my Impala SS a long time ago because I outran him with my rims on. Luckily my dad was there and handled that situation on my behalf.

Lol. I was a bit too harsh.. Buut i will never understand the big rims crowd.. Big rims are for clearing big brakes

 

[tkruger]

I look at it as this. I appreciate but understand it is not my style when someone has a mod / car that I do not like. I enjoy looking at the show cars as a 'window to the past' but never would want one. I would be disappointed if the show cars were not there are what would I have to look at. I like a simple daily driver that is not too expensive. I do not care for the big rims on cars but I have to say the paint and interior work on some of these is outstanding. At no point would I say that their car is less than mine because of 'big wheels' or the '4 cylinder'. I just say it is not my style. I have actually looked at these cars and taken Ideas, modified them and used them myself.