I'm Confused...

[Kwik_Cutty88]

Firstly, I'd like to start off this thread by saying a few things, I hope it makes sense when you're reading this thread why I said these things...

1. I am a 20 year old college student, my G-Body was my first car. I honestly forgot about the "G-Body" before I was introduced to them. (As in I knew what they were, just didn't really think about them.)
2. This thread is not intended to "bash" or talk down on the younger generation, it is simply an observation and me reflecting
3. This thread is also not intended to "bash" or talk down on any certain style of vehicle. Sure there are modifications I don't agree with at all, but that is also why we modify our own vehicles, and have our own unique tastes.

OK NOW THE THREAD STARTS...

The "Charlotte Motorists Club" (a campus car club run/organized by students) has car meets at a parking deck on campus usually every Sunday from 6-9pm. I attended for the first time today, just me, walking around checking out cars. By the time I got there (around 7:15) it was already in full swing, there were probably around 75-100 cars, maybe 200-300 people. As I walked around, I saw row after row after row of the same stuff. Lowered late model vehicles with aftermarket wheels, stickers, different appearance add-ons etc. There were also quite a few trucks, lifted, light bars, low profile off road tires. (At this point in the thread I'd like to remind you of statement 3 I said at the beginning.)

I did see a few cars I liked but nothing that was really special at all (some late model Z06 Vette's, 3rd Gen F-Body, and one wicked Honda S2000 with a time attack style aero kit.) After the meet I called my dad just to tell him about it, and he said "well, that is just what most kids are into these days." This is when I started to realize...why? Why was I seeing row after row of the same stuff (yes, you see this at every show, I know...but why??) Why are people building these vast amounts of lowered late models with cosmetic enhancements (or any of the other modifications I described, I'm sure I'm missing a few.)

I mean a lot of these cars did require some work with coilover installations, exhausts, wheel and tire measurement, some body work, wiring etc. So some of these people may have some "know how." I also understand the whole logistics and financials thing of owning an old car, that's not I'm trying to push here. For many, its not practical to own and old car to drive every day.

I guess what I'm getting at here, is why were these cars built? Because it was trendy? Because it was what the owner liked? Because of what they wanted? To impress others? Other reasons?



Now that I think of it, I think I want to go back next week, and ask the owners of different styles of vehicles. Why? I'm curious.

 

[clean8485]

Thanks very much for your observations. I'll try and give you my take on how I see the hobby. I'm not sure how much sense it will make, but here goes.
First of all, I've been a car guy all my life. My family will tell you that when I was 5 years old (roughly about the time that JFK became president), I could tell you make, model, and year of almost any domestic car I saw, so I've seen many different trends over the years. It seems to me that for any particular generation, the younger gearheads will gravitate towards buying and personalizing vehicles that are popular with their generation. In most cases, that means something that is readily available, relatively inexpensive, and usually well supported by the aftermarket, in terms of parts to modify and personalize those vehicles. That's why these days, you tend to see many young people with the "tuner" type vehicles, or the light duty trucks, for the reasons that I just mentioned. My own personal opinion, is that it gives those people a sense of belonging to a strong and vital community, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Keep in mind though, that in every generation of hobbyists, there will be some people who will "buck the trend", and want something a bit different (i.e. younger G body enthusiasts).
As people get older (like me), if they're still into the car hobby, and they have the time, and the disposable income, they're usually nostalgic to have something that they either had when they were younger, or wish they had when they were younger.
There are some '60s & '70s cars & trucks that I'd like to have, but they've either become too rare, or too expensive (or both), for me to consider. The G body cars allow me to indulge my hobby interests, without breaking the bank (or taking out a second mortgage). Besides which, one of my G body cars has a certain sentimental attachment for me.
There you go. I hope that this makes some sense to you.

 

[ck80]

I also think that, in some part, it comes down to what "first cars" were... the newer generation grew up with parents who had older, high mileage corollas and civics, and that's what they were given as first cars. Then it all grew from that, and you get what we have today. Historically that's kind of how it always was too, there's a reason the tri fives were so popular back in the day too.

Many of the import cars of the 80s and 90s had incredibly tight production tolerances, and mechanically, weren't often "overengineered" the way older us iron was.

The japanese in particular were known for very precise engineering, with tight tolerances. Made for good quality and longevity, but, also made it EXPENSIVE to modify for the go fast angle.

Detroit cars may have say, needed spec 0.8 but had some production variance and range of quality. So, Detroit would engineer the part to hold 1.4, figuring if it varied and fell short, well, it's still above 0.8

In Japan, they needed 0.8 so they had very high quality control, produced to 0.85, and that it. Not much you can do with something that is already close to optimized for strength and output.

So... how do you personalize and customize that? Appearance mods. And, how do you "feel" faster on the butt dyno? Get lower. Same reason a sports car feels faster than a suv at same speed. Then you get pop culture, all the rest...

 

[el corvino]

I'm still in my 20's and am definitely a man child. I have a $100K Cadillac Escalade that I tricked out and added every possible thing I could think of. I also have just about every type of G-Body, the only one not heavily modified is in the transformation form right now. That's from my El Camino to my Grand National. It's just about what you like.

 

[Kwik_Cutty88]

Thanks guys, youre already bringing up view points I havent thought about before.

 

[theoldsone]

I'm still in my 20's and am definitely a man child. I have a $100K Cadillac Escalade that I tricked out and added every possible thing I could think of. I also have just about every type of G-Body, the only one not heavily modified is in the transformation form right now. That's from my El Camino to my Grand National. It's just about what you like.

Prove it...

 

[theoldsone]

Ask and some will say "uhh I don't know huhu its cool." But for some its a roots thing. Its ok to like something and persue it but im on the fence about todays car culture. It seems that most want to fit in with the crowd. Today its stanced Tomorrow...well who knows.

 

[1evilregal]

i tend to think that prices on the certain cars, and parts availability for these cars, is a major factor.

being a former auto parts person, alot of those building these cars didn't know about "engineering" parts to fit like we do with our g-bodies. Most of them want parts that are proven, and for the most part, plug-and-play, while the few that do have more technical and mechanical skills, are the ones who take their car to an entirely new level.

I have nothing against imports and raised trucks. I'm in NC as well, so all I have to do is look at any parking lot, and you'll see a dozen of both,(usually front and center) and a few of the older cars sprinkled out along the edges.... I'm one of the older members that was mentioned a couple posts ago, so I can say that nostalgia is what attracts me to our cars... that and the thought of crashing in a car that I could fit in my trunk, scares the bejeezus out of me! 😛

 

[Injectedcutty]

I see this stuff time and time again. Growing up in Louisville, I was exposed to all types of car trends (especially having gearhead parents) but I always seemed to gravitate towards custom stuff. Whether it be lowriders, street rods, muscle cars, etc. Honestly, I've owned several imports as they are great daily drivers since I commute 70 miles/day for work. However, everything I've owned has been modified to some degree and I loved putting custom touches on them with stuff that wasn't made for that particular car.

What we do with our cars a lot of the younger generation would have no idea how to accomplish.....anybody can bolt on parts and say it's cool but to each their own! I personally enjoy the challenge of making something fit my cutlass and look right without being tacky. As I've stated before....with my cutlass resto going I have tried to blend the different genres into something cool. Hell, I have a Monte spoiler, Monte console, Jeep hood spring, Chrysler Sebring hood struts, and the list goes on and on.

Like the oldsone said, today it's stanced cars, who knows what's next. Just this morning I saw a golf gti (obviously fwd) with a wide body kit, dished wheels and way too much $$$$ tied up for a car that's not rwd just to make it look the part. But if that's what's cool to that guy with his manbun, then so be it!!!
In my eyes, nothing beats old school ingenuity, horsepower, and rumbling at a light!!!!
Rant over, at least for now I think lol!!!

 

[81cutlass]

As a recent college grad,

What college kid can afford a frickin z06? Maybe a z24, z71, or z28 4th gen but z06? Must have some high rollers round there!

I am jealous of the huge turnout though. I don't think there was 15 people at our campus car show they held once a year (sometimes) when they didnt cancel it. Just be happy there are people into it.

Fixing old stuff is hard, it takes brains. Takes years of experience to get to a point where its able to be done. I helped a buddy do a lift on his 2000ish 4 runner, I could almost do that in my sleep it was so easy. All the bolts were easy to remove, it just bolted in, super easy.