Where is the new blood?

[theoldsone]

WOW this thread has really blown up quickly. well I'm 22 years old and the newest vehicle I've ever owned was a 1987. And I can't name many friends who do what we do. What I think young hipsters see is a muscle car that was hot back in its hey day and now is a pile of rusty junk(well at least my car lol). Youngsters today aren't all that into cars in general, and yet if they are there usually into new stuff. Lambos, Bugatwatever, VW, Honda, You know soft plasticy stuff that doesn't make enough noise at idle and yells "look at me, Im HIP" lol. No but really, I don't know what's going to happen to all the old school tricks, and skilled hot rodders. People who actually fabricate and BUILD their cars. Old school people are honestly from an era where they did it right, and now keep a balance from old and new. I despise bat mouth youngsters who think they know more than a seasoned Hot Rodder/Vet, Back in those days almost everyone knew how to change their oil, change a tire, replace a bulb etc. We are the few who remain. The few who actually like the headaches and the greasy fingernails that take days to get clean but never do because we can't keep our hands off our cars. I'm not saying one way is better than the other but Youngsters recognize what went down first, and take a few notes.

 

[64nailhead]

Shows that have car age limits help create a divide between the generations. Obviously younger people are going to be into newer cars, as a rule of thumb, and banning them from shows or cruise ins only keeps the two group from mingling. Real car enthusiasts don't look down on another car enthusiast because of the age or type of car he/she drives, but rather appreciates the diversity.

The only issue I have with anyone at shows is when the bragging begins about what they bought. Anyone can buy something - 'real' car people build, modify, restore what they want to own - not what someone else thinks they should own. It doesn't take a boat load of money to have a car and go to shows - it takes passion - if you disgree with me fine, but I won't be hanging out with you the next time I see you at a show. It should be about comaraderie not segregation. The people I hang with are proud of what they built, not how much they spent on it.

 

[ck80]

It's been pretty well covered, there's a culture gap.

Let's be honest, lots of these cruises you reference are either the 7am weekend affairs or something a 6pm in a weeknight. Working folks these days don't have 9-to-5 jobs, those are extinct thanks to the baby boomer managers. When there's time off, crack of dawn wakeup isn't of a ton of interest.

Let alone going home, swapping out cars, then getting back in time to show after work. Most jobs that arent fast food or retail entail working hours outside a 5pm departyre.

Then, never mind the being up somewhere that doesn't respect the a different type of car aspect, etc as outlined above. Who wants to go to a "lame" show where they get hassled over their ride or forced to park in some out of the way corner, on poor pavement, etc?

 

[64nailhead]

I forgot to answer the OP's origianl question - where's the new blood? In my area there is a lot of new blood. The G-body in my house is my son's - he's onto his 2nd full season with it and he bought when he was 20. His friend's entail a car club that is mostly tuners owned by 20 somethings, and the local dyno shop gang (LS guys). But they all appreciate his car as much as anyone elses. And everywhere he goes all of his generation appreciate the old schoolness of his 68-69 327 engine with an 85 Vette TPI mounted on top, turbo and the homemade ingeniuty of the build. And of course the noise it makes. Around here G-bodies are rare to say the least, and nothing makes me happier than to a bunch of his friends pull in the driveway with there GTI's, Miata's, etc. to hang out. It beats seeing them sitting at a bar or in front of computer or TV.

 

[Gozer442]

I forgot to answer the OP's origianl question - where's the new blood? In my area there is a lot of new blood. The G-body in my house is my son's - he's onto his 2nd full season with it and he bought when he was 20. His friend's entail a car club that is mostly tuners owned by 20 somethings, and the local dyno shop gang (LS guys). But they all appreciate his car as much as anyone elses. And everywhere he goes all of his generation appreciate the old schoolness of his 68-69 327 engine with an 85 Vette TPI mounted on top, turbo and the homemade ingeniuty of the build. And of course the noise it makes. Around here G-bodies are rare to say the least, and nothing makes me happier than to a bunch of his friends pull in the driveway with there GTI's, Miata's, etc. to hang out. It beats seeing them sitting at a bar or in front of computer or TV.

And that right there, is parenting done right! Well done sir!

 

[Injectedcutty]

To go along with what the oldsone said, it seems like unless one was brought up in the car culture they just don't get it. I will be 33 years old in about 5 hours from now, but the diversity I've been around in my lifetime has spoken volumes!!! Only a couple of my childhood friends are really into cars....hell i bleed 75w140 lol!!!! But i hang out with a multitude of just cool people with cars of all ages....my brother n law with his sweet 68 camaro bbc, a good friend in his 60's who is into crosley's, vette guys, shoebox chevy guys, import and euro crowd, you name it. What we all have is a mutual respect for what it truly takes to put the blood, sweat, and sh*t loads of $$$ into what we feel is cool to us and represents our personalities!!!
Here in the ville the new blood is in full force, but like many most are into the stretched tires and ripping exhaust up from riding too low!!!
It's almost as if the the mid 90's and younger crowd go that route, not all, but many. However, it has been fun to have those kids talk smack about the g body shuffle and my car being too heavy to be fast....until i wax them little ricers a$$es lol! Awesome thread guys keep it rolling!

 

[foxtrot]

It's been pretty well covered, there's a culture gap.

Let's be honest, lots of these cruises you reference are either the 7am weekend affairs or something a 6pm in a weeknight. Working folks these days don't have 9-to-5 jobs, those are extinct thanks to the baby boomer managers. When there's time off, crack of dawn wakeup isn't of a ton of interest.

Let alone going home, swapping out cars, then getting back in time to show after work. Most jobs that arent fast food or retail entail working hours outside a 5pm departyre.

Then, never mind the being up somewhere that doesn't respect the a different type of car aspect, etc as outlined above. Who wants to go to a "lame" show where they get hassled over their ride or forced to park in some out of the way corner, on poor pavement, etc?

This is true with my situation and because of it I'm down to a few car shows a year. There's a big yearly car show in my area coming up soon and it's an all day Saturday event! No need to wake up at the crack of dawn. It's a great show with all kinds of rides and no matter what your interested in, you can always find lots to look at. No too many crusty cranky folks either.. In fact one year, there was this couple who let my kids sit in there Morris Minor.

 

[foxtrot]

Their too

 

[ssn696]

My 17 year old son goes to a car meet every Saturday Night @ 10pm. No 50 year old geezers like me are allowed because we would question some of the stupid stuff some of the kids do to their cars and that might drive people away, so they have shows past our bedtimes. At least these kids are smart enough to know sitting, baking in the Texas sun for 6 hours for the chance of a trophy is a stupid way to spend a weekend afternoon. It took me over 20 years to realize this.

Cars are built to be driven.

I forgot to answer the OP's origianl question - where's the new blood? In my area there is a lot of new blood. The G-body in my house is my son's - he's onto his 2nd full season with it and he bought when he was 20.

My solution is to grow my own. They LOVE the funky roll-up windows on my wagon!

 

[ssn696]

On Saturday mornings, the locals meet up in the parking lot next to the hardware store. All ages, types, and conditions welcome. This one is my personal favorite. And the troops each have their own car seat!