Where is the new blood?

[MrSony]

And my reason for a gearhead, oddly enough was boredom. Nothing really interested me as a kid besides videogames and drawing cars. Now I can draw (paint if I so desired) cars for real 😀
And as legend goes, my parents were at a "drag strip" out in Van Meter, IA in the late 90s and the race was between a 65 Chevelle with a 502 bone stock and a 550hp T Type. As soon as the 502 took off I kicked really hard and my mom almost doubled over. My dad of course was overjoyed lol.

 

[Gozer442]

I see a common thread here. Looks like guys who had Dads, Uncles, Grandpas, or any other male authority figure to show or make them learn, did learn and prosper. Not saying you can't get into it on your own. But it sure helped me a lot by having to do maintenance on my Parents cars. That led to hot rodding and a life of endless motor vehicle problems. What a "hobby" !?!

My passion all started when I was 9 years old, my buddy's older brother's girlfriend, drove me home after supper. She told me to get into the front seat of the all black, 1970 'Cuda! I had no idea what it was at the time! She started it up(it was loud), put it into reverse with the pistol grip shifter, and accelerated to 50mph backwards out of the driveway! It was a scene out of the Dukes of Hazzard! In that 5 minute drive home, I fell in love with muscle cars... and all automobiles...all makes. I didn't have a father to get me into fixing or maintaining them, but I hung around guys that had the same passion. Loved shop classes...and taught myself everything.

It would have been great to have someone in my life when I was younger, to guide me, and nurture my passion. Someone to bounce ideas off of, and help me out when I needed it. I would have broken a lot less stuff, bled a little less, and had a few less bruises...but I learned.

Now, I'm trying to be that person for my kids, and other young gear heads. I am not "that old guy" that calls the import tuners "Ricers", or DOT approved 26" rim rollerz "unsafe" or a "disgrace". It may be not what I like, but I can understand their passion. Accept them...park beside them at cruise nights...talk to them...learn from them. Those bad attitudes, and comments bring the hobby down as a whole! Didn't your momma tell you..."If you can't say something nice, don't say it at all."

You give respect...you get respect.

 

[ed1948]

Mr Gozer442 - The automobile/motorcycle enthusiasts community needs more people with an attitude as yours, sir!

 

[gbodytoys]

Now, I'm trying to be that person for my kids, and other young gear heads. I am not "that old guy" that calls the import tuners "Ricers", or DOT approved 26" rim rollerz "unsafe" or a "disgrace". It may be not what I like, but I can understand their passion. Accept them...park beside them at cruise nights...talk to them...learn from them. Those bad attitudes, and comments bring the hobby down as a whole! Didn't your momma tell you..."If you can't say something nice, don't say it at all."

You give respect...you get respect.

my type of car guy.

 

[Looter]

Sadly, hot rodding doesn't appeal much to the younger crowd, they're all focused on their 1999 Honda Civics that can't even beat a fully loaded down work truck.
I'm pretty sure I'm the last hot-rodder at my school. The guy with the 4th gen 350 Z/28 graduated my freshman year and the silver '79 Vette left last year. All that's left is my Regal and some kid with a bone stock '74 Mustang II *shock*. Everyone else drives jacked up silverados/jeeps, riced up saturns, or Jettas.

 

[Matthew Goeke]

Yesterday, I participated in my first cruise night in almost 10 years! I saw some great cars, met some nice people and walked away with a $25 gift card and a free auto appraisal! There was about 40-50 pristine cars and trucks. I had a great time!

The one thing I was disappointed about was the lack of the younger generation involved. Everyone participating and helping out last night was 65+ in age! What's going on? There was a complete lack of the (cough) younger (cough) generation...30s and 40 year olds! Back in the day, that's all my buddies and I did... eat/sleep/breathe cruise nights, car shows, and the occasional evening drag race in the country. What's happened? I saw only 2 families with kids walk by...the rest were seniors! Maybe this is just where I now live...about 1.5 hours away from a major city. I hope that's not the case! A majority of these people working the cruise night won't be around in 15 years. That will hit the hobby hard when there isn't new blood to pick up the slack.

What are you experiencing in your part of the world?

haha were here man, i know its sad but most of us are into japanese cars now. i only have a few friends that are into the USDM life and a ton that like JDM

 

[Clutch]

Well guy's my 10year old 5th grade daughter loves car shows going fast working on stuff doing donuts and oh yeah has her very own Hurst Olds

so hot rodding isn't dead yet!

 

[Matthew Goeke]

Well guy's my 10year old 5th grade daughter loves car shows going fast working on stuff doing donuts and oh yeah has her very own Hurst OldsView attachment 65902 View attachment 65903so hot rodding isn't dead yet!

be careful with that damn welder, the first time i did it i was wearing shorts and welded for so long i got a sun burn

 

[Clutch]

be careful with that damn welder, the first time i did it i was wearing shorts and welded for so long i got a sun burn

Lol it was her first time tonight and she got the hot foot slag in the shoe she's ok tho

 

[Matthew Goeke]

Lol it was her first time tonight and she got the hot foot slag in the shoe she's ok tho

ah never had that happen yet 😛 i sat criss cross which is probably why i burnt my legs