I am afraid the old car group is gone.

[Carolina_Mountain_Mustangs]

Ok guys and gals. I went to the 51 st. show for the Mountaineer Car show. It was in Maggie Valley for many years but moved to the Ag. Center at the Asheville Airport a few years back. In the past they sold out of vendor spaces and ran out of car show spaces. Today there was maybe 40 cars there and probably 90% of the vendor spaces were vacant. To sell parts was $60.00 a space, $20.00 to enter a car.

Everyone there had gray hair and no 30 year olds looking for that part they need. I think the old car fad if about gone. Will it be who has the oldest working computer or video game soon?

BTW I have a Pong in the box in the attic 1974 I believe, lol.

I know my son has no interest in any of my cars so I should just sell them.

What are your takes on the car hobby. There were no younger people at the show. It is amazing to see the change. I predict that the price of what we see as collectable cars will drop very soon. Just like when the Model T and Model A age group went away and the prices dropped.

David

 

[midlife]

I'm concerned as well as you. I've seen a good 15-20% drop in business starting this year after steady growth and plateau for the past 6 years or so. I posted on the concours Mustang forum, and got a wide response. You can read it here:

http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=17819.0

When parts vendors see their business begin to decline, then I believe it is the beginning of the end. To survive, part vendors have to expand to other lines or retire. I can count on at least 10 used Mustang vendors and/or repair shops that have closed down, some due to age of the owner.

 

[Heavy Metal]

The love for automobiles will always be with us.

We are a niche group....that has really kool wheels.

Everyone that takes a look at a 71-73 and says.....thats Bitch'n....what's under the hood??

There is no substitute for "old School". Who would have thought that a Hippy WV 27 window bus would go for $100k......right !!

I have enclosed a link that may help some of us deal with the neglect....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7vtWB4owdE

Guys......you have to drive you cars more......people forget how Kool those days were.

It helps us remember those special times in our lives.

Drive your car that you baby soooo much....... to work, to church, grocery store, involve your family, road trips, take a ride-cation.

It's you.....it's a kool Mustang...Chicks dig it.....ok.....I got that off of the 71' brochure....

You get my point.....it's summer.... get your baby out of the damn garage and drive it........make Carroll Shelby Proud.....he loved this damn car !!!

HVY MTL

 

[nailpounder]

move to southern california always a lot of shows going on

 

[6972boss]

Car interests are always changing. People need to find the next 'cool thing'. Very rare to have a cool car that lasts generations. Our cars are just a new big Rock in the stream that people notice, right now. In some years interests will move around our big Rock and find the next cool big rock in the flow. Just how things are and always will be. Enjoy it while it's here. 

Perfect example, I took my 67 Shelby and my 87 SSP to a few shows recently. Had more younger kids drooling over the 87. Puzzled me for awhile. But I realized how time is fluid and things constantly change to fit the ever changing interests of people who are looking for the next acceptable 'cool thing'. Drive them, enjoy them, educate everyone who shows interest.we are just a flash in the sky. Like most other already forgotten classics. I love showing everyone my classic and try to spread the enthusiasm to them. Maybe just one or two get my addiction but I try.

 

[Mikes73]

Old cars are still very popular were I live and you see at least one a day driving around. Funny you should mention old computers. I have a working Atari 800xl computer circa 1985 that I love to mess around on.

 

[NOT A T5]

Heavy Metal, LOVE your comment, LOL

 

[LeglessOne]

Agree Heavy Metal there is a growing movement here in Oz of "driven not hidden". I only work 3 days a week now and have a 105km each way commute. I drive my 73 Mach 1 everyday.

On the first Sunday of every month here in Adelaide there is a Coffee and Chrome meet. The car park of the shopping centre is completely packed with pre 90's cars.

The love for automobiles will always be with us.

We are a niche group....that has really kool wheels.

Everyone that takes a look at a 71-73 and says.....thats Bitch'n....what's under the hood??

There is no substitute for "old School".  Who would have thought that a Hippy WV 27 window bus would go for $100k......right !!

I have enclosed a link that may help some of us deal with the neglect....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7vtWB4owdE

Guys......you have to drive you cars more......people forget how Kool those days were.

It helps us remember those special times in our lives.

Drive your car that you baby soooo much....... to work, to church, grocery store, involve your family, road trips, take a ride-cation.

It's you.....it's a kool Mustang...Chicks dig it.....ok.....I got that off of the 71' brochure....

You get my point.....it's summer.... get your baby out of the damn garage and drive it........make Carroll Shelby Proud.....he loved this damn car !!!

HVY MTL

 

[delawarebill]

for my area there is one show in southern delaware that was hugh 4 day event. took 3 hrs to look at all the cars. i went as a spectator about 3 yrs ago and took me 45 minutes to see them all... sad too for it was a nice show. but the others large one's bring in tons of cars. ocean city md around 6000 2x a yr. delaware park casino early show is around 600+ and the fall is over 800. the locals are around 80+. and lots of walk in's.

 

[Carolina_Mountain_Mustangs]

We have plenty of shows but there just are no young kids there any more. Our local mustang club posts all the shows each week on Facebook page. BTW I was only member there. Yesterday there were two older mustangs there a 67 and my 73. There use to be 50 show up. Not a single camaro no really special cars at all. The vendor swap meet area could hold probably a 1,000 spaces and there might have been 40 or 50 and they cost $60.00 each.

I have placed ads on craigslist trying to find some young person to help get interested in cars. I offered free space in my garage and teach them but no response.

My nephew was bringing in Nissan Skylines from Japan but can't even sell them.

I don't know if I will go back today.

David

 

[Boss1Ray]

Yes. A good friend who also loves and collects cars was just talking to me about this very subject. So many of our old car buddies have sold out to owning one of the newer cars.

But I also think car show participation varies by city and state. Just went to a show in Shawnee Okla. And it was very full with probably 220 cars! Crazy thing is the weather was terrible just hours before showtime. And the show was in a big grassy park. I was impressed with the turnout.

Ray

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

 

[SVO2SCJ]

It is a multifaceted, complex issue IMO. It is social economic AS WELL AS mistakenly being presented!

WE (can I put myself is a category) ARE the older, "know how to repair, rebuild HELL start a car with bad points and a carb with no choke" , we are also the ones ABLE to buy the rare and more expensive cars.....so that is what we look at , gauge the market !

As a seller of items for old cars, ironically there is a market, following and younger enthusiasm for THE CARS YOU DON'T WANT !! Admit it , we don't look at coupes, grande', 73 302 Mustangs etc etc. Seems they along with the Fox bodies are getting some love (by that crowd)

THis has been a fresh forum for me !! It seems that everyone is helpful to all, reguardless of pedigree or economic level. Entry to the Shelby world come with the price and pain of putting up with them. (the owners)

OUR concern is if "no one" wants a car that is a DINOSAUR it their eyes in 10 Years ! Rare cars will always be a good investment , as I live the life of "cars as art". I THINK interest in the FE's of the Sixties will wain very quickly in the eyes of the younger generations, just as Model T's, gave to Model A hot rods, replaced by 57 Chevys!

"No one has a crystal ball"...........I think it is a case of you don't want to be the one "holding the hot potato!"

Mark

 

[Carolina_Mountain_Mustangs]

Well I ended up going back today left home at 11:00 just a 15 min. drive. I was shocked the parking lot was packed with people coming to look and way more cars for the show. 50% chance of rain and overcast. I parked the car and went back to vendor areas and bought a tag for 72 Q vert and three of the sport wheel covers for $20.00 that were pretty nice.

Got back to the car and judges were looking and one made the comment this car is in pretty great shape for an original. I ended up getting a top 20 award for the stock division. They did not give first second etc. just to 20 in the two divisions, hot rod or stock. They had hot rod also. They had drawing for $200, $50.00 to 4 participants. I won $50.00. It was pouring rain and I found out my wipers not working. They worked when I put dash and cowl back together. So I got home and just put tarp over car so I can wipe down today. That was first time car had been in rain in 26 years, lol. I do not even wash with a hose to keep the water out of doors and cowl.

Interesting fact, there were more AMC cars than mustangs and camero, lol. What a reversal of roles. I guess they are more into the scene.

On the age thing the club that did the show, this was 51 years in a row, stated they were seeing fewer and fewer and have very few young people. The award for oldest participant was I believe 85 he drove his Cadillac convertible from Virginia I believe.

The best of show trophy went to a 1951 Ford convertible that is a pretty nice car.

So I will head back to next show next weekend. There are usually 5 or 6 to pick from that is another reason there are few there. I usually try to attend ones that give donations to needy causes. Next week is for disabled veterans. I did have one young guy in his 20's that ask lots of questions about the car. He grew up in a family that sold antiques and old cars. He said they closed the antique business because nothing sells except very high end furniture. Nobody wants the old stuff he stated.

I did not take camera so no pics, lol.

David

 

[mach71351c]

move to southern california always a lot of shows going on

 +1

 

[Carolina_Mountain_Mustangs]

move to southern california always a lot of shows going on

 +1

The lack of shows is not a problem it is the fact that young people are not getting into the car world anymore. I have 4 or 5 shows each week to pick from and once a month the city closes the main street and all the car guys take the cars out and everyone eats and dances in the street.

At the show they announced they had two members pass away that weekend.

I would never move to California, lol. When people have visited here from California they are amazed how green it is. No big fires, no earth quakes, no high prices. I can be at beach in 3 or 4 hours have several ski slopes to pick from in winter and mountains all around can walk forever.

The Charlotte show swap meet is impossible to see it all in 4 days. Hundreds of acres of gray headed people walking around or in electric chairs. They have electric chair rentals. NO YOUNG GUYS OR GALS.

If I moved anywhere it would be Africa love it there been 14 times.

Bound to happen how many of you want a 1914 Model T that will do 35 MPH and hand crank? Just like now find a young kid that wants a 71 - 73 mustang. Not many. My son has absolutely no interest in any of them just wants new.

I spent 6 hours on the 2 post lift washing under the car pulled wheels and cleaned tires and hubs. First time in the rain in 26 years.

David

 

[Fabrice]

Over here its worse,

Gov taxes, new rules on emissions, restrictions to enter some cities with a pre 90 car, the costs of fuel, insurance for new drivers, near zero dealership or garage where you could buy parts. US cars are simply not promoted over here unless its a Tesla. That's why you see lots of new timers 1980/2000 at 5k and lower, even in a perfect state nobody wants them. Depending on the province, you must pay for a between 70 to 100 euros a month just to have it on the road (based on weight). I bought my current T-bird full option perfect state for 1k

For old timers, the very few classic muscle cars you see are 8 out of 10, nice to look at, but don't ask look under the hood. The good ones being too pricy to buy and not really possible to use as a daily. A young person, would then need a second car and start with a car that needs lots to be done.

Add to this, that the average house is very expensive, even more for starters, at least in the Netherlands and one with a garage that would be wide enough for a 7173 is even more expensive. Unless he would have some car background with brother/father/friends where he already could enjoy US cars and have a place to park it etc..

or a rich and kind father. Even if he would want a classic us car, the practical aspects and money involved are having too much weight.

The youth I see around that is not wasting its thumbs on a phone, is using Japanese cars. Much cheaper to start with (lighter) and tons of parts available everywhere. In that regard, I think US vendors should pay more attention to the European market like Japanese parts vendors do. Make it more accessible or promote the american quality.

Even in the 90's I was declared many times crazy to have a us car. Now days unless electric, it might really be crazy...

 

[mudbilly]

There are still lots of kids getting into cars, but they are getting into the kind of cars from their generation. Late model small cars that they can tune with a new chip and a programmer. They are about as common as motor heads from our generation.

Subaru is what I see the most of, but there are plenty of others running around. Lots of HUGE rear spoilers and loud exhausts. Custom paints and also lots of 4 doors, which would have been heresy back in the day.

They are looking for something to drive everyday, just like we did. Having a classic car sitting in a garage and touring around once in awhile or going to a car show is just not in their interests.

But I do doubt that any of today's cars will being restored 40 years from now.

 

[red351]

Carlisle production knows the car thing is dying here. Gate and vendor revenue has been declining for 10 yrs . They are just playing it for as long as they can by rising the vendor spaces costs. The food vendors pay a percentage of their sales too CP. Their prices keep rising because CP sets the price, and what they can sale. The Ford national is still their biggest. GM and Mopar is next to nothing anymore. GM show can't even fill 2 vendor rows....

 

[rvrtrash]

I think the internet is killing the parts swap meets. I can spend all day looking at table after table of chevy parts for that one Ford part I need, or I can find it (generally) cheaper on the internet in 2 minutes and pay shipping, which is about equal to admission to the swap meet. Now I will say that I love strolling around looking at all the old stuff, but for the internet generation, it's just not their thing.