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Classic Cars a Dying Hobby?
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Author:  Frank T [ Fri Aug 20, 2010 2:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Classic Cars a Dying Hobby?
Our Chicago member TENGU sends this interesting clip about the projected future of collecting classic cars.

http://classiccars.about.com/od/owninga ... y.htm?nl=1

Attending several cruises and car shows each year, I have to agree about the average age of the collectors.

But then I think of THIS Club, and I can name two fistsfull of young members who, I am confident, are going to keep our Z torches lit and carry them long into the future.

Not sure this article applies to the classic Z cars. What do you think?

Frank
Author:  theZman [ Fri Aug 20, 2010 3:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
nope i don't think it applies to us Frank. we have the resources and parts to keep these cars going for years and years into the future. if we can't get the part we can fabricate it. our club rocks!!
Author:  Kathy & Rick [ Fri Aug 20, 2010 8:33 pm ]
Post subject: 
theZman wrote:
nope i don't think it applies to us Frank. we have the resources and parts to keep these cars going for years and years into the future. if we can't get the part we can fabricate it. our club rocks!!


I think it DOES apply to us in this sense: attrition of intact cars due to rust
or wreck sapped the availability of used 240-Z partZ. This was followed
over time by decreasing stockage of NOS partZ by dealers, for the simple
reason of economics (tying up needed capital in dead inventory which
could be better used elsewhere). No demand at the consumer level = no
demand at the dealer level = no demand at the regional supplier level =
no demand at the manufacturer level. I can foresee the same pattern
occurring in all the successive models of ZCars as well, over time.

We are fortunate to have numerous Clubs and owners around the country
who are very protective of their partZ cars as well as their operational Z's.
Likewise there are more and more producers of repro partZ, which obvi-
ously will help, but at what cost? And economics is once again a factor:
if a manufacturer doesn't have much hope of recouping his investment
and realizing a reasonable profit, he won't produce the part. Case closed.

From a real estate perspective (help me please, Mr. Jensen), I have seen
quite a few wrecking yards go out of business. I would suppose that
some of these properties were bought out by developers who saw the
opportunity to get a nice return on investment, supported by Town
officials who saw the opportunity for increased property tax revenue.
Still others were forced to close by neighbors or Town officials who
wanted to get rid of the "eyesore" that allegedly existed. Funny, zoning
must have granted them a license or permit at some point in time! Sim-
ilar subject, I will give you my personal testimony of the the cars I had to
get rid of because of some ANONYMOUS neighbors who seemingly didn't
like a guy who lived 1/4 to 1/2 mile away pursuing his hobby. Even tho
all but 2 cars and 1 truck were in a barn or out of sight from the road, in
a very rural part of town. The point being, there are going to be some
SOB's (Silly Old Boys) in most any town who will find a way to put a dent
(pun intended) in our partZ supply.

It's comforting to me that we have a McKeel Hagerty and staff to spear-
head work around the country to help preserve what we and countless
others enjoy doing. No doubt they have an economic interest: no cars,
no clients. No classics or rods registered for operation, less revenue.
But that's okay, that's business. At least they're on our side.

I think the piece that we have got to hope for, is to eventually be "grand-
fathered in" somehow. Assuming that at the time that comes around,
there will still be a type of fuel available that can be used by our cars.

FWIW,...............All Z Best,...................Kathy & Rick
Author:  Frank T [ Fri Aug 20, 2010 10:13 pm ]
Post subject: 
Ya know Rick, I never even considered the "vanishing petrochemical" aspect of our hobby. :shock: That's a real concern, isn't it? Years from now most cars will be electric or running on corn oil, THEN what will we do?

Some of the considerations which strike me about this are:

1. The older hotrods and classic American cars are the mainstay of the collector car hobby. That might have a lot to do with the type of guys who own and restore them ~ they are the right age to have owned these cars back when they were kids, and are now retired, the kids are in college (or jail :roll: ) and they have a little spare cash to devote to the memory of their misspent youth. The cost of restoring an old 50s or 60s streetrod is high, however.

2. The Z has always been a 'cheap' car. It was cheap when it sold new (about $3400) and parts have always (unless you buy from Black Dragon) been cheap too. So more people can afford to own and restore them.

Not saying that you can't sink a fortune into a Z. Many of us have. But there are daily driver Zs which don't cost you an arm and a leg to maintain and fix up slowly. And if you're a skilled metalsmith, you can do a lot of the work yrslf and save a bundle.

The timeless Z styling compares to the '57 Chevy or '65 Mustang in popularity. Everyone wants one the first time they see one. Even the younger kids today appreciate the 40 yr old Z styling (altho I'm sure they picture Nitrous bottles and 20" speakers in it :x ). So I don't foresee any lack of desire in the future of the Z car.

But a dwindling partz supply and alternative fuels make me uneasy.

Just my thoughts.
Frank
Author:  ZCARNUT [ Sat Aug 21, 2010 5:19 am ]
Post subject: 
My two centZ:

The collector car hobby will ALWAYS be there. How the Z (or more specifically the S30 early Z) fares in that is another question.

The next generation has embraced Japanese cars for the same reason WE did when we were teens. They are cheap. They are easily worked on and modified. And they are cool. As the attendence at our yearly All Japanese Car Show attests, the younger generation loves their Jap "tuner" cars.

I believe that the Z will follow suit in the collector hobby, the LATER generation Zs that is. Z31, Z32 and 350Z are quickly becoming affordable to the younger generation, thus the Z will continue in the hobby.

However, for those of you who don't realize it already, the 240Z is now a RARE and CLASSIC car. Not too many around anymore! The scarcity and classic status will eventually put the 240 into solid "collector" status and unavailable to the average car guy. 280Zs will probably have to wait a bit longer as there are still lots of them around.

So yes, the younger generation is strong in the car hobby. Just newer cars, that's all!

FWIW
Author:  CygnusX1 [ Sat Aug 21, 2010 9:09 pm ]
Post subject: 
It doesn't help when "mature" car show hosts/clubs, kick out, or fashion by-laws to keep the "younger" tuner crowd out of the traditional, local, car cruises, and shows. I see it all the time. Fortunately, our Z's are usually appreciated by the hot-rod car show crowd, but the "18-25" age group, generally, is not showing up in a Z, and in my experience, is usually not so welcome in his civic, integra, maxima.

Imagine a bunch of 18-25 year old kids with the tuner crowd trying to secure a venue as large as Bear Mountain for Wednesday night cruise/shows in their tuner cars (modern hot rods). It would never happen. On the other hand, every Wednesday night Bear Mountain is filled with 500-1000 classic and muscle cars, while tuners are turned away or charged extra to participate. Talk about killing the future.
Author:  ZCARNUT [ Sun Aug 22, 2010 8:57 am ]
Post subject: 
ZCCR enthusiastically welcomes the "tuner crowd" to our car show and it is very well received. In fact, I have received may thanks and words of appreciation that we actually provide a venue for tuners to gather and show off their rides!

Now if only others would do the same, the hobby would be MUCH better off!
Author:  Kathy & Rick [ Sun Aug 22, 2010 5:29 pm ]
Post subject: 
John T wrote:
ZCCR enthusiastically welcomes the "tuner crowd" to our car show and it is very well received. In fact, I have received may thanks and words of appreciation that we actually provide a venue for tuners to gather and show off their rides!

Now if only others would do the same, the hobby would be MUCH better off!


Dave (CygnusX1) will remind you of my definition of the "tuner crowd..."
~Rick~
Author:  intermilanrox [ Tue Aug 24, 2010 8:20 pm ]
Post subject: 
I'm going to have to agree. As probably to youngest member in this club, I can attest to the younger crowd being more interested in who the best rapper is and not what new cars are coming out. The few who are interested in cars are either into muscle cars or ricey cars. Whenever somebody actually recognizes my car, they always ask if I'm going to put NOS or something in it. :roll:

I feel that the z community is going to dwindle dramatically in the future as it doesn't have a very popular name to it. Cars like: corvette, Ferrari, Porsche, Mustang, Camaro, etc. will always have a strong following as everyone knows what they are as they are constantly on TV, in magazines, etc. If you ask someone what a 240z they'll stare blankly at you like you're from another planet. In order to keep the Z community going, more people need to be aware that these cars even exist, and that they can be amazing cars, even without NOS, 22's, and 6 subwoofers.

Just my $.02
Author:  Frank T [ Tue Aug 24, 2010 8:47 pm ]
Post subject: 
Worth $1,000,000.00! Thanks! :wink:

The future of the Z will eventually fall into your generation's hands. That's one reason why it makes me so warm and toasty to zee members your age in this Club. I brag about having you here, behind your back.

It makes us 'Old Guyz' feel like our years of effort aren't going to waste.

We love these carz. Please don't drop the torch.

Frank
Author:  CygnusX1 [ Tue Aug 24, 2010 9:38 pm ]
Post subject: 
:lol: Rick, I am middle aged. I am not in the tuner crowd or the hot rod crowd. I am proud to be in the middle of the Z crowd. I straddle the line when I stand in the garage. Somewhere in between the highly modified 280Z, and a nearly stock 240Z, there is a continental divide.

Maybe I should get two custom plates that read YING and YANG. :wink:



Image
Author:  cfg240z [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 10:25 am ]
Post subject: 
Great topic. I’ve had conversations with my Dad about the future of the hobby…more specifically 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s sportscars. I’ve been asking, “What’s going to happen to these cars in 20 years?”. My Question was pretty visible this past weekend with the VSCCA event my Dad and I attended in VT - Most if not all owner/drivers were over 60. And a majority of vintage races that we attend, we rarely see drivers under 45 or so. I’m not sure that there is a new generation that will take to these types of vintage racers…Is it lack of interest? Or is it mainly because of the exorbitant price of entry?

In ~20 years it will be a shame to see these cars languish in closed collections or museums, and not be driven as they are now. I’m in my mid-thirties – most of my generation appreciates the vintage autos, but none of my friends actually own classics. They’re more often drawn to 80s/90s 911s, 944s, VWs, Miatas, and RX-7’s, and more modern cars like WRXs. Perhaps when my generation enters their 50’s, and hopefully has some expendable cash; there may be enough of a renewed interest to keep things going? It will be interesting to see what happens…
Author:  Kathy & Rick [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 11:35 am ]
Post subject: 
CygnusX1 wrote:
:lol: Rick, I am middle aged. I am not in the tuner crowd or the hot rod crowd. I am proud to be in the middle of the Z crowd. I straddle the line when I stand in the garage. Somewhere in between the highly modified 280Z, and a nearly stock 240Z, there is a continental divide.


There I go again, mine was a pretty poor introduction!
When I was talking about Dave telling us about a "tuner crowd," what I
was referring to was a post I made on a UConn car show thread, which
made him laugh. The definition I gave for a "tuner crowd," was some-
thing like "a school of edible fish offshore from Boston." I now know I
was wrong back in Match, I mean March. I should have said "a group
of deep sea fishermen from Boston."

All Z Best,.............................Kathy & Rick
Author:  CygnusX1 [ Wed Aug 25, 2010 12:55 pm ]
Post subject: 
Too funny Rick, too funny. I sit here in the hospital, next to my wife who has contracted severe food poisoning, and you made us laugh. :lol:

No Rick, don't think it was bad tuna.
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