Its a matter of money, old cars cheap to buy, but are expensive to repair.
Newer cars are cheap.
Newer cars are cheap.
...What we need are young people who actually care enough to learn about Don Garlits, Kenny Bernstein, Bob Glidden, Dick Landy, Tom Hoover and on and on and on and actually give a DAMN about where the hobby came from.
The Nats getting smaller also. As our economy gets worse more people are staying home or enjoying local shows. I am planning on going to Carlisle this year for the first time. It's on my bucket list. Do we need to form more local Mopar clubs and hang out at the High Schools and Tech Schools for shows and the like? A few rides around the parking lot might get young people more interested. tmmLike everyone else has said, these cars aren't affordable anymore. At least they're buying and driving some kind of cars and doing some work to them. A Body cars are still kind of affordable. Something that is encouraging to me is when I go to Carlilse every summer, the number of young people that are there looking and carrying parts around that they've bought.
I love going to Carlilse every year but sadly, its getting smaller every year.
That "breed" is already gone. They were "seat of the pants" mechanics, who understood the results of things they tried, that led them to other things to try.
That mind set is gone. Some of us still have it, but even the, so called, Young guns" in this hobby, are dinosaurs.
Today, you literally "dial in" a car from a tablet or lap top, or smart phone. You don't "build HP", you buy it.
In fact, it's a pretty safe bet call Funny Car, and Top Fuel racers ( cars and people) Dinosaurs, too.
Ever notice the 20 somethings at the track? Pro mods, Pro Stock, or anything that's front wheel drive. They really enjoy the high-tech stuff.
I'm not underestimating a damn soul when I see kids that cannot read an analog clock, don't know who Daniel Boone was, or cannot read a road map.
Idea one:
Grab a late 70's MoPar or early 80's Ford or GM and start hot rodding. There cheap in these years.
<-THIS!I think it more about instant gratification if you gave them a Bad *** mopar they would take it and drive it with pride but about the second time it needed major work it would be sold.
<-& THIS!Mopar people are killing mopar and the hobby...he would never buy a mopar and put it togather because of the cost. of parts.
you guys forget the fact that even tho the young kids like the 4 banger FWD imports, back in the 80s mopar predated the fast n furious scene by making the turbo mopars. thes cars were innovative, and fun to drive. i still have 3 of them. a 1988 dodge daytona shelby Z t top turbo ll car, a shelby Z parts car, and a 1987 lebaron turbo coupe, the Omni GLHs, and shelby charger GLHs, the Shadow CSX, and CSX-T, ...CARS THAT EVOLVED INTO THE ECLIPSE...
I am very glad that you are not. You a most appreciated friend, & a wealth of knowledge.I respectfully disagree. Rare maybe, but certainly not gone.
I am very glad that you are not. You a most appreciated friend, & a wealth of knowledge.
I have an idea that you have to be a gear head, before you can become a "brand Loyalist"
I agree the hobby lacks a lot of younger people. That said, IMO, there are too many of all ages that just jump in with the checkbook and don't give a damn about anything else.
Not learning about the history of the hobby. Not caring about what lead up to the car you got.
Like everyone else has said, these cars aren't affordable anymore. At least they're buying and driving some kind of cars and doing some work to them. A Body cars are still kind of affordable. Something that is encouraging to me is when I go to Carlilse every summer, the number of young people that are there looking and carrying parts around that they've bought.
I love going to Carlilse every year but sadly, its getting smaller every year.
but if fathers will make the effort sons will follow them to the garage.