Model trains are great!

I don't really see kids in the neighbourhood much, I sometimes will see kids from about 7-11 years old playing street hockey a few blocks over, but there are houses all over with kids, we never really see them. You're right, it's likely video games.

I'm a young fart, studying to be an old fart, and the more I get into it, the crazier I am about rods and cars. All types too. My tastes probably don't totally mesh with those on this site, but when I got my 1949 dodge, that was it... I see some more pre 1960s old cars in my future.

Kid across the street has a cavalier, he beats the crap out of it and doesn't really do much work to it, nobody in that house knows how. I asked him about why, and really "it's just a car".

Yeah, I wasn't so much that way. Still am not. :)

It took my son to the age of 23 to develop a real interest in old school muscle cars and drag racing. He went out and bought his first car a couple years ago, a 74' Omega. Now i have to share all my stuff . He'll never move out.

lol
"I'm a young fart, studying to be an old fart"

I normally get 3 or 4 comments a day from younger people even on a rainy crappy day like today. My own interest in customs came at an early age watching the seamless never ending procession of cool cars and bikes cruse the streets. From a younger persons perspective today I  can see were they are coming from. Why on earth would they want to own something that A is expensive , B, has very limited use . and C that you spend more time cleaning and working on it then using it then put it back in the garage and drive a modern car. Really makes you wonder why so little interest. I guess thats what you get when you call it a hobby like collecting stamps or lawn bowling . The best thing that could happen is if the bottom drops out of the old car market then there is no choice but to take a hit on selling it and have someone else drive the wheels off it or use it.

I am a young 42. I am what I believed to be the last generation to hang out downtown, cruise the drag and continue with the same passion of loving cars today.

Now, today I do not like going down town. And since my 20s, no one cruises the drag anymore. Maybe the odd car. But that was our hang out. Cruised the main drag all night and then raced behind the airport. When I was in my teens almost everyone i knew was into cars in some sort of way. No one bashed others rides whether it was a 60s, 70s or even new Iroc or Fox body. We all just hung out,  talked about next thing we wanted to do and sort...then we got married, had kids and moved on.

Some stayed with the hobby. Some did not.

Myself. I am very fortunate to have a son (age 15) who not only has built his first car with me but is into cars like me. Todays day and age is rare. There isn't many 14/15 year olds begging their dads to go to the track, cruise nights and car shows anymore. To him, old cars are pre 90. He loves anything with wheels and a motor.

It has made it tough to kids to get into the hobby solely because of insurance rates. My kid turns 16 in a couple weeks. The insurance is going to sink him. Thankfully his head is screwed in straight not to be into drugs and alcohol and he would rather work and focus on his school and his future trade. He strives to do well as he knows with a good trade he can afford his toy. He knows full well that his car goes if his school doesn't come first. His hard work has given him a head start on the hobby. It would be very tough for a kid getting in the hobby starting a trade having to buy tools, pay for education etc. While kids his age drank and smoked up their fun...he was in the garage with me doing something to his car. 

He may not get to drive it soon. But its his and he owns it and Daddy didn't buy him a car.

I think in 10 years you will see the hobby change quite a bit. Some of the older folks will pass on and there won't be as much interest in the hobby as their once was.( inherited cars with be auctioned off in estate sales because their kids do not like cars) And prices will be a reflection of that. I already see in now from 10 years ago going to the drag strip, cruise nights and shows. Attendance is down. I don't like it but it is. Stiffer government laws have helped curb those wanting to get in the hobby with emission laws and requirements. That hasn't helped our hobby at all.

I just pray that things for us gear heads continue. Pass on the knowledge. Being an arrogant schmuck know it all turns off people, baby sitting your car like fort knox doesn't help either. Bring a kid to a car show, let them sit in the car...they are out next generation. I also think if we open our minds to newer stuff at shows it will only help our hobby. IMHO

 

I don't know but in the past couple of years I have had many younger guys approach me and talk Kustoms and hot rods right up to the early 70's. I don't think all is lost and I do enjoy seeing the enthusiasm. Just this weekend I had a 20year old approach me and tell me how he just bought a 54 Ford Pick up all original and his plans to remove the flatty and spice it up with either the coyote motor or a stroker 302. So like I said I don't think all is lost. And in my opinion I don't think it will ever die. In saying that I do believe that the 40's and 50's stock original cars are suffering in the sales department as there is not much interest there. Again JMO

You're right, but there may be hope yet. The 6 year old next door and my 5 year old grandson are nuts about Hot Rods. Have to see if I can hang around long enough for them to drive. Of course by then they'll need to power it with a washing machine motor or something solar operated.