DiDueColpi Fred Key West coast - Canada (1365 posts) Registered: 05/14/2010 03:06AM Main British Car: I really thought that I'd be an action figure by now! |
It's not proper to ask in polite company but....
After being devastated by the passing of so many friends and icons in the industry this year.
It has occurred to me that a good many of us must be in the upper age categories. Who are the new innovators in our obsession? Is youth attracted to our hobby? Are we inadvertently excluding new blood into the BV8 fold? Or is it destined to pass as our pioneers are doing. It would be interesting to work out our median age group. I'll go first...I'm 54 born in 1960... not ancient but I've got more miles under my belt than I have left. Cheers Fred |
74ls1tr6 Calvin Grannis Elk Grove,CA (1151 posts) Registered: 11/10/2007 10:05AM Main British Car: 74 TR6 / 71 MGB GT TR6/Ls1 71 MGB GT/Ls1 |
Re: It's not proper to ask in polite company but....
I'm right there with you Fred at 55. My kids want to do swaps when the time comes for them.
Calvin |
kstevusa kelly stevenson Southern Middle Tennessee (985 posts) Registered: 10/25/2007 09:37AM Main British Car: 2003 Jaguar XK8 Coupe 4.2L DOHC/ VVT / 6sp. AT |
Re: It's not proper to ask in polite company but....
Hey Juniors, I expect the median age to be higher than you. I am a 1948 model when flatheads still were in production. We have many that exceed me in birthdays. I also know a few that are in the 265 Bowtie and 221 CID Blue Oval era.
How about Purple Haze? Also have the CD mentioned by Dan. It does tend to make the pedal light. |
RMO 699F Mike Maloney SW Ohio (531 posts) Registered: 12/09/2007 12:28PM Main British Car: 1974 MGB Sebring GT, 3.9 Rover V8 |
Re: It's not proper to ask in polite company but....
71, born in 1943...(but hey, I don't feel that old) I have a son in his 40's...despite continuous efforts on my part he never got into British cars...he is a Jeep and mud guy.
I'll post for Harvey Leichti (he does not do internet) Harvey is 80 this year and still does most of the work on his V6 mgb. He was on his way to the Ft. Meigs show last Sunday but had a bad coil and had to be towed back. |
danmas Dan Masters Alcoa, Tennessee (578 posts) Registered: 10/28/2007 12:11AM Main British Car: 1974 MGBGT Ford 302 |
Re: It's not proper to ask in polite company but....
73 here. Some good days yet to come, for sure, but my best days are behind me, I suppose. My 19 year old grandson's daily driver is a '78 Spitfire. I guess I did have some influence.
Mike, Give Harvey my regards - I miss him at our get togethers. |
rficalora Rob Ficalora Willis, TX (2764 posts) Registered: 10/24/2007 02:46PM Main British Car: '76 MGB w/CB front, Sebring rear, early metal dash Ford 302 |
Re: It's not proper to ask in polite company but....
I'm one of the "youngins" at 49. 50 in August of this year (1964). But, I try to act 1/2 my age.
As for who'll be the next generation... our kids will. My older son (18) would swap a modular 5.0 into his 06 mustang if he could afford one & my younger son, who'll be getting his learners permit this summer, is already looking at modified pick-up trucks. My wife, who's been known to refer to herself as a "garage widow", says I gave them my disease. Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/03/2014 09:19PM by rficalora. |
Re: It's not proper to ask in polite company but....
Guess I'm the baby so far, 43. My daughter sort of cares but not really. If you giver her a car she would take it and might say thank you, but if she had to earn it all bets are off.
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Scott68B Scott Costanzo Columbus, Ohio (561 posts) Registered: 10/25/2007 11:30AM Main British Car: 1968 MGB GM 5.3 LS4 V8 |
Re: It's not proper to ask in polite company but....
I'm 59, will turn 60 in December. I make a conscious effort to not act my age. I can still out work most of the young ones too. No kids for me and I don't see a lot of younger people interested in our hobby.
Interesting question on if we are inadvertently excluding new blood. Don't have any answers but would be interested in the discussion. I'm hoping it isnt as bad as some of us think it is. |
rficalora Rob Ficalora Willis, TX (2764 posts) Registered: 10/24/2007 02:46PM Main British Car: '76 MGB w/CB front, Sebring rear, early metal dash Ford 302 |
Re: It's not proper to ask in polite company but....
I think it all depends how you define the hobby. If you define it as "improving British sports cars", I don't think we are excluding the younger generation. Rather, I think we are simply irrelevant. MG's, Triumphs, Sunbeams and the like are unknown to them. And the brands they'd recognize are beyond reach for most.
Now, if we define the hobby as hot rodding old cars, the hobby is alive and well. Not as common maybe as it was in the 50's or 60's, but still going strong. At my sons' school I know of at least 2 60's pickups, 3 Chevelles, 3-4 older Mustangs, a Fairlane, a 260z and at least a dozen or two ricers* that the kids have as driving projects in various states. They are doing what we did with our cars at their age. And, a lot of those kids will do more ambitious projects later in life as their means allow... And, some of the kids that don't have the opportunity now but who see the cool cars and projects are already bitten by the bug and they too will take on projects later in life. So, which hobby are we talking about? And, which one matters? *Note, a lot of ricers count as old cars by the way. One of my boys was talking about the antique car one of his friends got. When I asked him what it was, he told me in an excited voice "it's a 240SX. It even has antique tags!". Hard to believe the 1st 240SX's are already 25 yrs old! Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/03/2014 09:42PM by rficalora. |
britcars Phil Ossinger New Brunswick, Canada (346 posts) Registered: 02/02/2009 07:58PM Main British Car: 1977 MGB Roadster, Rover 3.5 ADVENTURE BEFORE DEMENTIA! |
Re: It's not proper to ask in polite company but....
Just rolled over sixty-seven years on the odometer a couple of months ago, but stil young enough to still be learning a few things the hard way.....age does not always bring wisdom. :-) Still hoipeful of a few good years. Our youngest son is into things mechanical, motorcycles and old trucks, but distracted right now raising 4 children ages 3-12. Our oldest son thinks of cars as equipment needed to get from point A to point B.
The older you get, the more important it is not to act your age. |
Preform Resources Dave Craddock Redford,Michigan (359 posts) Registered: 12/20/2008 05:46PM Main British Car: 72 MGB V6 3.4 |
Re: It's not proper to ask in polite company but....
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Dan B Dan Blackwood South Charleston, WV (1007 posts) Registered: 11/06/2007 01:55PM Main British Car: 1966 TR4A, 1980 TR7 Multiport EFI MegaSquirt on the TR4A. Lexus V8 pl |
Re: It's not proper to ask in polite company but....
That Facebook thing said my Soul Age is 22
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Spitfire 350 Phil McConnell Perrysburg, OH (Toledo area) (257 posts) Registered: 01/11/2010 09:19PM Main British Car: 74 Spitfire 350Chevy |
Re: It's not proper to ask in polite company but....
I turned 57 in February, an amazing thing considering some of the events in my life. My daughter loves to autocross the Spitfire with me, but I don't think she will ever build a car. Her boyfriend is anxious to learn auto mechanics and has a deep appreciation for cool cars, lots of promise there.
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mowog1 Rick Ingram Central Illinois (1523 posts) Registered: 10/17/2007 09:36PM Main British Car: 1974.5 MGB/GT 3.9l Rover |
Re: It's not proper to ask in polite company but....
re: *Note, a lot of ricers count as old cars by the way. One of my boys was talking about the antique car one of his friends got. When I asked him what it was, he told me in an excited voice "it's a 240SX. It even has antique tags!". Hard to believe the 1st 240SX's are already 25 yrs old!
I had a first generation, first year Nissan 240SX...a 1989 model. I traded in my 1978 Datsun 280Z on it. Maybe I was just used to the 280Z....but the 240SX sucked big time in my eyes. I drove it for 9 months...I could not get rid of it fast enough.... and traded it in on a first generation, first year Nissan 300ZX (a 1990 model). I still drive a 300ZX....a 1996 model. |
ex-tyke Graham Creswick Chatham, Ontario, Canada (1165 posts) Registered: 10/25/2007 11:17AM Main British Car: 1976 MGB Ford 302 |
Re: It's not proper to ask in polite company but....
Born in Sheffield, Yorks in 1947 – you do the math!
My son has no inclination to get into any auto related project – his thumbs are permanently glued to his Xbox and I-phone Typical of the new generation, he just wants to gas and go and for me to help with any problems – but I did convince him to perform regular oil changes in his vehicles. It appears that today’s youth really don’t have the interest in cars like the older generations had....... sad really, they don’t know what they’re missing! |
Addicted Mike Hagadorn Warren PA (132 posts) Registered: 09/27/2013 03:46PM Main British Car: 1976 TR7 Victory Edition Ford 302 |
Re: It's not proper to ask in polite company but....
I feel old, but I guess I'm a young guy at 41. I have several good friends in their 20's doing some nice custom work on their Mustangs. I pretty much hate rice burners with fart can mufflers, but at least those guys are doing something with their cars. It really is impressive seeing what some kids can do with their laptops and modern cars. I'd be lost.
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RMO 699F Mike Maloney SW Ohio (531 posts) Registered: 12/09/2007 12:28PM Main British Car: 1974 MGB Sebring GT, 3.9 Rover V8 |
Re: It's not proper to ask in polite company but....
Following up on Grahams comments, analyzing 1983 vs.2008... 15-20 percent less 16-24 year old potential drivers have a drivers license...we have a 19 year old great grand daughter who still does not drive...in my opinion, too many distractions and in some cases a lack of initiative is causing this...
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ex-tyke Graham Creswick Chatham, Ontario, Canada (1165 posts) Registered: 10/25/2007 11:17AM Main British Car: 1976 MGB Ford 302 |
Re: It's not proper to ask in polite company but....
Quote: ....and discouraging high insurance rates . |