Future of Car Culture and Values.

[LargeOrangeFont]

It’s been a few years now but I took my cousin to NYC when he was about 19. We went down to the hotel bar to have a drink and these two girls were in the bar having a drink, one was maybe 35 and the other was early 20’s, both were kinda trashy in a good Jersey kinda way.

So me and the kid are having a drink and they come over to say hi, we buy them a drink and chat it up for a bit, I’m letting the kid lead as I already know the deal.

My cousin is all in on this program, he’s talking with the young one and I’m just maintaining good vibes with the older one for sport. After a while they tell us they are taking off and headed to lower manhattan, the young one writes her number down and slips it to my cousin and says if you guys want to party later give us a a call and they bail.

Now here’s the deal, somewhere over on Staten Island there was a dude named Tony driving around in a 1987 IROC Z28 with tee tops, he’s sporting some mid weight gold rope chain with one of those claw looking medallions and he looking for his girlfriend Angela (the 35 year old) who took his little sister Maria into the city to turn some tricks at the higher end hotel bars.

Two morals to this story.

1. My cousin got to see real prostitutes on his first trip to NYC, he had no clue until after they left and I told him.

2. 1987 IROC Z28 is my call for an investment grade bad ass ass car to pick up and stash.

They are already getting stupid . IROC prices that is.

 

[bonesfab]

They are already getting stupid . IROC prices that is.

Yea they are getting there. The following is crazy. My buddy bought a pretty clean one from out a state. A lady I know just bought one to relive her younger days.

 

[Sportin' Wood]

I’ve had my fun in one of those cars, they get with the program.

I swore I read this as:

I’ve had my fun in one of those cars, they get girls pregnant.

Because they did.

 

[77charger]

Always be a few who will want classics. Now for finding some to restore them that may be another issue

Some will have money and just want the cars as a garage piece too.

 

[bonesfab]

Italian
Reject
Out
Cruising.

the politically correct version of the joke.

 

[SJP]

They are already getting stupid . IROC prices that is.

Yep - so my dad @nanu is a car guy. I have been to so many car shows I know the words to all of the same songs played X1000. So he has a side business storing cars, boats, RVs etc in the winter - upstate NY. Call it a rough 100K sq ft under roof. In the fall pretty much everyone that has these cars needs to find a place to store them so the wife can park her daily driver inside out of the snow / cold. Just the way it is.

So every fall around the mid of OCT cars start flowing in. Flat rate for the winter based on per car or ft length on boat RV. These guys coming in now can barely walk / park or even get in and out of the cars. They need their jack ass son in laws (whom they would never let touch the rides) now help them get stored. Never mind pulling battery leads so they are not dead in spring when they get them out.

Flip to last spring - I am talking to my Dad and he mentions a couple of cars have not left the barn in a few years. No one has got them out. Have not called. The jackholes have not paid in like 6 years. He sends me this pick of 5.0 GT white / white top conv. Tires are flat and the mice have gotten to the interior. The owner is a fuck up son of retired home builder. 3 times divorced and never had a job - you guys get the picture.

My mind starts racing on all the mods I am going to do to this 5.0. I immediately justify getting this car so my boys have something drive when they visit their grandparents. I am already trying to head off my wife at the pass for the look she is going to give me when I ask her to go cruise on Erie Blvd on Friday night. Told my dad to call Pauli Jr. and give me a number.

This dude shows up on Monday and flatbeds the car out of the barn and hands my dad cash for balance of storage …. The search continues.

 

[Not So Fast]

How I wish I had one of my first cars from that era. Bought it new from Milne Bros in Pasadena, believe for about $3200. Good God was it fast for that time period, got 11 tickets in 1st years, and still has a licexse lol.

 

[Blue Oval]

I was raised with a restoration project in the corner of the dealership all the time. It was my Fathers way of relaxing. We sold most of his collection in 2008 after he passed. I kept the 31 Speedster I finished for him after his cancer came back. The Model A's and that era of cars I believe are way down. The people of my Father's era kept them going, not very many people looking for those cars now. My first car was a 49 Jeepster at age 15, my Father helped me restore it. Not to many 15 year olds around these days that have any of those skills. There are plenty of 60 years old around to keep the hot rods going for several years. I think the 20 year olds will keep that going, they won't have any desire for the old stuff that requires daily tinkering. I sold the Jeepster when I bought the 94 yellow Mustang.

 

[Not So Fast]

Wow are those pants tight or what LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and I was skinny

 

[Bugginout]

Will play with them forever! I remember in high school 10's were quick now I'm chasing 7's

 

[PlumLoco]

10's will always be fast in my book.

 

[Bugginout]

10's will always be fast in my book.

But they just aren't anymore. We run a cash days at chuckawalla raceway. My buddy owns it. 10's aren't gonna cut it.

 

[PlumLoco]

I'm talking street tens.
At the track, no matter how fast you are, it's never fast enough.

 

[Bugginout]

I'm talking street tens.
At the track, no matter how fast you are, it's never fast enough.

My car is registered lmao. I get what you are saying though.

 

[gqchris]

53

Bring back mini trucks.

I was a member of Stylin Minis back in the 80s. Damn fun times at Mini Truck Runs.

Amen! I am pissed I sold mine after building it exactly how I wanted! Im not selling shit anymore, I am now that old guy who is hoarding it all.

 

[whiteworks]

This one caught my eye today.

 

[ChrisV]

But they just aren't anymore. We run a cash days at chuckawalla raceway. My buddy owns it. 10's aren't gonna cut it.

Agree. So many quick street cars now a days its no joke.

 

[WYRD]

Millennials are not into classic cars because they can't figure out where they plug in. Plus their dads won't let him have an extra spot in the garage.

 

[Shlbyntro]

Millennials are not into classic cars because they can't figure out where they plug in. Plus their dads won't let him have an extra spot in the garage.

I'm a Millenial

 

[Cdog]

I've had and sold 67 & 68 Camaros.

Still building my all out 69 SS 350 Camaro. Finally got some parts I was waiting for but they came in 6 months late when it started to get hot in the garage so I had to put it off till it cools down in September.

My list is a 69 Camaro rest rod driver. Likely have one by next summer. Basically this with a LT4/T56 as a driver.

72K5. I think I'm going to build it with a 6.7 Cummins and an Allison 6 speed. Aftermarket chassis with long travel set up.

70 Chevelle resto rod. Chevelle will probably be the last one I do.


I'm an Art Morrison dealer so if any of you are lookin LMK.

 

[done]

This is probably a 20 year old restoration.....Will it lose money if not restored again ? I would think to restore it again I would take a loss.

 

[Cdog]

This is probably a 20 year old restoration.....Will it lose money if not restored again ? I would think to restore it again I would take a loss. View attachment 1266653

I think you enjoy that for what it is and don't change it. It's not "in trend" at the moment but that can change again soon. I alway tell guys that are building cars to not worry about what others think and build what is "cool" to you.

Bad ass ride BTW.

 

[Bugginout]

This is probably a 20 year old restoration.....Will it lose money if not restored again ? I would think to restore it again I would take a loss. View attachment 1266653

Leave it alone that’s a nice ride!

 

[ChrisV]

This is probably a 20 year old restoration.....Will it lose money if not restored again ? I would think to restore it again I would take a loss. View attachment 1266653

Needs turbos

 

[Bugginout]

Needs turbos

Personally I'm nitrous guy. But that thing is already blown.

 

[Bugginout]

My manifold goes to induction solutions Monday. Out in the garage right now sweating like a whore in church. Trying to wire up a caged car when you're 6'4 300 pounds is a pain in the ass!

 

[bowtiejunkie]

This is probably a 20 year old restoration.....Will it lose money if not restored again ? I would think to restore it again I would take a loss. View attachment 1266653

Badass! I had those Weld Dragline’s on my Chevelle for 25 years, and recently changed them out to Torq-Thrust II as I wanted an 18” wheel with classic looks (I still love Draglite’s though). Anyway, I didn’t buy my Chevelle for investment purposes or worry about the resale value. It’s not an SS or even a big block, so nobody cares, which is perfect. If you feel the same way, make it what you want. No matter what you do, people will tell you should have done it “this way or that way.”

 

[ChrisV]

My manifold goes to induction solutions Monday. Out in the garage right now sweating like a whore in church. Trying to wire up a caged car when you're 6'4 300 pounds is a pain in the ass!

I don’t know jack shit about muscle cars. Is that a Nova?

 

[Bugginout]

I don’t know jack shit about muscle cars. Is that a Nova?

Yes it's what's left of a 64 nova. Steel doors,quarters and fenders the frame is all tube or box. It will have real glass windows. Fiberglass hood and trunk lid. Still has the stock nova dash. Hoping to get into the 7's or mid 4's 1/8th mile. 565 bbc on laughing gas with a 4l80e stage 5 trans from jakes in Texas with a billet converter. Registered and insured. My love for old cars is a sickness. Sorry that was long winded.

 

[SOCALCRICKETT]

I'm 37 and have had a few customs, classics, and late model toys. I was never big into the tuner scene but the mini truck and sport truck stuff runs deep with me. I think my attraction is that when I was a teenager I remember my dad building all kinds of sport trucks in his shop and that's where my love started. I do have an affection for the pre war and tri five stuff too, but that's because the guys I looked up too when I was younger had those.

As far as the car scene, it hasn't died off, just done more of a lateral shift. There seems to be less of the traditional doo wap shows and more specialized shows (dinos get down) and cars and coffee type stuff.

 

[ChrisV]

I'm 37 and have had a few customs, classics, and late model toys. I was never big into the tuner scene but the mini truck and sport truck stuff runs deep with me. I think my attraction is that when I was a teenager I remember my dad building all kinds of sport trucks in his shop and that's where my love started. I do have an affection for the pre war and tri five stuff too, but that's because the guys I looked up too when I was younger had those.

As far as the car scene, it hasn't died off, just done more of a lateral shift. There seems to be less of the traditional doo wap shows and more specialized shows (dinos get down) and cars and coffee type stuff.

Car scene didn’t die in Cali. Street racing still big.

 

[ChrisV]

Yes it's what's left of a 64 nova. Steel doors,quarters and fenders the frame is all tube or box. It will have real glass windows. Fiberglass hood and trunk lid. Still has the stock nova dash. Hoping to get into the 7's or mid 4's 1/8th mile. 565 bbc on laughing gas with a 4l80e stage 5 trans from jakes in Texas with a billet converter. Registered and insured. My love for old cars is a sickness. Sorry that was long winded.

I have a similar car in my shop currently for a turbo kit. Looks the same why I asked.

 

[Bugginout]

I have a similar car in my shop currently for a turbo kit. Looks the same why I asked.

I am a dinosaur even though I am only 50. Turbo cars are bad ass but I know nothing about tuning them so I shy away from them. I build all my junk in the garage. Had an engine done by a big shot builder a few years ago and the wait time was a shit show. He had 20 grand of my money and I swear every time I called him he was acting like he was doing me a favor. I built heads and assembled engines when I was younger so I have just started doing my own junk. Heath from advanced racing engines did all machine work.

 

[ChrisV]

I am a dinosaur even though I am only 50. Turbo cars are bad ass but I know nothing about tuning them so I shy away from them. I build all my junk in the garage. Had an engine done by a big shot builder a few years ago and the wait time was a shit show. He had 20 grand of my money and I swear every time I called him he was acting like he was doing me a favor. I built heads and assembled engines when I was younger so I have just started doing my own junk. Heath from advanced racing engines did all machine work.

Typical engine builders imo. It’s the same in the import scene. But I recomend QMP for all machining.

Not sure what year nova. This has been a back burner at the shop.

 

[Bugginout]

Typical engine builders imo. It’s the same in the import scene. But I recomend QMP for all machining.

Not sure what year nova. This has been a back burner at the shop.

View attachment 1266755 View attachment 1266756

66-67 looks like. Beautiful car.

 

[Bugginout]

Typical engine builders imo. It’s the same in the import scene. But I recomend QMP for all machining.

Not sure what year nova. This has been a back burner at the shop.

View attachment 1266755 View attachment 1266756

That is really clean work! Those headers are really nice. What kind of shop do you have? I really want to go to fuel injection. Trying to decide on it now. I can get a really good deal on the terminator x. Just can't decide. I've got a really nice dominator and my manifold goes out Monday for the fogger at induction solutions. But I need to have data for shock sensors, drive shaft sensor and egt's etc regardless.

 

[Your ad here]

The rat rod stuff I see being popular because it is what it is, cheapy put together to get out and have some fun. Keyword is cheap. I was born in 89 and here's my view on it. The muscle cars of the 60's are badass and only going up in value. People my parents age are spending good money for them and with the invention of the internet, any inventory of good and even bad shells have been bought up not leaving much for a "project" to build. Since there is low inventory but a demand still, prices go up. Being a blue collar worker and putting responsibility (homeownership) first there just isn't the money there to buy a 60's muscle car runner or a project. Then there is the space and time it takes up.
Since inventory is low and expensive the next choice cars are being bought up. Sedans, 4 doors, wagons, and models into the 70's and 80's. Clean unmolested cars and decent runners will start to go up in value because the 60's muscle cars are out of reach for the blue collar worker. With the internet, information and parts are super easy to get so the project becomes easier to finish. I'm tossing the idea of getting a 70s to early 90s 4 door wagon. LS swap it with an OD transmission and go through the suspension and interior and then travel the Western US in it.
My dad had a 69 Mach 1 Mustang with a 428 Cobra Jet and 4 speed. I never drove it but it was a fun car and also not a fun car. It was fun around town but no way would I want to travel in the thing. It's use felt limited and no way would I pay what he sold it for in 2018 for the use it provides.

 

[Bugginout]

The rat rod stuff I see being popular because it is what it is, cheapy put together to get out and have some fun. Keyword is cheap. I was born in 89 and here's my view on it. The muscle cars of the 60's are badass. People my parents age are spending good money for them and with the invention of the internet, any inventory of good and even bad shells have been bought up not leaving much for a "project" to build. Since there is low inventory but a demand still, prices go up. Being a blue collar worker and putting responsibility (homeownership) first there just isn't the money there to buy a 60's muscle car runner or a project. Then there is the space and time it takes up.
Since inventory is low and expensive the next choice cars are being bought up. Sedans, 4 doors, wagons, and models into the 70's and 80's. Clean unmolested cars and decent runners will start to go up in value because the 60's muscle cars are out of reach for the blue collar worker. With the internet, information and parts are super easy to get so the project doesn't have any reason to not be finished. I'm tossing the idea of getting a 70s to early 90s 4 door wagon. LS swap it with an OD transmission and go through the suspension and interior and then travel the Western US in it.
My dad had a 69 Mach 1 Mustang with a 428 Cobra Jet and 4 speed. I never drove it but it was a fun car and also not a fun car. It was fun around town but no way would I want to travel in the thing. It's use felt limited and no way would I pay what he sold it for in 2018 for the use it provides.

I am blue collar IBEW and it's not a cheap hobby but there are project deals out there. It takes time for sure. But I do 90 percent of the work myself. Is my junk perfect...no. I was very fortunate to grow up in a hot rod/mechanic family. I was taught from a young age. I am also very fortunate to have bought my house in Palm Desert in 2009 I've turned it in to a really nice house and my mortgage is only 1350 a month. All my toys are paid for. I've never tried to keep up with all my friends and their payments. But I'm born in 73 so I have a little head start on you.

 

[CoolCruzin]

I love hot rods ,classic, customs .
I own a few of them
Been doing them for ever.
Been to a lot of shows
But these show are boring as hell now.

Hope this can change
I don’t do show any more .
A few cars and coffees

 

[Your ad here]

I am blue collar IBEW and it's not a cheap hobby but there are project deals out there. It takes time for sure. But I do 90 percent of the work myself. Is my junk perfect...no. I was very fortunate to grow up in a hot rod/mechanic family. I was taught from a young age. I am also very fortunate to have bought my house in Palm Desert in 2009 I've turned it in to a really nice house and my mortgage is only 1350 a month. All my toys are paid for. I've never tried to keep up with all my friends and their payments. But I'm born in 73 so I have a little head start on you.

You're 50, established low rent control, and I'm sure your union wages are more than $18-$27/hr for the take home portion. The guys my age and in their 20's are paying $1600-$2000 for housing and making $18 to $27 an hour non union. They are resourceful but it's expensive to just get to the point to buy something and pay for the space it takes just to get hands on with it.

 

[ChrisV]

That is really clean work! Those headers are really nice. What kind of shop do you have? I really want to go to fuel injection. Trying to decide on it now. I can get a really good deal on the terminator x. Just can't decide. I've got a really nice dominator and my manifold goes out Monday for the fogger at induction solutions. But I need to have data for shock sensors, drive shaft sensor and egt's etc regardless.

Fab/GTR mechanic shop.

 

[hman442]

I had to go into downtown today to get some real gas, and happened onto a car show. Ya, mostly older guys that were sitting around, but quite a few cars didn't look like older guy cars. The best thing, the music playing was Fleetwood Mac. Maybe there is hope !

 

[Sportin' Wood]

I had to go into downtown today to get some real gas, and happened onto a car show. Ya, mostly older guys that were sitting around, but quite a few cars didn't look like older guy cars. The best thing, the music playing was Fleetwood Mac. Maybe there is hope ! View attachment 1266868

Seems like I am not alone that the 1950 music is a turn-off. I'm fine with mixing it in, but I don't need to see 80-year-olds in poodle skirts doing it live. I shit you not, I was at a live (debatable) concert in Reno (HAN) a few years ago and it was like they pulled together the group that plays the assisted living on Sunday afternoon. I was sponsoring the event as part of my job and the guy running the event for the week asked how we could pull in a younger crowd.

I responded a little too loud to stop the annoying Doo Whop reunion tour music and play a mix of music across multiple demographics. The old people (70-80-plus-year-olds) had a meltdown. The club that hosts the event is a full-time gig for a bunch of retired folks. They don't honestly care about bringing in younger people, it is their once-a-year party to get together and drink/gossip and bitch about what pains them / see who is still alive.

We stopped sponsoring it after that year. The club does not really care about sponsors, the guy running it soon moved on. Even if they wanted to attract younger people, they are too stubborn to listen, so they are in a catch-22. maintain the value of the cars vs lose control of the clubs/events they have been active in for 50 years.

I like the cars and coffee thing better. seems more organic.

Now if I could relive a southern California/Arizona mini truck club run from about 1986 I would love to get wasted on Jungle Juice, listen to 2LiveCrew, play some Bat Circle relay, and sleep in the dirt with a 16-year version of my wife. @angiebaby how do you feel about a camping trip?

 

[Bugginout]

Fab/GTR mechanic shop.

I remember reading your build thread you are a very talented individual. You build some Rembrandt type shit make me feel like I am drawing stick figures. Keep up the good work.

 

[Ducksquasher]

I had to go into downtown today to get some real gas, and happened onto a car show. Ya, mostly older guys that were sitting around, but quite a few cars didn't look like older guy cars. The best thing, the music playing was Fleetwood Mac. Maybe there is hope ! View attachment 1266868
[/QUOTE
High school aged kids are big into Fleetwood Mac right now.

 

[CommanderLee]

Amen! I am pissed I sold mine after building it exactly how I wanted! Im not selling shit anymore, I am now that old guy who is hoarding it all.

View attachment 1266544

Damn I want a mini truck again. Had them static dropped, air bagged and body dropped on hydros back in the early nineties. Great times back then.

 

[chadzilla]

The timing of this thread is ironic. Our sons' best friend bought a '78 chevy k20 Silverado last year as his first vehicle. Yea, it's got some rust/cancer on it but atleast it is a decent driver. Rebuilt engine and some other stuff. Well recently it developed a starting issue as in it wouldn't crank at all.This had him thinking of selling it as he was discouraged. His parents are not the mechanical type at all. They asked if I could come over and diagnose it which I said yes to. Last friday Brett (our son) and I go over to Karter's house(friend). Well after 2 hrs of diagnosis that night and 4 hrs of electrical repairs yesterday, I finally got it running for him. Well he was pretty excited to see it running again and has decided that he isn"t ever selling it! Now, Brett has decided that he wants an older truck for his first vehicle. IT makes sense as I have a pile of engine parts laying around the shop. There is hope out there with the younger generation, we just have to encourage it and promote it in any way we can!

 

[Tank]

Prices on classics will always appreciate. They l always have.

I’ve been watching the 60’s Impala market closely for 30 years. I should’ve bought the show quality 61 rag Impala for 20k when I had the chance 30 years ago. And still should’ve bought it for 35 grand 20 years ago. And 55 grand 12 years ago and 75grad 8 years ago and 100grand 2 years ago and now I should probably buy it for 125-150k (if I’m lucky) now!! But I’ve sat and watched and never bought.

The smart money is seeing what’s going to be hit next. 30 years ago you could get a convertible 65 Impala for under 10k. Nice driver. Now they’re 30-50 for a driver.

Kinda like Ferraris. There’s a bottom that the previous couple models hit before they rebound and you make money. THATS when to buy an exotic. Where classic prices seem to be pushed by what’s popular, driving those prices into stupid range pushing buyers to move down the line to the “next best thing” which then starts the process over.

And there will always be buyers. Always. Always be car guys into old muscle.

 

[Shlbyntro]

Prices on classics will always appreciate. They l always have.

I’ve been watching the 60’s Impala market closely for 30 years. I should’ve bought the show quality 61 rag Impala for 20k when I had the chance 30 years ago. And still should’ve bought it for 35 grand 20 years ago. And 55 grand 12 years ago and 75grad 8 years ago and 100grand 2 years ago and now I should probably buy it for 125-150k (if I’m lucky) now!! But I’ve sat and watched and never bought.

The smart money is seeing what’s going to be hit next. 30 years ago you could get a convertible 65 Impala for under 10k. Nice driver. Now they’re 30-50 for a driver.

Kinda like Ferraris. There’s a bottom that the previous couple models hit before they rebound and you make money. THATS when to buy an exotic. Where classic prices seem to be pushed by what’s popular, driving those prices into stupid range pushing buyers to move down the line to the “next best thing” which then starts the process over.

And there will always be buyers. Always. Always be car guys into old muscle.

I think the 20 year old mark is a good gauge for most vehicles hitting bottom before they start climbing again. anything about 30-35 years old right now is climbing fast. IROCs Fox's 911s/930s. I think there's a good chunk of money to be made in buying New Edge Cobras/Mach1s and 4th gens right now

 

[caribbean20]

Some good articles in the latest issue of Road & Track on the subject. There’s a few of us left who still get print magazines. I’m hanging on to my ‘07 M6, the last of the screaming, maniacal NA ///M motors. I’ve always been addicted to high revving motors.