this is why the hobby is dying ....

[hacksaw]

I was at Moultrie, Georgia in November and an old vendor from NJ had a nose two post mirror and I'm thinking,$200-250,
But I was wrong, he wanted $1400 and said that was firm. Good repops are #125.
I just kept walking.

i could use one of them ... but not at that price.

 

[Budnicks]

Some will think
it's all the Barrett Jackson or Mecum auctions fault
I don't, that's a captive audience there to spend $$$...
Not the same as looking for parts at a swap meet or
buying stuff off E-scam...

IMO & if not for them auctions, a shitload of these cars would be
still rusting away in some hoarders front or back yards...
Or the multitude of restorations & parts we have today available
we never had before, a lot because the new interest & business
opportunity created in that setting...
By BJ & Mecum or whom ever sales,
they just are supplying an outlet for the builders & fab-shops,
paint & body guys, private businesses, private collectors & sellers,
a place to sell...
To get as much as they can for their time & efforts !!
All with a captive audience, with pre-approval, all in the same place...
It create jobs & income for 1000's of people...

IMO the 2 don't really have much to do with each other...

If anything it has spawned an industry more new interests
for the parts to be made &/or sold & bought again...

No offence meant or intended,
to anyone specific post here;
Maybe to the casual viewers or the uneducated ill-informed
or novice or new to the collector car or auctions game
it may seem like that the auctions are driving parts prices,
when it's a totally different realm of the industry...

IMO it's the perceptions that since some couch dwelling dude
sees a fully restored car, on a TV show or at auction that's a quality restoration,
thousand hrs, skilled professional labor not just some back yard shade tree hacks
{sorry not directed at anyone here}
&/or has $50k-$100k or more spent just on labor &
another $25k-$50k spent on parts or $75k on NOS parts
"that somehow now his worn out old rusty parts/cars etc." {usually a POS}
sitting on the back forty for 50 years is now worth
"it's weight in gold" or because some NOS part or 100% concourse car
that has some value sold for x amount of dollars, that now somehow
his worn out old rusty POS whatever, is now somehow worth
the same in value...
When it's not in any way shape or form...

There's a fool born everyday, a fool & his $$$ sometimes too...
Not just the poor guys who can't afford it
&/or complain about it & wish it was still 1970 prices...
It ain't gonna' happen...
If you want something bad enough you'll find a way,
or just bail on the hobby all together, it's a hobby
unless you're in business or trying to make money off of parts
or a god damn flipper/gouger...
Than it's a totally different thing...
Most this stuff is indiscretion-ary spending, that nobody actually has to have
or needs it, it's for a fun, or for a toy or a hobby in the end or a collection,
that drives prices more than anything, buying the **** on a whim,
just because we want it, we don't have to have it, it's not life or death altering,
well other than the gouging BS...

What I hate even more is that very same guy wants
the very same "top dollar" for his worn out rusty parts/POS,
but won't pay **** to buy yours, but just wants to always lowball,
everyone else's for their parts & then he resale's them to profit,
gouge the next guy...
Sorry to say it BUT;
IMO it's really prevalent in the Mopar realm too, always has been...

God I hate flippers/scammers/profiteers or cheapskates, off the hobby side...

sorry for the short book

 

[rumblefish360]

The hobby is dying for several reasons.
And it’s the old guys fault! Go to a show and the old guys open up with comments that the younger guys take offense to. And it just isn’t 1 or 2 old guys handing out grief!!!!!
In a condescending tone with this belief as if you were stupid. They say things like;

Why did you get that car
Why isn’t it done
That doesn’t belong there
When are you gonna finish it .... I would have never brought it out until it was done
You know... that isn’t the best xxxxx part for your car, why did you do that? Didn’t you do any homework?
What do you mean your running out of money? Why did you bother getting the car of you don’t have the money.
I noticed this part is missing...
(Really, 1 of 2 things not done on the car and you have to be a duck about it?????)

I have witnessed those comments and that are far worse Including belittling the owner of the way he dresses.

More awesome comments that drive away the young guns are,

What didn’t you get a real muscle car? That’s not a real muscle car.
Why didn’t you restore it, you wrecked it, now it’s worth less than a decent resto, not that model is worth anything you know.
I never would have restored a worthless car
What a waste of money getting that part or even better that car
You really need to have a REAL JOB in order to do a car. Why waste time on something you can’t afford and get right?

The parts hoarders charging lot-o-money for there stuff are also to blame a bit. BUt! If some jackass what’s to pay me $200 for a stock intake that does or doesn’t belong on there car, well, a fool and his money are quickly parted!

By the way, if anybody wants in on a money making Opportunity, I have a gem of a deal. I am a owner of a bridge that goes from Brooklyn to Manhattan. It needs some repair but is otherwise good shape. I’ll sell it cheap I have no need for this at bridge anymore. I’m looking to unload some of my possessions for retirement.

And people wonder why I don’t want to be associated with there car club or do any shows.

 

[Cranky]

had to do it .... hated to shell out 300 bucks but it don't look like in going to find a cheaper one in this good of shape. .... good news is ... the guy wanting 600 for his .... he still has it ...lol View attachment 557656

Yup, those are to find especially in nice condition. No one ever stole mine but I left it at a station once and when I realized it, it was hammer down back to the station. I got lucky it was still there on the pump. Even back in 69, the junk yards never had any and they weren't exactly cheap at the dealership either. Even the caps for a Belvedere I are going up.

The hobby is dying for several reasons.
And it’s the old guys fault! Go to a show and the old guys open up with comments that the younger guys take offense to. And it just isn’t 1 or 2 old guys handing out grief!!!!!
In a condescending tone with this belief as if you were stupid. They say things like;

Why did you get that car
Why isn’t it done
That doesn’t belong there
When are you gonna finish it .... I would have never brought it out until it was done
You know... that isn’t the best xxxxx part for your car, why did you do that? Didn’t you do any homework?
What do you mean your running out of money? Why did you bother getting the car of you don’t have the money.
I noticed this part is missing...
(Really, 1 of 2 things not done on the car and you have to be a duck about it?????)

I have witnessed those comments and that are far worse Including belittling the owner of the way he dresses.

More awesome comments that drive away the young guns are,

What didn’t you get a real muscle car? That’s not a real muscle car.
Why didn’t you restore it, you wrecked it, now it’s worth less than a decent resto, not that model is worth anything you know.
I never would have restored a worthless car
What a waste of money getting that part or even better that car
You really need to have a REAL JOB in order to do a car. Why waste time on something you can’t afford and get right?

The "old guys" might be like that around where you are but they ain't that way here....at least you don't run across them very often. My buds and I have bent over backwards trying to help out the younger guys with their rides and have even gave away parts to them and I've been known to ask some old fart what his problem is that was doing crap like that. On the other hand, I've had young guys try to start crap with me. I just ask them if they are enjoying themselves and then shut up. Around these parts, most know better to keep it up because you just never who has what hidden under their shirt.....

 

[PP1RT]

If the hobby is dying and prices are gonna crash i am gonna be adding on to the shed and filling it up with an AWB, a Stage 3 Maxi, a WO, an RO, who knows what else...

 

[moparnation74]

The hobby is dying for several reasons.
And it’s the old guys fault! Go to a show and the old guys open up with comments that the younger guys take offense to. And it just isn’t 1 or 2 old guys handing out grief!!!!!
In a condescending tone with this belief as if you were stupid. They say things like;

Why did you get that car
Why isn’t it done
That doesn’t belong there
When are you gonna finish it .... I would have never brought it out until it was done
You know... that isn’t the best xxxxx part for your car, why did you do that? Didn’t you do any homework?
What do you mean your running out of money? Why did you bother getting the car of you don’t have the money.
I noticed this part is missing...
(Really, 1 of 2 things not done on the car and you have to be a duck about it?????)

I have witnessed those comments and that are far worse Including belittling the owner of the way he dresses.

More awesome comments that drive away the young guns are,

What didn’t you get a real muscle car? That’s not a real muscle car.
Why didn’t you restore it, you wrecked it, now it’s worth less than a decent resto, not that model is worth anything you know.
I never would have restored a worthless car
What a waste of money getting that part or even better that car
You really need to have a REAL JOB in order to do a car. Why waste time on something you can’t afford and get right?

The parts hoarders charging lot-o-money for there stuff are also to blame a bit. BUt! If some jackass what’s to pay me $200 for a stock intake that does or doesn’t belong on there car, well, a fool and his money are quickly parted!

By the way, if anybody wants in on a money making Opportunity, I have a gem of a deal. I am a owner of a bridge that goes from Brooklyn to Manhattan. It needs some repair but is otherwise good shape. I’ll sell it cheap I have no need for this at bridge anymore. I’m looking to unload some of my possessions for retirement.

And people wonder why I don’t want to be associated with there car club or do any shows.

The guys in your area are primo A holes.....

It is not like that around here.....

NOS parts are not a renewable source and the majority of good parts are gone.....As far as pricing goes there are just some parts you have to pay out the azz for.....I bitch about prices quite a bit but they are not my parts....So I try to bargain with them and sometimes its works and sometimes it does not....

 

[pushrod]

It's not the hobby that's dying, it's the hobbyist. I am seventy as are most of my friends. Look around at the next swap meet and you will see 75 percent of the people are over 60. Doesn't bode well for our hobby. We need to get the young people involved.

 

[biomedtechguy]

I give anyone the credit who will restore a car back to factory...the time and money spent hunting down and restoring 40 plus year old parts...my hats off to you!! But not my thing.

There are 2 guys, they are brothers, both friends of mine and very helpful and knowledgeable, both with 70 Roadrunners. Both cars like day 1 new. Both cars flooded over their roofs in Katrina. Both cars redone to day 1 new. We were in the World of Wheels, and I placed 3rd behind them. I could have spent 30k more on my car and....placed 3rd behind them-no thanks. I, however, DRIVE my 3rd place Roadrunner to the track, beat the crap out of it, need surgery to remove the perma-grin, and have a list of non-original incorrect stuff I am going to do to it to make it faster and the way I WANT IT, and it will take that much longer for my smile to fade after my next cruise, show, or track day!

 

[WileE]

Do you still have that Widget?

Sorry, too late, you should've gotten it while the gettin' s good. I MIGHT have even discounted it by a penny or two for ya !

 

[flypaper]

the sky is not going to fall..
the hobby never dies,
it just evolves over time like it has for the past 100 years!
which way it goes is anyone's guess..

 

[Fran Blacker]

Guy I know in the 70's restored a Model A he couldn't get what put into. This was in 90's trying to sell it. His telling comment was "Guess everyone who wants one has one".

 

[Miccara]

The "Old Guys" might be the only guys keeping the hobby alive. At least when it comes to classic cars. But the old guys I know, teach, encourage and inspire the young guys. We are an invaluable source of information, which we offer up freely and unhesitatingly. There might be one or two ******** but most of us smile broadly at the sight of a 20+ year old and his pet 1960 or 70's project. We are not the reason there is a decline (IF a decline exists). I see plenty of young car enthusiasts at every show and cruise I go to. Many may not be 60's or 70's model fans, but young guys working and modifying their cars? It's just like when I was 18, but different. Just like when my dad was 18 and I was different, but the same. It goes on...

P.S. Don't forget. Us old guys aren't hanging around where most of the young guys gather for car talk. We're not generally import fans.

 

[hacksaw]

Im just glad i got one without paying 600 for it. Im just trying to build a nice driver. She will never be original again so doing her the way i want. That was the last part i needed.

 

[munger77]

I agree with Pushrod's comment:
"It's not the hobby that's dying, it's the hobbyist. I am seventy as are most of my friends. Look around at the next swap meet and you will see 75 percent of the people are over 60. Doesn't bode well for our hobby. We need to get the young people involved." Few young people (45 or under) connect with the nostalgia of our generation. they don't remember the old hotwheels, orange track, NHRA models, auto shows of the early 70's etc.

I'm 51 and very eager to learn. If I could hang out in a garage with a restorer on the weekends I'd love to help them out and learn learn learn. In my neighborhood, both of the parents work full time; have kids and there isn't a lot of time or people interested in working on muscle cars or street rods. I knew a 75 year old that taught me how to rebuild my carb and a few things. He was a mechanical genius, but he died of cancer only 6 months after I met him. He had about 15 cars in his barn. Hemi engines, all kinds of stuff. It was a shame.

 

[Gone]

I've had my car for 11 years but I don't drive it that much anymore. I'm thinking about advertising it in the spring to see what kind of offers I'd get.

 

[KENTON]

I have one I don't even use. But it does plug the hole in my race car.

 

[moparnation74]

I agree with Pushrod's comment:
"It's not the hobby that's dying, it's the hobbyist. I am seventy as are most of my friends. Look around at the next swap meet and you will see 75 percent of the people are over 60. Doesn't bode well for our hobby. We need to get the young people involved." Few young people (45 or under) connect with the nostalgia of our generation. they don't remember the old hotwheels, orange track, NHRA models, auto shows of the early 70's etc.

I'm 51 and very eager to learn. If I could hang out in a garage with a restorer on the weekends I'd love to help them out and learn learn learn. In my neighborhood, both of the parents work full time; have kids and there isn't a lot of time or people interested in working on muscle cars or street rods. I knew a 75 year old that taught me how to rebuild my carb and a few things. He was a mechanical genius, but he died of cancer only 6 months after I met him. He had about 15 cars in his barn. Hemi engines, all kinds of stuff. It was a shame.

You should check out my build thread here.....it is very detailed....will keep you busy for a long while reviewing it...

Oh...44 this year for me..,

 

[YY1]

I've had my car for 11 years but I don't drive it that much anymore. I'm thinking about advertising it in the spring to see what kind of offers I'd get.

Didn't you advertise it on here last year?

IIRC it was not an exorbitant price.

If I could afford it I'd love to have another FY1 70 Bee.

 

[PP1RT]

It's not the hobby that's dying, it's the hobbyist. I am seventy as are most of my friends. Look around at the next swap meet and you will see 75 percent of the people are over 60. Doesn't bode well for our hobby. We need to get the young people involved.

Next time you have a car at a car show tell some people to go ahead and sit in the car, touch the car. Heck...let em fire it up and feel it.
I am in my upper 40s and seeing a car at a show is not what drew me in. The sights and sounds and smells and driving them got me into them. Same with my kids. Seeing them sit around all polished with skinny little wheels and hubcaps is boring. No burnouts is boring. Quiet exhaust is boring. These are muscle cars...show them the muscle!!

 

[moparnation74]

This hobby stems from guys that will never restore a car and a garage full of relics telling stories and people that have racecars that never run on the street, to street performance cars to run on the street, to local show cars and to high level show cars...ohh and daily drivers/beaters....

My hobby is a culmination of all them above from all wants and needs and not the people with piss poor attitudes that place labels on any hobby choices of ownership....It only takes a few bad apples to make the rest look bad....and those are not part of the real hobbyists...