This is a rather interesting discussion for me as I'm one of those kids who grew up with no practical mechanical skills.
My dad learned electronics in the Navy during the Korean War and started collecting and restoring toy trains in the 50s. I used to watch him and marvel at all the neat things that could be done...but I never learned how to do them. Similarly, my other brother loved working on cars and restored a couple of military jeeps in the early 80s. Again...I enjoyed being part of the process, but never learned how to do any of it myself.
I joined the Navy and they thought I'd be a perfect candidate for going into the engineering department of ships. I had zero background in anything mechanical, but, for the sake of not failing at my job, learned quite a bit. I also went into the electronics side of things as well. That experience didn't completely translate into turning wrenches at home though.
I bought my first Model A in 2008 at the ripe age of 33. It was on this car that I learned to change the oil in a car for the first time.
Because Model As reproduce, I ended up buying another one that happened to be a total basketcase. I invested a ton of time and money into that car in order to get it to a place where it could be sold, and eventually parted with it. That might have been one of the best educations though...having to actually turn wrenches in order to get the car sold (I was angry at buying the car and wanted it gone...long story...) I learned a lot.
I left the Navy and (shockingly enough) ended up in the power generation business, managing a couple of power plants. I learned a ton there about mechanical and electrical work and by the time I went back on active duty after six years, had a really great handle on at least managing people who turned wrenches.
Fast forward to me retiring from the Navy and I bought another Model A...and then another. BUT, this time 15 years after my first foray into Model As, I have a much better grasp on how the cars work and turning wrenches on them. I've shocked myself at my level of interest and enjoyment working on the cars and really getting into the weeds. I've taken educated stabs at restoring speedometers, rebuilding carburetors, serving as a MARC fine point apprentice judge at the last national meet, and plan on starting a ground-up restoration on my 1928 Phaeton here in the near future.
All of this preamble to make a couple of points:
1. Although many kids now aren't interested in old cars, people change and I wouldn't be surprised if we see an influx of interest in future years as people have more disposable time, money, and the freedom to pursue interests. I am far different as a 48 year old than I was as a 21 year old, and have dramatically increased my ability and capability working on these cars, even though the hobby has aged another 27 years in the process (these cars were only in their late 70s back then!)
2. I think everyone would be surprised if they knew the number of the current young generation who are involved in and are really good at hands-on work. Yes, I'm aware it's tough to find good people for a lot of things (I'm still trying to chase down my carpenter to finish some cabinets in my own house!) but there actually are young people who are good at some of the older trades. Having spent time as an engineering officer on small ships, as the logistics and material readiness officer for an aircraft carrier strike group, as well as managing power plants, I think we'd all be impressed at the number of young people who can turn wrenches, and more importantly enjoy the trades and are skilled at them. Now, where they go and what they do after the military is a different matter, but I was confident in our ability to keep ships afloat, operating, and keeping an air wing of 75 high tech aircraft in the sky.
3. The biggest change that we will see (at least in my prediction) is the demise of in-person clubs. Throughout the centuries, people have had clubs and organizations because they allowed them to interact with others who shared the same values and interests. Fast forward to now and today's population isn't nearly as keen on being part of groups that require in-person attendance. Perhaps I'm generalizing because I'm part of that generation and the thought of trying to squeeze in a Model A club meeting between work, being a husband, and running around trying to raise four small humans...it's tough to do. Not only that, but I know I can pose a question on here, or on the facebook groups, and within minutes get an answer, or offer some bit of my experience to someone else anywhere in the world. It's a changing world as far as in-person interactions are concerned, and in my opinion, only time will tell if our former and current in-person organizations will survive.
My three cents worth.
Dave
