Younger crowd in the hobby.

35fordtn

35fordtn

Well-known member
I have found it interesting the conversations I have had with fellow Early Ford V8ers around the country and how supportive they have been. I am the ripe old age of 25 and often wonder where this hobby will be in say 20 years.. Interestingly enough, I took 6 cars to the Hiawassee meet and had 2 friends slightly younger than me riding around having fun in them. They had the chance to walk around and talk to people. The three of us have learned a great deal from the fellow V8ers. As the week wrapped up, the two of my friends were talking to a person there who simply put it that they did not belong there and needed to go join their own crowd. Now this same individual said the same thing to me 3 years ago in Charlotte as I was questioning him on a part. I really wish some of the people would realize the younger crowd needs to be involved and encouraged to learn the originality of these cars, instead of trying to run them off....... Ok I'm done venting now
 
dont need to worry in my family,two boys ,one married,both drive the 33 and 34 at every chance,the model A pickup is currently doing duty as a work vehicle for youngest son,
Lawrie
 
That is unfortunate but that person is the rare exception.
Now, please show us some pictures of your cars.
Brian
 
Well as my southern accent comes out "I ain't going anywhere!". But I wish more people would encourage the younger crowd and get them involved. Especially a younger crowd that didn't have the pleasure of growing up around the hobby.
 
Ok.... As long as they weren't loud drunk and obnoxious...... Maybe they were mistaken for the rat rod crowd. I wouldn't worry about it. You will be here long after they are gone. sure seems like there are a bunch of under 55 crowd on here.
 
35fordtn said:
I have found it interesting the conversations I have had with fellow Early Ford V8ers around the country and how supportive they have been. I am the ripe old age of 25 and often wonder where this hobby will be in say 20 years.. Interestingly enough, I took 6 cars to the Hiawassee meet and had 2 friends slightly younger than me riding around having fun in them. They had the chance to walk around and talk to people. The three of us have learned a great deal from the fellow V8ers. As the week wrapped up, the two of my friends were talking to a person there who simply put it that they did not belong there and needed to go join their own crowd. Now this same individual said the same thing to me 3 years ago in Charlotte as I was questioning him on a part. I really wish some of the people would realize the younger crowd needs to be involved and encouraged to learn the originality of these cars, instead of trying to run them off....... Ok I'm done venting now
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Unfortunately there are a few in the V-8 Club that have a habit of not being friendly to the younger generation. I say a few and there are darn few. The problem is they are the ones that stick out like a sore thumb and happen to be the people that new members come in contact with at meets and other events. This club desperately needs new young blood to take over the helm. Don't let negative comments or attitudes affect your love for old Fords or the V-8 Club. I had this happen to me years ago when I went to my first national meet. It made me more determined than ever to stay in the club and have fun. That was almost 40 years ago and I'm still here and involved. Look at this as a 90/10 situation. 90% are great people and willing to give their time and information to the younger or "newby" member. They know we need new blood. The 10% are the ones who give the club a negative image and are not worth wasting your time or letting them spoil your fun. Focus on the 90% and all will be good.
 
Hi 35FordTN, I had the honor of being on the judging team for your fordor. You guys need to be commended for supporting the meet like you did. It was epic that you pulled it off bringing so many cars.

I too am just a bit young for this gig, but I'm 52! Your car is really great and I look forward to seeing it again. That meet in Charlotte sure was hot wasn't it? It was worth it to take a couple of laps.

I am worried that there are not enough of car guys like you so I say tell that old fart to stick it next time you see him. Naturally you won't be able to change his mind so there's no worry about offending him or driving him off.

Keep on keepin' on.

-VeryTangled/Jeff
 
Heck not gonna lie I have run into more of a 98/2 and its that last 2% that really ruins the fun. But hey it is a hobby. The FordBarn in general has an overwhelming amount of nice people that are more than willing to help.
 
I know these young men and they are the antithesis of loud, drunk, and obnoxious. They are a real credit to the hobby.
 
Thats too bad. There's plenty willing to share and happy to be able to pass on knowledge of these great flathead cars. I'm 55 but only 6 months into my first flatty. Makes me feel like a kid again, and my truck is only 4 years older than me.
 
HAHA well thanks for the compliments. It's funny because the blue 4 door was supposed to be in touring and the black 2 door in touring was supposed to be in concourse... oh well
 
The young fellows that I talk to say that it's just too expensive to play arounbd with old cars. Some just starting out with a starter salary, kids and a mortgage don't have any money for the car hobby.
Most of the car guys are past all the expenses and can aford it.

I spent some time with some guys in thier 20s who were checking out my 35 coupe. Lots of interesting questions such as " why is there two gear shift levers?" or "whats this choke button for?"
 
Well I agree... I took a loan out for my first one.. after that started buying and selling parts here and there to learn more about what fits what and eventually made enough to buy a second car... now I have 6 ... but a nice driver car can still be found for around $7500.. which is the same amount of money that a supped up honda or a rat rod or mustang GT costs these kids.. and the good news is that for the most part our toys won't depreciate
 
My three youngest daughters are gear heads and I will be spending my money on the old car of there choice or truck as they each have multiple old fords they love.
 
BrianCT said:
That is unfortunate but that person is the rare exception.
Now, please show us some pictures of your cars.
Brian
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Yeah...I think that old guy who said "you need to go join your own crowd" was definitely the exception to the rule. I've never crossed paths with anyone like that since I have been in the V8 Club. Most of us are trying our best to get young folks involved.

I had this same request in one of the Hiawassee posts that maybe you did not see.....post some pictures of those six cars for us 'old farts' who couldn't make the meet :). We sure would like to see them.
 
I'll be 59 in a cupl days, and I can't figure out where the time went! Been into cars since a kid, but mostly muscle and street rods. My 39 is my first original flattie, so I certainly feel like a newbie. I will say that I experienced some of the rudeness you received a while back when I joined astreet rod club. I was about 20 years younger than most in the club. Some people are just a$$holes!
 
My son, age 49, and my grandson, age 9, enjoyed the meet very much. My son was on the judging team for the shoebox Fords and they judged a '51 Victoria that only had 4 points deducted on the first time being judged. After they were finished judging, my grandson told the owner he was 99.9% sure that he would be a winner. The owner thought that was funny. The only complaint my son has is the cost of all the events, makes it hard for a person with a family to afford yo attend. We all had a great time.
 
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