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When I was a car-crazy 20 year old, I felt like an archaeologist helping a friend get a Model A truck going. Now, that was a 1931 truck. That's a solid 40 years old. Looking at my VWs today, all of which are 1971s, it hit me that they are 44 years old! They are 4 years older than the truck I thought was ancient when I was a grown young man. Wow. They are in great shape, after all!

You mean like how in 1969 I would have considered a car from the 1920's interesting, but nothing to get excited about, but now I'd give just about anything for a '69 Mustang?

I think it's about how things we experience during our most formative years imprint on us. I still listen to more Jimi Hendrix or Janis Joplin than anything more recent. And Sinatra at the Sands will always be one of the best performances ever.

Slothead

I go to a few car shows every year, a few months back I was looking at a '55 Chevy and I told the guy standing next to me that I remembered when they were new. Statements like that get me a lot of funny looks. When you see a new car for the first time you seldom consider that it might some day become a collector's item.

The one this brings to mind is the car my Grandparents next door neighbor had. I was born in 52 and he got it new in 1954: Pontiac 4 door with the straight 8 and the sunvisor over the windshield. He was a bit eccentric and, as a result, had put 2 sets of seat covers on it and covered the bottom of the door panels with brown butcher paper. It lived in the darkened half of the garage covered by 2, sewn together, sheets. When he passed, in the late 70s, it went to his son and the last I heard it was still in his family. It was around my whole life so it was just a neighborhood fixture, but now , looking back I realize it's over 60 years old! Oh...he really did only drive it on Sundays! On the other hand I think back on the cars I've owned over the years (40+) and that many of them are considered "collectable" today, it's hard to wrap my head around it.....when I had them they were just old cars I could afford because I couldn't afford a new one. Man, I'm old! :character-oldtimer:

Being born in 1967 makes me ancient around my kids and their friends who were all born in 2000 or newer. I am really starting to notice that things in the 1960s are ancient for most millennials and newer folk. One day I picked up my 12 year old son from his friend's place and his friend asked why my car (2012 Challenger) only had two doors. I just hung my head in shame. So sad. I also attribute the fact that neither of my cars have been stolen due to the fact they are stick shifts. LOL.

How about the slot car side? I was showing Btaylor some Fly catalogs and such at our race event...then it hit me how long Fly has been on the scene. *gulp* It was just yesterday they released that Viper. :)

From time to time, I get old Auto World catalogues out to look up something from the middle 60s. They were printed on pulp, so they are getting a bit fragile. I remember how excited I was when they came in the mail like it was yesterday.

Here's a hard one for me to comprehend, I purchased a 65 mustang as my first new car in 71, for $450. Then a year later I traded it in on a new 72 Mach 1 and got $350 trade-in allowance for the 65 Mustang. Then a couple of years ago my nephew bought a 66 mustang for $4000 just a few years ago. He must have had to pay more since he got the automatic and my 65 was of the 4-speed and the wobbly shifter. I look at these old vehicles today like why such a high asking price?

'Cause those cars, late 50's - early 70's, are from our youth - when the Baby Boomers were growing up. I couldn't afford a new muscle car then, so I bought used, but when the US auto makers brought out the retro designs for Mustang, Camaro, Challenger, etc. they had my number. It was like shooting fish in a barrel for us older motorheads who now had money saved and (hopefully) kids out of school and off doing their own thing.

In motorcycle marketing we're referred to as 'retreads', folks who gave up riding in their later 20's when family responsibilities ruled the day, but now want the freedom back in their 50's & 60's.

Slothead

What does that make me, sitting on two restored classic BMW bikes, and I can't ride anymore. Much as I love them, I sure would rather have the money.

Not sure which was a worse mistake. Selling my 52 mgtd for $1900 to get tuition money at NYU in the 60s(tuition was $1375.50 a semester). Or buying a 62 mg midget for $600.00 and passing on a 56 tbird, with the hardtop and continental kit for the same $600. Dont think either car has appreciated as much as curent tuitions.
Bob e

I love old cars. I am past the point of wanting to maintain one. The market has been completely destroyed by guys trying to relive their youth and the TV shows behind that. As the former founder and president of a very good sized car club at one time, I witnessed this phenomenon time and time again. When a rusted out, 4-door Chevelle with a 6 cylinder and a 2 speed Powerglide is "worth" $5k to a seller...I quit.

When Dodge first showed the new Challenger design, I was completely gobsmacked. To have a new car that resembles an old one I love, well that's the best of both worlds. Plus it has AC, gets great gas mileage, is very quick, handles well, has 4-wheel disks...etc.

I've decided I'm not going to get a Hellcat though - a new Challenger ScatPack is just fine in Sublime. I can get in plenty of trouble with 485 Hp.

I just need to figure out how to buy one...

:character-oldtimer: I've decided I need to start a used car lot near a retirement community. I will stock it with used but current: New Beetles, Minis, PT Cruisers, Chevy HHRs, SSRs and Camaros, Challengers, Mustangs, 2002-2005 TBirds and Fiat 500s. I ought to make a mint! :auto-car: :auto-iroc: :auto-layrubber: :auto-swerve: