The new generation of car enthusiasts...

[BOSHOG]

Originally Posted by davway

in generations to come, the EA/VN era WILL be the laughing stock to this generation.

fixed it for you, those cars are the lowlights for both manufacturers in my lifetime

i love all cars, my dad used to do hillclimbs in LJ toranas, i can still see the pics of him in the open face helmet and handle bar mo' in my head. then he had an MGBGT, and where i grew up that really stood out. as said earlier, being a car enthusiast really is bred into you. in the last 5yrs ive caught the bug (and i dont think he likes being outdone )

[Mr Brooksy]

I love both the modern and the older. Im currently doing up a BA, and once thats done I want either a 67 fastback or an XA-C Coupe to clean up. Every car costs a fair amount of money to do up, late model or earlier. For me its more about the passion that comes from each.

The only car that sends a shiver down my spine, whether I spot one, hear one or even see it on bloody Aus Top Gear is the mighty XY GTHO Phase 3! Cant get enoughof them, but will never be able to afford one!!!

[yetchh]

i reckon its partly to do with how easy it is to get a hold of classics, theres not so many round anymore, even less that are in reasonable nick.. break down a fair bit from lack of maintenance, being 30+ years old and exposed to the elements etc etc, making late model cars with heaps of cheap and easy bling a more desirable option for the generally impatient gen y/z who generally want stuff Now and generally dont know enough nor care enough about classics except they look cool.. IMO

[BOSHOG]

Originally Posted by Mr Brooksy

I love both the modern and the older. Im currently doing up a BA, and once thats done I want either a 67 fastback or an XA-C Coupe to clean up. Every car costs a fair amount of money to do up, late model or earlier. For me its more about the passion that comes from each.

The only car that sends a shiver down my spine, whether I spot one, hear one or even see it on bloody Aus Top Gear is the mighty XY GTHO Phase 3! Cant get enoughof them, but will never be able to afford one!!!

never say never, as unlikely as it is never rule it out

[chrisfpv]

Originally Posted by davway

I think that right there sums it up.
If Dad didnt have an older car when you were growing up - what hope is there (in most cases)?

At the age of 20, you probably didnt even know a car was a car till you were about 5, which at 15 years ago which brings it to 1995.
In 1995, if you didnt own a new/er car, you could assume that the family car wouldnt have been any older than 5-7 years which brings it back to EA/VN days.

A lot of the generation would be in the same boat.
Pretty hard to have an interest in Classics when no one was driving them around.

Also, in generations to come, the EA/VN era WILL be the Classics to this generation.

Pretty much correct.

I remember back in the 90s the top car we owned was a Holden VX wagon and I thought it was great. That's not to say if the opportunity was there for me to have a look at some older classics and go for a drive in one that I wouldn't be interested, as it would be quite an experience in my opinion.

[Stickman72]

I think it's a lot like riding bikes. Until you've been there done that you just don't get it. Many are happy driving around in a newish MitSubsan Evo30GTRX with 500 watt doof doof system because it's all they know. Having been in and around some great older cars (including an awesome Shelby Cobra replica and a mint '56 Chevy) I love them. The curves, the sound and the character. To mee all the new cars look too much the same. Remove the lights and grill from any of them and they could be from any manufacturer. Do the same on any of the oldies and you can still tell what it is. They're more individual. But my ultimate love is my bike. I would rather ride it in the flogging rain than be in a car on any day. I can't explain it, nobody can. My ultimate garage would have an early XP/M Falcon with a nice little 289, a Triumph Stag and a Honda 750 Four. Now just to get that money tree growing.

[Saraco]

Originally Posted by XCPWSF

Why drive a 6 cyl XY when I can drive a 6 cyl BA/BF which is much more powerful?

And about as common as dirt! At least the XY stands out!

[XR_6falcon]

I myself love Old school classics, being 18 i can barely afford having one car. I would love a old school car project but dont have the money, time or knowleage. That said I love nearly every type of car exotic, muscle, import and fords(even some holdens lol). My next door neighbour drives a mint XE fairlaine and hes only 22. I think the main problem is that my generation isnt too intersted in restoring a classic, they want a car that goes and that doesnt take effort or skill to drive/mantain. My old man told me he once owned a XY fairmont GS that unforuntly caught fire on him. Only after i told him i wanted a XY he laughed and told me the story of the XY.

Point of my story is, there are enthusiasts but the majority of my generation are into comodores and imports with huge wheels and an overly loud exhaust note...

P.s i would love a 67 shelby fastback, an XY/XW GT, XC cobra or and XE ESP

[SSD-85]

Originally Posted by auslandau

So I keep the EA with the stuffed head gasket just in case??

better power? easier to maintain? more comfortable? has air conditioning? were these invented in the 90's? I have a P5 LTD 1973. You should look that one up if you dont know what they are ........ and what about a real driving experience?

Correct, one thing i get a lot is fuel economy. Firstly, I don't have it for the damn fuel economy. Secondly, carburettors can be tuned to be just as economcial as EFI with the same compromises (if any) in power. Agree with driving experience too, drove a ZG Fairlane 302 the other day, newer cars are too "clinical". Enjoyed it far more than the contemporary offerings. But thats just an opinion of course.

[bigdude1011]

Think about the parents!! I would totally be driving around in a Mk2 Escort, but Dad says that I should be driving a newer car.

I do like Japanese imports though, as they have almost as much potential as an old school car, but are much more unique than the ubiquitous E-series/AU/B-series Falcons or VN/VS/VT Commodores (Supras, Skylines and Silvias have been done to death though).

[Wally]

Originally Posted by Stickman72

........ My ultimate garage would have an early XP/M Falcon with a nice little 289, a Triumph Stag and a Honda 750 Four. Now just to get that money tree growing.

Xp with 302 is better;Trumpy is a dog, but looks horn; swap the 750 for a Beeza or Norton and you're there. XP Coupe and Valiant R&S series are my choice for the sixties.

New Falcon or Holden is streets ahead for drive and reliability on old school and even a lot of Euro cars, but for mongrel the sixties/early seventies typical and unreliable POS is the go...

[Ryan]

I still remember before I got my Ls I harped at my dad for atleast 3 years for his HR wagon. That's all I wanted as a first car. Didn't end up with it though.

I've always had a soft spot for the older cars even when I was younger. I was never really one into this doof doof, bling bling stuff etc that kids seem to be into now.

I know if I had the money I would be driving something like an LJ, or HK. New cars have their merits, but when you see a nicely kept classic (Of any kind really) it just gives you this unique feeling that alot of new cars can't.

[XR_6falcon]

Originally Posted by bigdude1011

Think about the parents!! I would totally be driving around in a Mk2 Escort, but Dad says that I should be driving a newer car.

I do like Japanese imports though, as they have almost as much potential as an old school car, but are much more unique than the ubiquitous E-series/AU/B-series Falcons or VN/VS/VT Commodores (Supras, Skylines and Silvias have been done to death though).

some old school jap cars a nice too, like the 240z's and RX3's and the earlier RX7's

[Iggypoppin']

When I was 12 my dad came to me and asked if I wanted to see a "v8 of the old days". I asked if it was anything like his old vs ss. "no, naish, it's much much cooler". About an hour later his mate jon came over, and had what we all call serious muscle, car porn...whatever. 1974 XB GT Coupe. Now as a tacker, I didn't know what it was, just that it was seriously cool. He took me and my best mate for a good drive and that was it. Addiction. I'm now 20 and while I have a new car for practicality reasons, I'm still pining for an XB coupe of my own. Due to jon, I am much more educated towards older cars and can appreciate them much more. I love some of the new cars, they look great, go hard and are affordable. But old school? Still very much cool and can definetly hold their own against new age cars. I'm just glad I was educated young, and was given an insight to old cars. If kids aren't educated about them, how can we expect them to respect them as we do? and yes...eventually I did get to drive the coupe....

[gtxb67]

davway is pretty much right with his post

all of us 40+ were not really looking at buying classics. my dream was always a coupe, because my earliest memory at 4 was a coupe (moffat). i was just lucky that the car i wanted was in the price range of an 18 year old. most young kids no matter what the era, buy the most expensive car they can afford. that means no 18 yo is going to look for an xb. either too expensive or they can afford better

[GCFordChic]

Because Fast and the Furious warped the view of a cool car for a whole generation.

Plus just ask any old person they will tell you the roads have changed, car park spaces are smaller and people are more impatient and stuck in their own little world that they cant wait 2 more seconds behind you as you pull away from the lights in your heavy old clonker!

Ultimately, when the younger generation has disposable income, they might be more interested in a 'weekend' car that costs more to run than their 2L daily buzz box.

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by gtxb67

davway is pretty much right with his post

all of us 40+ were not really looking at buying classics. my dream was always a coupe, because my earliest memory at 4 was a coupe (moffat). i was just lucky that the car i wanted was in the price range of an 18 year old. most young kids no matter what the era, buy the most expensive car they can afford. that means no 18 yo is going to look for an xb. either too expensive or they can afford better

But there are 18 year olds that will get massive bank loans to buy a $30,000 something that in 3 years is worth $10,000 ... if they are lucky, while paying $2,000 a year for insurance plus everything else.

What ever I paid for the P5, I would get that back tomorrow and then some with out a problem ....



| [/url] |

[montyv8]

Originally Posted by XCPWSF

Why drive a 6 cyl XY when I can drive a 6 cyl BA/BF which is much more powerful?

awesome. a powerful 6cyl BA.
You wouldn't care about the lack of power from the XY's 6, when cruising the beachfront etc at 2mph enjoying your classic ride, and all the admiration from the bystanders ;)

I've got an XB coupe, sure it goes stupid-fast.. but when i do a city cruise on a fri/sat night, the 'traffic' is usually at walking pace.. I'm fine with that. From one end of the city to the other its nothing but thumbs-up, cheers, people coming up to the car and saying how awesome it is, even if sometimes they do call it a charger lol.. but yeah it's an awesome feeling. And on the way home i get to wind it out a bit.. Open road, windows down (my 'aircon'), cool song on the stereo and the grumpy clevo singing away.. can't beat that feeling ;)

Recently we had a brand new VE SS manual in our possession. Had all the bells and whistles, was damn fast, and fun on a twisty road.. But it had about as much character as a stock BA XT reps car. did nothing for me. Had to drive that through the city on a sat night once.. it actually felt weird.

Enough rambling from me. except one last thing. When I open up the garage door to get the coupe out for a drive, I still get butterflies in my stomach.
a combination of cubes, curves, and character will do that ;)

[Saraco]

Originally Posted by iliov

Why would you want some car made in the 70's when a 90's+ car has aircon, better power, easier to maintain and more comfortable to drive.

You don't get it do ya?! So why bother explaining?! If you think 60's and 70''s muscle cars are slow, take a ride in mine or some other guys I know! Classic not plastic! P.S. Lest you think I'm some tool that has jack, check out the show and shine section on the last page of the XA-XC section blue XA COUPE.

[Iggypoppin']

It's because of you, phil, that travis(school formal) wants to get rid of his VS and find something old school. You've turned one kid from silly rice cars of today to the awesomeness of oldschool.

[gtxb67]

Originally Posted by auslandau

But there are 18 year olds that will get massive bank loans to buy a $30,000 something that in 3 years is worth $10,000 ... if they are lucky, while paying $2,000 a year for insurance plus everything else.

What ever I paid for the P5, I would get that back tomorrow and then some with out a problem ....

that is it though, isn't it. they can get the cash for almost any car. when we were younger we didn't have the same access to the money and then had to buy a 10-15 year old car. i think people our age now look at our classics differently to how we did 20 years ago. the coupe is the same car as it was 22 years ago when i got it, but it is somehow different. no longer is it an everyday car. it no longer is the car of choice for an interstate or camping trip. 22 years ago (although it was all i wanted), it wasn't a classic just an old car that was affordable

[Stickman72]

Originally Posted by Wally

Xp with 302 is better;Trumpy is a dog, but looks horn; swap the 750 for a Beeza or Norton and you're there. XP Coupe and Valiant R&S series are my choice for the sixties.

New Falcon or Holden is streets ahead for drive and reliability on old school and even a lot of Euro cars, but for mongrel the sixties/early seventies typical and unreliable POS is the go...

302's (and 351's) are too common for me, hence the 289. The Triumph is purely based on looks and sound, that little 8 can sound damned hot. BSA and Norton never did much for me and the CB was a defining bike. A Brough Superior would be good too but that's about as possible as getting a genuine GT40. I'm aiming for these 3 because over the next few years at least 1 will be finding it's way into my shed, most probably the Triumph.

[pottery beige]

The smell of old vinyl make's me want to get all jiggy.... :

[montyv8]

Originally Posted by 76txcoupe

It's because of you, phil, that travis(school formal) wants to get rid of his VS and find something old school. You've turned one kid from silly rice cars of today to the awesomeness of oldschool.

woohoo! go me and my uncomfortable, no aircon, awesome oldschool beast

On the subject of parental involvement in the desire to own a classic, I didn't grow up around cool old holdens and fords etc. I knew nothing about cars until I turned 15 and got my licence (NZ). I learned the basics by maintaining my 70's british cars (as thats all i could afford), and i didn't even know about GT's etc till i was 17 or so. But that all changed when i saw a modified XB coupe one day in the small town where i grew up. Lust at first sight I guess..
But yeah, as has been said many times already, you get it or you don't. There would have been plenty of kids that walked straight past that coupe that day and paid no attention whatsoever.

They probably drive camry's now.

[FordFalconBF]

Originally Posted by GCFordChic

Because Fast and the Furious warped the view of a cool car for a whole generation.

Plus just ask any old person they will tell you the roads have changed, car park spaces are smaller and people are more impatient and stuck in their own little world that they cant wait 2 more seconds behind you as you pull away from the lights in your heavy old clonker!

Ultimately, when the younger generation has disposable income, they might be more interested in a 'weekend' car that costs more to run than their 2L daily buzz box.

Yes and no.. made me want a black Dodge Charger R/T

[Iggypoppin']

Originally Posted by montyv8

woohoo! go me and my uncomfortable, no aircon, awesome oldschool beast

On the subject of parental involvement in the desire to own a classic, I didn't grow up around cool old holdens and fords etc. I knew nothing about cars until I turned 15 and got my licence (NZ). I learned the basics by maintaining my 70's british cars (as thats all i could afford), and i didn't even know about GT's etc till i was 17 or so. But that all changed when i saw a modified XB coupe one day in the small town where i grew up. Lust at first sight I guess..
But yeah, as has been said many times already, you get it or you don't. There would have been plenty of kids that walked straight past that coupe that day and paid no attention whatsoever.

They probably drive camry's now.

I'll put it to you like this: travis had a better time in the car than after the formal. ;)

[GTPete]

I feel sorry for enthusiasts who will only experience ownership of late model cars.

Part of owning a classic/muscle car is actualy working on the car. They are easy to work on and learn about, if you can read a manual then you can swap a manifold, remove your cylinder head(s), retune your carby.
A lot of blood sweat and tears go into owning a classic.
Its not for the half hearted. classic cars take a real commitment to own and maintain but the rewards of your hard work pay off when your out cruising on the weekend.

Modern day enthusiasts are more distant from there cars. Most pay someone to modify their car, engine tuners remap your ECU, a dyno is essential for just about any mod. You rarely break down on the side of the road and if you do your on a tow truck back to your tunners workshop. I doubt you will have a spare crank angle sensor in the glovebox.
Newer cars when compared to the old ones are not just clinical to drive there clinical to own.

For a generation that are coming thru that would rather play cricket on a computer then in the backyard its an easy choice. Go for a classic car that will take up a lot of time to own or buy a newer car, pay someone to modify it and away you go. The next generation will/are "Turn key enthusiasts".

[SLO AU XR8]

I'm 21, and drive an AU XR8, although it isn't my car of choice. I got the AU as it was affordable, and an 8. I would sell it in a heartbeat to get an XR-C V8. Infact, I almost traded it on an XC Fairmont, but had a closer look au decided that the XC, although good from afar, was far from good.

Alot comes down to your parents, when I was born, I came home from the hospital in style, My old man's XY Fairmont. Until I was 4, the newest car my parents had was their 1973 mk1 Escort.

[FGX-351]

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

I expect you would have little chance of ever owning an XYGT, this is the reason we tried to get something going in one of the above linked threads.

Most youngsters don't have the opportunity to have a ride in one, not necessarily a GT but any car with warmed over Cleveland can turn someone from Rice to Muscle in around 11 seconds flat

I agree, theres no better sound or feeling than a clevo at WOT!

[xr8-200]

I think old cars are more popular with the youngin's than it would seem.
For one it is a lot harder to get finance for an old car than a new one if needed.
Also the practicality of a new car is much better. Most people who own old cars have a modern car as a daily,with most kids living at home Im sure most parents would frown apon their child having 2 or more cars parked out the front of the house.