Thoughts on this Hobby

[BlueSunoco]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

............
As has been mentioned in other comments in other threads about the future of our hobby, auctions show the price of early Fords is dropping.
Younger folks want muscle cars and old cars with modern technology and drivability at highway speeds.

Yeah kinda-sorta. Old Cars had a good report a while back concerning the muscle car era. They said Mustangs and Camaros have shown a bit of a drop in prices, but many were overpriced to begin with. Late 60's Mopars are up, simply because A. There weren't as many sold and B. They had very poor build quality and were trashed early in their life span.

The report said also the trend today is, full sized Ford-Chevy-Pontiac sedans and convertibles. They are really being sought after. 5 years ago nobody paid any attention to them. Today they get body off frame restorations, but parts are hard to source at least for the Fords and Pontiacs.

Like the early Ford Broncos, they are insane money today, they got real popular for what ever reason.

One last thing. No car built today is expected to be a future 'collector' car outside of the Ford GT series. With the computers and such, software glitches and demons, you can't buy a 2025 you-name-it put it away and expect it to be 'driveable in 12-15 years . Too much plastic. Too many wanky computer/sensor nonsense parts that the mfg. all have said they have NO plans to support that.


I think the pre-computer age cars say pre-1995 stuff will always have a following

[Scott52]

At 17, I started with an old 1955 Chevrolet (15 years old in 1970 and $100 with a blown 6 cyl) I helped my Dad rebuild it. It was a beautiful Del Ray Model, but not a V8. Traded it plus $200 for a not so beautiful 55 with a V8 283 and 3 speed floor shift. My mom wouldn't let it park in front of our house until I got the front seat recovered. I rebuilt that engine. Kids didn't have the money to finish things, just a money pit to keep them going. That car went away and I drove "normal" cars for the next 5-7 years. Got a 64 1/2 Mustang Convertible at a Goodguys Car Show. Red with White top, V8 4 speed. Rebuilt that 289 engine and drove it until the first son came along. Putting a car seat in the back seat with no seat belts meant that car needed to go bought $2200 sold $3500. I also had a 1940 Plymouth Pickup. I rebuilt that Flathead Engine. I brought it to a body shop for paint and paid up front. The body shop was not close to me so I didn't check on it that often. One day I got a call from someone that the owner was MIA and I better pick up my truck. Nothing was done, lost my money and parted it out. That was probably 1985. Still didn't have money to spend on finishing a project. But.... these were all learning experiences. Forward to 2010. I was now in real estate. A house mu client was interested in had a 1977 Buick Skylark 4 door in the driveway. It had low miles and the sellers were the children of the owner who had died and they didn't live in the area. An estate sale company was in charge of selling everything. I ended up with that car for $501. I cleaned it up and sold for it $2500 to a couple from England that just got a job a Google and wanted an reliable, old American car. Now was my inspiration to buy an old car for me. I found a 1956 Chevrolet Belair that had been parked for 17 years. I put my lessons learned into action. Set a budget and only one project at a time and a Body shop close by (I don't paint). 3 years later, Car is Done. I also followed my new rule. Buy a 90% perfect part for 25% to 50% of the perfect price. I bought a really nice bumper with a quarter-size blemish for 10% of a re-chromed price. No one has ever pointed that out to me and I don't care if they did. 2015 Bought a 1948 Dodge Power Wagon. I always wanted one since I had the 40 Plymouth Pickup. Many common body and cab parts. That one was finished in 2018. Those can get real expensive and I followed my 90% for 50% cost rule. Begining of Covid I needed something to do. I had never worked on a Ford Flathead. Looked for an Engine only and found a 52 Crestline Victoria that had been repainted at one time and the paint looked pretty good with some blemishes and a continental kit. Original kits for tri 5 Chevys are $5-$10K and you have to worry if all the parts are there. I found out later it's after market but painted the same as the body. I like it. Got it with an extra engine, 8BA, and OD transmission. Then, I learned abut cracks. Found a guy in the V8 Times that lives a few miles from me that fixes cracks. The previous cars were as close to original as I could get them. 6V, generators, Drum brakes, not resto-mods. I decided to go 12V on the Crestline and followed the basic 8BA mods from John Lawson in his Flathead Facts book, SBC Distributor, 4 barrel Edlebrock 452 manifold, Dual exhaust (already in the car) and shaved heads. The engine is ready to fire up outside the car and I'll admit, I am nervous about it. At 72 years, the memory is not what it used to be. But writing this has spurred me on.

[petehoovie]

Scott52

[TomC750]

I was almost born into it. First car my folks had that I remember was a'39 Ford sedan That was followed by a '47 coupe, then a '49 and a 51 Mercury the first new car in the family. A year or two later dad bought a '36 coupe for a second car. That is the first one I drove when I was about 14. It was a real good runner. My brother and I drove it all over the back roads well before we had licenses. It got traded at a Chevvy dealer for a '47 Lincoln that used oil. The dealer sent a wrecker for the '36 and away it went to the junkyard. I was sick. It was not a junk by any means. I missed it.

No more flatheads until when in my last year of high school I bought a '41 Merc coupe for $45. It was a solid car with a tired engine. I built a new engine out of a '50 Merc, put in a mild cam and planed heads. Courted my future wife in it. Drove it from NY to Texas when in the service Where a buddy talked me out of it. It was a good runner.

Shortly after I got married I spotted a '37 1 1/2 ton sitting in a farmer's field. Bought it for $75. I used it a lot when I built a car wash. Hauled most of the materials with it. A ford factory rebuilt engine was under the hood. Ran perfect with really good power. Sold it when I auctioned off all my stuff, it did not bring a lot. Along the way I bought a '53 C750 for $500 and turned it into a highway tractor. Had it for over 40 years and sold it. It is in a V8 Times (May June issue) article. A friend in Maryland who was a former truck dealer offered me a '53 F350 for $300. A good solid truck with 42,000 miles. I kept it for 30 some years. I had a later pickup, so I put the '53 on Ebay. I figured it might bring $3500 on a good day. I went for an astounding $19,200. My last bit of luck was when I found another '41 Mercury at a farm auction. With no other serious bidders my wife bid on it and bought it very reasonable. It is a frame off restoration and will go to Springfield next week.

[slowforty]

On doing things at 77.
I use Clint Eastwoods method at 95.
You just have to force yourself and
Dont Let the OLD MAN IN!

[ford38v8]

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Originally Posted by slowforty

On doing things at 77.
I use Clint Eastwoods method at 95.
You just have to force yourself and
Dont Let the OLD MAN IN!

At my age, if an officer of the law required me to walk a straight line, I'd be behind bars before any "forceful thinking" method could take effect.

[Newc]

I toured a multi-generational Ford parts house [business] this month. It would take 10 young guys a month just to move it. No takers so far, probably at least a million dollar project. Future ?? Everyone wants to retire. Newc

[s.e.charles]

good thread. sometimes we choose, sometimes we're chosen.

one common denominator: everybody wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.

Oh Yeah!!!

can i get an Amen?

[slowforty]

Yeah, But some denominations think that they are the only ones up there

[34fordy]

Originally Posted by slowforty

Yeah, up there

What is up? What is down? Is it only "out" in an infinite universe? Is there a center? If you believe you know the answers you are confusing belief with facts to fit your "religion."

[ford38v8]

I long for the good old days when I'd watch for the new editions of Motor Trend and Road & Track to see the spy pictures of new cars. Always had opinions about the extra chrome strip or the rake of a windshield. Those Dagmars are too small, or the tail lights are snazzy. Today, as comparison, wow, that color really pops, where's the door handles? Is that a Ford or a Honda?
We used to laugh at the VW Bug, but now all cars are stamped out with cookie cutters and look like scarab beetles with clear coats. ...Well, all except that dumb pickup that looks like a stealth bomber.
Ignition keys used to unlock the doors, now you get neither. Smile for the camera, or wave your key fob at it. It used to be fun to drive with two fingers holding the suicide knob, now you play games on your phone and let your self driving car decide where to take you.
When evaluating the worth of a used car, I'd always check the spare tire. Now it's "Where's the donut?" I remember gas stations with display racks of windshield wipers. Now the Parts Stores check your credit rating to buy one wiper that might last through one season.
The American Dream used to be your Father's Oldsmobile and a prefab house. Now it's take a Uber and don't park that motor home on the street overnight.
Virtually everyone used to participate in the car hobby, now it's just those old dudes that buy those clunkers instead of Bitcoin.

[ThirstyThirty]

Originally Posted by ford38v8

I long for the good old days when I'd watch for the new editions of Motor Trend and Road & Track to see the spy pictures of new cars. Always had opinions about the extra chrome strip or the rake of a windshield. Those Dagmars are too small, or the tail lights are snazzy. Today, as comparison, wow, that color really pops, where's the door handles? Is that a Ford or a Honda?
We used to laugh at the VW Bug, but now all cars are stamped out with cookie cutters and look like scarab beetles with clear coats. ...Well, all except that dumb pickup that looks like a stealth bomber.
Ignition keys used to unlock the doors, now you get neither. Smile for the camera, or wave your key fob at it. It used to be fun to drive with two fingers holding the suicide knob, now you play games on your phone and let your self driving car decide where to take you.
When evaluating the worth of a used car, I'd always check the spare tire. Now it's "Where's the donut?" I remember gas stations with display racks of windshield wipers. Now the Parts Stores check your credit rating to buy one wiper that might last through one season.
The American Dream used to be your Father's Oldsmobile and a prefab house. Now it's take a Uber and don't park that motor home on the street overnight.
Virtually everyone used to participate in the car hobby, now it's just those old dudes that buy those clunkers instead of Bitcoin.

How true! but I am fighting it!

SIL took his family out to dinner Saturday evening. Upon arrival, in they went in to restaurant for dinner. After, came out... waited while Dad said into his fone: "Come get us!" car solo started, backed out, maneuvered in parking lot, drove itself over to lanes to front door area, pulled up and parked, engine idling. In they all got, and he said to car: "Take us home!"

...and it did!

[slowforty]

ford38v8
I am from the same era as you.
More time passed than ahead.
On buying used cars an older (Is there such a person anymore)
would check the pre set buttons on the radio.
If it had easy listening or talk shows ,she would buy the car. No Rock and Roll for her.

[ford38v8]

When we were kids, we could easily gauge whether the neighbors liked kids or not by the cars they parked at the curb. An unfriendly neighbor traded in his good old car with running boards for a car without running boards to confound the kids playing kick the can after dark.

[34fordy]

I remember the excitement in the 1950's every September when the new cars for the next year arrived. Each dealer in town had a special day advertised to come and see the new models. No one knew what the new model would look like unless you could sneak in the back door of the dealership where they were hidden and commonly covered. There were always noticeable changes even for example the 55 to 56 Fords. Born in 1945 I was already addicted and what excitement it was. Living in a town of 25,000 people, I was lucky to live within 6 city blocks of every new car dealership. I collected all the sales pamphlets from each dealer to take home and study. Although the Olds 303 had been around a few years 1955 seemed to be the "big bang" year for overhead V8's. What a wonderful time for a kid to fall in love with this HOBBY!
And now being 80 I have "advanced" to the wonderful Ford Flathead V8. LOL

[BlueSunoco]

Originally Posted by 34fordy

I remember the excitement in the 1950's every September when the new cars for the next year arrived. Each dealer in town had a special day advertised to come and see the new models. No one knew what the new model would look like unless you could sneak in the back door of the dealership where they were hidden and commonly covered. There were always noticeable changes even for example the 55 to 56 Fords. Born in 1945 I was already addicted and what excitement it was. Living in a town of 25,000 people, I was lucky to live within 6 city blocks of every new car dealership. I collected all the sales pamphlets from each dealer to take home and study. Although the Olds 303 had been around a few years 1955 seemed to be the "big bang" year for overhead V8's. What a wonderful time for a kid to fall in love with this HOBBY!
And now being 80 I have "advanced" to the wonderful Ford Flathead V8. LOL

Absolutely spot-on my friend! I am younger than you, grew up in the 60's, and remember the local Ford dealer covering their new cars with brown wrapping paper and under strict orders from the factory to not let them be seen until the official day!
Those WERE good times to be around cars! I am a bonafide Ford guy , all I have ever owned, but I love and appreciate seeing ALL the cars from the 60's up through about 1972! Pre-big bumper era

[34fordy]

Originally Posted by BlueSunoco

Absolutely spot-on my friend! I am younger than you, grew up in the 60's, and remember the local Ford dealer covering their new cars with brown wrapping paper and under strict orders from the factory to not let them be seen until the official day!
Those WERE good times to be around cars! I am a bonafide Ford guy , all I have ever owned, but I love and appreciate seeing ALL the cars from the 60's up through about 1972! Pre-big bumper era

Yes, and the really fun thing about this thread is that it reminds us and takes us back to those wonderful memories. Everyone that reads this thread will have fond remembrances that will be rekindled to savor. It may even be the opportunity to tell grand and great grandkids about those days and opportunities for them to pass on for other kids someday. Good childhood memories are such a joy! I remember sitting in my 4th grade classroom in September of 1954 and looking out the window at what I remember as my first new car experience. A Fireman was parked outside waiting to pick up his daughter. The car was a 1955 4 door Chevy 2 tone pinkish and grey. Not many 2 tones then and especially those type of colors. The memory is forever etched (hopefully) in my brain. Too bad it wasn't a 55 Ford! LOL

[Scotty's 52 F3]

I was born this way. I was often told to not turn your hobby into a job or you may end up hating your hobby. So I became a Caterpillar mechanic, which at the time paid way more than the car dealerships. I never got tired of working on big machinery or my car, truck or boat projects. I still look forward to tinkering in my garage everyday. I'm 64 and beat to hell so it's harder to do things and I'm slower but I still love it.

My dream car was always a hot rod 32 3 window with either a blown Flathead or early Hemi, manual trans, Quick Change rear, classic hot rod. I'm 6'3" and 250# so not a good fit for me. I sat in a few.

I have NO desire for any vehicles beyond electronic ignition and fuel injection. I actually don't like automatic transmissions but my wife won't drive stick. I have vehicles that are still points and carburetors.

The new vehicles sure "feel" nice. The safety features and amenities are nice too........when they work. When they don't you don't have a vehicle. It's beyond what I can work on or even afford with the ever changing tooling and software for if I could.

I worked at a Cat dealership and even we had trouble keeping up. We had to go out and work on machines that we had no information on yet. We'd be on the phone with factory engineers from the job site.

I'll stick to my old vehicles as long as I can. When I can't work on them anymore, I'll have to make sure whatever I drive has a good warranty. Assuming I can still drive at that point. I'll have a Baddass wheelchair.

[slowforty]

I grew up near Blue Island Ill.
Around 1957 it was the place to shop in the area.
There were three major food stores on the same intersection.
A Jewel,a Kroger,and and A&P, with a Bank on the other corner.
It had a Sears and a Montgomery Wards and a Western Tire Auto store on the same Block and Two Movie houses.
The Lyric is still in operation.
The point of all this is that there were six car dealers and a couple of used up cars lots on Western Avenue.
On a saturday afternoon you could walk down the alley and have your own new car auto show and stop at the Price Castle for a Milk Shake(One in a Million)

Old Blue Island Joke "Did you go to the A&P? No I went to the Jewel and Pooped!"

[Darrell S]

It was exciting to go out and see when the new models were displayed. All the searchlights, balloons and seeing the new ones was quite a time for some of us. We also had all the dealerships in close proximity, so we could make the rounds in pretty good time. A totally different era.