Changing of the Guard. A new breed of car nuts.

[ford38v8]

It’s been a long time coming, but the changing of the guard is almost complete now. I remember back when I was a newbie, there were so many Ford experts everywhere you turned, you just couldn’t go too far off track in keeping your old Ford running, almost original, with just a couple of personal touches such as a Wolf Whistle or a Bermuda bell. Yep, I even had a Foxtail and a Tiger in the Tank.
The original Old Timers are all but gone now, and these young whippersnappers that are trying their best to keep up the hobby have got precious few resources on thier side. These newbies are trying to make new cars out of old cars, and it just isn’t the same hobby it used to be. They’re making mistakes (in our eyes), due mainly to the lack of guidance that used to be readily available.
We have to forgive them thier grievous errors, they don’t trust our old tech ways, they want new cars under old skins. Power steering, disc brakes, and OMG a 9” diff behind a flat motor? Oh, well, they’re the caretakers now, I sold my totally complete almost original ‘38 a couple weeks ago, and the new owner is talking about lowering the rear end. He’s not asking my council, and I can’t dictate my rules to him.
We can hope that these newbies don’t go too far with thier modern thinking, and that they heed the advice of those who have ben there dun that.

[TonyM]

Please sell to folks that you know.

I wish I could of bought your car.

A 350/350 combo probably next.

These guys will tell you how much they love the design of their favorite pre war Ford. Then they spend 20 minutes telling you about all the non Ford parts they had put on the car.

It is really too bad. Sorry.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by ford38v8

I sold my totally complete almost original ‘38 a couple weeks ago, and the new owner is talking about lowering the rear end. He’s not asking my council, and I can’t dictate my rules to him.
We can hope that these newbies don’t go too far with thier modern thinking, and that they heed the advice of those who have ben there dun that.

[TonyM]

Originally Posted by petehoovie

That car is so beautiful.

[FHFD]

Safe to say, the majority of the people who have an appreciation for these early cars in original condition are dwindling every year.
At 68 I grew up with driving manual shift, 4 wheel drum brake, bias ply tires, non-a/c, cars like I'm sure the majority of people on this site.
"Young" people today, say the twenty-thirty-forty age group, grew up, learned on power everything, a/t cars. That is their experience/comfort level of driving.
They may very well like the appearance of these "old" cars, but quickly learn, their driving characteristics, don't resemble anything they're familiar with.
Naturally, their next move would be to replicate their "norm"...I get it.
I'm all for the "next guy" who buys one of my cars, "to make it his own", and to do whatever it takes for him/her to enjoy it, and to keep it on the road.

[Gene1949]

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I are one of "them" and I'm 81 years old. The people I hung out with in the 50s were always tinkering, improving and crossbreeding. There were a few who had inherited dad's car and had no mechanical ability or just no desire to learn. Plus there was a mechanic or garage on just about every street corner.
Anyway in those days original parts were reliable and plentiful. Fast forward to today and read the complaints on this board alone. Many of us went to the dark side because of supply and reliability issues. Some of us have other lives/passions besides flathead Fords. We love our cars as much as the purists but just see them in a different light.
Both of our cars are legacy cars destined to be passed down to our children. Unfortunately, both are barely capable of washing and waxing them. I've bullet proofed them to the point where a yearly oil change and lube is all they will need for a long time.

[Ol' Ron]

Gene has it. My entrance into the "Old Fords" was after a few years of Drag and circle track racing/ I drag raced using the Olds engines. In the 50's they were the ones to beat. So that was a learning experience that eliminated the running gear. Probably why I don't use stock Ford rear axles or transmissions. They just didn't work, but I fell in love with the Flathead engine. I like to keep the car original looking, but running better. Sheet metal is King!!
Gramps

[Seth Swoboda]

I'm 43 and I appreciate early Fords as they came out of the factory. I'm so anal I will only use NOS parts when available. Modernize an early Ford and I'll likely wonder if you have lost your mind.

Not all is lost. I'm still here and I keep them bone stock and all Ford.

[Tim Ayers]

I'll chime in. I'm 53 and like them both ways, but I gravitate to the ones with a little mileage on them. I prefer them with some bumps and scrapes, not factory minty fresh.

I can appreciate a well restored car, but prefer a nicely used one with real world mileage and usage.

Lately, I'm a dyed-in-the-wool full race flathead powered, old Ford running gear using hotrodder and don't see that changing anytime soon.

[nelsb01]

There is probably a bunch of us out there that have the opinion that we like all old cars, but there are only a few that we would like to own.
As someone who has put over 30,000 miles on his 1949 Ford, I can say that you have to "drive for five" when you take it out on the road. (Drive for five: you drive for the person in front of you, to the left of you, to the right of you, the person behind you and of course yourself)
The problem we have and we can not stop is those that spend the money and then decide to spend more money to modernize a vehicle. Prime example is Iron Trap Garage Youtube videos.
The best solution that we can do, is drive and enjoy while you can. I especially enjoy the 30 minute gas station stops -- 8 minutes to fill your tank and 22 minutes talking about the vehicle that you are driving.

[Planojc]

If you think it's bad now, wait till they start changing them over to electric.

[19Fordy]

The fact that stock old Fords no longer bring the prices they once did is and indicator of the changing market and what today's buyers desire.

[34fordy]

Selling parts has become difficult too. Parts that were easily sold 10 years ago just sit on the shelf. Parts for Sale threads have numerous "to the top" repeats. The 3 and 5 window coupes and pickups seem to hold some of their previous values but the rest of them are falling in value substantially. Parts that were readily available repops are not being made any more as there is not enough demand to make a production run. The new cars are so computer advanced that an old corn crib mechanic like myself has no chance of diagnosing and repairing the new Fords. I would expect if I took my 36 pickup into the Ford garage and asked for a tune up, (plugs, points, condenser, and a carburetor adjustment) all of their "technicians" and all of their wizardry devices would be stumped! I remember a year or so ago Lawson commented how difficult distributor repairs are when you hit the BIG 90. The old world has changed my friends. When I fire up the pickup and go for a little love run it takes me back to my youth and what a joy it is!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GB SISSON]

This thread is quite timely. About 14 hours ago the new owner drove away in my '47 jailbar tonner (photo). The truck had been mechanically 'restored' by me about 5 years ago. This young man had been bugging me for years to sell him the truck. Funny thing, what drew him in is the relatively small 210 cu in cummins 6 cyl turbo diesel I installed. I have no doubt that if it was in it's stock form I could not have gotten the 15 grand he agreed to. I continue to drive my '46 tonner PU with it's nearly silent H six.

Purists note that I went to GREAT lengths not to alter the original California truck in any way. Not so much as a single hole in the frame, not a cut or a weld. I fabbed everything to plug into existing holes and mounts so I could go straight back to stock in a weekend.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

This thread is quite timely. About 14 hours ago the new owner drove away in my '47 jailbar tonner (photo). The truck had been mechanically 'restored' by me about 5 years ago. This young man had been bugging me for years to sell him the truck. Funny thing, what drew him in is the relatively small 210 cu in cummins 6 cyl turbo diesel I installed. I have no doubt that if it was in it's stock form I could not have gotten the 15 grand he agreed to. I continue to drive my '46 tonner PU with it's nearly silent H six.

Purists note that I went to GREAT lengths not to alter the original California truck in any way. Not so much as a single hole in the frame, not a cut or a weld. I fabbed everything to plug into existing holes and mounts so I could go straight back to stock in a weekend.

[Joe B.]

It might help if the many, hoarding doubles and triples of old parts that younger enthusiasts need could put them on ebay or F/B, where I think they would have the best chance of being seen. Specifically, for me, shoebox Ford stuff. They will otherwise end up as scrap when the owners pass. When I had my '50 Ford woodie in the eighties, there was a plentiful supply of original parts listed for sale in newsletters, Hemmings, and such, at reasonable prices. 49-50-51 Ford owners newsletter was great. I know those days are gone, but I suspect there is still a good supply of parts stashed in places and people that want them. Just a thought.

[34fordy]

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

This thread is quite timely. About 14 hours ago the new owner drove away in my '47 jailbar tonner (photo). The truck had been mechanically 'restored' by me about 5 years ago. This young man had been bugging me for years to sell him the truck. Funny thing, what drew him in is the relatively small 210 cu in cummins 6 cyl turbo diesel I installed. I have no doubt that if it was in it's stock form I could not have gotten the 15 grand he agreed to. I continue to drive my '46 tonner PU with it's nearly silent H six.

Purists note that I went to GREAT lengths not to alter the original California truck in any way. Not so much as a single hole in the frame, not a cut or a weld. I fabbed everything to plug into existing holes and mounts so I could go straight back to stock in a weekend.

Yer gonna miss that one GB! For sure! Not many that nice left, especially out in the ocean! LOL

[34fordy]

Originally Posted by Joe B.

It might help if the many, hoarding doubles and triples of old parts that younger enthusiasts need could put them on ebay or F/B, where I think they would have the best chance of being seen. Specifically, for me, shoebox Ford stuff. They will otherwise end up as scrap when the owners pass. When I had my '50 Ford woodie in the eighties, there was a plentiful supply of original parts listed for sale in newsletters, Hemmings, and such, at reasonable prices. 49-50-51 Ford owners newsletter was great. I know those days are gone, but I suspect there is still a good supply of parts stashed in places and people that want them. Just a thought.

You are absolutely right Joe! Then the owner dies and they have a sale. The parts get piled, helter skelter on a wooden pallet with no thought of value. A buyer bids on one or two items he needs for a few dollars and the rest end up in a landfill. I have seen this happen.

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by 34fordy

You are absolutely right Joe! Then the owner dies and they have a sale. The parts get piled, helter skelter on a wooden pallet with no thought of value. A buyer bids on one or two items he needs for a few dollars and the rest end up in a landfill. I have seen this happen.

OR.....the ones that "have" extra parts be more "realistic" about the current climate....FOR example Ford/Mercury Hub caps......They were "only" offered for three weeks of production......SO....the likely-hood of an "early" Mercury existing that would take these caps (based on the founding principles of the EFV8 Club) is very very slim....SO.....when most come up for sale, its one cap.....YES they are "unusual to approaching rare" BUT there are very very few who can use them!!!!! Everyone seem to think ONE hub cap is worth $350 to $500. I have two sets of 4ea BUT one extra cap (for my spare tires) is not worth $350 to $500 to me!!!!! AND a general hub cap collector isn't gonna spend that much for "ONE" hub cap. I am most likely one OF maybe three people who would be truly interested in buying your cap????
I also am restoring a 33 with a 4cyl......HOW many out there are doing that???? NOT many.....the majority of people convert them to V8's.......but yet guys with 33 4cyl specific parts think that they are worth "Fort Knox" gold...IF I don't buy it how many are "realistically" out there interested in 33/34 4cyl stuff??? Again, I am maybe one of three or four???
BUT I've seen the same Ford/Mercury hub cap on EBAY for "months" with a BIN of $500. I offered the seller months back what I thought was a fair, stand tall offer to NO avail......He could have had the cash months ago....and to think of his time and effort in trying to sell that hub cap!!!!

[Ronnieroadster]

Those of us who enjoy MODIFIED old Fords are actually helping keep the flame alive. At the events I attend there's usually a good number of gray hair individual's with modified Fords however there's also a large group who are much younger with modified Fords as well. There rides are typically a model A Ford with a banger or a flathead V-8 trust me all is not lost.

Young guys like Mike and Matt from Iron Trap are doing their part to keep the flame burning bright. While some would rather keep their extra never to be used parts stashed away that would help someone younger to get into this hobby. The Iron Trap guys are actually finding and selling the parts and at times cars needed by a whole new younger group of early Ford owners. Yes indeed all is not lost.
Ronnieroadster