Here’s what’s going to happen in the future. Well at least it’s what I think is going to happen. Pulled from my latest meanderings as I wandered through the gray matter of my mind has me asking where’s the next generation of hot rodders going to come from, when, and how in the hell are they going to afford our hobby? I’m sure all of us have noticed with the success of our hobby has come the influx of business and with business comes money and with money comes lots of problems. But that’s life and all of us has had a job at some point in our life that has relied on success in the marketplace, and hence all of the trials and tribulations as well as the benefits of money.
For starters, this all started from sitting around enjoying this year’s NSRA Nats more so than I have done in years past. There actually seemed to be more life, more excitement, and more of an “eye to the future” than I have seen in years. All of this I viewed as good and possibly the next wave of excitement in our hobby.
But let’s get back to reality and touch upon a few basics … let’s call them irrefutable facts. Currently, many of today’s completed or somewhat-completed cars, cars that could become the next generations’ projects, are owned by an aging group of hot rodders, and these hot rodders have placed a value on them. Over the course of time this value has gone up and supported by the current generation that has been willing to pay these prices. It’s the ol’ fair trade system at its best.
It should come as no surprise that today’s hot rods are too expensive for younger hot rodders (those under 45); and that’s a fact. What I see happening is as older rodders checkout their families are going to sell off these cars for prices much less than each of us are trying to get for them now. This also goes for all of those parts we have rat-holed away. You know the drill, “My buddy has 75 Deuce grille shells socked away … it’s part of his retirement.” Well guess what? It’s time to start selling those off because these hoarded Deuce grille shells aren’t going to bring the money you think they will bring and if you wait much longer you will be sadly disappointed.
I was wandering lost at the Kentucky Exposition Fairgrounds when I happened across Jason Slover (Pete & Jakes and Super Bell fame) and we spoke about this very topic. He and his dad have lots of collectibles that many a younger hot rodder would like to have. Some of these pieces are priced in a realm that’s out of the younger rodder’s budget.
Slover feels that many young rodders will provide the resurgence that our hobby/industry needs, and I must agree. As the prices continue to drop on the current crop of finished hot rods, as well as the parts more and younger rodders will be able to join in. The basic street rod parts from the manufacturers are priced in a “workable” range. Given a new rodder can get a good deal on a functioning street rod he (or she) over time can make the subtle changes that will make the car his (or her) very own. The personalization will begin with something as simple as wheels and tires, new gauges, engine upgrades (cosmetic or performance), or even engine and trans swaps. New interiors and even color changes while expensive can more easily be had when dealing with a project that begins at a dollar figure that is far less expensive.
The future is out there and it’s just a matter of time before more and younger rodders are able to obtain these older restorations and the family hot rods that no longer carry close family ties are sold off at reduced prices. I know my daughter, as much as she likes me (I think), she wouldn’t hesitate to move my hot rods down the road. She doesn’t see herself driving around in a roofless hot rod. I guess it’s all about the continuing cycle.
It seems apropos that what goes around comes around in life and in our hobby … it all began with looking for that right set of wheels!
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