Andy L. wrote:
>I don't know the answer to your question but I do believe that we are at a
>critical juncture for the movement. Do we become a fad like Beanie Babies,
>or is there something more here? Personally I believe there is something
>more. Many of the cars we love appeal not only to aging boomers, but to a
>much wider audience. But those teen-agers have to see them and they have to
>know that they're good for something more than trailering to a show.
>
>My son-in-law wants a TR6 or a Land Rover. There's a bucket of young folks
>like him out there that would snap at the chance to use one of our cars as a
>daily driver, or restoration project, but they've gotta see the cars first.
Andy, et al.
I must agree with you - the cars MUST be seen. But this brings me right back
to the thread I started about the 77 Gremlin and insurance. Some how we
need to find ins. co.s that will insure these things for more than $200
in the case of an accident.
While I know that many replied to my post - saying: "just be cause you
have $10,000 in a $2,000 car doesn't make it worth $10,000."
While this may be so, some how we need to unite and find a way to insure
the car to be driven. If someone were to purchase an "older" car - don't
care what - 67 olds, 71 Sonett, 75 Bricklin, 80 Spit ..... for any amount
of money. That car will probably need some work, a new paint job, an
engine rebuild, xmission rebuild, new top ..... With a paint job costing
about a min of $1,000 that is a substantial amount of money. If the car
were given to you and you dump the $1,000 into it, you CAN'T afford to drive
it if you'll only get $200 if hit.
If we take a car like a late model Spit - prices are from $0 to $3,000 around
here. ALL of these cars need some work - which translates to money - to get/
keep them on the road!
How do we minimize what we have in the car? The only answer is to do the
work yourself. Most of us one these list are capable of doing the work.
We may not know how - but we can learn given an Elmer (mentor). Some of
the work (i.e.. a paint job, eng. machine work) may be beyond the capabilities
of many. OK that translates to MORE $$$$.
I paid $2,500 for my 77 Spit and have put several $100 into it not counting
labor and it needs a paint job and maybe
some rear end and eng. work. So
by the time I really get her "reliable" I'll have at least $4,000 in her.
If I actually restore her - I'll have a lot more!
Again, now I NEED to be able to insure that car for at least $4,000 or what
ever I have in it. Otherwise I and others - especially the younger ones
that WE need to bring into this hobby will go by a 6-8 yr. car for $4,000 that
THEY CAN insure for $4,000.
Will they learn as much? Probably NOT. They'll send the car to the nearest
shop for anything. Will they have as much fun? Again, probably not! I must
admit that I get a lot more enjoyment out of driving my beat up Spit, or my
Sonett than I do my 84 Accord (except when it's hot out - I like my AC!)
Next point. If we can entice the younger fellows into this hobby, and they
want to learn how to maintain their cars - where will they be spending their
free time? In their (or their parents) garages working on the cars. THIS
IS A GOOD THING!!! They aren't out running the streets - selling dope -
doing dope, getting into trouble, etc.!!!!!
But now it comes back to SOCITY and insurance.
1. We need to be able to protect our investments!!!! That means realistic
insurance policy coverate at realistic rates.
2. In many many areas it has become illegal to work on your cars at your
residence. For instance:
a. where I live, you can’t even change your oil at most appartment and
town house complexes!
b. Many areas won’t allow you to work on your car in your front yard!
c. Many places won’t let you have a parts car in your yard!
These 2 points WILL bring about the demise of your hobby.
I'm not trying to be pessimistic here - just realistic. In many cases
item 2 above can be over come. If you have a place where you can work on
your cars, then invite the newer members of our hobby over to work on
there cars at your place. You will be doing them several favors, keeping
them out of trouble, and memtoring them. THIS IS A GOOD THING.
Now we need to do find a way to be able to afford to drive our older cars.
For many, the collector insurance is NOT an option! There has to be a way.
If anyone has had luck with getting their older car insured for a realistic
value, let us know how you did it. Let us know what insurance companies.
Then if we elect to change our insurance companies, we need to let them
know why.
John
John T. Blair WA4OHZ email: jblair@exis.net
Va. Beach, Va Phone: (757) 495-8229
48 TR1800 65 Morgan 4/4 Series V (B1109)
71 Saab Sonett III (71500840) 75 Bricklin SV1 (0887) 77 Spitfire
Morgan: www.team.net/www/morgan
Bricklin: www.bricklin.org
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