Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[emmerson]

Met a young lass (early 20s, perhaps) on the dog walk this morning, with a little pup. She called him Austin. The sad part about this encounter was that she had never heard of Austin of England, or Longbridge, or BMC!
Does anyone else feel sad that there is a generation growing up knowing nothing of our great automotive history?
The girl could recite most of the "foreign" makes though!

[Riley Blue]

One of my nephew's wifes has had a baby who I met for the first time at Christmas. He's been christened 'Austin' but is called by his parents 'Austie' - poor kid...
_________________
David

1963 Riley 1.5
1965 Riley 1.5

[Ray White]

One of my Cattery customers has a Siamese cat called 'Bira'. Another has a small cat called "Bebe". Yet another has a cat called "Fordson" . There are others but interestingly all the "owners" are getting on a bit. None of my younger customers have given their cats automotive names and tend to name their pets after current celebrities.

I wonder if interest in old cars will eventually be reduced to the level of museum exhibits or investments?

[Dipster]

[Rusty]

I don't think there is much chance of the "old car scene" changing all that much ! My own nephews are mostly car nuts (one isn't) and I have a mate whose kids are car enthusiasts but only cars made recently. One has just bought a new Ford mustang. All of them will retain an interest in cars of some sort. Its like when we started taking an interest, all the previous old car enthusiast generation were only into Napier's, Lanchesters, Invicters ect and were probably horrified that we took an interest in Austin's, Fords, Wolseley's and all sorts of other "undeserving" marques, but we think we are doing rather nicely and still hold a certain reverence for "their" cars of a much earlier period even if we don't personally own one (yes I know some of you lucky devils do own some) I know a lot of my car friends don't know much very early car history and as the years unfold I think all that is going to change is the time lines we measure the interest by.

[Ray White]

[Mikey77]

Back in the 1970s in Somerset I had a neighbour called Austin Morris!
He had my dream job - traveller for a whisky firm.

[Paul fairall]

England rugby union player Austin Healey

[old iron]

Sorry to say, again, that I have seen so much evidence that prewar cars are attracting less and less interest and attention. Many shows and steam rallies that used to be half full with pre war vehicles, those same shows now, if you are lucky, feature perhaps a handful. Younger enthusiasts walk past pre war as they simply are not interested in them. They will group around 1960,s vehicles and discuss.
Sad but true. I have now sold my 1920,s car and caravan combo, my lad and daughter were not interested in either so I sold them on while I could find a buyer.

[Ray White]

I seem to remember it was the film "Genevieve" that inspired me and was largely responsible for the initial popularisation of old cars as a hobby.

Would another box office hit featuring genuine old cars produce a revival with the younger generation?

[Riley Blue]

'Ashes to Ashes' boosted interest in the UR quattro (and prices thereof).

Any suggestions what sort of TV series might to the same for your particular classic?
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David

1963 Riley 1.5
1965 Riley 1.5

[peter scott]

[MVPeters]

[Ray White]

[Rusty]