Canadian Antique cars go to new market!

[Steve Staysko]

So sad to see them leave North America and to bad they are headed to China.

http://driving.ca/buick/auto-news/ne...-beijing-bound

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Why is it so bad they are going to China?
Is not a Chinese car enthusiast allowed to enjoy the hobby like the rest of us?
Would it make any difference is they went to Sweden, England, or Australia?
Its not like they are going to crush, shred, or melt them them down.
Capable buyers from all around the world keep the interest in the cars high and the values for all classic cars high as well.

[old Tom]

They will be scrapped

[ricklove]

Originally Posted by old Tom

They will be scrapped

..... and ground into powder for dog food, baby formula, tires, yo-yos, orange juice, etc.

[Ronnie]

Originally Posted by ricklove

..... and ground into powder for dog food, baby formula, tires, yo-yos, orange juice, etc.

Don't forget an aphrodisiac for Asian car lovers.

R

[Ralph Moore]

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Maybe they will make cheap copies of them and sell them back to us.

[Flowmeister]

I don't understand the dismay of where the cars are going.
He said it all, Nobody from here has stepped up to buy them
End of story

[FortyNiner]

Having visited China a number of times, I never saw any evidence of a collector car community. Could be that Shanghai and Guanghou aren't the places - but wherever they end up, the new owners would likely be Communist Party members. That's the part that gives pause.

[tiger.1000]

First come, first served

[SofaKing]

I understand that the consciencelessness of Capitalism makes this all ok. But somehow I believe that the Chinese businessmen and Party leaders that can afford to buy them, will use them as accessories in the same way Paris Hilton uses toy dogs, as a status symbol. There's no car culture, no historical or social connection with classic cars. One only has to consider what was going on in China at the time these cars were made to realize that the attraction of these vehicles is not shared experience or the affection of enthusiasts you find here on this forum, regardless their locale. There's nothing to be done about it and my dance card is too full to lament it, but its still a disappointment

[Ross F-1]

IMO it's better than having a SBC slapped in them, with air bag suspension, 5000W stereo, and riding on 20" wheels, which is what happens every day in the US and CA.

[expavr]

Originally Posted by SofaKing

I understand that the consciencelessness of Capitalism makes this all ok. But somehow I believe that the Chinese businessmen and Party leaders that can afford to buy them, will use them as accessories in the same way Paris Hilton uses toy dogs, as a status symbol. There's no car culture, no historical or social connection with classic cars. One only has to consider what was going on in China at the time these cars were made to realize that the attraction of these vehicles is not shared experience or the affection of enthusiasts you find here on this forum, regardless their locale. There's nothing to be done about it and my dance card is too full to lament it, but its still a disappointment

According to the article the buyer intends to put them in a museum. That doesn't sound unreasonable to me. I've seen Asian tourists at the Lemay Museum in Tacoma and at the Boeing Museum of Flight in Seattle. Their life experience may not be the same as ours, but their curiosity about these transportation devices seems to be the same.

[Ralph Moore]

Your average Chinese worker doesn't have the mind set that most Americans have, or should I say used to have when it comes to automobiles. I think even here most of the latest generation are into throw away cars.
Just think , if they do copy them, everyone can buy a 32 Ford for $3995!!

[Scott H in Wheaton]

Originally Posted by Ralph Moore

Your average Chinese worker doesn't have the mind set that most Americans have, or should I say used to have when it comes to automobiles. I think even here most of the latest generation are into throw away cars.
Just think , if they do copy them, everyone can buy a 32 Ford for $3995!!

it would have to have air bags, 12 computers, impact bumpers, bluetooth, get 40 mpg, etc etc

[DavidG]

Least it be forgotten that these are not one-of-kind masterpieces here. With the exception of the Brush and the Edsel convertible, these cars were produced in the thousands and in some cases the survivors number in the thousands.

This is not in the same league as Canada losing the collective works of the Group of Seven, not even close.

Then there's the past to consider. How about all of those Australian Fords being imported into North America back in the '70s and the thousands imported from South America? In the latter case it got to the point that the government of Brazil banned the export of vehicles produced before 1950 even though the country did not have an indigenous automotive industry. (I'd also bet that a few feathers have been ruffled in England and elsewhere in Europe along the same lines over the years.) And in each of those instances there were and are numerous hobbyists locally complete with their own clubs lamenting the "loss" of all that raw material. Admittedly there's been some ebb to offset the earlier flow in the cases of Australia and Europe, but that is as it should be.

Who's to say that the Chinese should be excluded from the next wave? These days more cars are being built and sold in China than in the U.S. so they don't exactly despise cars.

[Fortunateson]

I live a few miles from that collection and have visited it a few times. It was quite something and it did evolve over time. They were just parked basically bumper to bumper and I always thought that it was a shame they didn't get exercised very often. I guess part of me wishes they would all stay since large collections here in Canada a few and far between. However, appreciation of the designs knows no boundaries. And Hong Kong did have a history of Buicks as the British Royal family had a few and therefore the higher-ups would want to emulate that status. The Buicks being built in a loyal Commonwealth country; Canada. Deep down I wish they were only going to the states as it might be a little easier to visit them again especially for detail confirmation during restorations. Will any of them come back "home"? Probably not. I guess that makes those here and in the States more valuable now if you're into the "value" thing. I sure wish some of the moneyed people here would have stepped up to create a museum for them but vintage vehichles don't compare to the latest, cool, PC, eco, tastes of those with big pockets. Any the local film industry would have appreciated the resource for sure. I think the fella could have kept a few for local sale though. These large collections are a negative as well as in the instance of the LeMay collection. He did save alot but I think of the person who finally got to a point in their life where a restoration project would be feasable but the "search and buy every and anything" mentality of those creating these large collections block their entry into the hobby unless they want to restore a '81 cheVETTE for example. I'm fortunate that I have my tiny collection each waiting it's turn.

[tiger.1000]

I concur with David G. There seems to be a negative and almost anti-Chinese opinion embraced within some of the comments on this thread. China is a rapidly evolving country.It has risen from paddyfield to skyscraper in as little as two decades;much of which fuelled by a demand from the west and in particular the USA.
There is a strong inference that the Chinese are lacking in culture or good taste. Far from it !

The Great Wall of China was built before America was on the map. The Chinese are clever craftsmen. Their works of art, produced many centuries ago, are highly sort after
the world over and in particular the USA. Visit any museum here in London and you will find numerous Chinese visitors intrigued by the artefacts that we have created in here in Europe. They are clever, creative and intelligent people. Whilst there's no argument that they may be responsible for producing some second-rate reproduction Ford parts; don't tar them all with the same brush.

[fourfords]

Say what you want, but America and it's Brother to the north are the unwaivering envy of the entire world. ANYTHING that is American is coveted by the Chinese, Japanese and the Russians and everybody else! From Blue Jeans to Vintage Cars! We can delve into the why's on some other forum, But If you want to whine and complain about our hobbies leaving North America, then stop being so great!!! I'm not particularly ready to to throw in that towel. So let's all keep pursuing excellence in our hobbies, businesses and lives and let God be the one to sort out who's worthy!

[tiger.1000]

Fourfords'

I assumed that's addressed to me ?

I am not possessed of greatness, nor indeed am I whining nor complaining about the USA or indeed the Chinese, the Russians, Japanese or indeed any other race. Merely pointing out a fact.

Whether America or its' "brother to the north" are the envy of the ENTIRE world is highly debatable; in fact absolute poppycock ! True; in the past you have churned out some good cars but now that's all over and as for your foreign policies perhaps the subject of weapons of mass destruction and Vietnam should be swept under the table.
Doubtless though, "god" is not responsible for that?

Yes I know we're going off topic but I'll write on behalf of the Chinese whom for the time being have been unable to make a contribution.

[Charlie ny]

Great thoughts from all....that's real world, if you've got the $$$$$ you get the
goods.
My only problem is the 'consciencelessness of Capitalism' remark, capitalism is THEE
reason we are the envy of the world.
Charlie ny