Club Thinning

[Mulletwagon]

About ten years ago I am told our local club had over 100 members. Some five years ago we were down to about 60. We currently number just 33 and enthusiasm seems to be declining. Model As will continue to outlive their owners but there does seem to be a trend. While the younger folks fill the Corvette and Mustang clubs, Model A clubs have always been the venue for the more seasoned automotive enthusiasts. I suspect “The Greatest Generation” passed their Model As to the much larger “Baby Boomer Generation” and clubs expanded. Following generations are smaller and may explain why Model A interest is in at least minor decline. The average age in my club’s membership is about 75 and we cannot seem to attract anyone younger than 60 or so. Just wondering if we are the exception or are other clubs having a similar experience.

[Jacksonlll]

We are about 75 members with a lot of new ones, but the club works hard at getting new ones. New blood, new ideas, and the new members go on more tours than the average member. We have a pkg we pass out and approach anyone with an A. We even have three out of state members. Form a group to go out and find new blood. It’s out there. The A’s are out there and someone owns them.

[alexiskai]

I think the availability of good Internet resources (like this one) has reduced the benefit to joining clubs. There are obviously still benefits, but I think a lot of folks are deciding it's not worth it. For me, I couldn't make the time to drive 1-2 hours to the meetings, do the meeting, drive back, etc.

[copgib]

I too feel the same way as alexiskai. I live south of Gainesville Florida and the closest club would be 2-hour drive away. Being a member of these forums is a way guys like us can still keep in touch and enjoy the Model A hobby.

[31a]

We are facing the same issues declining # sand lack of interest in the A. My kids were raised in a model a now in their 40s and have no interest. Life is too busy you cannot use an I phone on it and it is too slow my opinion. I have bought and sold A's for over 30 years and never seen the price so low. We live in a shaded environment here because all of us have a special feeling for the old girl. I see lack of interest and no desire, I wish it were different I am afraid we will continue to see the decline.

[Synchro909]

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I am in two car clubs and they are both using social media to make the younger people aware of their existance. The response has been very good. In one club, we have a nucleus of younger guys and their enthusiasm is bringing things back to life. It's a pity though that so many of the older members just don't care and don't support these young, enthusiastic guys when they organise an event. My wife and I certainly do because we understand that without them, the club has no future. It is interesting to note that many of them have cars older than a Model A, some more than 20 years older.
Some of these youngsers have openly said that they didn't want to join a club of old farts but when they saw we had younger members too, they joined. I believe that if a car club can reach a critical mass of younger members, it will feed itself and be sustainable into the future.

[redmodelt]

Our Model T club (Rose City Model T Club) is holding around 100-110 members/family's. Even with the passing of some members we seem to keep around that number with new members. We do have a Facebook page and if you google us we also have a web page. While not a member of the Beaver Model A Club I think their numbers are holding steady with over 100+ members(I think is around 120 to 140). There are also 2 other clubs in Vancouver Washington which is in the Portland Vancouver area.

[sethkestenbaum]

Member recruitment should never be a "wait and see who knocks at the door" process. The clubs need to actively recruit high school and college kids as "student members" who aren't currently Model A owners but one day may be and who might want to get their hands dirty learning about the cars. Clubs also need to be active in doing practicals with members and student members on how to fix and maintain the cars. People who don't know how to fix a car are likely intimidated and hesitant to buy a Model A. Most of the club members I know grew up with Model As. This is not a growing demographic. As I once mentioned at a club meeting when we spoke about our club's shrinking size, "most of the clubs are shrinking... and not because members are retiring to Florida." This was followed by a suggestion that the more senior owners try to proactively identify the "next possible owner" of their car and start training them years before the car trades hands.... even if the next owner isn't family and might not eventually buy the car. Just doing things like having a neighbor and his/her kids help change the oil or do maintenance will bring attention to the hobby and create positive experiences. I think things like this, over a long period of time, is what will save the clubs from disappearing. For the record, the 20 year olds LOVE Model As. If you can get them hooked now, they will join the clubs in their mid-30s.

[ronn]

so Mullet- yes this is going on everywhere.


some of the clubs become nothing more then coffee and cookies, due to age.


the more successful clubs pull in the young and approach the club with hands on, on the A's in the club.
Reading bylaws and having a coffee can be done at a quilting club.
not that there's anything wrong with that..............

[TerryO]

Personally I drive 1 hour each way for our club meeting every month. It's worth it for the fellowship of the other members...
TerryO

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Age is definitely a factor. I'm 65 and am the 3rd youngest member in my club. So I can see where the "Old Fart" comment comes from.

[Jordan]

I am a member of the Fort Worth Club and the Dallas Club. I am much more active in the fort worth club out of proximity and it's just my preference. I am 26 and I am the president. I have been on and off the board for 10 years. I am the chairman of the 2020 MAFCA Awards banquet next December. I have hosted a regional convention. I also own 2 Model A's. I was born into it, but I've continued it by choice. I grew up in the Fort Worth club and my grandparents' friends brought their grandchildren too. Some of my best friends are the people I grew up with in the Model A Club. I would recommend bringing your grandkids and having your friends bring theirs too so they aren't the only young people there.

[DNLs1930]

Originally Posted by Jordan

I am a member of the Fort Worth Club and the Dallas Club. I am much more active in the fort worth club out of proximity and it's just my preference. I am 26 and I am the president. I have been on and off the board for 10 years. I am the chairman of the 2020 MAFCA Awards banquet next December. I have hosted a regional convention. I also own 2 Model A's. I was born into it, but I've continued it by choice. I grew up in the Fort Worth club and my grandparents' friends brought their grandchildren too. Some of my best friends are the people I grew up with in the Model A Club. I would recommend bringing your grandkids and having your friends bring theirs too so they aren't the only young people there.

Jordan, You will be adding one more to the Club soon as we will be joining the Fort Worth Model A Club.

[rivcokid]

It's not just the Model A clubs (although ours here in Riverside, CA is gaining members). Clubs all over, no matter what the interest, are dying. The younger generation "socializes" on iphones and not in person. So, if you go to a historical society meeting, and Elks Club meeting, or just about any other, you will hear the exact same comment - getting younger people to join is extremely difficult. I know - I belong to about 25 historical societies in our county and region, and I hear the same thing from all of them.

[sofield]

I would like to see our club use a number of these suggestions to recruit new members
sofield

[Oldbluoval]

I am seeing a lot of folks selling their cars.
Basically age and lack of succession in the family for their cars.
Many are very desirable body styles. I expect a decline in prices due to the supply and demand factor
Another problem is the thinning of craftsmen to do the work.
Skilled folks will have to step up for fabrication , upholstery and the like.
Many previously available crafts, parts, etc are disappearing.
IMHO

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Club I am in has a yearly repair meet in early spring. For me it would be nicer if it was monthly during the driving season and might help draw in younger people with low skills.

[Synchro909]

How about asking some young people what they want!

[Jordan]

Originally Posted by DNLs1930

Jordan, You will be adding one more to the Club soon as we will be joining the Fort Worth Model A Club.

We look forward to having you! Already planning a lot of tours for next year so you'll have to join the fun!

[Flyboy1st]

A sign of the decease in Model A club membership is the amount of "complete Model A chassis" for sale in these pages. The younger generation is buying restored Model A's and using the bodies, selling the parts. The people who were raised with the cars and form clubs to keep them the way they knew them are slowly going away.

[100IH]

Consider the housing market.Young couples can't afford to buy a house to live in or have kids until they are in their forties. A's have gone up a fair amount but the relative cost of doing a restoration has far out paced costs in the recent past and the number of knowledgeable technicians with experience has dropped with higher prices. We all know that you can't do it right and not loose your butt. On the other hand cars being sold often are being sold by a "cover the faults" type person where most all internals are someone else's junk junk and bondo is the way to fool em. Most of what is available at swap meets is trash. Anything worth using likely is an estate sale and has been saved for 40 or 50 years and certain types in clubs will scoop it up before the widow gets home from the funeral and none of it will ever become available to the young new members. Too many have tasted sour grapes when building an engine or a brake job costs way more than one could buy 4 or 5 complete cars 20 years ago. I have played with A's 50 years and then some and I can't get off the ground with 2 same body type cars that were going to be combined to make one. It's a guaranteed loss. 30 or 40 thousand dollar bills adds up to way over $40K. all to make a car to sell for half of the investment. My driver that goes back to high school days needs the fuel tank leaks fixed and just recently lost the only place that could do the work at any price. Now that's 3 cars to be parted out and taken to the swaps and actually there only hot rod junk at our local swap.

[Dick Steinkamp]

Originally Posted by 100IH

Consider the housing market.Young couples can't afford to buy a house to live in or have kids until they are in their forties. A's have gone up a fair amount but the relative cost of doing a restoration has far out paced costs in the recent past and the number of knowledgeable technicians with experience has dropped with higher prices. We all know that you can't do it right and not loose your butt. On the other hand cars being sold often are being sold by a "cover the faults" type person where most all internals are someone else's junk junk and bondo is the way to fool em. Most of what is available at swap meets is trash. Anything worth using likely is an estate sale and has been saved for 40 or 50 years and certain types in clubs will scoop it up before the widow gets home from the funeral and none of it will ever become available to the young new members. Too many have tasted sour grapes when building an engine or a brake job costs way more than one could buy 4 or 5 complete cars 20 years ago. I have played with A's 50 years and then some and I can't get off the ground with 2 same body type cars that were going to be combined to make one. It's a guaranteed loss. 30 or 40 thousand dollar bills adds up to way over $40K. all to make a car to sell for half of the investment. My driver that goes back to high school days needs the fuel tank leaks fixed and just recently lost the only place that could do the work at any price. Now that's 3 cars to be parted out and taken to the swaps and actually there only hot rod junk at our local swap.

Other than that, things are OK?

[ronn]

HAHAHA! thanks Dick Steinkamp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


needed a good morning chuckle.

[ronn]

how about asking some young people what they want!





MORE TEA! MORE TEA! MORE TEA!

[Jim Baskin III Pa.]

The experience here in Pennsylvania has been the opposite.In June 2017 I received a letter from a fellow model A enthusiast that wanted to start a club.He contacted MARC and the next thing we know we have 5 prospective model A owners to start such a club. We organized the West Branch A's. We meet in Williamsport once a month which is centrally located as we have members that live 40-50mile away. In about 2yrs we are at 30 members and have been able to recruit younger members and continue to grow as we become more known.Over all It has been a exciting journey and we basically have become one big family.

We are looking forward to growth and companionship that such a club brings.

West Branch A's President
Jim Baskin III

[Jacksonlll]

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Jim, we are planning our trip to Amish Country, Berlin, OH next August. It would be great if you could join us, Oakleaf. Your trip there would be a little longer that ours from Michigan, but you should be able to make it in one day. You are welcome if you can make it.

[alexiskai]

Originally Posted by Jim Baskin III Pa.

The experience here in Pennsylvania has been the opposite.In June 2017 I received a letter from a fellow model A enthusiast that wanted to start a club.He contacted MARC and the next thing we know we have 5 prospective model A owners to start such a club.

This is a pretty key point. I know there are enough owners within 30 minutes of me that we could start a club, but no one is stepping up to start it. It's a serious time commitment, at least if you want to do it well. I'd be willing to be someone's assistant, but that's my limit until the kids are a little older.

[Jim Baskin III Pa.]

Originally Posted by Jacksonlll

Jim, we are planning our trip to Amish Country, Berlin, OH next August. It would be great if you could join us, Oakleaf. Your trip there would be a little longer that ours from Michigan, but you should be able to make it in one day. You are welcome if you can make it.

Jack,I will bring your Oakleaf trip up at our next meeting which is Jan 2020 Thanks for the invite.

[Fordfan29]

If the club is too far away, start your own club closer to home. This happened 42 years ago with our club in Oregon and we have an aging but active membership. The young members are 35 or older. All it takes is enthused and willing members.

The MAFCA "Events Kit" is available free of charge and it works! Just add at least one enthusiastic member to sell the hobby at this display and include a Model A in the display so people can see & touch the car.

Make it fun and people will want to be part of it.

[redmodelt]

Not saying you have to be a clearing house for prospective members, but above post is a great reason to say where you are located. There could be people that don't that there is even a club in the area. While I am not a member of any of the Portland/Vancouver Model A clubs, I sure could point them in the right direction if someone asked.

[Mulletwagon]

Great comments and I agree with all of them. If survival and expansion of a club is the goal, attracting youth is the key – and the challenge. The evolution of youth culture development and the activities that hold kids’ interest have changed. There are many exceptions, but in general, teenagers and young adults do not work on cars, boys do not play sandlot baseball, nobody makes model cars or airplanes, and kids spend most of their free time indoors rather than outdoors. Not to say this is wrong, it is just the new normal. All too often I have observed Junior inheriting Grandpa’s Army .45, gold pocket watch, musical instrument, and classic car only to sell it all to buy the latest computer games. What has not changed is these are still good kids that are largely influenced by the environment and their peers. Perhaps these classical interests are disappearing into obscurity because kids are not exposed to them. If that is the case, we can help propagate the Model A hobby by making the effort to introduce youth to this most notable automotive icon and the remarkable story behind it. As so many have suggested, those kids who take an interest today will be the ones to carry the Model A into the future, and in the process, ensure Model As are running long after the Starship Enterprise is mothballed.

Just one final thought. While the boys are spending countless unrecoverable hours playing computer games, the girls are moving out smartly. The majority of college students are female and the ladies are moving into leadership positions in business, industry, government, and the military. We have one especially talented gal in our club who is an expert on Ford history and a fully capable mechanic. A future source of club members may also be young ladies; and they will be welcomed.

[SteveB31]

The original author of this post Ned’s to remember that likely all 100 cars are still there. But only 33 of those car owners are in the club. You need to find the other 67 car owners and see why they aren’t in the club. Many have touched on reasons why, but a simple solution is to find the cars, and you will find the current owner of those cars.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by Mulletwagon

Great comments and I agree with all of them. If survival and expansion of a club is the goal, attracting youth is the key – and the challenge. The evolution of youth culture development and the activities that hold kids’ interest have changed. There are many exceptions, but in general, teenagers and young adults do not work on cars, boys do not play sandlot baseball, nobody makes model cars or airplanes, and kids spend most of their free time indoors rather than outdoors. Not to say this is wrong, it is just the new normal.

I'm not saying that I disagree with your comment in red, but my differing thoughts are based on me being involved in the Model-A hobby for all of my life of nearly 60 years. My father was a co-founder of the Houston Model-A club in 1964 when he was 32 years old. Dad started collecting and restoring Model-As a few years prior to that date. From my observations in these 55 years of being around the Model-A club, Model-A club participation has never been a Youth hobby however it has always survived as each generation 'aged out' and new 'older people' stepped in to fill the void.

I do agree with you regarding involving youth ...however, my view is that it is not the responsibility of the Model-A club to get youth involved in Model-As, but it is the responsibility of a (grand)parent to involve these youth in Model-As outside of the club. Do it on a level that the young person builds a bond or an affection with the car itself, --and not the club. The reason I am in my profession today is because as a kid, I spent time with my father and so I was involved with Model-A. Because my passion was formed with me as a kid working beside my mentor, I later turned my father's hobby into my living. I dare say that Steve Becker was a product of the same environment. IMO, the key to growing the Model-A hobby is not getting young people involved as a member on the club level. The key is making the club something that attracts someone/anyone to want to participate with that group. It will never matter whether that participant is young or old as long as they are having fun. Face the obvious, most young people become old, and the older we get, the more our desires and interests change. The Model-A club has always attracted older participants, but the people who were kids back in the 60s (-who had no interest in Model-As back then) have become Model-A owners of today. Many Model-A owners of today have no mechanical background or experience ...and this does not curtail them from being involved in the hobby.

My belief is, -show me a club that is losing club membership or participation, and you likely will find a club that is stale and lacking in leadership. Make it a venue where a hobbyist makes it a priority in his/her life to participate, and the enthusiasm of those participants will make the club grow.

[dumb person]

Originally Posted by 100IH

........ Anything worth using likely is an estate sale and has been saved for 40 or 50 years and certain types in clubs will scoop it up before the widow gets home from the funeral and none of it will ever become available to the young new members.....

.......My driver that goes back to high school days needs the fuel tank leaks fixed and just recently lost the only place that could do the work at any price.

It is true that parts get hoarded, but all the good parts get sent to the crusher when the hoarder dies, so people like me have to make do with utter rejects.

As for your fuel tank, have you considered putting a more modern tank inside it with openings that are exactly at the fuel filler, gas gauge, and outlet points?

It should look the part & function just as well.

Edit:

Originally Posted by Mulletwagon

Just one final thought. While the boys are spending countless unrecoverable hours playing computer games, the girls are moving out smartly.
A future source of club members may also be young ladies; and they will be welcomed.

Most people i know don't think they have a choice about the games. In a world that spits in your face & slashes your tired every day, games are their only refuge.

[john in illinois]

Originally Posted by SteveB31

The original author of this post Ned’s to remember that likely all 100 cars are still there. But only 33 of those car owners are in the club. You need to find the other 67 car owners and see why they aren’t in the club. Many have touched on reasons why, but a simple solution is to find the cars, and you will find the current owner of those cars.

Our club is very good about seeking out new Model A s and talking to their new owners in our area. We have a club workshop wher we help repair members cars.
Usually new owners are thrilled that someone would help them get started.
We get many new members by working on their cars. They learn about ther A
and soon they are helping other new members.

John

[31 Woody]

I grew up the son of a Model A club member and enthusiast/parts hoarder (sorry Dad!). But being a mid-60’s baby—when it was time for a car, I wanted a Mustang. It didn’t mean I didn’t like Model A’s, I just wanted a more practical daily driver for high school and college. I still love Mustangs and have several, but at least 10 years ago, I made it clear I wanted a Model A and Dad came through.

I am a member of a Model A club and have no plans of being in a Mustang club any time soon. My reasons are:
- Mustang clubs consisted of car show people. They wanted to sit in a lawn chair in a parking lot most Saturdays. When there was a tour, I tried my best to participate. I did a few shows, but yuck, I would rather be in the garage or driving.
- judged shows consisted of spectators voting for the best chrome or show participants voting for the best chrome. Nah, not what I want either.
- Working on cars - I like working on my cars. The Mustang Club I was in last consisted of 99% people who paid others to work on their cars. Nope, I can’t learn anything from that other than having a fat wallet might make my car nicer.
- Food - Mustang clubbers like food as do Model A club people, so that is a push. We all have to eat and it is a chance to talk cars—but I don’t want to hear how much you paid someone to work on your car while we eat, tell me how you did something or how to fix something on my car (Knowledge)
- Memories of Model A’s: Tours, roadside seminars, members restoring their cars, members doing amazing reconstructive surgery on stuff that probably should have been replaced: every one of those provided learning/knowledge if I was paying any attention. And if it was a tour, we did something fun as a family. Model A’s were a family affair, I grew up riding in one and wanted my kids to do the same—good memories.

Where do I think we are missing it? If younger people use social media, it needs to be part of our club in some way. I would love a club Social Media where the experienced members could consult with me with their opinions, we could share events, plan get togethers, and just offer support and friendship. To get those today, I have to call specific people or go to the club breakfast and seek out experience. I am learning, it sure isn’t a Mustang when it is repair time.

This forum is great—I can post something and get 6 bits of advice in a few hours. But my family doesn’t get anything from it. The family fun/memories are important too. A social media presence would help me know of local events coming up or what we missed. If local A owners were going, I could coordinate with them/participate together—strength in numbers and comradarie. With Social Media it is so easy provide pictures, advice, information, many things.