Recap of the "Let's get personal" thread

[Mike Peters]

Banning cars on public roadways?
I think not. Farmers run very large and very slow equipment on public roads every day. Most farmers have yellow flashing lights on their tractors and combines when out and about.
The worst thing state DMV's might require is yellow flashing lights on slower prewar cars, if driving under 40 MPH, or some such speed. I doubt that, because it is exceedingly rare to see prewar cars out on roads. Not enough of us to matter.

[denis4x4]

We tend to buy and appreciate cars of our youth. I think the age spread shows that. Guys that were in high school during the muscle car era are collecting social security and prices on hemi Cuda’s aren’t as strong as they once were. Trying to be objective about the future of Model A’s on the Fordbarn is an exercise in futility. The entire automotive accessory/performance aftermarket is stronger than its ever been. However, imports are the driver with late model trucks and SUV’s following close behind. The real big bucks for your A after you die will probably come from a hot rodder!

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

Remember when there were those that were worried about cow farts.

I wonder if feeding corn to cars instead of cows helped reduce farting? LOL

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

I wonder if feeding corn to cars instead of cows helped reduce farting? LOL

Can't cut a nice steak off a car!!

[updraught]

These are the only vintage cars with four wheel brakes that have most spare parts available new.
Has the demand for new parts dropped off?

It's not the first time in ninety years they have been worthless, abandoned and left to rust.

[Jim Brierley]

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You guys make my head hurt!

[WTSHNN]

I'm getting back to the original post.

I'm going to argue that if you ran the demographics of the MARC Facebook group you're going to see younger numbers there than you will here.

The number of hobbyists is still going to trend older regardless where you look but Fordbarn, and forums in general, aren't as "youthful" as Facebook.

-Tim

[Brendan]

Originally Posted by J Franklin

That is why our tax money is being used for separate bike lanes. At least here in the U.S..

i think if your over 18 years old, and want to ride a bike, you need to pay registration, and insurance, to ride on the roads. mabey even pay a road tax. we have to with every car we own!

[Ted Duke]

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

Remember when there were those that were worried about cow farts.

Cows don't fart, they splatter cow manure. Good for the fields and the gardens. Not good for antique cars, especially Model A fords. You have to be careful where you drive.

[zzlegend]

Well,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,it could be worse....................

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSKQ3ZNQ_O8

[Ted Duke]

Originally Posted by Brendan

i think if your over 18 years old, and want to ride a bike, you need to pay registration, and insurance, to ride on the roads. mabey even pay a road tax. we have to with every car we own!

Agree! And police SHOULD enforce the traffic laws on bicycles. Virginia now has a law that YOU, the car drive must remain at least 3 feet away from a bicycle. Sounds logical, but if a bicycle (or usually many staggered over an hour) are passing my house than YOU the auto driver can not pass as the road is too narrow. If they stayed near the side, you could, but they don't. If you were driving a Model A you might not mind going that slow, but who wants to drive at bicycle speeds in a modern rig?

[oldforder]

I have only recently acquired my A,(about a year ago) and I basically only drive it around town or on a couple county roads near town, as all 3 of the highways leading out of town are all 4 lane roads and they recently raised the speed limit on them to 70 mph. That means people are driving mostly 75+ mph. I just don't feel safe driving 45 or so. All the 2 lane state roads are now 65 mph, so everybody drives 70+. Then they complain that highway deaths are up. Seems that should have lowered the speed, not raised. But everybody is in a hurry. The interstate (I80) one of the busiest in the country, has just been raised to 75.
that means 80 to 85 is the normal speed. All good, you make good time, one mistake on somebody part and mayhem. Rant over now.

[J Franklin]

Originally Posted by Brendan

i think if your over 18 years old, and want to ride a bike, you need to pay registration, and insurance, to ride on the roads. mabey even pay a road tax. we have to with every car we own!

In my state all you need for riding a bike is a bike and helmet for the kids. But taxes go for the road reconfiguration.

[woofa.express]

Originally Posted by Brendan

i think if your over 18 years old, and want to ride a bike, you need to pay registration, and insurance, to ride on the roads. mabey even pay a road tax. we have to with every car we own!

bike registration and insurance? Another administration. Add it to vehicle inspection and registration. Health insurance, household and contents insurance, motor car insurance, rates, taxes, tax returns, telephone bills, drivers licence renewals, boat licence renewals and the fees that accompany them both. Pilot licence, the medicals and fees. becoming a hermit is getting to be more appealing.

[hazelhoff]

Personally I worry about self driving cars. What if anybody would want to hack the software of a paticular car to turn it into a 'self driving suicide attack' ?
All you would have to do is manipulate the front sensors to not see anything at a certain target location. Put a tile on the drivers' chair and key in the address ...

[Bill G]

At 20 through my 50's my priorities were with work and home and kids. Although I had an interest, I was not ready to go out and buy a Model A. At about 60, I got into antiques and antique phones and began collecting. I had always wanted a Model A, but until things fell into place, I was just not able to. I suspect that we can't rely on creating interest in the hobby, many will change their interests as they get older.

[37Benny]

Originally Posted by WTSHNN

I'm getting back to the original post.

I'm going to argue that if you ran the demographics of the MARC Facebook group you're going to see younger numbers there than you will here.

The number of hobbyists is still going to trend older regardless where you look but Fordbarn, and forums in general, aren't as "youthful" as Facebook.

-Tim

Agreed.Benny

[37Benny]

Originally Posted by Dick Steinkamp

This is through post 118 of that thread which asks members to post their age.

110 members out of the 118 posts posted their age

<20 1
20-29 3
30-39 4
40-49 3
50-59 11
60-69 29
70-79 40
80-89 18
>89 1

Here are a few "take aways" for me...

It certainly is an "old guys" hobby. The average age of ownership is probably even higher than this poll indicates since the older we get, the less likely we are to embrace technology...like computers and on line forums.

It is probably going to be harder to find enthusiasts for Model As as us old guys become fewer and fewer. There will probably come the day when seeing a Model A in the wild will be VERY rare. Maybe like seeing a horse and buggy now.

Don't count on our kids or grandkids getting excited about inheriting our As. The numbers aren't showing much of an interest under the age of 60.

We shouldn't let this detract from the enjoyment of our cars. Our parents and grandparents had interests other than ours (for the most part). Our kids and grandkids have interests other than ours (for the most part). So what?

Dick, You are going to love the march newsletter. I'll be touching on this subject. Benny

[Don S]

My original post doesn't show , you can add me to the over 80 group at 82 this year. Thanks